break out the hankies and tiny violins: Letter from Lakin from Prison

[cali]

Prison Diaries: Jan 2, 2011: Terry's First Letter from Prison: Dec 21, 2010


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Prison Diaries



* Latest: Terry's first letter from Prison.
* Pili's update from Terry's First Call.

Dec 21, 2010

Hope all is well. Don't know how to start a letter or what to say. I hope I made a difference in a very important matter. It cost me a lot. But I now have to believe it turned out okay. There certainly are no do-overs. The important thing is for the work to carry-on so we never have this situation again.

Today is my fourth day at Leavenworth and my first day with supplies to write and send letters and hoping for a phone call today. Another soldier and I arrived Saturday AM shortly after midnight. We are considered in 'reception' status until we complete about a week of briefings and assessments. But they have a holiday schedule until after New Year's Day. Although they are making some efforts we likely will remain in 'reception' status until into January.

Reception status is mostly lock down in my cell. We now get two hours of 'rec time' in the morning and afternoon. Rec time is cell door open to a common pod area with a four-seat table, an exercise bike that does not work, a flat-screen TV that we cannot watch, and two showers. Activity is playing cards or a few board games, working out in my cell between meals, reading the rulebook, Bible, and now writing letters. Looks like the routine for the next several weeks. We have limited stamps, envelopes, and I am writing with a small, soft plastic (almost rubber pen) that is not to comfortable.

After getting more integrated in January (hopefully minimum security) we may have more privileges. There will not be much use of a computer, limited phone, news, or TV. We have to order our own health and comfort supplies from a small provided list. We are allowed one order request per month and not more than $35 per month. I'm hoping they will honor my first order on credit- we have not been able to get money into our account yet - not having any communication with Pili yet. I'm hoping to get a small radio with ear buds so I can get some news radio. Had to work hard to decide about how many batteries I could get by with vs how many rolls of toilet paper to buy.

The trial seems long ago now. What a feeling of helplessness going through the process. I likely got the best outcome I could have- but it was painful.

After the trial I overhead someone say, "Well, he's no hero now!" Sorry, I was not in it to be a hero. Just thought I was doing the right thing. I spent enough of myself and my family's future for now. Others are going to have to continue.

Got to go now. Moving cells quickly. Phones don't look good today. They brought a phone in but no one knows how we can call out collect. Sigh...

http://www.terrylakinactionfund.com/prisondiaries/13-diaries20101221.html

[hlthe2b]

1. Pretty unbelievable....

So, he'll spend all his days listening to RW radio? Great....And to think you and I paid to educate this man, to give him the opportunities afforded a very well trained physician. And, this is his idea of what it means to "give back." All I can do is shake my head.

[jberryhill]

4. I so need to find out what station he listens to

So I can buy ad time on it for this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48rz8udZBmQ

[Cirque du So-What]

5. Well-trained he may well be...

but I'm glad he's no longer practicing if he's stoopid/deranged enough to fall for that birfer bullshit. We cut our losses and hope that a more sane doctor is treating our servicemembers.

[BlueMTexpat]

6. I'm with you. +1000! n/t

[DeSwiss]

2. ....

[eleny]

3. Hey, Terry, now you have all the time in the world to ask yourself if it was worth it

Good luck with that.

[Bunny]

7. Check out this picture from his web page:

My husband is going to prison because of Barack Obama's birth certificate. I'm sure you agree that's a heavy price to pay for standing up for what is right.


Honey, that's NOT why your husband is going to prison.

[Sheepshank]

8. Shouldn't he be writing to Orly Taitz?

the price he paid was for ignoring a command.

he can pipe and moan all about "what lead him to this lowly state"...but certainly at some point he needs to get a grip and understand the consequences of his adult choices.

[COLGATE4]

9. His ego and RW ideology will never let him grasp the reality

of what landed him in prison and lost him his career in the Army.

[Number23]

10. The suffering!!

Only two hours of rec time!!! :cry:

We have to order our own stuff! And no one knows how to use the phone!!! :cry: :cry:
:eyes:

[Jim Lane]

11. So now we know that he flat-out lied at his court-martial

During the sentencing phase, the prosecution played a video that Lakin made in which he spouted birther nonsense. Lakin, seeking leniency, did all he could to walk it back:

During an hour of unsworn testimony, Lakin called that video an embarrassing mistake, brought on by pressure and poor advice from supposed supporters.

“I would not do this again,” he said. “It was a confusing time for me, and I was very emotional. I thought I was choosing the right path, and I did not.” (from the )

At the time I thought it was possible that this was genuine -- that he'd actually been swept away in a temporary burst of birther enthusiasm but had now come to regret it. His first letter from prison makes clear that this isn't so. He never changed his beliefs at all. He simply lied at the court-martial, hoping to get a lighter sentence by portraying himself as an innocent dupe.

Too bad his testimony was unsworn. I guess that means he can't now be prosecuted for perjury, although he richly deserves it.

[Sheepshank]

12. nice catch,

[Ganja Ninja]

13. Hoping to get some "news radio"

Going through Rush withdrawal's cold turkey is a bitch.