Letters from the Inside, Thomas Whitaker, #18

Dear Kelly,

Howdy. Just got your postcard from the Waldorf-Astoria, and I am concerned that you aren't getting my letters. You didn't make mention that you had received any from me lately, and were concerned that I was talking about you in my Dec blog posts. Not at all, Kelly, Not even close. You don't annoy me in the slightest. I have always enjoyed your letters and your way of thinking. You are a survivor, and I respect that...exactly the opposite of the people was referring to. Anyways, I am hoping that my last letter eventually will make it to you, as I went into this a bit. I really don't know how to explain what is going on with the mail room. Its like there are periods of loss, specifically aimed at certain people. I wrote Tracey for two years, without any problems. Maybe one or two lost letters, and then in Nov/Dec, virtually half got lost, and the other half was held for several seeks here in the mailroom. Now we seem back on he normal 10 day travel time. It's like they pick people each month to investigate, and somewhere in this office things are disappearing. I know you write other inmates. Have you ever experienced this in other states? Thanks for the article on Ronald Tackman and his escape. I had heard about this on the evening news, but it was fun to read the details. I can't believe Rikers Island is so porous. We do jails differently in Texas. Pity the guy who can't figure out what to do with himself after he makes it to Point B. That does seem to be the weak link in most escape plans.

I took my first PHIL 203 test last Friday. It was...well, philosophers are all a little nuts, so who know how I did. Six essay questions, and the attorney that gave it to me looked amused at the questions. I think I did good. Subjective grading schemes have always scared me a little, though. Especially when you are getting tested on something so subjective as the Sophists. Give me easily quantifiable stuff any day.

In case y last letter doesn't make it, I wanted to thank you for sending the PEN stuff. I am looking it over, and will probably submit something. Why not? It looks like a good program. I may edit my Polk County entries a bit and submit them as one piece.


What's new in NY? You mentioned that you had found a new client? Hopefully not another deadbeat. If, by chance you don't get m y last letter, do you have a copy of your letter which preceded it? I know you asked something about the law, and I wrote a little about how I taught myself, but I don't remember specifics. If you need for me to answer that again , please reprint out your questions I don't really know the best way to go about learning civil law. I pretty much learned by trial and error. I would listen to a few of the older guys, and then go request materials from the law library, in order to understand what they were talking about. Eventually, things started to mesh. Sort of like learning a new city: you first learn where the grocery store is. Then, the post office. You may not understand how these two places relate to the city at large, but you have a map of your house and the store and then your house and the post office, and how they relate. I'm still figuring stuff out, though. I am constantly hearing about this case or that case, and having to go look it up. It would be easier if I could actually GO to the law library, instead of requesting things, but that is not likely to change any time soon. There is really only one area of law that I would claim to be nearly an expert, and that is on 42 USC Section 1983, or civil rights cases for inmates. I think I have a handle on that, finally. I would best there are "Do-It-Yourself" websites out there for civil law. Like templates for various types of motions, where you just fill in the names and facts. Judges tend to be somewhat lenient with pro se applicants, so that work in your favor. If you do find such a site, let me know the address. I might like to check it out.

Well, I hope that this finds you well. Let me know if you are getting these. If not, you might consider trying the JPAY email system I mentioned on mb6 awhile back. It seems to be pretty well done. We don't always get everything within the guaranteed 48 hours, but I've only lost a few emails in a few months. Certainly a better record than regular mail. Until then, stay safe.

TBW