From my lips to Mr. Siegelman's thought-balloon, "You have my very best thoughts
and most fervent prayers that justice will prevail resulting in your immediate release"

why it is that Corbett's massive donations from the fracking industry, in exchange for an extremely favorable regulatory climate and NO severance tax, are somehow considered legal.

So this report jibes with the email Thom read on air.

http://free-don.org/

If not for Rove, this kind of injustice wouldn't have happened to begin with...

was being kept secret until his arrival in court Monday. I was relieved to hear that.

12.3 LAST SUPPER

From Don “. . . one last thought before I am taken out of communication for a while.”

UPTIGHT
“It’s the night before I leave on the magical CONAir Mystery Tour ending in Montgomery on the 15th. I am both uptight, because of the expectations of handcuffs, shackles and chains, the uncomfortable bus and plane. . .”

and STUFFED
". . .Stuffed because my 'Home Boy', Sonny Breckenridge from Alabama, and a few others conjured up a delicious bowl of layered corn chips, chopped vegetables, cilantro, green bell peppers and jalapeño peppers and tomatoes, topped with beans, more chips, hot melted cheese, more corn chips, beef and sour cream and more veggies!
ENCOURAGING GOODBYE'S

Don tells of ". . .The inmate, Steve, who just handed me a handwritten note which I am mailing to Joseph. The note says:

'When I see you I think back to meeting your son. And I wish he could see how you have carried yourself in here, despite all you have faced. . . . And from how you have inspired not only myself, but others here, I know your family would always be proud of your actions. Thank you for being an encouraging light, and always keeping things upbeat with a smile. It's made all the difference. . . .Your friend, Steve.' "

"There is another inmate who said, 'Gov, I'm going to miss you...but I hope I never see you again. Not here anyway.' "

And "the inmate that calls me 'The People's Champion.' He told me 'I have prayed and prayed for a angel. . .' "

One of the reasons Don is so popular with the inmates is that he spent a large amount of time helping inmates with their legal problems. Don says that "Prison is a lawyer's dream come true, except for the pay scale. Pro bono."

ADVICE FOR THE ROAD
And finally there was the inmate who gave Don some parting advice, concerned that he might be confronted while in transit to Montgomery.

Don writes that “I was told tonight that ‘Everyone is going to think that you are a Chomo (somehow that's short for Child Molester). All old white men are immediately identified as a Chomo. If you are confronted, here's what you should say: 'Look [m---er], I am the governor of Alabama, what the [flip] is in your jacket [prison file]?' "

Well then! ‘Nuff said!
HOPEFUL

Don writes “First of all it is positive that this new judge wants to SEE me. Look, I tell my inmate friends, I have a new lawyer, new issues and a new judge. I then tell them about Fuller. . .and our long history of [political rivalry.] Then I explain that I've got three other possible issues that could come before this new judge, all to be heard in less than a month, on January 13th...a motion for a new trial, discovery or a sentence reduction...and this new judge will decide those issues. So even if I am not released, we will have met. It's all positive, one way or the other.”

To be continued. More stories from Don’s last days before leaving Oakdale will be coming in the next few days.

12.4 THAT PLANE IS ALWAYS BREAKING DOWN

Don writes that some of his excitement is dampened by new developments.

He tells about one female CO (Correctional Officer), who sometimes doubles as the CONBus Transport driver, who comments: "They need to buy a new plane."

A friendly male CO with whom he joked about Bama beating Missouri this weekend said: "That plane is always breaking down."

Another officer stated: "I'd be scared to death to get on that plane."

Don writes “I wonder if it is too late to allow me a legal furlough?”
CHANGE IN PLANS - BACK TO OAKDALE

Don writes that preparation to travel involves a thorough and humiliating examination "so the CO could make sure I wasn't hiding a 9 mm Berretta and showing the bottom of my feet, where I might have taped some weed" before he was given a traveling wardrobe "consisting of extra small polyester underwear, a thin white cotton T-shirt, and elastic banded kakis (also thin), white socks, and the most uncomfortable, blue canvas, rubber soled slippers. . . .oh, I forgot, handcuffs chained to my waist and shackles." He states that he was accommodating the CO's preparation for the Magical ConAir Mystery tour when he hears "them talking about the SEC game this weekend. So, of course, I start a low slow, RolllllllllTide! The CO in charge of R & D, Receiving and Departures, then says;

‘Enough Siegelman! Get back in your cell, in the corner.’ Kiddingly he tells a CO to take me to the Hole. His response was "Do you want me to get a 'Black Box'?" I'm thinking, what [the heck] is a ‘Black Box?’

So I push it a little. Surely, you aren't going to cheer for Missouri. To which I'm told: 'Siegelman, I HATE Alabama, HATE Nick Saban.' So I add: 'I thought LSU wanted Saban back.' 'Never.'

