The New York Times published an editorial on February 18, 2013 that was entitled 'Unjust Mandatory Minimums'. The author of this editorial was pointing out the fact that many states have mandatory minimum sentences for certain crimes that are causing minor criminals to be incarcerated the same amount of time as major criminals. In drug trafficking cases no matter the role that the individual played in the crime, they are sentenced to the same amount of time as someone who was manufacturing drugs. This editorial is well backed up with statistics and quotes from judges. The intended audience seems to be anyone who would be concerned with this issue. Although the actual story is directed at the attorney general, Congress, and the sentencing commision who are directly spoken to in the last sentence of the article. I agree completely with the point that the author is trying to make. Criminals should be sentenced on a case by case basis, there absolutely should not be a general sentence for certain crimes because it is unfair and unjust.

On February 7th, 2013 USA Today posted an article about how First Lady, Michelle Obama will be attending the funeral of a young girl, Hadiya Pendleton, who was killed from a gunshot wound to the back in Chicago. The girl had performed at the Presidential Inauguration with her high school band and drill team. Many civil leaders in Chicago are calling on the First Family to attend the funeral, in hopes that it will bring awareness to the extreme gun violence that has been going on in the city, with over 500 deaths in 2012. This topic is very hot in politics right now, because of all the recent shootings we have had around the country. Many people believe that Michelle Obama's presence at the funeral will spark conversations about the "scourge of gun violence in the city". The article is worth a read, because it brings awareness to a very sad event. I also think that it is really interesting to see how the First Family reacts in the wake of such a tragedy.