"We love you, Victor"

[ConsAreLiars]

Regular Malloy listeners know the story, but for those who missed it in whole or part, here's a short summary.

I might have some details wrong, but the basic outline is accurate. If you have access to the archives at Nova M, Mike discussed the history and current situation in the third half hour of yesterday's show (12/16/08) and Victor called in during the fourth half hour tonight. Mike closed with "I love you, Victor." Victor said, "I love you, Mike."

Victor Lopez was in jail in Miami for passing bad checks. Long history - abusive parents, foster system, good foster parents both died in an auto accident, more bad foster stuff, jail, long prison sentence. While in the Miami jail he and other inmates and some guards listened to the Mike Malloy Show each evening and reacted with great delight as Mike did his riffs and rants. Victor sent a letter telling him of his fan club. Mike mentioned it on the air.

One thing led to another. At Victor's request, his only request ever, Mike sent a letter to the judge trying to keep Victor from being transferred to a prison in the US Virgin Islands, to no avail. When he learned Victor was being sent to that prison for 7(?) years, and understanding Victor's feelings, Mike posted the address on his website and encouraged listeners to write. According to Victor, these letters and the time and thought he devoted to the correspondence lifted him out of his despair. Saved his life. Some of that correspondence is at: http://www.powersandmorrison.com/Blogs-MainPages/Archives-Victor.html

One couple asked him to live with them in North Carolina when he was finally released. Although he is now an adult, they legally adopted him, and now he has both a Mom and a Dad. He is in his second year of college studying journalism. Still struggling with his past. But straight A's.

Yesterday he was awarded The Nation Magazine's Student Writing Contest for College level writing for an essay called "Transcending Trauma." Read it: http://www.thenation.com/doc/20081229/lopez

We love you, Victor.

(edit a tiny bit.)