Sr. Jackie Hudson writes from Victorville, CA Federal Prison
EPISTLE  6  -  FALL 2004

" . . .  is it possible to befriend our dying and live into it, trusting that we have nothing to fear."

Our Greatest Gift by Henri Nowen

I chose this quote to represent my dear friend Sister Jackie Bennett as she prepared herself, her family and friends for her approaching death. She found it possible to befriend her dying and was gifted with a peaceful death surrounded by family, our sisters and friends. Thank you for your prayers and expressions of sympathy at the death of my friend of over 50 years,

Shortly after Jackie 's death, I received word of the death of a great peacemaker and resister, Helen Casey .
She truly inspired us with her actions, her words and her courtroom statements.

So many of us have been blessed with the presence of Jackie and Helen in our lives.

It was so encouraging to receive the reports of August actions on land and sea around the globe. There is truly a widespread call for peaceful solutions to conflicts and an end to all war. Next up is the week of actions calling for a peaceful use of space. Check this web page for more information: www.space4peace.org.

October 2nd is Adopt a Silo Day. For more information go to www.rmpjc.org. My spirit is with each of you as you act for a non-nuclear future.

We have received the government attorney's response to our appeal. A three judge panel will hear oral arguments on October 1st in Denver . A decision will come at a future date.

Speaking of dates, my release date is listed as March 6, 2005. No one works in "discharge" on the weekends so I am anticipating a March 4th release. Three years of supervised released will follow - a convienent way for the court to attempt to extend control beyond the guidelines for incarceration.

I am trying not to spend too much time thinking about the above right now. The present moment presents its own demands as I struggle to deal with my own inner violence. The opportunity to grow in nonviolence presents itself daily in the person of the most abusive guard I've ever encountered. Not physical abuse - he wouldn't dare. His greeting when he was reassigned to  the FPC was, " Daddy's back!" Many opportunities to practice the gospel message of love and forgiveness.

But this is all so minor when we consider Iraq , Afghanistan , Sudan , Haiti , etc, etc. and the overall effect of US empire building and domination of land, air, sea and space. I think often of the quote Frieda Berrigan used as she received the Pax Christi award in New York this last June:
                        "We have assumed the name peacemaker but we have been, by and large,
unwilling to pay any significant price. And because we want peace with half a life and half a heart and will, the war will, of course, continues because the waging of war, by it's very nature, is total but the waging of peace, by our own cowardice, so partial . . . We cry peace and we cry peace but there is not peace.  The is no peace because the cost of making peace is at least as costly as making war, at least as exigent, at least as disruptive, at least as liable to bring disgrace, prison and death in it's wake.
                                No Bars to Manhood  Daniel Berrigan SJ


In fewer words, if you want to be truly Christian , a follower of Christ ,  " you had better look good on wood"  (a quote I heard from Phil Berrigan .) To what degree are we willing to place ourselves in Harms way to achieve peace? What next step are we willing to take as violence surrounds us on so many fronts?

Violence presents its self right outside our fence. The former housing area and airstrip at Georges Air Force base is being used for "urban environment" training. . .preparing the troops before sending them to Iraq .

KPFK, an independent Pacifica Radio station out of Los Angeles , is my main source of news. They recently ran an 8 week series on prisons. I recommend the web page: www.criticalresistance.org. The seventh in the series debunked the myth of surrounding the need for prisons. The prison system is beyond reforming. The soul of our nation demands the abolishment of this primitive enslavement of our citizens. 

Recent statistics:   Incarceration rates: 1950  Russia under Stalin     1,423 per 100,000 population

                               2004  US under George Bush      2,298 per 100,000 population

                                  Increase in US prison guards  2000  270,000            2004  476,000

Billions of dollars continue to pour into this evil system as homelessness, insufficient health care and education continue to wreak havoc on the multitudes. The website mentioned will put you in touch with the National Organization of Crirical Resistance. Their goal is the abolition of prisons.

On a lighter note, my exposure to life's offerings have expanded due to incarceration. Michigan jails introduced me to Fruit Loops and now Victorville has added Coco Puffs! Both provide  an occasional "sugar snack."

I take this opportunity again to express my gratitude for so many thoughtful acts on your part. My sister-in-law Evelyn , has  completed her chemo and and begins intensive radiation treatment now. To date she has suffered no severe reactions to the treatment. We are all extremely grateful.

Financial support continues so that Sue Ablao can care for my temporal needs as well as mailing these epistles. If you wish to receive  these by e-mail contact Sue at sablao1@yahoo.com or contact Sue at 3495 Dyes Inlet, Bremerton , WA 98312 .For donations to the appeal fund contact Bill Sulzman at PO Box 915 , Colorado Springs CO 80901 .

There is so much to challenge our complacency these days. May we all use energies toward achieving a more loving world.

Always grateful, I promise my prayers and good wishes to each of you. MAY THE NONVIOLENT REVOLUTION COME!
Love,
Jackie
Jackie 's address is: Jackie Hudson    #08808-039
        FPC Victorville
        PO Box 5100
        Adelanto, CA 92301