A case for clemency

The importance of pardon power in a flawed criminal justice system. [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP4QxAWh0dHBzOi8vbWVzc2FnaW5nLWN1c3RvbS1uZXdzbGV0dGVycy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS90ZW1wbGF0ZS9vYWt2Mj91cmk9bnl0Oi8vbmV3c2xldHRlci81NDc1ODk2ZS0yYjNhLTQzMWEtOTBjNy1hNWY3ODUyMjlmYzImcHJvZHVjdENvZGU9VFkmdGU9MSZubD1kYXZpZC1sZW9uaGFyZHQmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMDAyMTkmY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTYwOTcmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0yMTQwNiZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTJlZGl0X3R5XzIwMjAwMjE5VwNueXRCCgAuczVNXl26PJVSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~)|[nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0S5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vP3RlPTEmbmw9ZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjAwMjE5JmNhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE2MDk3JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MjE0MDYmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyMjAyMDAyMTlXA255dEIKAC5zNU1eXbo8lVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA)[Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-ad-marquee) ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYyMTM5JmxpPVRZJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1UWV8yMDIwMDIxOVcDbnl0QgoALnM1TV5dujyVUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ [NYTimes.com/David-Leonhardt](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0P3RlPTEmbmw9ZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjAwMjE5JmNhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE2MDk3JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MjE0MDYmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyMjAyMDAyMTlXA255dEIKAC5zNU1eXbo8lVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) February 19, 2020 [Author Headshot](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0P3RlPTEmbmw9ZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjAwMjE5JmNhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE2MDk3JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MjE0MDYmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyMjAyMDAyMTlXA255dEIKAC5zNU1eXbo8lVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) By [David Leonhardt](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vYnkvZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0P3RlPTEmbmw9ZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjAwMjE5JmNhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE2MDk3JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MjE0MDYmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyMjAyMDAyMTlXA255dEIKAC5zNU1eXbo8lVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) Opinion Columnist President Trump has his own unusual approach to granting clemency. He tends to focus on famous people, especially those with ties to him — while also commuting the sentences of a small number of more typical prisoners who have a strong case for leniency. If you want to read people debate the wisdom of the 11 specific pardons and commutations Trump issued yesterday, I’ve recommended several pieces below. I’d like to focus on the broader picture — namely, the importance of pardon power in a criminal justice system as flawed and unfair as ours. Roughly two million Americans are waking up behind bars this morning. The [incarceration rate](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TOaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucHJpc29ucG9saWN5Lm9yZy9nbG9iYWwvMjAxOC5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9ZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjAwMjE5JmNhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE2MDk3JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MjE0MDYmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyMjAyMDAyMTlXA255dEIKAC5zNU1eXbo8lVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) in the United States is more than twice as high as that of Brazil; more than four times higher than in Britain or Mexico; almost six times higher than in China; and almost 15 times as high as in Japan. A central reason for American mass incarceration is the long prison sentences in our criminal codes, even for some nonviolent offenses. A second reason is the infrequency and arbitrariness of parole, as [Jennifer Gonnerman](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3eW9ya2VyLmNvbS9tYWdhemluZS8yMDE5LzEyLzAyL3ByZXBwaW5nLWZvci1wYXJvbGU_dGU9MSZubD1kYXZpZC1sZW9uaGFyZHQmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMDAyMTkmY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTYwOTcmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0yMTQwNiZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTIyMDIwMDIxOVcDbnl0QgoALnM1TV5dujyVUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) documented in a recent New Yorker story. A third reason — arguably the least common but most outrageous — is wrongful conviction. Clemency is rarely an easy decision for a president or governor, because it involves freeing somebody convicted of breaking society’s rules, sometimes violently so. But in a legal system that errs