This is a new PSA by Brave New Films that attempts to raise awareness about the harms of mandatory minimum sentencing, as well as the Smarter Sentencing Act, which is in front of Congress right now. In addition to personal stories from judges and advocates, the video also features Martin Sheen, supposedly in character as President Jed Bartlet from The West Wing. I say “supposedly” because, even though the video is titled “President Bartlet has a message for Congress,” it’s not like he introduces himself by saying “Hi, I’m President Jed Bartlet” before launching into a thundering, idealistic monologue while sitting in the Oval Office or anything. He doesn’t even introduce himself at all, actually. He just sort of hits the ground running, which, now that I think about it, doesn’t mean that he didn’t say that he’s not President Jed Bartlet, technically. So he could be.
I don’t know why I’m making such a big deal about this. It’s really not the point. Maybe it would have helped if he was walking with Bradley Whitford at some point. Just a thought.
Source: Mother Jones via Hypervocal
