Words and their impact...

A lawyer representing new Montgomery Alabama School Superintendent Barbara Thompson has written to school board members, warning them to expect legal action if they continue to discuss Thompson's Ph.D. status. I hate to say it, but that's the end of the line for the relationship between the board and the Superintendant as far as I can tell. The Board Chair defends the letter, but it certainly is a very loud signal that the board and the super are not about to work together for the good of the students. Put a fork in it. It's done.

Then there's the case of ousted Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford who made his usual loudmouthed statements this week...but he did it after he was convicted in a Federal bribery case. And everyone is suggesting his statements about his innocence could prompt the judge to impose a harsher penalty. First of all, he's already facing more than 800 years in jail, so all things are relative. Second: if the justice system had never convicted an innocent person, I suppose we could as a society demand remorse. But he's appealing and says he is innocent. Why should he show remorse? I raised the same question after comments by Former Governor Don Siegelman after his conviction were criticised.

And speaking of expecting remorse...the minister in Covington County who's alleged to have abused several boys during church camping trips...the minister who hasn't even gone on trial yet... "seems completely and entirely unremorseful" according to several media reports quoting the sheriff.
Uh, isn't there a presumption of innocence? If a reporter presumes the man is innocent, why include that statement in the story?