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In reply to the discussion: Remembering Rubin [View all]

H2O Man

(73,308 posts)
25. Thank you!
Wed Apr 23, 2014, 03:58 PM
Apr 2014

I do regret that we didn't make it out your way, for his book tour. It was odd: he was injured in an auto wreck very similar to the way I was (both of us smashed by someone not paying attention to the road, due to cell phones). With me, it was the lower back; Rubin's neck was injured. I really don't think his health ever came back after that.

For a while, he had to stay laying down in bed. While he found that frustrating -- really frustrating -- it provided many hours to talk on the phone.

Today, I've been looking through documents from Rahway, when Rube was the director of the inmates' council. Some were between Carter and the warden, about conditions there. One poor young man was in solitary, when a hot water pipe burst; he was literally boiled to death, and not found for many hours. That really upset Rubin.

Others include letters to state officials, and a long one to a senator's aide. Rubin had the support of a lot of the guards; he had saved the lives of the warden and two guards during the Thanksgiving 1971 riot there. As you remember, there was the potential for very real prison reform in that era ..... including preparing men with the skills needed to make an honest living on the outside, and thus prevent them from returning. But the prison industry today requires a large number of inmates, to make a huge profit.

Remembering Rubin [View all] H2O Man Apr 2014 OP
We had a toast to Rubin at our get together malaise Apr 2014 #1
Very good! H2O Man Apr 2014 #13
Thank you for gifting us with your post. scarletwoman Apr 2014 #2
Thank you. H2O Man Apr 2014 #14
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. truedelphi Apr 2014 #3
Thank you. H2O Man Apr 2014 #15
This entry, more than others, really helps me understand your passion for the sport. NYC_SKP Apr 2014 #4
It is curious, H2O Man Apr 2014 #16
This is so beautiful. FourScore Apr 2014 #5
Thank you. H2O Man Apr 2014 #17
Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories.. mountain grammy Apr 2014 #6
Thank you. H2O Man Apr 2014 #19
k&r... spanone Apr 2014 #7
Thanks! H2O Man Apr 2014 #20
great post. spanone Apr 2014 #24
I did a similar thing at the end of this week's Top Ten Conservative Idiots Nanjing to Seoul Apr 2014 #8
Very good! H2O Man Apr 2014 #21
"Rubin's favorite topic of discussion was the ultimate meaning of life." bananas Apr 2014 #9
They surely were! H2O Man Apr 2014 #22
Thank you H2O Man, for this post, and for all you do. Scuba Apr 2014 #10
Thank you! H2O Man Apr 2014 #23
You helped us feel liked we were part of his life. Octafish Apr 2014 #11
Thank you! H2O Man Apr 2014 #25
A lovely tribute to your friend, who was a great man. Bluenorthwest Apr 2014 #12
Thank you! H2O Man Apr 2014 #26
epic kick Blue_Tires Apr 2014 #18
Thanks! H2O Man Apr 2014 #27
Thanks H2O Man panader0 Apr 2014 #28
A most Thoughtful Tribute to "Badger Star" Tsiyu Apr 2014 #29
RIP Ruben G_j Apr 2014 #30
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Remembering Rubin»Reply #25