Paula Zahn told the audience a couple of evening ago that the issue of Ritalin will be debated tomorrow evening< last night > I waited and waited but the issue of Ritalin never came.
For this? I am sorry! It won’t happen again!!!! I’ll try to paste the transcript once they debate the issue on CNN!
Well? Yesterday was sort of a huge wake up call for this guy!
I’ve been waiting for weeks to write about this issue.
While in Saint John, I receive an email that my roommate < live down the hall from me > was in jail.
I guess he tried to rob a guy at the Super Store. < The victim is a known troublemaker >
Anyway the roommate name < we will only call him Ken > moved in the winter months.
He was quiet and I saw him at the Soup Kitchen on a few occasions. He didn’t say much.
He always wore a black leather Jacket and a baseball cap.
After a few weeks, he began to open up to me and I found him a very nice guy. He told me that he was on probation and there’s no way in the world that he
wanted to go back in jail.
Ken had a little problem with alcohol. Once he drank? His attitude quickly changed. Mind you? He never cause me any trouble whatsoever!
As a matter of fact, I found him to be a very good cook. H would buy huge chicken legs and asked me if I wanted one?
He was also good to my dog – Chico. Once I bought Chico for a visit? He would run into Ken’s room looking for some food.
I told Ken on many occasions that he should be like myself? < God help us!!! >
I’m an idiot when I’m sober and I’m still an idiot when I’m drunk! I don’t change! As a matter of fact?
I’m calmer after a few drinks!!
During the cold winter months, Ken would always talk about fishing on the Saint John River.
He was looking forward to the spring and summer months so he could spent some time fishing.
Now we come to the real issue that I’m writing about.
A couple of weeks ago, I received a hand written letter from Ken. He wrote that he was in the Provincial Jail in Saint John.
He also told me that he made a mistake therefore breaking his probation.
Ken asked me for a favor?
He asked if I would contact a friend of his at the Shelter to take over his room?
He would only trust that guy with all his personal belongings.
I should have said - Hey? This is no concern of mine and just throw the letter in the waste Basket.
But that’s not my style and I decided to go at the Shelter. I might add that I had a very difficult time to get through the door but being Charles?
I will not give up!
I finally contacted someone and I was told that the guy wouldn’t be interested taking over Ken’s room.
They also added that they had the key to Ken’s room.
I told the staff member at the Shelter that the caretaker at my place will go inside his room after Midnight and take all his belongings.
They knew the caretaker is a loser so they gave me the keys.
Myself and a friend had to move fast!
We took all the stuff and put it in my little room!
My god? He had lots of items!
So? Now I had a problem? Where do I put all this Junk anyway?
I went to chat with George Piers at the Soup Kitchen and he suggested the John Howard Society.
I walked into the Fredericton Police Department on a Monday and wanted to know the date Ken was to appear in court?
Mind you? Ever since the Police were called by those racists members of the New Brunswick Human Rights Commisison? > I lost all respect for these people! <
Anti Poverty meeting >
Once at the John Howard Society? I met with a guy name - Gordon!
I found the guy very intelligent and he told me that he would meet me at the court house on July 12th at 1:00pm.
You see? This was my concern!
If a guy has no family members or close friends to take care of his items once he cross that line? < break the law > What happens to all his belongings?
Good question?
Once behind bars, the Justice Department don’t say - Ok? You got 24 hours to take care of your business!!!
So yesterday was the big day and I was hoping that I could meet with Ken so I could discuss the issue of his belongings.
Gordon showed up right on time.< 5 minutes early > but we couldn’t have a meeting with Ken!
We waited in the hallway while many police officers and sheriffs walked by.
I noticed one guy < in his late 40s > being escorted by two police officers with chains in ankles and handcuff!
I decided to go outside for a smoke.
Once in the Court room, Ken came in and sat in the prisoner’s box.
Poor Ken! He looked in bad shape from being behind bars after all these weeks.
I waved at him and he waved back. He looked surprise to see me.
I was the only friend in the court room.
It was sad. After an 5 minutes hearing a trial date was set for September 2st! The Judge said that Ken will be remanded in Jail until then!
Ken had his head down and who can blame the poor guy?
His wish to go fishing on the Saint John River during the nice summer months vanished in front of his eyes!
His summer months are going to be spent behind bars!
The police escorted Ken from the Court and I quickly left the court room.
I noticed two cops escorting Ken in chains.
I shouted - Hi Ken!
He quickly told me that I could keep all his stuff.
The conversation lasted for 10 seconds and that was that!
He was quickly pushed through a door and he was gone!
I spoke to his lawyer of my concerns that he couldn’t chat with me for a few minutes?
The lawyer reminded me that the Police won’t allowed this to happen because often drugs are often exchange during these encounters.
A police officer asked me if I was a friend of Ken?
I told the officer that I was indeed a friend and Ken was a very nice guy!!! It’s too bad that he has to spend the summer in jail so an idiotic mistake?
The cop did admit that he was a nice guy but what can a person do?
If you’re still with me? < I doubt it >
The reason that I decide to write this personal story is that we don’t appreciate our freedom!
Once you cross that thin line from being the socially accepted to the Social outcast?
The freedom is done forever!
Even once you get on the streets? You will still be watch by the police Department.
So? What do they say- Hey? We know that we never gave you time to stores your stuff so therefore you have to begin from scratch!!!
Doesn’t seem fair!!!
Yes, I wish Ken the very best of luck in his future.
Gordon took my email and he told me that he’s going to try to locate someone to store all his belongings.
It’s very sad!
Be very thankful that you have your freedom!!! I know that I am!!!
2 comments:
as always charles you are THE MAN!.
very sad charles & i hope you pls stay in touch with this person,i felt a little alarmed when he told you to have all his stuff,thats not a good sign to me,i hate to say it but he could be having suicidal thoughts telling you to have all his stuff like he will never need it again?.
can be an alful tough world we live in.
Never taught about that one but after thinking about it! You might be right? I heard that it's not easy to live in Black River!!! < jail >
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