far too often on the side of harshness, clemency is vital. It’s a way to correct abuses, albeit one case at a time, until true criminal justice reform can occur. [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-0) ADVERTISEMENT ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0RsaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NTk3ODUmbGk9VFkmbT1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZwPVRZXzIwMjAwMjE5VwNueXRCCgAuczVNXl26PJVSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0RsaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NTk3ODcmbGk9VFkmbT1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZwPVRZXzIwMjAwMjE5VwNueXRCCgAuczVNXl26PJVSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0RsaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NTk3ODYmbGk9VFkmbT1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZwPVRZXzIwMjAwMjE5VwNueXRCCgAuczVNXl26PJVSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~ One recent example: Felipe Rodriguez, a Brooklyn man who spent 27 years behind bars for a horrific 1987 murder he didn’t commit. Rodriguez spent years trying and failing to get prosecutors and police to turn over relevant evidence. Only after Governor Andrew Cuomo [commuted](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5ub2NlbmNlcHJvamVjdC5vcmcvY3VvbW8tY29tbXV0ZXMtZmVsaXBlLXJvZHJpZ3Vlei1zZW50ZW5jZS8_dGU9MSZubD1kYXZpZC1sZW9uaGFyZHQmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMDAyMTkmY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTYwOTcmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0yMTQwNiZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTIyMDIwMDIxOVcDbnl0QgoALnM1TV5dujyVUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) his sentence in 2016 — bringing more attention to the case — did police locate a file in the archives that helped [clear](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP4QvAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55ZGFpbHluZXdzLmNvbS9uZXcteW9yay9ueWMtY3JpbWUvbnktZXhvbmVyYXRpb24td3JvbmdmdWwtY29udmljdGlvbi1xdWVlbnMtbXVyZGVyLTIwMTkxMjMwLXN6cjZndXZrcnJidXRtZHp5NXNiNWJldmxhLXN0b3J5Lmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1kYXZpZC1sZW9uaGFyZHQmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMDAyMTkmY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTYwOTcmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0yMTQwNiZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTIyMDIwMDIxOVcDbnl0QgoALnM1TV5dujyVUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) Rodriguez. Another argument for a greater use of clemency is the troubled parole system. Some parole boards don’t even meet with the prisoners whose cases they’re considering, as [Jorge Renaud](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TZaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucHJpc29ucG9saWN5Lm9yZy9yZXBvcnRzL2dyYWRpbmdfcGFyb2xlLmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1kYXZpZC1sZW9uaGFyZHQmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMDAyMTkmY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTYwOTcmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0yMTQwNiZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTIyMDIwMDIxOVcDbnl0QgoALnM1TV5dujyVUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) has written for the Prison Policy Initiative. Other states reimprison people for insignificant parole violations: “Alaska prohibits an individual on parole from changing residence without notification and considers an overnight stay a change of residence, punishable by parole revocation,” Renaud writes. For more … - [Tom Rogan](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP4QHAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25leGFtaW5lci5jb20vb3Bpbmlvbi90cnVtcHMtdmVyeS1zd2FtcHktY29tbXV0YXRpb24tb2Ytcm9kLWJsYWdvamV2aWNocy1zZW50ZW5jZT90ZT0xJm5sPWRhdmlkLWxlb25oYXJkdCZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIwMDIxOSZjYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNjA5NyZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTIxNDA2JnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MjIwMjAwMjE5VwNueXRCCgAuczVNXl26PJVSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~), Washington Examiner: By commuting the sentence of Rod Blagojevich, President Trump has boosted one of the mosquitolike corrupt officials who suck the blood out of democracy. After all, this is not someone who deserves presidential leniency. … [Blagojevich’s] betrayal of trust and rampant penchant for corruption speak to the absurdity of Trump’s commutation on Tuesday. … But the saddest element of Trump’s decision is his total disregard for why Blagojevich deserved what he got. Lamenting the former governor’s ‘ridiculous sentence,’ Trump shows that he doesn’t think that public corruption is that big a deal. So much for draining the swamp. - [Jeffrey Toobin](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0T0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubmV3eW9ya2VyLmNvbS9uZXdzL2RhaWx5LWNvbW1lbnQvdGhlLXRyb3VibGUtd2l0aC1kb25hbGQtdHJ1bXBzLXBhcmRvbnM_dGU9MSZubD1kYXZpZC1sZW9uaGFyZHQmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMDAyMTkmY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTYwOTcmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0yMTQwNiZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTIyMDIwMDIxOVcDbnl0QgoALnM1TV5dujyVUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~), New