Posted on 01/03/2011 11:20:18 AM PST by rxsid
"Via Terry Lakin Action Fund and Some; - Prison Diaries: Jan 2, 2011: Terry's First Letter from Prison: 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...
Terry "
http://www.terrylakinactionfund.com/prisondiaries/13-diaries20101221.html
Are you really Scandinavian? lolol
I thought about Lt. Col. Lakin throughout the holiday season, and compared his spending Christmas at Leavenworth to the community organizer’s time in HI. Absolutely disgusting. I had to comfort myself by alternately comparing it to Washington’s Christmas crossing the Delaware and then at Valley Forge.
Knock it off, retread! Keep it up you get the zot again.
I doubt the word 'Honor' is even in his vocabulary.
My apologies.
When confronted with homo-insults in the future, I will alert moderators rather then lash out myself.
Again, I apologize and promise to mind decorum.
I just wish Barry could be there with you to enjoy the prison experience. Cheer up he will be there soon enough and by that time you will be out and on with your life. Hopefully completely vindicated.
“So when do Hannity, Limbaugh and O’Reilly shout out in protest and indignation for the treatment levied on this patriot in his self-sacrifice in trying to protect our Constitution?”
Never.
Not if he accepts a commutation from President Palin.
No one else has brought this up, but I feel like I must. If I’m wrong on any count, please correct me, as it would change everything. Lakin didn’t protest any orders well into Obama’s presidency until he was ordered to deploy to the Middle East. If he truly believed that any orders he received were invalid because as he believed, Obama wasn’t the legitimate president, then why didn’t he immediately begin disobeying orders and refusing to cash his paychecks with Obama as CiC? He didn’t. It was business as usual until he was ordered to a war zone. Sorry, but the skeptic in me doesn’t believe that this was about patriotism at all.
I don't think you grok what the word "commute" means when it comes to the law. You can't commute a sentence that has already been served. As his sentence will be served at the end of May of this year, I don't see how anyone other than the sitting president is going to be able to commute this particular sentence.
First, you must be completely honest. If you have failed or fallen short in any way confess this to the public but let us know what is really in your heart. The public will forgive all short comings and they will actually endear you in our hearts if you admit them.
Second, DO NOT abort the mission. This is just an obstacle, and one that can be used, in it being carried out.
Third, you must still be a voice for the truth. You were loyal to your military pledge which consists with being true to the Constitution and following orders. The two in your case contradicted each other and you chose to be loyal to the Constitution which is your first duty. Do not be ashamed.
Fourth, be a vehicle for the media. Do everything you can to get into the media. This is our greatest weapon as the truth has been almost completely blocked from the media and thereby the public at large. Be smart about this and make the biggest impact you can. I know that you are not in this for the publicity and notoriety and that you would rather not be famous but want to merely carry out your life quietly but you must put aside your own desires for the good of our Country.
Fifth, when you come out of prison you must than make the biggest impact you can in a way that exudes integrity. Be yourself and people will understand that you are not in it for the wrong reasons. When you get out you stand to become a national hero, at least for many. Even though this is not your personal desire it is what is best for the USA, your family and yourself.
By standing tall and continuing on the course you will reclaim your life and it will be more meaningful and dynamic than you can possibly imagine.
First, you must be completely honest. If you have failed or fallen short in any way confess this to the public but let us know what is really in your heart. The public will forgive all short comings and they will actually endear you in our hearts if you admit them.
Second, DO NOT abort the mission. This is just an obstacle, and one that can be used, in it being carried out.
Third, you must still be a voice for the truth. You were loyal to your military pledge which consists with being true to the Constitution and following orders. The two in your case contradicted each other and you chose to be loyal to the Constitution which is your first duty. Do not be ashamed.
Fourth, be a vehicle for the media. Do everything you can to get into the media. This is our greatest weapon as the truth has been almost completely blocked from the media and thereby the public at large. Be smart about this and make the biggest impact you can. I know that you are not in this for the publicity and notoriety and that you would rather not be famous but want to merely carry out your life quietly but you must put aside your own desires for the good of our Country.
Fifth, when you come out of prison you must than make the biggest impact you can in a way that exudes integrity. Be yourself and people will understand that you are not in it for the wrong reasons. When you get out you stand to become a national hero, at least for many. Even though this is not your personal desire it is what is best for the USA, your family and yourself.
By standing tall and continuing on the course you will reclaim your life and it will be more meaningful and dynamic than you can possibly imagine.
b.t.w. the question you raise has in fact been brought up a number of times on FR alone.
You are still horribly misinformed.
You are still horribly misinformed.
To follow your logic, as Commander-in-Chief Obama is the ultimate authority over the military, so if LTC Lakin should not accept a pardon or commutation of sentence he is within the same logical paradigm as to assert wrongful incarceration ... and therefore go free.
Care to significantly elaborate?
Despite all your assertions, Lakin will remain locked up. Now we need to lock up Obummer.
According to Lakin you have as much authority to commute his sentence as does Obama as neither of you is C-in-C, so why don’t you do the guy a favor and send him home to his family.
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