From Rebecca's sister, Barbara...
As many of you already know, Rebecca has been teaching English to some of the other prisoners at the Puente Grande Women's Prison where she is confined.
Rebecca told me about her English Class' Christmas Event held on Friday Jan. 21st.
Unfortunately, the Director and Sub Director of the prison were an hour late and the Certificates hadn’t been signed by the Director.
Rebecca mentioned to Marie Louise, her mentor, the situation and Marie sent one of the Byzantine women to collect them.
The program then began. The students sang 4 Christmas songs in English: Jingle Bells, Little Drummer Boy, Santa Claus is coming to Town, and The Alphabet Song.
Next they presented 3 sketches complete with props and stage settings.
One was a Library sketch, another a Restaurant and the third was a Doctor’s office. They were presented very well and the students displayed exceptional skills.
Later, one of the women recited 3 poems in English and another recited Rebecca’s poem in her first published book of Poetry.
Another woman did a recitation from the Bible from memory.
The last woman who doesn’t do well thanked everyone for coming and counted to 20 in English.
Then Rebecca handed out the certificates and the Education Coordinater was most appreciative of the fine performance of these Mexican women and their teacher Rebecca Roth.
The Director and Sub Director don’t know English, but they told Rebecca they were impressed for it seemed that the women in her class did a good job and knew what they were saying.
This is just another example of the way that Rebecca has conducted herself, in spite of the unfair treatment she has received by the Mexican government. Rather than giving up and bemoaning her plight and her physical ailments, she continues to give to those around her.
Think of the things she has accomplished there and you can get a true sense of the character of this woman. She is not the criminal that she has been unfairly portrayed as by the Mexican judicial system, nor has she ever been.
To those that have reached out to her and to those that have made efforts to bring her plight to their elected officials and the State Department, we thank you.
Barbara Moodhe
for Rebecca Roth... Prisoner in Paradise
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Two more dolls
Please keep an eye out on the blog for more news. We hope to hear about the Amparo in the near future.
What a doll... Really!
While there's been no word from the Embassy to discuss the items Rebecca addressed in her response to them and she is still waiting to hear the outcome of the Amparo, the doll factory located in her confines continues to churn out some really creative and unique works of art.
Rebecca is an inspiration to the many inmates around her and she continues to maintain her zeal for creating, channelling her energy to those around her. In addition to the dolls, she continues to paint and write poetry, as well.
Below, see some more examples of her work.
Rebecca is an inspiration to the many inmates around her and she continues to maintain her zeal for creating, channelling her energy to those around her. In addition to the dolls, she continues to paint and write poetry, as well.
Below, see some more examples of her work.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Rebecca responds to US Embassy letter
Below is a scan of a letter written to Rebecca Roth from Mr. Edward McKeon, Minister Counselor for Consular Affairs, US Embassy, Mexico City.
You can click on the letter to see a larger size.
REBECCA REPLYS TO LETTER FROM EDWARD MCKEON
(Note: All comments are from Rebecca and not paraphrased or edited by the author of this blog.)
The following is a line by line response to a letter from the US Embassy in Mexico (the first correspondence) dated October 2, 2009 – three years and eight months after my arrest.
In quotes are statements from Edward McKeon's letter. In italics are my (Rebecca’s) reply to the statement.
“The Ambassador has asked me to respond to your letter dated August 18, 2009.”
Almost 2 months after receiving another letter from my family, the new Ambassador at least decides to delegate making a response to us. Hopefully to satisfy us for a while.
“I am familiar with your case and the flow of communication between you, the Consulate, and members of the US Congress.”
He’s heard my name and knows about all of those annoying pleas for help sent by my family and supporters over the years.
“I realize you are in a difficult situation and want to assure you that the US government will assist you as fully as we can under applicable laws and regulations.”
To the first sentence stating the obvious fact that I am in a difficult situation; obviously he has no idea what kind of situation this is to be victimized by a foreign government and have your own government ignore and invalidate you. Have they made any inquiries about my case? Have they investigated my claims?
