What's Wrong With The US

Recently the prosecutor from the Duke Lacrosse case has been disbarred for how he handled the case. The case was dropped (NC State AG's office declared the boys innocent). The players have what is presumably a big fat check cut to them from Duke University in an undisclosed financial settlement. I haven't seen any news regarding Duke's President Brodhead's status. (Duke's Lacrosse ex-coach, Mike Pressler, has also come to a financial settlement with the University).

On one hand, this seems like a nice tidy little wrap-up for all involved (well, except Nifong, obviously). However, back in the early days of all reporting regarding this case, there were two opportunists who were significant in pumping the media frenzy over this case:

1. Jesse Jackson
2. Al Sharpton

If you recall, Jackson was all over this (see Duke: Horror and Truth). He even announced that is "Rainbow/PUSH" Coalition would offer tuition to the accusing Woman. Yet, he's not the only one who was so keen to jump to speedy accusations. Al Sharpton seemed slightly more laid-back then Jackson in all this. Here's an interesting quote, after the case has been dismissed:

Not only would I said today I think clearly the prosecutor misled us, and that what happened to those young men were horrible, I said it on my show Friday. It said it immediately after it happened.

Source: Transcript: Al Sharpton on 'FOX News Sunday' with a link to the Al Sharpton on "The O'Reilly Factor", April 18 2006, transcript.

Yet, he didn't apologize. Did he accuse them? I couldn't find any links directly quoting that he had. However, both Sharpton and Jackson received vast amounts of media coverage from this. They both benefitted from themselves hopping into the bandwagon. So, because of this, I think both of them should apologize to the 3 young men.

And now that it's all over, where is The Rainwow/PUSH organization offering free tuition to the lacrosse players that were wronged? Or maybe PUSH could ante up funds to help pay for the player's attorney fees?

It's sad this all played out in the national media. Nifong seemingly conducted a trial that would enhance his coming election bid. It seems like he thought it was the trail of his lifetime (in hind-sight, it most definitely was and will always be). Instead, he destroyed the lives of three young men, helpless to combat the mechanics of our justice system and the media's frenzy.

And those who were so quick to condemn, they should apologize.