So What Happens Now?

[33girl]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
Frank DeFord's commentary

I thought he was dead. Huh?

Anyway, carry on.

[kddani]

Cases like these are a reason why I do not think DA's or judges should be elected officials. They have to worry too much about what the public thinks and worry about reelection that it can cloud their ability to do the right thing.

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by 33girl
I thought he was dead. Huh?

No, he's a Senior Writer with Sports Illustrated and does a commentary on NPR Morning Edition every Wednesday.

Edited to add these links:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=5337959

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=2100422

[valkyrie]

Originally posted by kddani
Cases like these are a reason why I do not think DA's or judges should be elected officials. They have to worry too much about what the public thinks and worry about reelection that it can cloud their ability to do the right thing.

Hell freaking agreed. In my experience, prosecutors often fall into the mindset that they must obtain convictions at any cost -- making their jobs depend on public opinion only makes this worse.

[KSigkid]

Originally posted by 33girl
I thought he was dead. Huh?

Anyway, carry on.

Maybe you're thinking of Dick Schaap?

[Wolfman]

As it regards this case, a Fraternity brother who is a jurist in the area, says that from what he's heard, there will be three Duke lacrosse players in orange jump suits soon. It's full steam ahead on this case by the DA.

[macallan25]

Aren't jurors forbidden to discuss anything that pertains to the case. There hasn't even been a trial yet, how would he know that three of them are going to jail. That sounds ridiculous

[Wolfman]

Originally posted by macallan25
Aren't jurors forbidden to discuss anything that pertains to the case. There hasn't even been a trial yet, how would he know that three of them are going to jail. That sounds ridiculous

No, you misunderstood. A jurist is a judge not a juror on a case or a grand jury. And not that they'll be convicted--of course not!--but that they'll be charged. That's all!

[Rudey]

Why are jumpsuits orange?

When did they do away with stripes? You know...like the Hamburgler wore. Did they ever even really have stripes?



-Rudey

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by Wolfman
As it regards this case, a Fraternity brother who is a jurist in the area, says that from what he's heard, there will be three Duke lacrosse players in orange jump suits soon. It's full steam ahead on this case by the DA.

You're bad for business, Wolfman.

[shinerbock]

DSTS, I disagree. Very few (none that I've seen) black commentators are saying anything like "these guys are innocent until proven guilty," or mentioning the fact that there is no solid evidence against them. In reality, the people going on TV and yelling about racism or how white people just wanna destroy their culture. In doing so, they are hurting the credibility of other black leaders. You can say, "oh thats just your racist viewpoint," but if you awake to reality, thats how the average American will see it. I mean, I know your mind is so open your brain has fallen out, but try and escape from your Berkley mentality long enough to understand how Americans will react. Negatively. As to your comment about people like me being the reason this is a racial issue, you're once again mistaken (I'm noticing a trend). I am only responding to what I've seen from the black community. They made this about race. Before they pulled the race card, the focus was on the possibility of a rape, not on the racial undercurrents that exist in this country.

[macallan25]

You hit the nail on the head. I agree totally. The only thing that I have seen from the black community on TV is that they are all outraged that these kids aren't arrested and sitting in a jail cell....regardless if there is a case against them or not.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by shinerbock
DSTChaos, I disagree. Very few (none that I've seen) black commentators are saying anything like "these guys are innocent until proven guilty," or mentioning the fact that there is no solid evidence against them.

I fixed my name for you. Thank me later.

The fact that there are SOME black commentators stating "innocent until proven guilty" dismisses your point. Does there need to be a quota system of opinions or something? Moreover, I have seen my fair share of nonblacks assuming guilt in this case, so that's that.

I don't know what you're talking about with "Berkeley mentality" but the accusser and another witness said racial slurs were thrown at them. If that means they played the "race card" (which is one of the DUMBEST terms ever...race isn't a damn card), then...okay. If they are telling the truth, based on your logic, I guess they should've left out that tidbit of information as to not confuse the easily perplexed American public. Last but not least, there was consideration to legally pursue this as a hate crime, as well as a rape case. I guess that means the legal system and the feds have played the "race card."

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally posted by macallan25
You hit the nail on the head. I agree totally. The only thing that I have seen from the black community on TV is that they are all outraged that these kids aren't arrested and sitting in a jail cell....regardless if there is a case against them or not.

Well, either you all are going to accept the FACT that the black community isn't a monolithic group or not. Don't confuse what you see on TV with what the "black community feels on an issue."

I certainly don't know what the white community feels on this issue. Because...I'm wise enough to know that there is no ONE white community stance. From the uber feminists who immediately wanted to burn these lacrosse layers at the stake to the uber Conservatives who think a BLACK exotic dancer from an HBCU has no credibility against some white males from a prestigous PWI. Diversity of opinions.

[shinerbock]

Chaos, I actually agree with much of that. The idea of "hate crimes" is so ridiculous it sickens me, and I'm amazed that our legal system has allowed such an obscene law to continue. As to the racial slurs, that may or may not be true, but that doesnt mean we should turn this into a white v. black debate. The fact is, a crime may have happened, and it should be viewed as that, just a crime (which would go back to my idea about hate crimes). Also, as to your point about "some" commentators not assuming guilt, I havent seen any from the black community. The only reason I didnt say all is because I don't assume that I've seen every person speak on the subject. You're also right however, that there are white commentators doing the same. However, there is an equal number of white commentators giving them the benefit of the doubt, while as earlier mentioned, I've yet to see a black commentator do. I also don't think people will judge white commentators as they will black ones, which is not right, but I do believe occurs. In a world with such overwhelming stereotypes, unfortunately black leaders are on trial whenever they enter the public arena.