The cooler of American politics has reached one of its rare moments of agreement. Leonard Peltier, arguably the most famous Native American activist currently in prison, is due for what could be his last parole hearing. If you've never heard of him, hello! Welcome to your first day on the internet. For the rest of us, it's a case that has more layers than a particularly stubborn onion.

Leonard Peltier, convicted of murdering two FBI agents, Ronald Williams and Jack Coler, has been in prison for nearly 50 years. The conviction stems from a shootout in 1975 at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Serving a prison sentence for multiple lifetimes might make you expect remorse to seep into your spirit. However, in the bizarre world of human behavior, Leonard has remained adamant that he's innocent, according to NBC and FOX.

Advocates argue his conviction was tainted by shoddy evidence and prosecutorial misconduct. Well, add an "alleged" before that, as the debate remains unresolved. On the opposite side of the prison bars, the FBI and former law enforcement officials argue that releasing him would send a terrible message. Perhaps they've forgotten that their organization's letters are already found on countless articles exposing conspiracies and misconduct. At least, for once, an opinion from the FBI isn't followed by the phrase "and we found a hidden file cabinet in Area 51."

Peltier, now 79 years old and with declining health, has garnered support from an almost surreal list of prominent figures. Imagine a gala where Pope Francis, Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama show up and Luke Skywalker doesn't feel out of place. These heavyweights, along with Democratic lawmakers, back Peltier's release. It's almost enough to think that Leonardo DiCaprio might post about it on Instagram.

Yes, you read it correctly: Democratic lawmakers have vocally supported Peltier's release. This isn't the usual bipartisan squabble resembling a dysfunctional holiday dinner. No shouting matches over the "true meaning" of Thanksgiving here. For a change, humanity trumps party lines.

Peltier's past affiliation with the American Indian Movement (AIM) also layers in context. During the time of the shooting, AIM was involved in demonstrations and direct action to bring attention to issues affecting Native Americans. Some still view it as a fight for rights, others perhaps with less nostalgic goggles on might say it was an apple that fell far from the government-friendly tree. But could a parole hearing carry the significance of changing this storied history? The answer, dear reader, lies tangled in decades of legal back-and-forth.

For an added plot twist, Peltier once escaped from a California prison in 1979 but was captured three days later. His escape might have reflected more of a momentary lapse in decision-making rather than a building skill in fleeing custody. The FBI remains steadfast that Peltier intentionally murdered the two agents and hasn't shown remorse—probably one of the more consistent elements in this otherwise erratic story.

The U.S. Parole Commission is now precariously balancing this case, operating with fewer commissioners than its typical five members. It’s akin to a political Jenga game where every piece moved comes with dire consequences. While this may understandably slow parole processes, the argument for and against Peltier's release isn't so much about efficiency but stirring the murky water of justice and legacy.

As we await the decision, one thing is clear—it's not just Leonard Peltier who’s on trial, but half a century of legal, political, and social dynamics. This could very well be his last hope for freedom, making it one of those unique moments where Washington D.C.'s notorious gridlock might find a sliver of unity.

After all, a semblance of harmony over Peltier's fate could signal not just a potential change for him but another strange footnote where everyone—if briefly—agrees on something. Now isn't that a refreshing change of pace?