The city desk at my paper received a handwritten letter from an inmate this week. It was not addressed to me but since it was chock full of religious content it was forwarded to my desk.
This is not that unusual. A lot of inmates, who, let’s face it, have lots of time on their hands, mail letters to newspapers, usually asserting that they are innocent (ever notice that nobody in prison is ever guilty?) and pleading for reporters to champion their cause.
This letter seemed like more of the same, but there was a twist. The return address was:
Rock’n Rollen Stewart H87708
Rainbowman! Acts 5:19-30!
Mule Creek Prison, Ione, CA
Does that ring a bell? Yes, it’s from the guy with the rainbow afro wig who held up those “JOHN 3:16” signs in the end zone at NFL games and other major sporting events in the 70s and 80s.
I forgot Rainbowman was in prison, didn’t you? And what a bizarre story it is … (here is a link to a brief summary of his “career” and how he wound up in prison. Basically he flipped out, kidnapped a hotel maid, demanded time on every major network to make a statement, and threatened to shoot low-flying planes. He got three life sentences).
In his hand-printed letter in multicolored ink and highlighters, the envelope stuffed with Bible tracts, he listed scores of Bible verses and added such phrases as:
“Repent! Judgment Day Is At Hand! Turn or Burn! (every “t” is written as a large cross),
Then Rainbowman makes the following requests:
“Wanted Web Master! And people to display banners at sporting events! And a publisher. And legal assistance! To get out of Prison! Before they murder me!”
If you’re interested in helping him out, Rock’n Rollen included the following contact info: gino@john316signs.com, rainbowman@gmail.com, and 905-273-6542.
Maybe you can get him out of prison so he can hold up signs in the end zone to tell people about God — unless he’s too busy kidnapping hotel employees and threatening to shoot planes.
