The Obama Diary

President Barack Obama and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke look out a window at Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier during a flight aboard Air Force One from Los Angeles, Calif., to Seattle, Wash., Aug. 17, 2010. Photo by Pete Souza

****

.@nytimes: With Clemency From @POTUS, Drug Offender Embraces Second Chance nytimes.com/2015/08/15/us/… friends - read this.

—
Joshua DuBois (@joshuadubois) August 14, 2025

****

Alan Schwarz: With Clemency From Obama, Drug Offender Embraces Second Chance

Rudolph Norris walked out of Morgantown federal prison two weeks ago carrying a duffel bag like no other. First, he had spent six months hand-stitching it himself from dozens of mottled leather scraps, symbolizing the shards of his life he longed to piece back together. Then he unzipped it and pulled out his invitation to try. “Dear Rudolph,” the letter began, “I wanted to personally inform you that I have granted your application for commutation.” It was signed “Barack Obama.” Mr. Norris’s 22 years behind bars over with the stroke of the president’s pen. Mr. Norris, 58, was one of 22 federal prisoners released on July 28 through a continuing bipartisan push to shorten the sentences of nonviolent drug offenders who, during the war-on-drugs fervor of decades ago, received punishments far lengthier than they would have drawn today.

Mr. Norris immediately called his parole officer to learn his responsibilities and pledge to follow them. (His clemency does not vacate the eight years of probation to which he was originally sentenced.) He applied for food stamps and, because all he had was his Morgantown inmate card, pursued a more marketable driver’s license. His commitment to playing by the rules was so strong that he avoided a day-labor landscaping opportunity because it paid in cash, and he wanted to pay taxes like everyone else. “As I navigate my way back to society and begin a productive life,” he wrote to Mr. Obama in April, “one of the first and foremost thoughts on my mind will be my solemn commitment to prove to you that your faith in me was not at all misplaced.”

More here

****

A must read by @robgreeneII: Julian Bond And American Intellectual History sp.lc/QXQUG #JulianBond http://t.co/5ztfUxdR9W

—
SPLC (@splcenter) August 16, 2025

I've shared this already, but this Julian Bond lede from @DPAQreport is worth sharing again. washingtonpost.com/news/post-nati… http://t.co/NInhMUG3FS

—
Chris Geidner (@chrisgeidner) August 16, 2025

****

Robert Greene II: Julian Bond And American Intellectual History

Julian Bond personified the Civil Rights Movement, and more broadly, the history of the twentieth century iteration of the Black Freedom Struggle. His death will leave a gaping hole in national leadership on the question of civil and human rights in American society. As historians, we need to recognize the many ways he led during his long—although it feels like it wasn’t long enough—life. And as Bond’s life continued, he never stopped being an exemplar of African American achievement and intellect. He taught at several universities and authored books.

Bond served as a Georgia state representative and senator for twenty years, before losing a controversial Democratic primary race for U.S. Congress seat to John Lewis—a race that included accusations of drug use against Bond and was an ugly episode in the post-Civil Rights Movement legacy of two icons. A consummate Southerner who worked his entire life to change the South, and the nation, into a better place, Bond was a founder of the Institute for Southern Studies in 1970, and later led the Southern Poverty Law Center from 1971 until 1979. He served as Chairman of the NAACP from 1998 until 2009, and also wrote a syndicated newspaper column, Viewpoint, as well as hosted seventeen seasons of the political commentary show, America’s Black Forum.

More here

****

Bravo to these two amazing women!

You won't find @JanelleMonae's anti-police brutality speech on The TODAY Show's website thefader.com/2015/08/15/the… http://t.co/exudOjYeoz

—
The FADER (@thefader) August 16, 2025

.@amandlastenberg is the socially conscious role model we need right now bit.ly/1IIepEZ http://t.co/ebj7HKxsV1

—
Mic (@micnews) August 16, 2025

****

John McCain Chased Off Reservation By Pissed-Off Navajo Activists (VIDEO) reverbpress.com/news/mccain-ch… Welp.

—
Propane Jane (@docrocktex26) August 16, 2025

Bernie Sanders: Apology to Black Lives Matter was 'sent out by a staffer without my knowledge' #twibdocket rawstory.com/2015/08/bernie…

—
Imani Gandy (@AngryBlackLady) August 16, 2025

****

Straight outta compton is thug celebration but American sniper is a moving, emotional biopic..... http://t.co/BlJ0iTTcXy

—
♡ ELECTRIC PUNANY ♡ (@FemaleGun) August 15, 2025

Sold cocaine, threatened to kill cops, fought 7, knocked 1 out, destroyed police metal detector. Guess who's alive? http://t.co/1r955j1Cg6

—
AT EAZE (@AtEaze808) August 14, 2025

****

Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton, right, listens as President Barack Obama holds a round table discussion with local small business owners during a stop at Grand Central Bakery in Seattle, Wash., Aug. 17, 2010. The President met with the group to discuss strengthening the economy and creating jobs for the families and businesses of Washington State. Photo by Pete Souza

Galesburg Senior High volleyball players join in a cheer after meeting President Barack Obama during an unannounced stop in Galesburg, Ill., Aug. 17, 2011, as part of a three-day bus tour in the Midwest. Photo by Pete Souza