Unless you are the kind of person who starts reading newspapers on the opinions page, by the time you have made it this far, you likely have developed a few opinions about the news this week as well.
A little behind the scenes into the publishing side of the news, we were taking advantage of a light workload, with important but relatively straightforward facts associated with even the more controversial decisions capturing headlines in an anticipated 10-page paper. Leave it to a lawyer to toss a monkey wrench into an otherwise perfect plan.
And just like that, a six-month buildup of political pressure eeks out with not so much as a whimper... At least not yet. I'm sure there is an internet bookie somewhere taking bets on the outcome of the next few meetings of the Fisher County Commissioners Court.
I've got to figure out a way to make those live-streamed public meetings pay-per-view. I struggle with the ethics of charging someone a fee to watch something online that would otherwise be free to attend — although the UIL manages to make peace with its conscious for doing it when it comes to sports.
Although, the worst high school football game in the state would probably still get more viewers than even the most unprofessional, ill-behaved episode of the Fisher County Commissioners Court. Especially with the way the State’s criminal case against Commissioner Martin unraveled faster than cat claws on a roll of toilet tissue.
I’m sure for those of you that have been grabbing your torches and sharpening pitchforks the case’s dismissal is a lot like when Geraldo Rivera blasted open Al Capone’s vault on live television only to find it empty. All that popcorn, gone to waste.
Others, I’m sure, are pleased with the outcome of the case, none more so than Preston Martin. No doubt there are still others that are ticked off at what they perceive as either an overzealous or completely ineffective judicial system.
As disparaging as I can get when it comes to my feelings toward government, I still drink the patriotic Kool-Aid that allows me to believe in our systems, and I cannot agree with this was a waste of time. Even if they do not always yield the results you are looking for, the systems work more often than not, and I certainly think they have this week in Fisher County.
Over the years I have developed a good professional relationship with the district attorney’s office, and while my opinion of DA Thompson varies depending on whether he is giving me a comment or giving me the finger, I will attest to you, he is neither a yes-man nor a pushover.
If he looked at new evidence that caused him to rethink strategies and judicial priorities, then I feel confident he had good reason. Which says a lot about the guy. Far too often do we see pride override a leader’s good judgment, and I’m pleased they stepped back before costing the county thousands in legal bills when they lose.
So, does that mean it’s all over? The short answer is: Yes, and yet there is an echo of a resounding “No.” We know that the charges were dismissed, but there has been no real discussion as to why they were dismissed, and I would like to have a few of those “why” questions answered. I also have a few what, where, when, and how questions I’d like to ask too.
Stories like these don’t really die, they just evolve, and just like any good episodical story, there is nothing like a good twist to make the good guys the bad guys again — like a soap opera... or wrestling.