In a speech at the Libertarian Party national convention, Donald Trump pledged that if elected, he would grant clemency to Ross Ulbricht, who has been sentenced to two lifetimes and more in jail for having been the administrator of a website. Trump said that he had already served 11 years and that was enough, and that he would immediately grant clemency upon being sworn in. The audience cheered as the prospect that Ross might be released in January seemed thrilling to contemplate.
The passion and focus on this case are not because of the website’s content, which primarily involved buying and selling drugs online. Instead, it is a testament to the power of maternal love. Lyn Ulbricht, Ross’s mother, has been unstoppable in her efforts to seek justice for her son. Her boundless energy, unstoppable passion for what’s right, and seemingly infinite ability to push, press, and lobby for her son’s life and freedom have inspired many.
Lyn Ulbricht’s story is a powerful reminder of the remarkable power of a mother’s love at work in our world. It is a force that is not of this world, yet it is very much of this world. This divine force can be seen in various causes where mothers have banded together to protect their children from perceived harm or injustice. The power of maternal love has been harnessed by organizations like the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and the National School Lunch Program, which was founded by a mother who wanted to ensure that schoolchildren had access to nutritious meals.
This tactical passion unleashed under particular conditions, one rooted in love, is something that no amount of money can buy and nothing can stop once it is unleashed. As we have seen with the moms’ movements over the past few years, mothers are a powerful force for change. They demand schools to be open, fight corruption in the curriculum, protect their children from medical procedures without their consent, and advocate for food and medical freedom.
In the case of Ross Ulbricht, his mother’s love has been the driving force behind efforts to seek justice for him. It is this divine power that keeps him going, even against all odds. As we reflect on the story of Lyn Ulbricht and her tireless advocacy for her son, we are reminded of the incredible strength and determination that a mother’s love can inspire.