I received a handwritten letter from Gov Don Siegelman from prison!

[mod mom]

After finding his address on a post here at DU (sorry, I forgot who posted it), I sent a Christmas card with an attached letter to Gov Siegelman. I let him know that I was one of many activists who would not allow his plight to be forgotten. I told him of how I had worked full time as a volunteer for Kerry/Edwards in Ohio in 2004, and how what I witnessed lead me to close my business and work on investigating the '04 and promoting election integrity. I told him I would write to elected officials and media personnel until his release.

I don't feel comfortable posting everything he wrote but he suggests we check out the following website:

http://www.donsiegelman.net/

I hope others here will work at bringing attention to his plight.

If you would like to write him, here is his address:

Gov Don Siegelman 24775-001
FPC PO Box 5010
Oakdale, LA 71463

Address on the website, is slightly different from what was on the letter:
Don Siegelman
# 24775-001
Satellite Prison Camp
Post Office Box 5010
Oakdale, LA 71463-5019

[eleny]

1. k&r

:thumbsup:

[lonestarnot]

2. Thanks for sharing!

[Ilsa]

3. Thank you for bringing this up again and posting the info.

The man is a political prisoner. Let's hope we can undo the injustice.

[mod mom]

6. Please consider writing your elected officials and reminding them that this could happen

to them as well.

I believe Keith is our best bet in getting it aired repeatedly until Gov Siegelman is released:

[e-mail]

and Dan Abrams:

[e-mail]

[annabanana]

4. I sent him a Christmas card, too...

With just a note saying that more & more people were learning what had happened down there...

[TomInTib]

5. They sent him to prison in fucking LOUISIANA?

What a fucked-up deal.

Fuck Karl Rove.

Fuck Alberto Gonzales.

And, most of all, FUCK GEORGE W BUSH.

Sorry about the profanity, but I just awoke and this is the first thing that I have read.

Tom

[Elidor]

22. Isn't that something

I wonder what the rational for that was.

[chervilant]

35. It's simple, really...

A big part of their rationale is to make it difficult for Gov. Siegelman's family and friends to visit him regularly. They are likely hoping that a lack of consistent, supportive visits from friends and family will erode Gov. Siegelman's resolve to be strong and resistant in the face of their blatant abuse.

Other likely elements of their rationale include locating Gov. Siegelman in a prison where it's unlikely that his political supporters will stage protests at the prison gates, keeping him where it is less likely his situation will garner MSM coverage, and--perhaps--housing him in a prison with a population more likely to be dangerous for him.

Regardless of these bastards' rationale, We The People need to champion Gov. Siegelman's cause. In addition to writing him letters (these are a blessing for someone who is wrongly imprisoned, so I hope lots of DUers intend to correspond with him), can we work with his family and other supporters to push for his release pending his appeal? Surely the more we focus attention on this travesty, the more likely we can get him released?

HEY!!! Why not have Scooter Libby proxy for Gov. Siegelman for the duration of his appeal? I think that is only fair.

[juajen]

23. I'm sure it wasn't Angola. What do you have against Louisiana?

Really, a lot of nice people live here, including me.

[TomInTib]

30. Because he is from fucking Alabama, that's why...

Long time from Family.

Ever been in prison?

Family counts.

Nothing against Lousiana...

Hell, I am from Beaumont, Texas.

No offense intended.

Tom

[RB TexLa]

32. they don't just hand you your first choice, if there is a mim security facility near

him they will move him there in about a year.

[struggle4progress]

51. The Feds have been bouncing Siegelman around to keep him away from his lawyers

Siegelman moved, likely to Texas
Lawyer angered at distance from state
Thursday, July 12, 2007
KIM CHANDLER
News staff writer
MONTGOMERY - Former Gov. Don Siegelman has been transferred from the federal penitentiary in Atlanta, and his lawyer said Wednesday she believed he ultimately is bound for Texarkana, Texas. The Federal Bureau of Prisons is withholding the location of the new prison ... http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1184230255107070.xml&coll=2

Published Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Siegelman moved to prison in Louisiana
By Dana Beyerle
Montgomery Bureau Chief
... The Oakdale FDC is in west-central Louisiana and is at least the third lockup in which Siegelman has been held. One of Siegelman’s attorneys said last week that he was taken from Atlanta to an Oklahoma City airport prison transfer station. His lawyers initially thought he would be assigned to a minimum-security federal prison in Texarkana, Texas ... http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20070717/NEWS/707170344/1007/TL02

[ArkySue]

31. No, fucking is in Austria.

:silly:

Seriously, the situation really sucks. Political prisoner...and you thought it couldn't happen here. Makes me want to chant, "Attica! Attica! Attica!"