To the second part he wants to assure me…he puts the US government assisting me in the future tense “will”. When “will” they begin assisting me? It was the Canadian, Brenda Martin’s, attorney who discovered the International Treaty in which several Articles have been violated against us. Whose job was it to insure that this Treaty was not broken by the Mexicans? The US government! They want to use applicable laws and regulations as a shield for their inaction. I hold the US government responsible for not protecting its citizen against violations of this ratified Human Rights Treaty.
“Our staff in Guadalajara informs us that they have remained in regular contact with you, your family, and your attorneys since your arrest on February 14,2006, and have continued to monitor developments in your case.”
First, my arrest was on Feb. 13, 2006 and if it is meant that although they’ve repeatedly told me that they can’t talk about the case, they can’t advise me, they can’t recommend lawyers, and when my sentence came and the consulate representative told me, “It’s no longer about the case, its about the sentence.” Oh and when I first was arrested my consulate representative, Cesar Cruz, told me that I’d lost all my rights when I crossed the border, when in fact I did have rights… They just didn’t tell me what they were! One very important right was that I was entitled to a translator. It was an inmate who told me about that right. She helped me file a complaint with the Human Rights group and after 4.5 months I received a translator, only for the notifications from the courthouse.
In the beginning, my defense case was presented by a public defender who didn’t speak English. We were not able to communicate. It was a complete fabrication on his part to try to satisfy his bureaucratic job requirements.
In Mexico, once the outline of the Defense is presented to the court, it can never be changed.
I believe that had the US Consulate informed me of my rights or demanded a translator for me from day one, I would not be here today. In Mexico, the longer you are detained the less chance for you to go free.
“During each visit by the Consulate we have provided you with an attorneys list, translators list and information about the Prisoner Transfer Program.”
When I was first detained I was told the Consulate was going to leave a list of attorneys, but I never received it. I received a list of attorneys from them finally in October 2007 – a year and a half after my arrest and after I had hired an attorney (fired the Public Defender) and was told afterwards by my new attorney that they could only present proof and witnesses based on the poor defense work that the initial Public Defender had concocted. This was also after Ernesto Flores de leon (this same attorney) had demanded $20,000 US dollars up front, which my elderly mother paid. I was to pay another $20,000 US upon my release. He was the least expensive! Others wanted between $50,00 and $100,000 US up front!
I never received a translator list from the Consulate. This is a white lie or fib and in regards to the Prisoner Transfer Program, I was advised by the Public Defender in El Paso, TX to exhaust all of my legal recourses here in Mexico because I have no criminal record in the US and if they transfer me to the US, I will then be considered a Felon. Imagine never having a trial and accepting the label of felon in 2 countries. Absurdity! But that’s their big offer to me.
“During your Appeal, our Consul General sent official inquiries to the Federal Court in Guanajuato on November 28, 2008 and April 1, 2009 to urge a timely review and decision on your Appeal
First, my Appeal was assigned to a magistrate in Guadalajara, Jalisco in June of 2008. Then, in October it was sent off to another state, Guanajuato, which is when my family contacted the Consulate and asked them to find out what was going on. My current attorney says that the magistrate who is assigned the case must resolve it, yet the Consulate in both correspondences to the magistrate in Guanajuato basically asked how it was coming along and one week before the end of April the Appeal was denied. A review of this document showed that the magistrate did not review the case, only the “sentencing document” which is filled with unsubstantiated accusations from the Prosecuting Attorney, errors and lies.
“I am pleased that you recently obtained an attorney in whom you have confidence and whom you believe represents your interests well.”
I’ve had my current attorney since April of 2008 – so he’s not exactly recently acquired and what I like most about him is that he read and understands my case fully, he is highly intelligent and honest and he knows that there is a terrible injustice occurring here and he’s fighting to correct it.
“One of the primary roles and interests is ensuring that US citizens incarcerated in Mexico receive adequate medical care, THAT IS, equal to the care provided to other nationals.”
