AWAITING TIMOTHY MCVEIGH'S SIGNATURE

An inmate tutor in my classroom drew the following diagram to illustrate how to make a bomb. He claims to have ties to the Michigan Militia. "I knew Timothy McVeigh personally," he said, as if this would validate his incomplete bomb making instructions.

His reference to McVeigh, a man who orchestrated the bombing of a United States Federal Building in Oklahoma City, did not impress me. I shrugged my shoulders. "Wasn’t he executed?" I asked.

"You don’t believe me, do you?" the inmate went on. "I have proof in the form of letters. I’ll bring them to you."

Whether he’s suffering from some sick delusional fantasy I’ll never know. And if he shows me these so-called letters, who’s to say the signatures aren’t forgeries? And why should I care any way? Will they give me more insight into McVeigh? Will they explain why he thought so many innocent people should die?

The inmate continued, "I knew Ted Nugent from my militia days. The guy's a lying punk-ass bitch motherf***ker. He said he never had ties to the militia and never did drugs."

Again, I shrugged my shoulders. Did he think knowing a former local celebrity and rock star would justify the right to bear arms, the right to belong to the militia? Don’t get me wrong—I’ve always felt that the day we give up our guns is the day we give up our freedom, but I’m not as passionate about it, I’m not willing to sacrifice innocent lives to prove my point. "I suppose you corresponded with the Motor City Madman too," I said.

"No," the inmate answered, "I saw him on the news once denouncing any affiliation with the Michigan militia. He’s a liar. He smoked pot with some fellow members. I was there. I saw it with my very own eyes."

One thing I’ve observed over the years teaching in prison is that there are no gray areas for the prisoners. Every issue is seen in black and white. You’re either wrong or you’re either right. "Let me see those letters," I said. Perhaps I’ll post their contents and let you be the judge. Perhaps I’ll scan McVeigh’s signature and let you decide whether the inmate’s claims are authentic.

On a different note: I saw "Freedom Writers" for free the other day. Excellent movie! It has inspired me to post more stories regarding my earlier days working as a teacher in the Michigan prison system. More to come.