My coming was foretold

[asakiyume]

On Friday at the jail I was noticing how much they announce you're coming--each stage of the way. "Central control, one volunteer up to you," says the guy at the main desk, and then "One volunteer in the sally port," says the guy at central control," and then "Programs, one volunteer in the elevator," and so on. It made me feel, yesterday, like the fulfillment of a very short-term prophecy.

And speaking of sally ports, did you know--I did not, until I Google-searched the word just now--that although the relevant definition in this instance is "a secure entryway (as at a prison) that consists of a series of doors or gates," the first definition is "a gate or passage in a fortified place for use by troops making a sortie," and that if you look up images you will find lots of castles? Yes indeed. Whereas, the sally port at the jail has always made me think of a space station's airlock. One heavy metal door opens, you go in, it shuts, and you're in a tiny room. Then the heavy metal door on the other side opens, and you're inside the jail proper.

(Not only was my coming foretold, but I have an invisible ultraviolet stamp on my hand. I don't know what it says because I can't see it. It's like a stamp admitting you to a club, only really it's to let you **leave** the club, because most people can't. Hotel California and all that.)

And speaking of prophecies, I was talking to one woman about a book she was reading, and as she described the action and the main character's situation, I realized it was a retelling of the Iliad from Cassandra's point of view. It was Firebrand by Marion Zimmer Bradley. So that was really fun and cool. I have not actually ever read any Marion Zimmer Bradley, but maybe I'll read that one, because she's going to write an essay on it. It's long though, wow. Maybe I'll just dip in here and there.

Comments

Re: prisons

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I keep seeing news items featuring her, so I feel like she, or her supporters in Manipur, are at least continuing to get her into the public eye. Just the other day there was one about her desire to see Modi. I need to write her a letter; I have some stuff to send her. (You should be getting a letter soon from me, too.)

Re: prisons

[desmondc.livejournal.com]

I didn't notice any support in Manipur. I haven't received any mail from her since February though I write her daily. There was a one day conference in Imphal April 5th I think where it cites nearly a dozen NGOs and CSOs all meeting to support her. None of the people actually visit her because of the illegal isolation order no longer challenged. And in the photos of the day there appear to be about 20 people all told. My guess is you refer to the build up to her last Delhi appearance. Odd thing for anyone with any legal training or who has read a Grisham novel. The judge who gave the judgement of conditional release had never heard any of the evidence. He found her not guilty and then added a six month detention order of some kind just in case his verdict was appealed. I think she could have technically averted that by paying 10000 rupees bail. But the way the system works in India she would have been held in custody until that was processed and the Judge just seemed to want to keep her in isolation for that evening. The following morning she was sent back to Imphal where she remains now and will probably never leave. I am less hopeful now. Without the threat of being sent to a slightly less corrupt system in Delhi she really has no power at all. I was trying to get her to stand for the elections Spring 2017. But you know of that plan and she isn't keen. I got your letter I was going to respond. I think its over now. And I do not believe she has any support in Manipur. Even the internet stuff will end soon. Next landmark will be 2020 twentieth anniversary. She is not newsworthy till then. I doubt she will live that long.