[mac2]

41. Sounds like Soviet Russia to me

Political enemies sent to prison in Siberia (I mean Louisiana which has just turned Republican). It's a message to other Democratic politicians isn't it?

Destroy a state to make it the other party...accomplished. The Democratic Blue state is now Republican. Don't tell me Bush had nothing to do with the breaking of those LA levees and refusal of aid.

Bush is guilty of genocide of his own people. Just like he claimed Suddan was (a Bush friend by the way).

[Richard Steele]

7. Kicked and recommended

[Wickerman]

8. So, let's see, he gets 7 years and Scooter gets a commuted sentence

becasue 30 months was "too harsh?" WTF

[mod mom]

9. Welcome to justice with a fraudulently elected pResident.

This is why every elected Dem should speak out and demand verifiability in our election system. We must not allow this to happen again and punish those who took part of it in the past.

[mac2]

53. And the VP is illegal

Cheney was from the same state as Bush which is unconstitutional for good reasons. Look how Texas has benefited from both leaders being from the same state.

[malaise]

18. That's called

Bush justice.

[Maestro]

27. My sentiments exactly!

How effed is that?

[alfredo]

10. Weren't there two Republicans that were involved and not indicted?

[gateley]

11. K&R -- Thank you for posting this. nt

[merh]

12. Read Horton at Harper's Magazine

http://www.harpers.org/archive/2007/12/hbc-90001999

Siegelman is not the sole political prisoner of this regime.

We need to pay attention to all of these cases and not let Congress ignore these travesties of justice.

thanks for caring mod mom and keeping the spotlight on this.

[bleever]

13. Good work, mod mom.

I also want to give you props for writing your letter to Reggie Walton.

:thumbsup:

[mod mom]

15. In all the letters written expressing outrage, it's nice to find out someone is reading them.

:hi:

Happy New Year Bleever!

[bleever]

19. And

a very Happy New Year to you, mod mom.

:hi:

[pberq]

14. Kick & Nominated - let's keep this front and center

[flashl]

16. K&R n/t

[KoKo]

17. k&R

[indimuse]

20. done.

thx

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. That's awesome!!

Good for you!!

[Cha]

24. What a wonderful

gift of hope you've given Don Siegelman and us! Thanks mod mom and Happy New Year..may 2008 be the year our country starts to turn around for real.

[understandinglife]

25. Thank you and Happy New Year!

Peace,
Bob

[Dawggie]

26. Another K&R...

And a thank you for all the work that you do.

May you have a Peaceful and Progressive New Year.

[Polemicist]

28. Can we start a campaign to get Bush to pardon him?

I know most people will automatically say, "no way Bush would Pardon Gov. Siegelman". And that's quite likely true. But it will put pressure on the Bushites and it will cause the Press to discuss this issue and compare and contrast Bush's behavior regarding Libby's commutation and his Justice Department's despicable actions regarding Mr. Siegelman, America's most prominent political prisoner.

If we address our letters to both President Bush and members of the press, perhaps with a petition or open letters, we can increase the pressure on Bush's Justice Department to reverse their prior rulings in order to deflect the spotlight and take the pressure off of the President. We should write to our Congressmen and Senators as well.

We gotta push the buttons at the top to drive actions below. JMHO.

I've read all of the Harper's articles on the Siegelman witch hunt and it's simply one of the most amazing things I've ever read. America is a Soviet Gulag under Bush rule. The Repubicans have abused our justice system for political gain. If this isn't an issue to dig your heels in about, there just isn't one.

Don Siegelman is America's Ivan Denisovich Shukhov and we must all become Alexander Solzenitzen and write about it as often as possible.

