H2O SOTR asked me to pass this message on as his net time is very limited(note-recieved by Cinnamon on12/12/07): Forwarded message~~~~~~ 2nd day court, 11-30-07, rainbow 5 Excuse any misspelled names or use of only initials but I did the best I could to be an observer only. We find out sister's case dismissed with prejudice due to nolo pros, cop didn't show We find out that Karin had one charge dropped – not sure which one We find out that Kalif's charge dismissed without prejudice Garrick's testimony limited by judge to 2 areas, of the 4 areas that our lawyer said she wanted him to testify about… the prosecution had objected to any testimony by Garrick but judge overruled. Garrick's actual testimony was previous Missouri gathering was cleaned up well and produces letter from Rae to prove it, this contradicts M__'s testimony from day before, says I didn't go to regional because I didn't want to put myself into an illegal situation (3 times) and testifies to some length about ways in which rainbow shanti sena cooperated with various law enforcement folks in apprehension of criminals, giving more dramatic examples and says (2 times) that there are many more less dramatic examples. Garrick did say 3 or 4 times that he didn't attend the regional tho he'd planned to do so, because he "didn't want to put himself into an illegal situation" Garrick was not supposed to testify at all about the bond that n.m. usfsleo's tried to force upon rainbow regionalers but anyway this was well covered by our attorney and (unwillingly) by Supt. Rae Prosecutor wants rebuttal witnesses, judge allows but limits and tells defense that they cannot then rebut this testimony. Cop testifies he transported Robbie and had conversation… defense objects no Miranda and in cross examination gets point that no report or record made of this conversation which is not normal and maybe vs policy. He says that Robbie told him he was upset by what Kalif did to get busted the previous day, was not like him at all, and this is "why I resisted". Defense asks if Robbie really used that terminology and cop replies affirmatively. (obviously Robbie would never have used that particular word if conversation even touched upon his own arrest.Supervisor D. Rae (get spelling) testifies that S.P. came to apply for permit and would not sign papers cause was an individual, not representing the others on site… and because of $10,000 bond and because of order regarding waterpipe system removal (? Not sure that this was when the waterpipes first came up in his testimony but he did include this somewhere along the line) he also said that another person came with s.p. on 2nd day and this person was going to sign for s.p. who could not sign due to wrapped up injured hand. Defense cross examines this witness. Blows it with bond, saying that the bond could only apply to commercial forest users and could not be applied to non commercial users. and testifies that removal of pipe was better for environment and that in 95 many folks got sick from drinking the water. I expect lawyer to write about this a good bit in her closing arguments because this man had no expertise to make any such judgment about drinking water getting folks sick in 95 and besides if that was so then they should have welcomed our pipes and filters to help protect health of gatherers and besides the pipes protected the wetlands and water sources whereas hundreds of people going many times each with buckets to water sources would cause incredible damage to the forest environment. Judge gives 10 days for written closing argument, prosecutor tries to do oral now but judge refuses. Defense asks for withdrawal of previous Judge's order barring defendants from setting foot in that particular Nat'l Forest. Judge denies, lawyer argues mentioning that this is the forest nearest to where several of them live and there is no reason for said order, judge asks prosecutor, pros says defendants present no danger as individuals to forest but should not be allowed to gather. Judge asks if this would be all right with defense, with pros, both sides agree and judge withdraws order barring these individuals from enjoying the national forest. Judge and Robbie have conversation in hallway after in which they compare experiences in west Virginia. Judge was raised in Webster county tho he let before our 1st w.va annual by 3 forks, judge and Robbie getting along well and judge says he has to go on someplace but hopes that when they see each other again they can continue this conversation about w. virgnia. I have discussion with supervisor D.R. in hallway after hearing concludes in which I ball him out about his testimony regarding waterpipes/filter systems and the lack of usfs having any expertise re: health concerns. That's all I can remember now but will answer specific queries from folks I know well only if I didn't cover some aspect or left out any details. H2o, singing-on-the-rocks ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't recall any big problem with water borne illness in '95. Maybe I wasn't paying real close attention, or maybe the shigelosis epidemic the next year blew my memories of lesser but still bad problems in NM away.
We were using the creek for water cuz Val wouldn't up any pipe to tap the spring over by us...luckily there were very few people upstream from the kitchen MO was hard-core & it wasn't just the shigelosis either; lots of impetigo, some of which progressed to full blown staph, damn chiggers & their itches!! And let's not forget the poison ivy, tho I think last year may have topped the MO outbreaks