I love this caveat. If I am to grasp this correctly, the woman who 3 years ago had a pea sized tumor in her uterus, now has a grade 3 tumor the size of a fist and will sometime be operated on. (At least she got a bed to sleep in because of the cancer). Or, the mentally ill who are not treated at all. Since this is the standard for how they treat their own citizens, it’s good enough for me? It must be true, because since last March the Consulate has been aware of an abnormal mammogram, of a necessary blood test to reevaluate my hypo thyroid condition, and they have done nothing to ensure that I receive these treatments.
“Since your incarceration, Consulate staff members in conjunction with prison officials have taken increased measure to ensure you receive proper medical care and medication.”
This sounds nice, but over the past months it has become more and more difficult for me (as well as any other inmate) to see the only doctor that is able to correctly diagnose and prescribe medicine that will cure or improve conditions, infection, etc. She’s the doctor that works days during the week and she’s overwhelmed with paperwork and other responsibilities. I’ve been able to see her only once in 6 months or more and that was because I happened to have an Asthma Crisis in front of her. As for medication, I don’t know if they’ve donated Asthma medication, but I – through my Puerto Vallarta Rotary Club connections, donated 5 nebulizers (one of which was supposed to be set aside only for my personal use) and 15 masks.
For the Dentist, we donated an ultraviolet light, trays of resin, gauze and other useful materials. These donations made by my Rotary Club are there to help any who are in need of nebulizer treatments, etc. When only one of the nebulizers could be found during an Asthma attack I had to use it instead of the one that was supposed to be only available to me. We notified the Consulate and asked that they inquire as to the location of the other donated items and we have never received an answer, nor were the items replaced. I and my family thank the Consulate for donating Asthma medication, if they have done so.
“Your health is of great concern to us and we will continue to verify that you have access to these facilities, as well as vitamin supplements, toiletries, and items of clothing that we provide to all our citizens incarcerated in your Consulate district.”
If my health was of such great importance to them, why have they never sent a doctor of their choosing to evaluate my condition? Why have they never followed up on the missing abnormal mammogram? Or the blood test to reevaluate the amount of Thyroid medication I need to be taking, but am not currently taking. The vitamin supplements are donated by the drug companies; the toiletries include a bar of soap and a roll of toilet paper for every 90 day visit. Items of clothing over almost 4 years include: 2 towels, 3 used bras, a pair of used tennis shoes that weren’t my size and a blanket. They bring me used magazines and books which I do enjoy.
“Again, please be assured that we will closely follow the progress of your case and will continue to assist you in every way permissible under US Law.”
I’m really not assured by this statement. I know they had recourse to ask Mexico to honor their obligations under the International Human Rights Treaty and they did nothing.
They have not done everything permissible under US law. Either they believe this (incompetence) or they don’t want to pursue this because I’m a no body (non-Celebrity) and thus expendable. I’m not impressed by the statement nor am I assured by it.
Rebecca J. Roth
You can click on the letter to see a larger size.
REBECCA REPLYS TO LETTER FROM EDWARD MCKEON
(Note: All comments are from Rebecca and not paraphrased or edited by the author of this blog.)
The following is a line by line response to a letter from the US Embassy in Mexico (the first correspondence) dated October 2, 2009 – three years and eight months after my arrest.
In quotes are statements from Edward McKeon's letter. In italics are my (Rebecca’s) reply to the statement.
“The Ambassador has asked me to respond to your letter dated August 18, 2009.”
Almost 2 months after receiving another letter from my family, the new Ambassador at least decides to delegate making a response to us. Hopefully to satisfy us for a while.
“I am familiar with your case and the flow of communication between you, the Consulate, and members of the US Congress.”
He’s heard my name and knows about all of those annoying pleas for help sent by my family and supporters over the years.
“I realize you are in a difficult situation and want to assure you that the US government will assist you as fully as we can under applicable laws and regulations.”
To the first sentence stating the obvious fact that I am in a difficult situation; obviously he has no idea what kind of situation this is to be victimized by a foreign government and have your own government ignore and invalidate you. Have they made any inquiries about my case? Have they investigated my claims?
