Pushback

Wow. Don't feel too sorry for some guys who wrongly accused of rape?

Hope you're never in their shoes.

I don't feel sorry for the Duke LaCrosse players. When you look at the number of African-American men who have been charged and found guilty in a rush for judgement, they just received a "little taste" of what African-Americans have experienced for decades.

There are men who have served decades in prison only to be found innocent after spending 10-20 years of their life behind bars.

Nonsense! Evans has already lost a job offer. Nifong should be made to repay ALL legal fees for all three players, and pay Evans annually an amount equivalent to the salary he lost by losing the job offer (with annual percent increases = typical career path increases for next 40 years [typical career length]). I doubt any of the three players will ever be able to hold a corporate white-collar job with their reputations ruined. Saying they deserve no sympathy because they made a mistake by having the party is a bit extreme. I made a silly mistake at a bridge tournament last week (I drew one too many rounds of trump) but didn't lose a job, pay roughly $1,000,000 in legal fees, or suffer anything more than a transiently bruised ego. EW

Their conduct was unbecoming to be sure but no worse than most college age men. No matter how unbecoming and rude they may have been they did not deserve to be accused of something so horrible.
Nifong should be tried for this crime against these young men, loose his license to practice law, be barred from ever teaching or assisting a law firm in any way shape or form and serve time.
He targeted these young men for political gain. If it had not been an election year this story would not have made print media.
These young men are rather amazing in that they are choosing not to go after the accuser. I don't know if I'd have that much compassion for this troubled soul but clearly they do.
Stop inciting class warfare. This was WRONG and it makes no difference who it happened to. It was WRONG.

One must feel some sympathy for these guys, but we must also remember that these are not upstanding individuals. They are priveleged rich men who finally had a year of adversity in their lives as a side effect of their reckless partying...boo hoo. The public will soon forget these men, and the tarnish will wear off their names soon after. Hmmm...I wonder what the after-party from their press conference was like.

Let's be serious everyone. These guys are going to be alright. They had a rough year. But they come from rich and connected families. In a week, this will all pass and they will move on to be wealthy and powerful like they would have in the first place. They may have been exonerated of all charges. But I think it is naive to think that no improper behavior occurred that evening.

Taking issue with the treatment of these young men because their behavior on the night in question was not admirable is like saying we should not have been outraged by the assasination of John Kennedy because of his moral misconduct as President. Anytime a public officer of the court misuses is authority to prosecute someone he knows to be innocent, or even suspects might be innocent, he is jeopordizing the freedom of all of us. Further, don't underestimate the part the news services played in this disaster. How much do you think the attention of the national news broadcasters had in pushing this matter forward and inspiring Mr. Knifong to use the prosecution to put himself in a better light before the voters in order to get reelected. You are not innocent in this matter and should look very closely at how much the stories you choose to magnify for the sake of ratings deserve the attention you give and whether you have verified the facts before you take them public. Where would we be today if someone had asked for real proof of WMDs before supporting a war in Iraq?

So, Terry, by your logic, if there are some people who get unjustly accused or convicted of crimes, then that means there's no sympathy for anyone else? What a load! Two wrongs do not make a right, in ANY circumstance! Sure, they are "rich kids"; sure, they got high-priced attorneys; but remember that it was their names that got spalshed across America for a year. How about this, Terry - let someone accuse you of plaigiarism, splash your name across every media outlet in the country for a year, and then retract that accusation. How WOULD YOU FEEL?

The article states:
"MOST IMPORTANT, there are many, many cases of prosecutorial misconduct across our country every year. The media covers few, if any, of these cases."

Yes, and that's exactly why these young men deserve restitution. In other, lower-profile cases, the court does what the court does, and, hopefully, justice finally prevails. In the case of these young men, their names were tied to their alledged misdeeds in headlines all across the country. They were not merely falsely accused and indicted on little or no evidence, they were publicly slimed, on a regular basis, for a year or more.

Nifong, whose personal vendetta apparently was not swayed by a total lack of corroborating evidence, should do hard time after paying full restitution.