Yorker: Authoritarianism is usually associated with a punitive spirit—a leader who prosecutes and incarcerates his enemies. But there is another side to this leadership style. Authoritarians also dispense largesse, but they do it by their own whims, rather than pursuant to any system or legal rule. The point of authoritarianism is to concentrate power in the ruler, so the world knows that all actions, good and bad, harsh and generous, come from a single source. That’s the real lesson—a story of creeping authoritarianism—of today’s commutations and pardons by President Trump. - Rachel Barkow of New York University [to the Brennan Center’s Ruth Sangree](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0T6aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYnJlbm5hbmNlbnRlci5vcmcvb3VyLXdvcmsvYW5hbHlzaXMtb3Bpbmlvbi9icmVha2luZy1jeWNsZS1tYXNzLWluY2FyY2VyYXRpb24_dGU9MSZubD1kYXZpZC1sZW9uaGFyZHQmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMDAyMTkmY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTYwOTcmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0yMTQwNiZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTIyMDIwMDIxOVcDbnl0QgoALnM1TV5dujyVUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~): A best-case scenario [to reduce mass incarceration] would see the reduction in or elimination of mandatory minimum sentences and a robust return of second looks at sentencing, whether with parole, clemency, compassionate release, or prosecutorial efforts to change sentences. Forward this newsletter to friends ... ... and they can [sign up for themselves here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP4RzAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lm55dGltZXMuY29tL25ld3NsZXR0ZXJzL2RhdmlkLWxlb25oYXJkdD90ZT0xJm5sPW9waW5pb24tdG9kYXkmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAxOTA2MjcmdGU9MSZubD1kYXZpZC1sZW9uaGFyZHQmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAxOTExMDU_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MCZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0wJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MCZ1c2VyX2lkPWI3NDM1OGM0OTU0ZGMyNGJmMTQ1MDA0OWQ3YmE1NDRiJnJlZ2lfaWQ9MCZjYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNjA5NyZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTIxNDA2JnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MjRkYzI0YmYxNDUwMDQ5ZDdiYTU0NGImcmVnaV9pZD0wVwNueXRCCgAuczVNXl26PJVSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). It’s free and published every weekday, with help from my colleague Ian Prasad Philbrick. DAVID’S MORNING NYT READ [Would the U.S. Save My Life Today? My family’s refugee story shows that we can have an immigration policy that is both sane and humane. by sonia nazario](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOS9vcGluaW9uL3N1bmRheS9pbW1pZ3JhdGlvbi10cnVtcC1yZWZ1Z2Vlcy5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9ZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjAwMjE5JmNhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE2MDk3JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MjE0MDYmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyMjAyMDAyMTlXA255dEIKAC5zNU1eXbo8lVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Article Thumbnail](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOS9vcGluaW9uL3N1bmRheS9pbW1pZ3JhdGlvbi10cnVtcC1yZWZ1Z2Vlcy5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9ZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjAwMjE5JmNhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE2MDk3JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MjE0MDYmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyMjAyMDAyMTlXA255dEIKAC5zNU1eXbo8lVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-1) ADVERTISEMENT ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjAxODEyJmxpPVRZJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1UWV8yMDIwMDIxOVcDbnl0QgoALnM1TV5dujyVUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjAxODEzJmxpPVRZJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1UWV8yMDIwMDIxOVcDbnl0QgoALnM1TV5dujyVUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MjAxODE0JmxpPVRZJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1UWV8yMDIwMDIxOVcDbnl0QgoALnM1TV5dujyVUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ THE FULL OPINION REPORT [The Audacity of Hate Trump has a knack for turning anger and fear into political power. And turning the volume up to 11. by thomas b. edsall](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOS9vcGluaW9uL3RydW1wLWFuZ2VyLWZlYXIuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPWRhdmlkLWxlb25oYXJkdCZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIwMDIxOSZjYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNjA5NyZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTIxNDA2JnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MjIwMjAwMjE5VwNueXRCCgAuczVNXl26PJVSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Article