To the second part he wants to assure me…he puts the US government assisting me in the future tense “will”. When “will” they begin assisting me? It was the Canadian, Brenda Martin’s, attorney who discovered the International Treaty in which several Articles have been violated against us. Whose job was it to insure that this Treaty was not broken by the Mexicans? The US government! They want to use applicable laws and regulations as a shield for their inaction. I hold the US government responsible for not protecting its citizen against violations of this ratified Human Rights Treaty.
“Our staff in Guadalajara informs us that they have remained in regular contact with you, your family, and your attorneys since your arrest on February 14,2006, and have continued to monitor developments in your case.”
First, my arrest was on Feb. 13, 2006 and if it is meant that although they’ve repeatedly told me that they can’t talk about the case, they can’t advise me, they can’t recommend lawyers, and when my sentence came and the consulate representative told me, “It’s no longer about the case, its about the sentence.” Oh and when I first was arrested my consulate representative, Cesar Cruz, told me that I’d lost all my rights when I crossed the border, when in fact I did have rights… They just didn’t tell me what they were! One very important right was that I was entitled to a translator. It was an inmate who told me about that right. She helped me file a complaint with the Human Rights group and after 4.5 months I received a translator, only for the notifications from the courthouse.
In the beginning, my defense case was presented by a public defender who didn’t speak English. We were not able to communicate. It was a complete fabrication on his part to try to satisfy his bureaucratic job requirements.
In Mexico, once the outline of the Defense is presented to the court, it can never be changed.
I believe that had the US Consulate informed me of my rights or demanded a translator for me from day one, I would not be here today. In Mexico, the longer you are detained the less chance for you to go free.
“During each visit by the Consulate we have provided you with an attorneys list, translators list and information about the Prisoner Transfer Program.”
When I was first detained I was told the Consulate was going to leave a list of attorneys, but I never received it. I received a list of attorneys from them finally in October 2007 – a year and a half after my arrest and after I had hired an attorney (fired the Public Defender) and was told afterwards by my new attorney that they could only present proof and witnesses based on the poor defense work that the initial Public Defender had concocted. This was also after Ernesto Flores de leon (this same attorney) had demanded $20,000 US dollars up front, which my elderly mother paid. I was to pay another $20,000 US upon my release. He was the least expensive! Others wanted between $50,00 and $100,000 US up front!
I never received a translator list from the Consulate. This is a white lie or fib and in regards to the Prisoner Transfer Program, I was advised by the Public Defender in El Paso, TX to exhaust all of my legal recourses here in Mexico because I have no criminal record in the US and if they transfer me to the US, I will then be considered a Felon. Imagine never having a trial and accepting the label of felon in 2 countries. Absurdity! But that’s their big offer to me.
“During your Appeal, our Consul General sent official inquiries to the Federal Court in Guanajuato on November 28, 2008 and April 1, 2009 to urge a timely review and decision on your Appeal
First, my Appeal was assigned to a magistrate in Guadalajara, Jalisco in June of 2008. Then, in October it was sent off to another state, Guanajuato, which is when my family contacted the Consulate and asked them to find out what was going on. My current attorney says that the magistrate who is assigned the case must resolve it, yet the Consulate in both correspondences to the magistrate in Guanajuato basically asked how it was coming along and one week before the end of April the Appeal was denied. A review of this document showed that the magistrate did not review the case, only the “sentencing document” which is filled with unsubstantiated accusations from the Prosecuting Attorney, errors and lies.
“I am pleased that you recently obtained an attorney in whom you have confidence and whom you believe represents your interests well.”
I’ve had my current attorney since April of 2008 – so he’s not exactly recently acquired and what I like most about him is that he read and understands my case fully, he is highly intelligent and honest and he knows that there is a terrible injustice occurring here and he’s fighting to correct it.
“One of the primary roles and interests is ensuring that US citizens incarcerated in Mexico receive adequate medical care, THAT IS, equal to the care provided to other nationals.”
