I was lurking over at Feministe [see blogroll for link] the other day, enjoying a conversation on the Duke lacrosse team rape, when a right-winger made a particularly stupid comment. According to this refugee from reason, we as citizens, must consider these rapists innocent until they are convicted in a court of law. Sadly, he made this sound like it was a legal mandate. This is pure bullshit!
Out of approximately 300,000,000 citizens in this country, only 12 people are under the legal obligation to consider a person innocent until proven guilty. These would be the 12 people participating in jury deliberations. Every one of the 299,999,988 citizens not in jury deliberations are free to think and say whatever they wish. It's called freedom of speech and it's guaranteed by our constitution.
If a person does not wish to express or even have an opinion, that is their right. But don't try to tell others that they cannot have or express an opinion. Not only does it not have any legal basis, it is un-american.
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