Thumbnail](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0ThaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOS9vcGluaW9uL3RydW1wLWFuZ2VyLWZlYXIuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPWRhdmlkLWxlb25oYXJkdCZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIwMDIxOSZjYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNjA5NyZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTIxNDA2JnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MjIwMjAwMjE5VwNueXRCCgAuczVNXl26PJVSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [You’ve Seen the Ads, Now See the Candidate After spending over $400 million promoting himself, Michael Bloomberg faces the scrutiny of a debate for the first time. by michelle cottle](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOC9vcGluaW9uL21pa2UtYmxvb21iZXJnLTIwMjAuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPWRhdmlkLWxlb25oYXJkdCZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIwMDIxOSZjYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNjA5NyZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTIxNDA2JnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MjIwMjAwMjE5VwNueXRCCgAuczVNXl26PJVSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Article Thumbnail](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOC9vcGluaW9uL21pa2UtYmxvb21iZXJnLTIwMjAuaHRtbD90ZT0xJm5sPWRhdmlkLWxlb25oYXJkdCZlbWM9ZWRpdF90eV8yMDIwMDIxOSZjYW1wYWlnbl9pZD0zOSZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0xNjA5NyZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTIxNDA2JnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MjIwMjAwMjE5VwNueXRCCgAuczVNXl26PJVSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [The Epic Battle Between Trump and Bezos Is On Amazon is pointing the finger right at the president over the awarding of the JEDI military contract. by kara swisher](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOC9vcGluaW9uL3RydW1wLWFtYXpvbi1qZWRpLmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1kYXZpZC1sZW9uaGFyZHQmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMDAyMTkmY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTYwOTcmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0yMTQwNiZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTIyMDIwMDIxOVcDbnl0QgoALnM1TV5dujyVUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [Article Thumbnail](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOC9vcGluaW9uL3RydW1wLWFtYXpvbi1qZWRpLmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1kYXZpZC1sZW9uaGFyZHQmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMDAyMTkmY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTYwOTcmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0yMTQwNiZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTIyMDIwMDIxOVcDbnl0QgoALnM1TV5dujyVUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [All This Dystopia, and for What? When privacy-eroding technology doesn’t deliver on its promises. by charlie warzel](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0T4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOC9vcGluaW9uL2ZhY2lhbC1yZWNvZ25pdGlvbi1zdXJ2ZWlsbGFuY2UtcHJpdmFjeS5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9ZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjAwMjE5JmNhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE2MDk3JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MjE0MDYmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyMjAyMDAyMTlXA255dEIKAC5zNU1eXbo8lVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Article Thumbnail](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0T4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOC9vcGluaW9uL2ZhY2lhbC1yZWNvZ25pdGlvbi1zdXJ2ZWlsbGFuY2UtcHJpdmFjeS5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9ZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjAwMjE5JmNhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE2MDk3JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MjE0MDYmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyMjAyMDAyMTlXA255dEIKAC5zNU1eXbo8lVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [The Case for a More Negative Black History Month It’s the perfect time to get real about America’s shortcomings. by erin aubry kaplan](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOS9vcGluaW9uL2JsYWNrLWhpc3RvcnktbW9udGgtYW1lcmljYS5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9ZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjAwMjE5JmNhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE2MDk3JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MjE0MDYmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyMjAyMDAyMTlXA255dEIKAC5zNU1eXbo8lVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Article Thumbnail](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOS9vcGluaW9uL2JsYWNrLWhpc3RvcnktbW9udGgtYW1lcmljYS5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9ZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjAwMjE5JmNhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE2MDk3JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MjE0MDYmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyMjAyMDAyMTlXA255dEIKAC5zNU1eXbo8lVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [My $145,000 Surprise Medical Bill What my brief glimpse into the financial abyss taught me about the American health care system. by jennifer finney boylan](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOS9vcGluaW9uL3N1cnByaXNlLW1lZGljYWwtYmlsbC5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9ZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjAwMjE5JmNhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE2MDk3JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MjE0MDYmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyMjAyMDAyMTlXA255dEIKAC5zNU1eXbo8lVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Article Thumbnail](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOS9vcGluaW9uL3N1cnByaXNlLW1lZGljYWwtYmlsbC5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9ZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjAwMjE5JmNhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE2MDk3JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MjE0MDYmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyMjAyMDAyMTlXA255dEIKAC5zNU1eXbo8lVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [It’s Your Baby’s First Shot. Take It. A vitamin K injection protects newborns from serious bleeding. 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End the Boy Scouts. Scouting as an idea is valuable, even vital. And we don’t need a toxic organization to do it. by clay risen](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOC9vcGluaW9uL2JveS1zY291dHMtbGF3c3VpdC5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9ZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjAwMjE5JmNhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE2MDk3JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MjE0MDYmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyMjAyMDAyMTlXA255dEIKAC5zNU1eXbo8lVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Article Thumbnail](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TjaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOC9vcGluaW9uL2JveS1zY291dHMtbGF3c3VpdC5odG1sP3RlPTEmbmw9ZGF2aWQtbGVvbmhhcmR0JmVtYz1lZGl0X3R5XzIwMjAwMjE5JmNhbXBhaWduX2lkPTM5Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTE2MDk3JnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9MjE0MDYmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkNyZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyMjAyMDAyMTlXA255dEIKAC5zNU1eXbo8lVIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Will Bloomberg Save or Sink the Democrats? The billionaire and former Republican could test the limits of the Democratic dictum to “vote blue no matter who.” by spencer bokat-lindell](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOC9vcGluaW9uL2Jsb29tYmVyZy10cnVtcC0yMDIwLmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1kYXZpZC1sZW9uaGFyZHQmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMDAyMTkmY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTYwOTcmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0yMTQwNiZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTIyMDIwMDIxOVcDbnl0QgoALnM1TV5dujyVUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [Article Thumbnail](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOC9vcGluaW9uL2Jsb29tYmVyZy10cnVtcC0yMDIwLmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1kYXZpZC1sZW9uaGFyZHQmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMDAyMTkmY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTYwOTcmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0yMTQwNiZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTIyMDIwMDIxOVcDbnl0QgoALnM1TV5dujyVUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [letters Michael Bloomberg’s Bankroll A reader objects to an article suggesting self-serving motives for Michael Bloomberg’s philanthropy. 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Reflecting recent polls, readers don’t agree on a particular candidate.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOC9vcGluaW9uL2xldHRlcnMvZGVtb2NyYXRzLXRydW1wLmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1kYXZpZC1sZW9uaGFyZHQmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMDAyMTkmY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTYwOTcmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0yMTQwNiZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTIyMDIwMDIxOVcDbnl0QgoALnM1TV5dujyVUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [Article Thumbnail](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRgL7pzP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMi8xOC9vcGluaW9uL2xldHRlcnMvZGVtb2NyYXRzLXRydW1wLmh0bWw_dGU9MSZubD1kYXZpZC1sZW9uaGFyZHQmZW1jPWVkaXRfdHlfMjAyMDAyMTkmY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9MzkmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MTYwOTcmc2VnbWVudF9pZD0yMTQwNiZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3JnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTIyMDIwMDIxOVcDbnl0QgoALnM1TV5dujyVUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) Feedback If you have thoughts about this newsletter, email me at [leonhardt@nytimes.com](mailto:leonhardt@nytimes.com?subject=David%20Leonhardt%20Newsletter%20Feedback). 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