E. Williams, do you really believe that it makes no difference who it happened to? Consider this hypothetical...a prostitute accuses someone of rape...a Beverly Hills housewife accuses someone of rape. Who gets more media coverage? Who is more believable? Who gets better legal representation? Who gets more sympathy from the public? Although my example exaggerates the situation, this kind of influence is pervasive. The argument that there is no class (or race) influence in this case is at best flimsy and potentially dangerous.

Who cares about feeling sorry for the accused - sympathy is a nice sentiment, but that's not what this is about. These young men were wrongfully accused of disgusting crimes that they did not commit, and they were exploited by leaders in their community, national figureheads (Sharpton, Jackson), and their own teachers. Everyone who threw mud at these boys had an agenda to push, publicity to gain, and they've all faded quietly into the background. To suggest that these wrongs should be dismissed in the eyes of the public because the victims were well-connected, rich, white men is simply despicable. You do all wrongfully accused persons a disservice by suggesting the Duke students' plight is worth less because of their social & economic status. The system is broken - people of all class & color suffer at the hands of power-hungry politicians and lawmakers every day, and this case has brought it to light. So no, don't feel sorry for the men, but acknowledge that
they experienced an undeniable injustice that should be neither ignored nor rationalized.

I am proud to say that I was a college athlete. As a member of a Division 1 team in the same conference as Duke University, I understood that I was representing my University, therefore expected to behave accordingly. To say, "Their conduct was unbecoming to be sure but no worse than most college age men" implies that this behavior was acceptable. I can assure you that as a college athlete, it was not "acceptable". Athletes are given opportunity and financial assistance that is not available to all students. An athlete needs to appreciate this, respect the honor, and behave accordingly.
Having a party with kids consuming alcohol underage, hiring strippers, and using racial epithets, should not be condoned when representing an institution such as Duke University. Yes, it is sad that these students were falsely accused... but back in the days when parents actually gave constructive advice instead of "fixing" their children's mistakes... my parents gave me this advice: "If you play with fire, you will get burned." I don't know, seems like a pretty simple concept for most people. I would think that a student with the academic potential of a Duke University athlete, should be able to understand that logic.
As one of these students has previously been charged with assault, I can only say this... "You have made your bed, now you must sleep in it."
Good luck to these boys, and let us all hope that after this experience, they take this as a lesson learned. In most cases, Trouble is an invited guest... it does not often come to find you.

Who are you and what rock did you crawl out from under?

Racial epithets? First amendment to the constitution.

Paid $800 for strippers? Supply and Demand

Previous offenses? No bearing.

Resources for attorneys? What if it was your kid?

You're kind of journalism is troublesome BUT I won't hold it against YOU!

Either they did something illegal or they didn't.

People of all classes and colours are not suffering prosecutorial injustice equally in America. The USA has a world-record shattering number of people in prison, almost half of whom are black men. Not bad considering black men are around 7% of the US population.

WOW! Look at the commentary -theme running through out most of the comments, one that is imploding our country every darn day, the old rich vs. poor perception.

First, IF these kids do indeed hail from 'rich' families, what does that say about their families? I'll tell you what it says, it means they busted their humps to get where they are today despite a majority in this country who push more and more to take from them (because just they are 'RICH') and give it to those who are basically lazy and undisciplined!

Bottom line...who cares if they kids are 'privileged,' poor or purple in color! In my opinion, these kids were done dirty by a pompous lawyer and then excoriated by the media, as usual, race baiters and whacked out Duke professors.

If this had happened to my kid, Mr. Moran, I’d have your colleagues, Mr. Nifong and the race baiter’s heads served up a silver platter! And when finished, my son would indeed be one rich dude!

I'm at a loss for words, but not really surprised by the reaction to Mr. Moran's post on the Duke Lacrosse team scandal. So many here have shown a harsh reaction to the post. And the reactions have shown a willingness to IGNORE the true point of this post. I don't think these young men need any further defense. If you want to express outrage, then be outraged about the many others who've been victimized by a prosecutor who was "reckless and deceitful in the discharge of his duties". I'd bet you wouldn't have to look past your own backyards!!!

