Posted on 02/14/2013 12:37:36 PM PST by San Rafael Blue
A 71 year old man with a headful of uncombed steel grey hair entered the Chicago Bank of the Commenwealth. The elderly man sported a weathered tan tweed wool jacket, with no buttons or elbow pads, and gripped a scuffed -up heavily varnished cheerywood cane as he walked slowly toward the teller. The man raised his head up to directly face her. She could see her inverted reflections in his brown bloodshot eyes, eyes that appeared flat, glazed and methodical. She has yet to forget those eyes, set just below a bushy nest of eyebrows, also untrimmed, unfettered. His name is Walter Unbehaun, who was released from prison for bank robbery two weeks prior to this incident.
Mr. Unbehaun had a written note in his left hand and pistol tucked down into his braided belt. he wanted the teller to look at them both. Mr. Unbehaun's Barreta was loaded and ready for quick use if need be, said the note. The banks' camera system shows him staring mutely at the teller, moments after displaying his loaded gun and making clear his intent. Mr. Unbehaun was so very smooth and subtle in his theft, that he was able to hobble away with over 4000. without anyone giving immediate chase. Over $4000. in crisp green american bills. The dollars had probably been marked by the bank for easier identification.
Walter Unbehaun quickly surrendered to the police when they located him the next day. He had been patiently, perhaps impatiently waiting for their arrival, not to ambush or threaten the cops, but to throw the responsibility for himself, the expenses and worry of trying to stay alive, the lack of pals and peeps and long dead gun molls who understood or at least condoned, rationalized and personally benefited from his lifestyle. Mr. Unbehaun has lived a relatively long life, albeit mostly behind bars as an adult, and he has 'Had Enough' of the worry. It was time to 'leave it in the Lap of the Gods', to quote Freddie Mercury or the legal powers that presently pretend to be of influence.
Do we need to change the ease with which someone can return to the jail system in the country? I personally know of a nephew of mine who has kind of given up on trying to carve out a life for himself. He too would much prefer just living off the state, being kept like a fat rabbit in a locked cage.
We, the family try to encourage him without getting sucked down into that whirlpool or black vortex of his own making. What's that word? Recitivism. The returning crooks perpetually add layers of new expenses on top of old ones. Maybe we need a new set of rules, run state to state. Three strikes, or three episodes where it can be proven that a criminal has purposely SABOTAGED their release from incarceration, after the third occurance, they are barred from that particular prision and sent some place far less desirable. No, I don't mean we need some new Gulags, just a few less jails that resemble Frat Houses for retired golfers. No easy answers, but we could use some of that money for Charter Schools or Schoolarships, to give hope to either children OR adults.
I think there should be more opportunity for adults to be considered for schoolarships and grants. Many adults need it more than kids, because they want to expand or refine there skill set. Many adults (like me) are still paying off ancient school loans or interest on other loans.
I like those stories. I recall my dad and mom answering, where are you going? With to the poor house or to the dogs.
This was back in early 60’s. I never knew there were really poor houses where old people went to die until not so long ago.
I never did figure out why polocks became the butt of jokes but nobody cracks polock jokes anymore
As mentioned, the link is the URL field on the posting page.
They need to put work back on the plate, no tv and no sports, and none of the goodies.
Thanks, ill review the protocol.
A little stay at ‘Camp Joe Stalin’ might do the trick.
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