Compulsory Volunteering: Not Platinum

I don't really understand the new and distasteful phenomenon of "sexting" and nor is that the focus of this post. And regardless of whether you believe minors should be prosecuted and arrested for "sexting" is another thing entirely. I just wanted to focus on the language of an excerpt from a letter from the Office of the District Attorney of Wyoming County, PA, who threatened charges on students involved in sexting. They told the students they would have the option to participate in a five-week after school program followed by probation in order to avoid charges.

The wording: "Participation in the program is voluntary. Please note, however, charges will be filed against those that do not participate or those that do not successfully complete the program." Voluntary? Let's not kid ourselves.

We such speech patterns in other areas of government as well.