Articles written by idiots like this author are the real problem. Instead of focusing on the illegal and immoral behavior of a power hungry DA, he's focusing on something that's more media-friendly, like the race and social classes of the falsely accused. Saying they shouldn't receive sympathy, I hope this author loses jobs and friends because someone falsely accuses him a crime and he has no outlet to defend himself because other people want to believe the "good story" rather than the truth.
Comparing their plight to the Rutgers basketball game was by far the most short-sighted and ignorant comment in the article. These guys were possibly going to prison for 30 years based on a lie. They were going to lose their lives. The Rutgers basketball team had a comment made about them by some old white bigot on the radio, and will recover within a week. Plus, the comments aren't even as bad as the things you hear on a hip-hop/rap radio station.

Their conduct was unbecoming to be sure but no worse than most college age men. tom

To use that as some kind of justification for being boorish certainly lowers the bar for those who have never engaged in such low quality behavior. They may not have deserved the charges and ensuing controversy, but we are all locked into the consequences of our choices.

Usually I respect Terry Moran, but this is the most ridiculous thing I've read about the case. Good heavens, man! You really need to rethink this.

So you will not use your connections to get your child to a better school? Sure!! I hope your children never have to live go through a national media frenzy which your kind of journalism created. They should get the same kind of coverage for their innocence

Terry,

You are weird man. Colleged aged men drinking before they are 21 and going to party with strippers. Wow, that is crazy. I would put those kids right behind Hitler and Stalin on my morally reprehensible spectrum. As for the racial epithets, not acceptable, but who is to say any of the 3 ever used them. It appears Seligman was not even at the party when most of the shannigans were going on. I do not think the kids are heroes, but no matter how you stack it or ratinolize it on an individual level these kids got royally screwed.

Terry's comments and opinions are right on the money. From the start, I was suspicious of the accusations, but the style of life that caught the Dukies in this mess was very clear. When you play in the gutter, you get dirty, and these guys have been in that gutter for a very long time. As the republicans are fond of chanting, "the system works". It may have been twisted, but a collection of pampered and privileged bums got the type of exposure they deserve. So when people want to protect them, they should be asking themselves if these are the kinds of males they want their daughters to date.

Terry:
I totally agree with you - its not the first time that well-to-do preppies have gotten off because of their background. Those that think demeaning women in any way, shape or form is what men are put on this earth for, and whether the woman is good, bad or indifferent is the least of their worries. Had they had Ken Starr on their case, innocent or not, he would have not given up until he found something to make them guilty. At least Bill Clinton never demeaned, or made Monica look bad - she did that by telling her good friend who told the world. Try living under the circumstances Bill Clinton did and see if these three preppies can become the exemplary person he has. Its unfortunate their first disappointment in life had to be this severe - and of course we can't compare them to the thousands of others who have been unjustly incarcerated, some for long periods of time or life, because they don't have the resources. And when I hear - "they're doing what ever other college guy has done," it just galls me. That's the most assinine answer so overused. If these preppies think they went through a year of hell, how about the young girls who attend a frat party and end up being raped, maybe pregnant, and can't prove who was responsible because she had been drinking. I don't think her time in hell is one year and forgotten. Especially if she's not rich, whethr nnocent or guilty.

Bottom line is - life is not fair, and justice is not fair. If the lawyer knew, as the preppies say, that they were not guilty - then he's the guilty one. If he knew he was dealing with a sick person, it should never have gone on. If the preppies lawyers were the best in the country - obviously they weren't smart - they didn't stop it early on. They obviously made quite a bundle off these preppies' families. Money doesn't always buy the best.

I'm sick of hearing that because these boys are not underprivileged kids, then they deserve no pity.... people are so spiteful and envious. The constant comments of how bad the boys were for hiring strippers is also funny - they are college aged boys... I believe it is probably very common. But, what of the girls who come over to a party of men to dance naked..... no one wants to address their responsibility in this situation. Because the women were black people tend to make this a racial issue.... that's just plain krap!

