Some Notes

Dear United States,
This is not one of the international headlines that make us proud. Seriously. Alternative sentencing. Restorative justice. An end to Three Strikes and mandatory minimums. These things can help. Some of them are reasons that other countries have such a low incarceration rate. They are also likely to help stop gang escalation, which ought to make middle-class white people (you know, that population you cater to the fears of?) feel safer. After that you might want to think about decriminalizing Bill Clinton's friend Mary Jane, but I'm not that optimistic.
With exasperation,
CJ

Dear Twin Cities (and other cities around the country),
Thirty thousand people?! I knew it looked big, but I didn't dare estimate a crowd that size. Way to represent, we nation of immigrants. Way to use that flag the way it was meant. To think I showed up on a whim, and ended up Optimist For A Day.
With hope (!),
CJ

Dear Department,
HAHAHAHAHA THIS WAS MY LAST YEAR OF CONFERENCE SLAVERY HAHAHAHAHA!
HAHA,
CJ

Dear Readers,
So. How was YOUR weekend? Mine was busy.
Love,
CJ