I love this caveat. If I am to grasp this correctly, the woman who 3 years ago had a pea sized tumor in her uterus, now has a grade 3 tumor the size of a fist and will sometime be operated on. (At least she got a bed to sleep in because of the cancer). Or, the mentally ill who are not treated at all. Since this is the standard for how they treat their own citizens, it’s good enough for me? It must be true, because since last March the Consulate has been aware of an abnormal mammogram, of a necessary blood test to reevaluate my hypo thyroid condition, and they have done nothing to ensure that I receive these treatments.
“Since your incarceration, Consulate staff members in conjunction with prison officials have taken increased measure to ensure you receive proper medical care and medication.”
This sounds nice, but over the past months it has become more and more difficult for me (as well as any other inmate) to see the only doctor that is able to correctly diagnose and prescribe medicine that will cure or improve conditions, infection, etc. She’s the doctor that works days during the week and she’s overwhelmed with paperwork and other responsibilities. I’ve been able to see her only once in 6 months or more and that was because I happened to have an Asthma Crisis in front of her. As for medication, I don’t know if they’ve donated Asthma medication, but I – through my Puerto Vallarta Rotary Club connections, donated 5 nebulizers (one of which was supposed to be set aside only for my personal use) and 15 masks.
For the Dentist, we donated an ultraviolet light, trays of resin, gauze and other useful materials. These donations made by my Rotary Club are there to help any who are in need of nebulizer treatments, etc. When only one of the nebulizers could be found during an Asthma attack I had to use it instead of the one that was supposed to be only available to me. We notified the Consulate and asked that they inquire as to the location of the other donated items and we have never received an answer, nor were the items replaced. I and my family thank the Consulate for donating Asthma medication, if they have done so.
“Your health is of great concern to us and we will continue to verify that you have access to these facilities, as well as vitamin supplements, toiletries, and items of clothing that we provide to all our citizens incarcerated in your Consulate district.”
If my health was of such great importance to them, why have they never sent a doctor of their choosing to evaluate my condition? Why have they never followed up on the missing abnormal mammogram? Or the blood test to reevaluate the amount of Thyroid medication I need to be taking, but am not currently taking. The vitamin supplements are donated by the drug companies; the toiletries include a bar of soap and a roll of toilet paper for every 90 day visit. Items of clothing over almost 4 years include: 2 towels, 3 used bras, a pair of used tennis shoes that weren’t my size and a blanket. They bring me used magazines and books which I do enjoy.
“Again, please be assured that we will closely follow the progress of your case and will continue to assist you in every way permissible under US Law.”
I’m really not assured by this statement. I know they had recourse to ask Mexico to honor their obligations under the International Human Rights Treaty and they did nothing.
They have not done everything permissible under US law. Either they believe this (incompetence) or they don’t want to pursue this because I’m a no body (non-Celebrity) and thus expendable. I’m not impressed by the statement nor am I assured by it.
Rebecca J. Roth
Sunday, January 3, 2010
A personal Christmas message from Rebecca
Christmas (or as we say in Mexico Navidad) 2009
Christmas Message 2009
I think I wrote a Christmas message last year or maybe I just thought about it. To all of you who follow “my situation” on the blog my ex-husband maintains, “Thank you for caring.” I would like to ask a favor to all and that is please send the blog-link to everyone in your electronic directory and ask them to do the same and so on, so we can expand the awareness of my case to a greater number of people. There IS power in numbers and still it seems we haven’t reached enough people to get the attention of our sleeping politicians.
2009 has been labeled the year of crisis. Even in Mexico every bad thing is blamed on the Crisis. My crisis began on February 13, 2006 and it still continues, but like an epic movie, it goes on and on and eventually even the acute aspects of this nightmare begin to sound mundane or like a broken record. DON’T YOU BELIEVE IT!!
It is easy to become desensitized with all of the absurdity going on – that has become our daily lives. Yet even I, powerless and victimized as I may be, can put my foot down and say “That’s enough.” It hasn’t brought me my physical freedom yet, but inside I am more free spirited than I ever was…and stronger too!