Whoa, Terry,
Not feeling sorry for the "Dukies" does not compute. Of course there are many other poor or minority members of our society who are jailed because they couldn't afford the high priced defense these 3 young men had. But these people and the "Dukies" were equally injured by what happened. The fact that their parents were able (and willing) to put up the dollars to go after that arrogant nutcase Nifong helped the rich and poor alike. He will no longer be around to invent dramatic causes to advance his political career. And it might serve as a warning to a few others like him out there. I hope those boys do sue him and strip him of every penny he has. The shame of this whole mess is that no one seems to intend to go after that lying piece of human garbage who started the whole mess. She was blatantly caught in her lies. Scooter Libby is headed to jail for his lies. Martha Stewart went to jail for hers. And neither of the things they did were considered sufficient enough to prosecute them for a crime. Making a false accusation is. She should be prosecuted for that, as well as lying. Apparently when it comes to lying all the discrimination is aimed at the white "haves". That is not OK with me. Justice should be color blind and money blind. As far as I've read this AM, only Fox News has decided to publish an expose on her whole sordid existence. How many more men is she going to be able to bring charges against before she's stopped? As a woman, it makes me furious. Women ARE raped. Women ARE victims of domestic abuse. But because of her, and a few others like her, women with real injuries are viewed with scepticism when they report it. And because of that, real abusers go free. As far as I could see from the blogs I've been reading, she never got much sympathy from the females of America from day one. That's because we saw the inconsistancies in her story from day one. We didn't believe her. And because we knew the real crime here is what she's done to women as a group. Now women with legitamate injuries will have to think a little harder about bringing charges out of fear of being disbelieved. While she goes scot free to continue with her tawdry lifestyle. Oh, and BTW, Terry... I remember being shocked way back in the 70's when it became OK to hire a sripper to come into a home or workplace to spice up some guy's birthday party. Guess it must have been legal, since it's still openly going on. How can I blame these guys for hiring strippers to spice up their party, when it was my generation that taught them it was a cool thing to do??? Whew! I feel better for having gotten that off my chest. Have a great day, y'all!! Scarlett

I can't believe this news article! How can anyone think that these young men won't be impacted by the last year? True -- they are no saints -- are you Mr. Moran free from mistakes? Does that mean that you too would be unharmed by false allegations? That your family, no matter how wealthy, deserves to go through this experience and endure the emotional and financial impact it clearly must have taken on everyone in their family.

These young men acknowledged that they were blessed to have the ability to afford lawyers and others are not so lucky. But what are you suggesting Mr. Moran that they didn't deserve yesterday? They most certainly deserved it! Their pictures were splashed all across every news outlet for months. And today -- only hours later, depending on the media source, you can hardly find the headline indicating their innocence. Even these young men that are not perfect were eloquent enough to address the fact that changes need to occur so that everyone is presumed innocent.

Mr. Moran, it is a shame that you took this HORRIBLE event and created a headline that says don't feel sorry for them. Right now, I feel sorry for them and sorry for you! And yet -- I still pray that you and no one else have to walk in their shoes.

This idea that people of privilege aren't caring and thoughtful is ridiculous. Your article continued to feed into the stereotypes of our nation. It's disappointing that you, a "respected" newsman couldn't see the big picture and realize that despite their flaws -- no one, black or white, deserves to experience what these young men and their families endured.

Lastly, what was said about the Rutgers woman was outrageous and wrong! But, for you to compare these two cases is insensitive and outrageous. These women had horrible words said about them. These three boys were handcuffed, falsely accused, spent 13 months wondering if the better part of their lives would be spent in jail….etc. The Rutgers woman will most certainly be impacted and my heart goes out to them. It is a shame that your heart can't see the challenges these young men faced and the lasting impact it will have on them too.

great article

Terry Moran, I think there's a talk-radio spot opening up if you want it. No, seriously. Don't feel to bad for them. Their names and their university have been irreperably smeared by a group of race pandering liars for a year and we should not feel bad for them because "they come from rich and connected families." Do rich and connected families not have eyes, subject to the same diseases, healed in the same means.
They had the resources to fight him off, but now they are victims of a recless 'journalist' and unfortunately, don't have Al Sharpton to call for his resignation.

I think if you had just deleted the words "don't feel too sorry" for these boys, then people wouldn't get so angry. You made EXCELLENT valid points that should be recognized, but often people don't get past the emotion to see and understand those points.

