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Feb 23, 2009, 08:12 AM
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Member Since: Jun 2007
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 5,518
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Yeah, it's confusing because I didn't want to get into the details of the case. 
She's over 21 (50s) and alcohol is legal. She spent six years in the military and also has a master's degree, but jobs are scarce these days and she's been unemployed since last summer. No health care benefits. Her father just died, and her mother is grieving. One of her daughters is special needs and needs a LOT of attention. Her other daughter is married to a man who just came back after three tours in Iraq and has become abusive. Her grandchildren are toddlers - 5, 3 and newborn.
Don't all the advertisements say having a drink is a way to socialize and unwind after a rough day?  Those commercials make it sound like alcohol will take ALL your stress away. She decided to have a drink. It was either that or suicide. I'm glad she didn't kill herself.
As I said, no one was harmed - but she is an Indian in Oklahoma. When the police saw her drunk, they used brute force and threw her in jail. When they removed her clothing, they threw her in a cell by herself and told her to wait for "processing." She was absolutely TERRIFIED of what might happen next.
After she was released, she panicked. She'd been sexually abused and threatened by the police AND "good ol boys" for as long as she can remember.
This is where I was trying to say WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
She panicked, so she borrowed money from a friend. Unfortunately, that check had a 10-day hold, so she took it from another account until the other check cleared. Apparently, it's a federal crime and she's now facing several years.
Wouldn't YOU have dipped into your "savings" in order to save your behind from hungry rapists and control freaks to stay with your family? They need her more than those policemen and prison guards. I haven't been in that situation yet, but I think I would have done the same as her. What about you?
Yeah, she's going to have to defend herself.  After what I saw in Oklahoma, I have SERIOUS doubts anyone will have any sympathy for her. They will only see a "savage" Indian who is useless to society.  It's a shame because I need her too. She's a true friend, and true friends are hard to come by these days. I won't be able to visit her, and might even be dead by the time she gets out.
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