Duke Lacrosse Scandal

Earlier today the strengths and the failings of the justice system were put on view with the Duke case announcement. Justice finally prevailed and the charges against the three young men were not only dismissed but the State Attorney General took the rare step of declaring that the young men were innocent (rather than saying that “there was insufficient evidence”). He went on to say that they should never have been charged in the first place.

Nifong’s actions broadcast the loud and clear what happens when a man puts his own selfish political agenda ahead of justice. His office carefully selected data, dismissed and hid a host of information that contradicted his theory, bullied and charged a cab driver who was transporting two of the men at the time of the alleged rape in an effort to get the cab driver to change is story (in other words gross witness tampering), pressure Duke University to dismiss the students before a trial while at the same time trashing the reputation of the three men and the other men of the team before the press and community.

Nifong’s shameful and despicable actions have not only speaks to his own character, but they have tarnished the legal system. It reveals that innocent people are prosecuted because of poor police work, rush to judgment and for the self gain of the prosecutor. His actions makes us wonder how many innocent people who lack the means that were available to these three men are this very moment in prisons. One of Nifong’s lasting legacy will be a series of laws that are forthcoming to help prevent prosecutorial misconduct and will forever be have his name attached to why the laws came into existence. For years to come this case, Nifong’s name and conduct will be studied in the classrooms across the country. Another lasting legacy is that he will be viewed in legal history as an unsavory character.

The reactions of various local community leaders, newspapers, TV and radio outlets, talk show and news commentators who judged and then condemned these men within weeks of the men being charged is particularly alarming. They fueled undue community conflict. These same bastions of free speech who speak of upholding the Constitution have demonstrated that they are convenient selective in their upholding of the Constitution by setting aside the presumption of innocence. Even last month a local NC newspaper still proclaimed their guilt. Instead of presuming innocence, these leaders and commentators took the posture that the three men were guilty and needed to prove conclusively that they were innocent.

Duke University which postures itself as a bastion of academic freedom and balanced investigation, a defender of personal freedom and defender truth and the demander of justice showed that the theory of classroom is to lived out in their own institution. Duke University’s leadership assumed that the three men were guilty and expelled them from their institution. At the end of the day the leadership of Duke has brought shame upon themselves and their institution.

What is frightening is what would have happened to three young men who lacked the fiscal resources of the three families. My own answer to that sends a shiver through me.

Josh Goes to Court

Last Thursday I had to go with Joshua to the Fairfax Juvenile Courthouse for his 3:15 appearance before a judge. He was one of about 50 teenagers on the docket.

Dressed in a nice shirt and tie he had been anticipating his appearance before the judge for months. He was eager to get to appear and go through this right this right of passage to get his permanent drivers license. The appearance is a requirement, and one that I feel was appropriate.

The judge reminded them that driving is a privilege, not a right. She reminded them that some teens have abused the privilege and that each week she has to see teens before her in less pleasant circumstances. She also reminded them that parents can put more narrow restrictions on their license that the State will uphold. She reminded them that parents at any time can ask to have the license suspended at anytime for any period just by making a call and the State will suspend the license for the period specified by the parent up until they are eighteen. Using two teens, a police officer went through an effective safety demonstration on reaction time.

At the end, each student was called out by name by the judge. She was not going to give the license. It was to be given to the parent who was responsible for giving it to his/her child. The judge only gave me the license when Josh promised the judge, “I will drive safe.” I thought the symbolism of giving the parent the license was powerful and meaningful.

When I received the license I did not give it immediately to Josh. I held on to it until Evie arrived home. I handed the license to Evie who then handed it to our son. Josh understood the significance of why I was waiting for Evie to get home before he got his permanent license. We both support him and we both have expectations that he will exercise this privilege in a responsible manner.

Yorkminister II

As noted in an earlier blog, Yorkminister were guests at the Arlington Corps last weekend. Here are a few more pics from last Saturday evening.

What Happened on 7 January

Barb challenged us to look at Wikipedia and post what took place on the date we were born. Before looking at Wikipedia I went to the history channel and found a similar list.

On 7 January the following has taken place.


Holidays
Christmas by the Julian calendar
Eastern Orthodox - Feast of John the Baptist
Nanakusa - Japan (Seven Herbs Festival)


Events
1782 – first commercial bank in the US opens for business
1789 – first Presidential election in the US
1785 – first crossing of the English channel in a balloon
1924 – Gershwin completes Rhapsody in Blues (I love that item)
1926 – George Burns marries Gracie Allen
1953 – Truman announces the US has developed the hydrogen bomb
1979 – Pol Pot is overthrown (and the world was better for it)
1985 – GM launches the Saturn
1999 – Clinton impeachment trial commences (another high point in politics)


Deaths
- 0312 Lucianus of Antioch theologist/saint, dies 1
- 1536 Catherine of Aragon 1st wife of England's King Henry VIII, dies
- 1695 Mary II Stuart queen of England, dies at 32
- 1921 Benno Erdmann German philosopher, dies at 69
- 1989 – Emperor Hirohito of Japan dies
- 1990 Joseph Robbie lawyer/NFL owner (Miami Dolphins), dies at 73


Births
- 1710 Josef Antonin Sehling composer
- 1800 Millard Fillmore Locke NY, (Whig) 13th President (1850-53)
- 1845 Louis III last king of Bavaria (1913-18)
- 1928 William Peter Blatty New York City NY, author (The Exorcist)
- 1942 Paul Revere Boise ID, keyboardist (Paul Revere & Raiders)
- 1957 Katie Couric [Katherine], Arlington VA, TV news host

This One is For Dad and Mom

This weekend a few old friends were at the Arlington Corps. I snapped this picture just after Evie and I enjoyed lunch with them. More pics will be posted in the coming days.