Showing posts with label February 1969. Show all posts
Showing posts with label February 1969. Show all posts

Excerpt--February 1969: My Country 'Tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Tyranny

*
Jeff Brown
___________________________________________________________________

(Sioux City)


Finally! I heard from Jeff; he says he’s been writing me all along. I happened to be home alone when the mail came, and, voila! a large envelope covered with psychedelic drawings, a peace sign, flowers, and a slogan: “My Country Tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Tyranny, in Subtle Forms.” Inside, he let me know that he had written me a very important letter on the 20th. Says he’s turning into a nervous wreck waiting for my answer.

What answer?

Excerpt moved to Memoir Madness

Excerpt--February 18, 1969: Nabbed at the Bus Station

*
Harley Semple, about 1972
__________________________________________________________


(Downtown Sioux City)


Dee Dee slinks behind a department store column. Conspicuous in his oversized raincoat and hat with feather in brim, bumbling around like some hick private dick:

Inspector Clouseau.

Does he really believe I can’t see him? I pretend not to see him.

Excerpt--February 18, 1969: "Let's See What the Police Have to Say"

*
Downtown Sioux City
__________________________________________________________________


(Sioux City)

Today, a total disaster. All because I decided it was time to get the fuck out of Sioux City now--nothing here for me anymore.

I got into a huge fight with Mo this morning about some dirty dishes I left in the sink last night.

Excerpt--February 18, 1969: A Possible Scenario at the Police Station

*


(Sioux City Police Station)

A distraught teenager, Jennifer L. Semple, stormed into the police station, alleging that Harley D. Semple, her grandfather, has been attempting to restrain her against her will.

For her own safety, the girl was moved to a locked interrogation room.

Opal Casey, police matron, interviewed the grandfather and filled out “Mental Illness, Inebriety or Epilepsy,” an informant’s report.

Excerpt moved to Memoir Madness 

Excerpt--The Institution: The First Five Days (February 19-23, 1969)

*

Cherokee Mental Health Institute, where the author was incarcerated
______________________________________________________________

(Cherokee, Iowa)
On admission, the patient was alert, anxious, depressed and appeared immature with a poor self image. On the ward, she was noted to be quiet and cooperative in the ward routine. She was slightly depressed but showed no sign of anxiety at the time of the interview. She expressed extreme hostility toward her guardians who are her grandparents. She admits to experimentation of drugs. Consciousness was clear; she was well-oriented, and there was no disturbance in memory. She showed fairly good ability to counting and arithmetical calculations. Abstraction ability was good. Her insight and judgment are not impaired. Her conflict, as noted in the diagnostic staff note, appeared to be external rather than intrapsychic.
–Dr. Mariano A. Favis, Jr., “Initial Summary: Mental Examination”

Excerpt moved to Memoir Madness

Excerpt--Other Patients in the Institution: Carrie the Cutter

*

(Cherokee, Iowa)

February 1969

I’m worried about Carrie*, a 15-year-old girl I have befriended. She shuffles between Ward 2 (wacko unit) and Ward 4, depending on her behavior. She’s on 4 now, but I’m afraid she’s headed back to 2 very soon.

Excerpt moved to Memoir Madness

"Jennifer Juniper," Donovan Leitch, 1968 (YouTube)

Jefferson Airplane

*


Jefferson Airplane: "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love"

Jefferson Airplane performing live both "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love" on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. More
___________________________________________________________________