Russell arrested

[Kat Kanning]

Suddenly alone in a truck stop in MO.  We had a headlight go out.  They found warrants for Waco and NH chalking incidents.  Background checks hadn't found the warrants, so Russell thought they'd been dropped.  Too late at night for me to talk to anyone.  They say there's no bond, they're dragging him off to TX or NH.  Maybe you'll get to visit with him.

[Jim Johnson]

I feel bad for you, Kat.   

That really stinks.

[Kat Kanning]

Thanks.

[KBCraig]

That sucks. 

[Kat Kanning]

Cop said he'd probably be here until after Christmas, when feds pick him up:

Callaway County Jail
573-592-2458

...if anyone wants to call and find out if he's being tortured or not.

[John]

Kat, My heart is with you guys.

Russell has processed and gone to bed.
Had a nice conversation with Tammy at the prison.
First order of business for me was to let them know that Russell is one of the most Peaceful people I know, and to ask that they treat him as kindly as they can...
Sounds like they already have a decent understanding that Russell is a very nice guy.
She said Russell and staff were already joking, etc...

There are about 70 prisoners there. About half of those are "holding" for trial on federal stuff. There are about 15 woman prisoners there.

Visiting hours are Tuesday and Saturday 8-11, 1-4, and 6-9.
Christmas visiting hours are on the 24th, 1-4 and 6-9

The Super 8 in nearby in Kingdom City has free rooms for folks visiting prisoners for Christmas.

Peace

[John]

Oh and talking to Tammy about conditions there, she said they are known as the one that if you have to go in you'd want to be sent to this one.

[John]

sent out porc411

[John]

I called again and talked with Skyler about Russell and possible phone contact with him.
Skyler had "already heard" that Russell was Peaceful from the night shift.

...outgoing collect calls only.

Skyler put me through to Dorinda and she took the phone number for Peaceful Assembly Church.

[Tom Sawyer]

Damn.

Thanks for jumping on this John.

The irony of the headlight out brings this full circle almost.

Christmas in prison for the peaceful chalker... You couldn't write a more poignant angle to the story than this. Leviathan crushes, drags into it's gears Jesus' child.

Fortunately Russell is best prepared... I'm sending a request to the Big Man upstairs to soften this experience for Russell, Kat and all that are connected to them. Sending love and hope.

Please let us know what would benefit... perhaps Christmas packages sent?

This John Prine song just was on the radio... synchronicity at play?

Christmas In Prison
John Prine

It was christmas in prison
And the food was real good
We had turkey and pistols
Carved out of wood
And I dream of her always
Even when I don't dream
Her name's on my tongue
And her blood's in my stream.

Chorus:
Wait awhile eternity
Old mother nature's got nothing on me
Come to me
Run to me
Come to me, now
We're rolling
My sweetheart
We're flowing
By god!

She reminds me of a chess game
[Christmas in Prison lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]With someone I admire
Or a picnic in the rain
After a prairie fire
Her heart is as big
As this whole goddamn jail
And she's sweeter than saccharine
At a drug store sale.

Chorus:

The search light in the big yard
Swings round with the gun
And spotlights the snowflakes
Like the dust in the sun
It's christmas in prison
There'll be music tonight
I'll probably get homesick
I love you. goodnight.

Chorus:

[Silent_Bob]

There was a recent case out of the 8th circuit finding that chalking is protected under the 1st amendment.

[Kat Kanning]

Thanks for all that, John.  Thanks for the well wishes Tom.  Thanks for the info, Bob.

[John]

BTW - You know how we always mention that the rain washes chalk away?

Well, while working on the PLEASE DON'T TREAD ON OTHERS banner in the parking lot here this summer, I was reminded that even a strong breeze blows chalk away.

[Becky Thatcher]

Glad to know the feds can take time away from killing, torturing, stealing, etc., to put chalkers in jail.  Don't we all feel freer and safer?  What a bunch of bullshit. 

I'm sorry to hear this, Kat.  Damn.

[KBCraig]

I would not be surprised to see this all blamed on an "administrative error" -- an old warrant showing up when it shouldn't.

"Oops, sorry about that. No harm, no foul, you're free to go, have a great day."

No harm, that is, except lost wages, stress on Russell and those who love him, possible problems with his new employer....