This is my wish for all of my friends and supporters – that each obstacle you are faced with in life is overcome by you with wisdom, patience, tolerance and love in your heart. I pray for your families to be well, to be united, to encourage one another and to seek the true meaning of Christmas together or as individuals this holiday season. To my special supporters who continue to encourage me and my sister with email messages…you know who you are – you are such a blessing to us. We thank you deeply.
Recently, I received a response from some underling of the new US Ambassador to Mexico. If you’ll recall, I sent an 11 page letter to Condoleezza Rice when she was Secretary of State (never heard from her). I sent the same letter to Hillary Clinton when she took the job – just in case my letter was misplaced while Condi was cleaning out her office (sic) and then in August, my sister Barbara sent the same letter to the embassy in Mexico City. The response dated in October and delivered to me in November will be posted on my blog soon, with a line by line interpretation of its contents. If you are prone to dark humor you may enjoy it. By their inaction, the US government is sending a message that a US citizen living abroad does not matter. Period.
Crisis year 2009 has not been a complete waste, however. I have made many new friends. The Doll Factory has been growing and I will be posting photos of all the new dolls so you can see what we’re doing. We actually have shipped a few to the US! Doll Collectors alert! My 4th Art Exhibit at the Ex-Convent del Carmen – (or as I have translated with humor “Carmen’s ex-convent” sort of makes me wonder what happened to Carmen?) The exhibit ran from October 15 – November 15 and I had over a dozen paintings shown. Its result was attributed to the world-wide financial crisis. Our second poetry book has been published and was presented on November 4th at the “F.I.L” in Guadalajara which is acclaimed to be the largest International Book Fair in Central/Latin America. This year’s collection of poetry called “Roses en Destierra II” or “Uprooted Roses II” contains 12 of my poems.
I would like to mention what I believe is the most important writing accomplishment for the year. For about 2 years, I have been studying with Maria Luisa Burrilla, a well known Mexican writer who compiled a Book of Formative Learning called “Universal Values.” It’s formative because its wisdom should be imparted to the very young in the form of tools to be used to prepare for life, but it is also such an important teaching that any age level –even adults – can grasp its messages. She has infused this message with centuries of prose and poetry from such personalities as Confucius to Oscar Wilde. Story telling plays a large part in these teachings. It’s a balanced, healthy, straight forward look at the human condition and how to manage it instead of it managing you.
A year ago in October (2008), Maria asked me to translate the book “Universal Values” and without hesitating I said “Yes.” I knew when I accepted the job that it would be challenging and it was. Learning to translate involves a fierce determination to conquer the learning. To begin with it was all hand written and had words unknown to me. I used an old Webster’s American Bilingual Pocket Dictionary to look them up. But dictionaries don’t conjugate verbs so it was very slow going at first. Soon I received authorization to work on the computers provided by the State funded Distance Education School (the same prep school I began attending this last August). I received a schedule of 3 days a week during certain hours that I could work. Believe me, I took advantage of the solitude and the privilege and worked! As I said, this wisdom based education which has been seasoned with art and poetry from throughout the ages can be a formidable tool to arm ourselves and our children to face life’s challenges with empowerment and an objective point of view.
So I worked on this and after several months – whole paragraphs could be translated without the use of the bilingual dictionary. In March, for my birthday, my dear friend Lucie brought me a beautiful Collin’s bilingual dictionary complete with diskette, which I loaded onto the computer. This sped up the process greatly and almost a year after I accepted the job, I completed the 300+ page book and turned it over to my teacher. Now we’re looking for publication and promotion in the US. If any of you have publishing contacts or know how to write for grant money, or have any ideas on how we could take this project to the next step…please do tell.
We’re looking for solutions. Maria Luisa Burrillo is the Director of a Poetry house in Guadalajara and has published over 50 books here in Mexico. None in English, of course, so there are many barriers to overcome and with me incarcerated it’s even harder. We’re all looking forward to achieving this publishing goal in 2010, along with my acquittal and subsequent freedom!