Then he adds: ‘Get two Black Boxes’."
"NOT AIRWORTHY"

Eventually, CONAir was judged "Not Airworthy", so the prisoners are transferred to a CONBus Transport to board a bus with bars on the windows and a locked steel door separating "us from them." Don explains that "them" are Miss Kate, the female CO, and her co-pilot who is riding shotgun. They are returning to Camp Oakdale after the failed attempt to board the plane.

Don writes ". . . .We are suddenly shaken by the sound of the tires of our bus hitting the grooved pavement letting us know we are going off the road to which the CO riding shotgun yells, 'Wake up Miss Kate!’ I think, what happens if we roll and this bus catches fire...[and] we are turned into crispy critters?"

Don writes that the bus trip takes five and a half hours in freezing cold. The first thing that he does upon returning to Camp Oakdale is ". . . ask my friend and "Home Boy" Sonny [about the black box. He] says, 'Oh, you don't want that!' He turned and ran back to work, so I still don't know what a Black box is, or DOES.”

Reflecting on the recent events with "CON Air", Don again jokes about other travel options. He also reflects soberly on the many surprises in his life; especially ending up in prison and then miraculously getting a new judge. But anything can happen after the going away party. You never know. In the end you are left finally with friends, hope, prayer, and humor.

He jokes that “My guess is there will be another attempt to crank the plane next Wednesday morning. I do not look forward to your reading about my demise on U.S. FBOP CON Air One.”
12.4 THE BEWITCHING HOUR

Don writes that he is about to board the “Midnight CONBus Transport [all the way to parts unknown.] "I get to go through the same FBOP SOP departure procedure [humiliating search] new duds, cuffs, chains and leg irons....and no doubt freezing cold and loud music . . .but I bet I get another slice of cheese and turkey and an apple!

"I'll be in the Hole when we stop, so no more emails or calls after tonight.
waiting for CON Air to be repaired for the not so direct trip [ending up in Montgomery.]
Stay tuned.

“Again, Good night from Oakdale”

12.13 DON NOW IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY JAIL

Chip Hill wrote after a visit to Don in Montgomery:

"Governor Siegelman’s brother Les and I just completed a visit with him at the Montgomery County Jail. He asked that I convey the following information: He said it is very important that Monday there MUST NOT be any type public demonstrations and/or outbursts of any kind - no stickers, posters, signs, etc."

Being respectful and quiet, even while seeing Don in shackles and jumpsuit, is a powerful way of giving him support. Even if it is really hard to do.

Chip's email continues "He said that he will be entering the courtroom in jumpsuit and shackles from the prisoner dock on the side of the room. There will be no entrance for him from any public venue. He stressed that we have no reason to assume that he will released and should be prepared for either scenario.

Chip's email concludes:

"The trip to Montgomery was long and tortuous for him. He traveled some 12 hours by bus and another 7 hours by plane over the course of 10 days - all while shackled hand, waist, and foot. This nightmare continues as we pray for justice Monday and ultimate justification at the appellate hearing in January."
12.4 Don's Thoughts on the Hearing before He Headed for Montgomery

I will end this email with more of Don's thoughts about the opportunities that may present themselves in Montgomery on the 15th and later in the Appeal Hearing in Atlanta on January 13th.

Don wrote “First of all it is positive that this new judge wants to SEE me. Look, I tell my inmate friends, I have a new lawyer, new issues and a new judge. . . .Then I explain that I've got three other possible issues that could come before this new judge, all to be heard in less than a month, on January 13th. . . . So even if I am not released, we will have met. It's all positive, one way or the other.
SUPPOSE WE DO WIN!

A new judge does not necessarily mean a favorable ruling, but the removal of the intractable Fuller is a step in the right direction. Even if it is a baby step. But this did not keep Don Siegelman from speculating about the possibility of winning.

Don writes “Suppose WE do win! Suppose I am freed that day.” He lists the things he would love to do.

"Meet with friends - who have been the fuel that has kept me going. He would call his daughter who is unable to travel due to an injury and send an email back to the guys at camp!

He looks forward to the possibility of "getting to be a husband to Lori again, and a father to his children, a brother to Les - who deserves some time off!"

He is hopeful about the future outcome of his case, and humbled. His fate "is in the hands of my lawyers, the judges of the 11th circuit...ultimately Judge Land will make many of the critical decisions which will decide the course of my life . . ."

What we have been through should not happen to anyone else, yet it will, unless
changes are made, changes in our criminal justice system, changes to balance the scales of justice, changes that I have had over a decade to contemplate.

But for today, this is a time of great joy and happiness.

Good night from Oakdale,"



The hearing is at 10:30 cst tomorrow. I want to hear by noon that he has been released finally and forever!

link:
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20141215/news/141219776


I think the gist of this is the Judge will decide by the end of this week.