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Same song... yet another verse

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As I write this I KNOW I am in the miniority. As I write this I lay no claim to righteous indignation. Yet as I write this I can't seem to clear the image from my mind.

What image? That of a 44 year old high school teacher charged with having sex with a 16 year old student while on a field trip to Raleigh.

Why am I troubled?

Once again, an adult, charged in a sex crime, is named and the accused face plastered on our television monitors like wallpaper in a hallway.

I have no idea what did or did not happen. What I do know is that most, if not all, journalistic outlets jump at the chance to "inform" by quickly airing or printing photos or video of those accused.

What did we gain? What would we have lost by waiting until the case is resolved and THEN publicizing the convicted?

Did you sleep better last night? Did you feel safer knowing this person was charged? Are you any better off by seeing her hunted by cameras in front of the Wake County Courthouse?

Are you aware she was released on a $5,000 bond?

I didn't think so.