About the case. My attorney Mario Lamas Guzman submitted my Amparo on October 16. This is the 3rd and last recourse available to me to see acquittal. This time, 3 judges will review the case and a majority rules. My attorney prepared the Amparo and reviewed it with me. It is presented as if I’m talking to the Judges. Although all of the facts were included and the legalities, abnormalities and violations of my rights were there, I felt they style was very open and I told Mario that I wanted these Magistrates corralled, pinned-down, hog-tied and asked very pointed questions to which they would have no alternative but to look for the answers within the tomes, volumes of paper, that represents my case.
Timing – We don’t really know what the timing will be, however from previous experience, I know that the Court houses close down after the 12th of December and although they reopen by the 15th of January, no real work begins until February. Realistically, it could be as late as April for us to learn their decision.
There are one or two more aces in the hole, but I will discuss those with you when the time comes.
I end this message with one of my new poems from the above mentioned book:
For Justice to Come
While Justice was a way
on holiday,
Her evil counterparts of injustice;
Greed, Power and Corruption
came to stay
“Condemn! Condemn! Condemn!” we say.
“For there really isn’t any other way”
“To keep your status, lifestyle and high pay.”
When Justice returned that fateful day
The locks were changed;
She could not stay.
With heavy heart she turned away
Vowing to return one day.
Lifting her arms, she began to pray
“Remove this plague of injustice
from my plate!
Save the in justly accused of the world
from their fate!
Give them the strength, the patience and long suffering
to endure their wait
…for Justice to come.”
Christmas Message 2009
I think I wrote a Christmas message last year or maybe I just thought about it. To all of you who follow “my situation” on the blog my ex-husband maintains, “Thank you for caring.” I would like to ask a favor to all and that is please send the blog-link to everyone in your electronic directory and ask them to do the same and so on, so we can expand the awareness of my case to a greater number of people. There IS power in numbers and still it seems we haven’t reached enough people to get the attention of our sleeping politicians.
2009 has been labeled the year of crisis. Even in Mexico every bad thing is blamed on the Crisis. My crisis began on February 13, 2006 and it still continues, but like an epic movie, it goes on and on and eventually even the acute aspects of this nightmare begin to sound mundane or like a broken record. DON’T YOU BELIEVE IT!!
It is easy to become desensitized with all of the absurdity going on – that has become our daily lives. Yet even I, powerless and victimized as I may be, can put my foot down and say “That’s enough.” It hasn’t brought me my physical freedom yet, but inside I am more free spirited than I ever was…and stronger too!
This is my wish for all of my friends and supporters – that each obstacle you are faced with in life is overcome by you with wisdom, patience, tolerance and love in your heart. I pray for your families to be well, to be united, to encourage one another and to seek the true meaning of Christmas together or as individuals this holiday season. To my special supporters who continue to encourage me and my sister with email messages…you know who you are – you are such a blessing to us. We thank you deeply.
Recently, I received a response from some underling of the new US Ambassador to Mexico. If you’ll recall, I sent an 11 page letter to Condoleezza Rice when she was Secretary of State (never heard from her). I sent the same letter to Hillary Clinton when she took the job – just in case my letter was misplaced while Condi was cleaning out her office (sic) and then in August, my sister Barbara sent the same letter to the embassy in Mexico City. The response dated in October and delivered to me in November will be posted on my blog soon, with a line by line interpretation of its contents. If you are prone to dark humor you may enjoy it. By their inaction, the US government is sending a message that a US citizen living abroad does not matter. Period.
Crisis year 2009 has not been a complete waste, however. I have made many new friends. The Doll Factory has been growing and I will be posting photos of all the new dolls so you can see what we’re doing. We actually have shipped a few to the US! Doll Collectors alert! My 4th Art Exhibit at the Ex-Convent del Carmen – (or as I have translated with humor “Carmen’s ex-convent” sort of makes me wonder what happened to Carmen?) The exhibit ran from October 15 – November 15 and I had over a dozen paintings shown. Its result was attributed to the world-wide financial crisis. Our second poetry book has been published and was presented on November 4th at the “F.I.L” in Guadalajara which is acclaimed to be the largest International Book Fair in Central/Latin America. This year’s collection of poetry called “Roses en Destierra II” or “Uprooted Roses II” contains 12 of my poems.
