Thursday, September 22, 2011

PELTIER ESCAPES!

Well, from the “Big House” anyway; the fabled and historic Lewisburg Penitentiary.

After a stint in this Pennsylvania facility Peltier was transported, probably via Con Air (and by way of Oklahoma City) to his new residence, the maximum security prison in Coleman, Florida.

It is here that Peltier will continue his consecutive life sentences, plus the additional seven consecutive years for his armed escape from Lompoc.

What isn’t clear from the LPDOC is whether Peltier’s June “shots” (see NPPA Blog, 8/28/11) for prison violations, that landed him in the hole for six months, will continue at Coleman or if the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) will cut him a little slack and allow him to return to general population.

We’ll have to see how long it takes before Peltier starts making demands about having his own room (see NPPA Blog 4/3/11), and the extra attention he demands as a “political prisoner.”

The LPDOC continues to encourage Peltier supporters to contact the new BOP Acting Director, Dr. Kane, and demanding that the “only acceptable transfer is one to a medium security facility in close proximity to (within a 500-mile radius) of his family and Nation. Ideally, Leonard should be moved to the medium security facility at Oxford, WI.”

So, the demands continue as if Peltier is entitled to special treatment, but it would be interesting to see exactly how many letters or phone calls Dr. Kane’s office actually receives. Contrary to the folklore of worldwide support for Peltier, the numbers are probably very small.

Also, adhering to the old saw that you’re judged by the company you keep, the LPDOC blog calls for “Free Leonard Peltier and Jeral Wayne Williams (Mutulu Shakur)” with what can only be described as a lame attempt at a flutish, tinny sounding semi-rap song. But it’s good that Peltier proffers his support for the former BLA and RNA member convicted of a Brinks robbery and the murder of a guard and two police officers. Williams’ possible release date is supposedly 2/10/16, which will predate Leonard’s next parole hearing by about eight years. Peltier has also voiced his support and camaraderie for the likes of Wesley Cook (Mumia Abu Jamal) and Timothy McVeigh. (Please see Editorial Essays:
http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#10
http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#standing
Peltier has been consistent in this regard; he knows a similar character when he sees one.

Perhaps Peltier wants to be the most infamous of the inmates at Coleman…we’ll have to see just how far he gets with that.

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”
Ed Woods

Saturday, September 10, 2011

BULLET POINTS...PELTIER

From recent Leonard Peltier Defense Offense Committee infograms:

 Happy Birthday: As Peltier reaches his 67th birthday, now approaching the septuagenarian level, apparently he will be celebrating this one in the “hole” at Lewisburg for his recent “shots” violating prison rules (please see previous Blog). Certainly celebrating one’s birthday in solitary confinement is no picnic, but placing this in its proper perspective, Jack Coler and Ron Williams never had the opportunity to even celebrate their 29th and 28th birthday’s respectively, thanks to Peltier and his AIM cowards at Jumping Bull on June 26, 1975.

 Benedetti Prize: A group created in 2009 selected Peltier for a “human rights prize.” Perhaps they could also select those Peltier and his Committee have honored in the past as well, Wesley Cook (aka Mumia), and Timothy McVeigh (please see http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#10). Recognizing that using Peltier and Peace in the same sentence is an oxymoron, this effort is as meaningless as Peltier being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize (please see
http://www.noparolepeltier.com/debate.html#standing)

 Powerful Video: Really? Former BOP corrections officer Bruce Smith proves that Peltier supporters have a difficult time getting their facts straight. (Please see NPPA Blog 8/28/11)

 Disciplinary Transfer: The only inmate in the Federal Bureau of Prisons who thinks he’s entitled to dictate the terms of his confinement is Leonard Peltier. (Well, not really, there are probably a few others.) But Peltier and the Committee are “demanding” (while they suggest hounding the newly appointed BOP Acting Director…which, of course, is always going to endear themselves within the system—Peltier and the Committee just haven’t figured out how to approach these matters yet—no surprise there), that he be transferred “to a medium security facility in close proximity to Leonard’s family and Nation.” However, here’s another thought: the “Powerful Video” mentioned several times the extreme high temperatures of Peltier’s confinement at Lewisburg, so, in order to remove that concern maybe the BOP could consider another facility where high temperatures would not be a problem: FCI Ray Brook. Ray Brook is in the Northeast corner of upstate New York and a stone’s throw from the Canadian border. Excessive heat shouldn’t be a problem there.

 We the People: Regards petitions announced by the White House on its website. Here’s one: Convicted felons who have had their convictions dissected thirty or more times in various courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, twice, should serve out their complete sentences. And in Peltier’s case the additional seven consecutive years for his armed escape from Lompoc…just in case anyone (meaning Peltier and the Committee), forgot that little detail. Finding 5,000 people to sign that petition wouldn’t be much of a chore…but pestering the White House would not be appropriate in the Peltier case.

 Clemency: Not a chance here. The President, a Harvard educated lawyer, and someone who has promoted a pro-law enforcement agenda, would easily recognize the facts surrounding Peltier’s conviction, and how many times Peltier has changed his version of the facts (let’s not forget Mr. X as well), and understand that Peltier does not deserve any compassion for his crimes. (Please see “Dear President Obama” on the NPPA home page http://www.noparolepeltier.com/index.html)

 Walk for Human Rights: “The walk will depart from Alcatraz Island…” Of course they presumably mean to walk to the boat to take them to the mainland to continue their demonstration. Although this once barren 22-acre outcropping in San Francisco Bay, named in 1775 by a Spanish explorer, has served as a military outpost, a fort, military prison, federal prison and finally a national park, means many things to many people, depending certainly on one’s perspective. Former inmates and convicted felons reminisce the historical significance of places like Leavenworth…Peltier’s long time residence; Alcatraz, the Rock, or Lewisburg, The Big House. For many Native Americans, however, it marked one of the seminal moments in a search for full equality and identity and arguably central to the beginning of the native rights movement. However, during the 1969 takeover, which included many non-natives as well, they pretty much trashed the place. Hopefully this demonstration will be orderly and peaceful as they attempt to hawk the Peltier mythology and folklore.

 Labor with Labor: A catchy phrase with a misguided goal. Unions are about job preservation in tough times and it will be surprising if any union gives the Peltier issue a second glance.

“In the Spirit of Coler and Williams”
Ed Woods