[madeline_con]

33. A few "Free Don Siegelman" signs turning up at protests would

certainly make people start to ask questions. Just a thought.

[Time for change]

29. That is so nice

:thumbsup:

[lisainmilo]

34. Thanks for sharing.....

Truly Tragic case at best.

[defendandprotect]

36. Thank you for staying with this --- thanks for the addresses and website ---

and maybe DU'ers can have a plan of some kind to help him?

I've sent a few e-mails to Dem leaders saying he needs help ---

How about an organized effort by DU --- ?

Just sent contribution to the Legal Fund and a card to the prison ---
and will follow with some letters, e-mails, telephone calls again this week.

This could happen to any Democratic now --- any citizen --- and I think the Democrats
would be wise to help this man.

[orleans]

37. k&r n/t

[symbolman]

38. I want to thank you for making this poor man a much happier one

we can all help keep this on the front burner and get this political prisoner freed soon I hope.

My wife was the one who interviewed him in 2004, and Takebackthemedia.com, our site released the video to Mark Crispin Miller's site - and it spread through the web like wildfire.

I hope more folks write to him, and I'm going to keep pushing as well, anyone know when Randi Roades is back? I want to let her know that we're ON THIS and enlist her help as well...

I think that DUrs could make this more high profile by perhaps sending his family a 100 Dozen Roses, might get the media more interested.

Maybe a contest to design a t-shirt "An American Political Prisoner" with the proceeds going to his legal fund?

Let's get thinking caps on :)

You are doing good work.. Let this be the year he's finally released!

Thanks so much!

FREE SIEGELMAN!

[merh]

52. Please read Horton's blog at Harper's Magazine

Siegelman is not the only political prisoner and others could use the help you suggest.

We need to shine the light on all of them.

[symbolman]

55. of course!

I just think that if you can get a high profile guy out, then you may have the HAND to pry the others away from the Slimy Grip of these monsters :)

[EFerrari]

39. They say that all mail to the Governor will be opened during

processing. Maybe sending postcards would speed it up a little.

[mod mom]

43. I sent my card/letter ~ a week before Christmas and received a 3 page reply

on NYE.

It's horrible that our Dems in office went on break while one of their own was incarerated as a political prisoner. Let's not let this story fade-it could be anyone of us.

Happy New Year, sfexpat! :hi: Time to put these ruthless bullies where they belong!

[EFerrari]

44. Happy New Year, mod mom! I hope it's a good one!

I was thinking, we could pick an hour or so once a week when we're sort of free, and start a letter/card writting thread. Sometimes it's easier to get things done if you have company. :hi:

[mod mom]

46. Great idea!

I never used to care for Dan Abrams but he changed his format and provided some great coverage. If we can educate folks about this horrible situation, I think their outrage will drive them to action. pick a time..

[EFerrari]

48. What about Wednesday afternoon/evening? n/t

[mod mom]

49. Meet you here!

:hi:

[EFerrari]

50. Great. Thank you!

:)

[merh]

45. not just one of their own

Several are in prison, political prisoners, convicted on lies and distortions.

An injustice for all is an injustice for all.

[mac2]

40. Where is X-Congressman Trafactant (D-OH)?

His sentence seems a bit long and extreme. How many years are they going to keep him in that mental prison?

I didn't approve of everything he said, but I would fight for his right to say it. They said he was guilty of taking bribes. If he was he didn't get much because he wasn't a rich man like many in our Congress today who are in power (and not in jail).

No Democrats fighting for his release since he did the unthinkable of questioning the election in 2000? He was the only white guy wanting answers to the fraud in Florida, etc. He wanted the Florida vote investigated. Seems he was right. Gore (we) did win.

And to think X-Congressman Tom DeLay (R-TX)is still free!

Media where are you about this unfairness? Air America?

[L. Coyote]

42. Thanks for reposting the address. I'm sure it is a huge uplift to get supprt letters.

His daughter had mentioned the address somewhere, and I posted it on DU.

[ninkasi]

47. Good for you, mod mom

I think I'll write, as well. What happened to him is a gross miscarriage of justice.

[lovuian]

54. K&R

:kick: