alo

My name is Alex. I am Lebanese, living in Texas, and growing plants.

[s-u-f-j-a-n-s-t-e-v-e-n-s]

The world is abundant. You are abundant. Abundant in what? That’s your journey.

[90377]

Frosty morning by Michael Babakov

[wocinsolidarity]

Cruel and Unusual: Sentencing Children to Die in Prison

EJI's report on sentencing 13- and 14-year-old children to life without parole.

In the United States, dozens of 13- and 14-year-old children have been sentenced to life imprisonment with no possibility of parole after being prosecuted as adults. While the United States Supreme Court recently declared in Roper v. Simmons that death by execution is unconstitutional for juveniles, young children continue to be sentenced to imprisonment until death with very little scrutiny or review. A study by the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) has documented 73 cases where children 13 and 14 years of age have been condemned to death in prison. Almost all of these kids currently lack legal representation and in most of these cases the propriety and constitutionality of their extreme sentences have never been reviewed.

Most of the sentences imposed on these children were mandatory: the court could not give any consideration to the child’s age or life history. Some of the children were charged with crimes that do not involve homicide or even injury; many were convicted for offenses where older teenagers or adults were involved and primarily responsible for the crime; nearly two-thirds are children of color.

Over 2225 juveniles (age 17 or younger) in the United States have been sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. All of these cases raise important legal, penological, and moral issues. However, EJI believes that such a harsh sentence for the youngest offenders – children who are 13 and 14 – is cruel and unusual in violation of the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution. These children should be re-sentenced to parole-eligible sentences as soon as possible. Sentences of life imprisonment with no parole also violate international law and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has been ratified by every country in the world except the United States and Somalia.

EJI has launched a litigation campaign to challenge death in prison sentences imposed on young children. This report is intended to illuminate this cruel and unusual punishment inflicted on children, particularly for those who have been without legal help for so long that the procedural obstacles to winning relief in court will be formidable. Increased public awareness, coupled with informed activity by advocacy groups, will be necessary to reform policies that reflect a lack of perspective and hope for young children.

[lokkinen]

Beijing, China, 2016

[fredtougas]

La Côte-d’Azur

[torridgristle]

[thepervertedasian-blog]

this argument is serious

[fredtougas]

I love hue

[catsbeaversandducks]

Winifred Sanderson And Her Magnificent Blep

“Hello world! Behold my Blep!”

Photos by Winnie The Cat Sanderson

[virgoassbitch]

someone: *tells me a story about anyone doing anything*

me: what sign are they though

[cat-memes-only]

Working from home

[wolflana]

[nevver]

Lush, Julien Palast

[sstoness]

Cleansing Crystals

It’s important to remember to cleanse your crystals. I often get question from people wondering what the proper way to do this is. There is several ways to do it, so choose the one that fits you/your crystals. The ones in this post are the most basic/common ones. Before you do anything: Check that your stone won’t get damaged by your choice of cleansing.

1. Water One of the most popular ways to cleanse stones is to rinse them in saltwater. You can also use other types of water, for example full moon water. And here is a list of different types of water. The method I prefer involves putting my crystal (or 4-6 at the same time) into a bowl of saltwater and focus my energy on cleansing them as I stir the water with my hand or a wand. Do it for as long as you feel is needed. Washing it in the ocean or in a river or any kind of running water can be even better! 

2. Moon Bath Leave your crystals in the moonlight. You can put them in a bowl or on a tray in your backyard or in your window, anywhere were the moonlight will reach them. For a full good cleansing (that recharges the item as well), leave it for a whole moon cycle. Full moon to full moon often seems to work great for me. You can leave them for shorter periods if you want to.

3. Smoke Burn some incense or herbs of your choice and pass the stone through the smoke a few times. Sandalwood is my go to incense for cleansing, but frankincense, lavender, patchouli, pine and a lot of other works great as well! The most important part is focusing your energy on the cleansing. I find it helpful to imagine the “dirty energies” leaving the stone like steam.

4. Bury them Gather all the stones you want to cleanse, and put them in a box of your choise. It can be a fancy box or just a basic shoe box, both works great. Some witches put cleansing herbs in the box with the stone, but that’s optional. Bury the box someplace only you can dig it up, like your garden. If it’s legal where you live, you can of course bury it in the woods, but there is unfortunately always a chance that someone might find the box and take it. Leave it as long as you want, but I find that a full moon cycle best, as it recharges as well.

I hope this helps, and as always: Don’t be scared to ask any questions if you have any.

[anarchy-of-thought]

[rustybalcony]

Solitude, Shiraz.

[gaytog]

[edashara]