Chelsea Manning courageously declined a plea deal during her trial, stood by her actions, and accepted the full sentence when it was announced to her. Manning is a hero who undertook an immense personal cost to bring crimes committed by American military to public attention. During a time of uncertainty, speculation and overlooked concerns, Manning substantiated the claims of Iraqi and Afghan civilians with irrefutable proof. 

She is a hero who deserves a full and unconditional pardon from Barack Obama, but is only asking for release with time served for her 35 year prison sentence. 

You can read the formal commutation application sent to Barack Obama here 

You can donate to Chelsea Manning’s cause here 

You can sign Amnesty International’s petition to seek clemency for Chelsea Manning here. 

19-year-old Native American teen Devontre Thomas could go to prison for a year for one gram of marijuana.

In the fall, recent high school grad Devontre Thomas could be heading off to college — or he could be going to prison.

According to Thomas’ lawyer, the 19-year-old could face up to a year in prison and a $1,000 fine for allegedly carrying a gram of weed.

According to the Washington Post, Thomas’ case marks the first time federal authorities have prosecuted someone for marijuana possession in Oregon, where recreational marijuana is legal, in five years.

The fact that he’s Native American — and where he was caught are likely how his case ended up in federal courts.

It’s disturbing how many men think pressuring someone until they vaguely oblige to a sexual act is valid consent

When people are struggling or afraid to try something, well-meaning people often try to help them by telling them that the thing is easy. This often backfires.

For instance:

Kid: I don’t know how to write a paper! This paper has to be 5 pages long, and we have to do research! It’s so hard!

Parent: Don’t worry. 5 pages isn’t that much. This isn’t such a hard assignment. 

In this interaction, the parent is trying to help, but the message the kid is likely hearing is “This shouldn’t be hard. You’re failing at an easy thing.”

If something is hard or scary, it’s better to acknowledge that, and focus on reassuring them that it is possible. (And, if necessary and appropriate, help them to find ways of seeing it as possible.)

For instance:

Kid: I don’t know how to write a paper! This paper has to be 5 pages long, and we have to do research! It’s so hard!

Parent: It’s hard, and that’s ok. You can do hard things.

Parent: What are you writing about?

Kid: Self-driving cars. But I can’t find anything. 

And so on.

This isn’t unique to interactions between parents and children. It can also happen between friends, and in other types of relationships.