LizLetters

Who Would Jesus Heal?

Dr. Gary Merrill
Christian Medical Svc
2920 F ST # C6
Bakersfield, California 93301

Dear Dr. Merrill,

    I am writing to convey my disappointment in hearing that you, in your medical practice, discriminate against people who have tattoos and do so under the guise of Christianity. In a recent incident at your office, a woman reportedly brought her daughter to your office with an ear infection. The girl was refused treatment because the mother had tattoos.
    This behavior seems anything but Christian. I do not subscribe to any religion, and perhaps my opinion means nothing to you because of that, but it is my understanding that many Christians try to model their behavior after the teachings of Jesus (even asking themselves “what would Jesus do?”). I can not imagine that, having the means and the power to ease a child’s suffering, Jesus would turn her away because of the child’s mother’s appearance. I certainly would not join any religion with a doctrine that condones such callous behavior.

Truly,

Liz Mann

Burned By The System

Josh Wolf #98005-111 Unit J2
FDC Dublin
Camp Parks
5675 8th Street
Dublin, CA 94568

Dear Mr. Wolf,

    Congratulations on your record-breaking jail stay! According to the San Francisco Chronicle, you have now spent 169 days in jail, longer than and U.S. journalist charged with contempt of court.
    Okay, maybe it’s not the distinction you would have chosen. I feel that I should apologize to you because I was not aware that you were still incarcerated. I wrote a letter to Judge Alsup back in August asking that he dismiss the charges against you (looks like I don’t have much pull with him). Somehow I could not imagine that they would keep you incarcerated for this. If they tried, surely the outcry from the public, from the press would shame them into releasing you.
    I am not sure why I was so optimistic. It has become increasingly obvious that our civil liberties have been buttered to the point where we have no grip on them. And most Americans seem to be just sitting around saying “Mmmmm... butter...”.  Civil disobedience is certainly not tolerated. A couple in New Hampshire is being descended upon by the Feds for refusing to pay taxes.
    The letter I wrote to Judge Alsup was part of a letter-writing project I started last year. I wrote a letter each day, many of which were inspired by stories from the news, and posted my letters and the replies I received  on a blog. I was inspired to write a few letters about the state of prisons in the U.S. It is simply amazing to me that, on top of a hugely flawed criminal justice system, our prison systems themselves are in such dire need of reform. We can begin to change things by bridging the disconnect between prisoners and those “on the outside.” I applaud the project that was started as a result of your case, prisonblogs.net. If you reply to this letter I’ll post it on my blog. Good luck!

Truly,

Liz Mann