I would like to mention what I believe is the most important writing accomplishment for the year. For about 2 years, I have been studying with Maria Luisa Burrilla, a well known Mexican writer who compiled a Book of Formative Learning called “Universal Values.” It’s formative because its wisdom should be imparted to the very young in the form of tools to be used to prepare for life, but it is also such an important teaching that any age level –even adults – can grasp its messages. She has infused this message with centuries of prose and poetry from such personalities as Confucius to Oscar Wilde. Story telling plays a large part in these teachings. It’s a balanced, healthy, straight forward look at the human condition and how to manage it instead of it managing you.
A year ago in October (2008), Maria asked me to translate the book “Universal Values” and without hesitating I said “Yes.” I knew when I accepted the job that it would be challenging and it was. Learning to translate involves a fierce determination to conquer the learning. To begin with it was all hand written and had words unknown to me. I used an old Webster’s American Bilingual Pocket Dictionary to look them up. But dictionaries don’t conjugate verbs so it was very slow going at first. Soon I received authorization to work on the computers provided by the State funded Distance Education School (the same prep school I began attending this last August). I received a schedule of 3 days a week during certain hours that I could work. Believe me, I took advantage of the solitude and the privilege and worked! As I said, this wisdom based education which has been seasoned with art and poetry from throughout the ages can be a formidable tool to arm ourselves and our children to face life’s challenges with empowerment and an objective point of view.
So I worked on this and after several months – whole paragraphs could be translated without the use of the bilingual dictionary. In March, for my birthday, my dear friend Lucie brought me a beautiful Collin’s bilingual dictionary complete with diskette, which I loaded onto the computer. This sped up the process greatly and almost a year after I accepted the job, I completed the 300+ page book and turned it over to my teacher. Now we’re looking for publication and promotion in the US. If any of you have publishing contacts or know how to write for grant money, or have any ideas on how we could take this project to the next step…please do tell.
We’re looking for solutions. Maria Luisa Burrillo is the Director of a Poetry house in Guadalajara and has published over 50 books here in Mexico. None in English, of course, so there are many barriers to overcome and with me incarcerated it’s even harder. We’re all looking forward to achieving this publishing goal in 2010, along with my acquittal and subsequent freedom!
About the case. My attorney Mario Lamas Guzman submitted my Amparo on October 16. This is the 3rd and last recourse available to me to see acquittal. This time, 3 judges will review the case and a majority rules. My attorney prepared the Amparo and reviewed it with me. It is presented as if I’m talking to the Judges. Although all of the facts were included and the legalities, abnormalities and violations of my rights were there, I felt they style was very open and I told Mario that I wanted these Magistrates corralled, pinned-down, hog-tied and asked very pointed questions to which they would have no alternative but to look for the answers within the tomes, volumes of paper, that represents my case.
Timing – We don’t really know what the timing will be, however from previous experience, I know that the Court houses close down after the 12th of December and although they reopen by the 15th of January, no real work begins until February. Realistically, it could be as late as April for us to learn their decision.
There are one or two more aces in the hole, but I will discuss those with you when the time comes.
I end this message with one of my new poems from the above mentioned book:
For Justice to Come
While Justice was a way
on holiday,
Her evil counterparts of injustice;
Greed, Power and Corruption
came to stay
“Condemn! Condemn! Condemn!” we say.
“For there really isn’t any other way”
“To keep your status, lifestyle and high pay.”
When Justice returned that fateful day
The locks were changed;
She could not stay.
With heavy heart she turned away
Vowing to return one day.
Lifting her arms, she began to pray
“Remove this plague of injustice
from my plate!
Save the in justly accused of the world
from their fate!
Give them the strength, the patience and long suffering
to endure their wait
…for Justice to come.”
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