Psst. J - it's not a "news article"...its an editorial - pure commentary and opinion...happily disagree but don't pretend he's "reporting"

Wow, talk about blaming the victims (the Dukies in case you were wondering). While you want us to remember "a few things" about that night, you should take note that everything you mention was legal.
Filing a false police report was not.

It sounds like this blog was written to help you sleep better at night. No doubt you were one of the many who presumed they were guilty because of your own white guilt.

This article is almost comical. I have now lost any and all respect I had for ABC News. This is nothing but a classic LIBERAL response from an undeniably LIBERAL slanting news media. I wonder what would have happened if these were three RICH black men accused (and basically tried in the media) of raping a white woman. Had they then been found innocent I bet the tone of Mr. Moran's article would have been slightly different. It probably would not have been "Let's not feel too sorry for the rich guys", but would have decried the racism and injustice that led to the whole debacle in the first place....as a good LIBERAL media member would do.
The fact that these boys come from rich families makes them targets of the LIBERAL media....a media that jumps to conclusions and then when proven wrong tries to downplay the injustice done simply because the accused weren't members of their favorite minority groups. When will Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton be apologizing for their role in the injustice done here? Probably never...because they are opportunists and have distanced themselves from this in a typical cowardly manner. Besides, Terry Moran has already written what would be their likely response.

The liberal media stikes again. This never would have been blown so out of proportion if it were not three whites boys that looked like they might be wronging a black women.....the media and prosicuter jump to convict in the press without all the facts. Do I hear any appologies from Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson???? Or are they along with the sick liberal media too busy hanging a shock jock who was just using freedom of speach??? There are lots of in justices that occur every day and the press MUST stop convicting people in the media. Terry Morin is way short sided on his views....he doesn't slur people, he only implies. Sooo ABC is that OK or should you hang him out ot dry? Why is his oponion important? He is surposed to report the news NOT make the news.

Ahh, so b/c these kids are rich then we shouldn't care about their misfortune? That makes sense. I'm glad you and many of the posters on this site are not judges. Dirty rich people. What were they thinking. They shouldn't have been ambitious. Sure, there are a lot of evil rich people, but just b/c you're rich does not mean you don't deserve justice or compassion!!! Are you sure your name isn't Terry Moron?

I presume that this would continue to be your view should you or your children someday be indicted for a crime of which you were innocent?

TC,

Hats off to you...you NAILED IT!

TC.........Spot on could not have said it better myself

The key to this whole thing is in Terry's last paragraph. "They aren't heroes. They aren't boys. They are young men who were victimized by a reckless prosecutor--and had the resources the fight him off." This whole incident was a hurdle for the boys, not a brick wall. Yes, it 'sucks' that they had to go through a whole year wondering how the case would turn out, but it's over with. Either they can use this experience to build character, or they use it to weedle sympathy. I think things eventually turned out alright, their innocense proven, Nifong's BIG mistakes exposed...Now learn from it. Figure out WHY it happened, and find steps to prevent it from happening in other places, to ALL other people. Perhaps the media did overexpose and propell the case, but it helped flush out a flaw, opened it, and gave us room to work.

Can you really be that stupid ?

Unbelievable. These young men deserve less attention simply because they come from privileged backgrounds? Does having money make any of them any less of a victim?

True, there surely are countless cases of injustices in the country every year in which the falsely accused do not get the attention that these three young men are getting. However, those wrongly accused probably didn't have the intense media coverage and public protests thrust upon them like the Duke students did. In the court of public opinion, they were already convicted!

Will the heads of the major news outlets, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and everyone else who assumed guilt in this case now offer public apologies to these kids?

Imus got fired for saying what they thought they were paying for. These young men choose to have what they thought was a great party. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time doing the wrong thing. The crime was and still is defending that behavior.

Let's be honest with what this article REALLY is...it's about getting attention. It's an article meant to provoke, not to say what's true and right. And why would we want such attention? Mmm, to get noticed, to make more money, etc. And, if Terry Moron wants more money then how is he any different than these "rich Dukies?" Such a double standard. Envious of those that have, while being conniving to get more.

I'm sick of the news, b/c it's not reporting, it's propoganda made not by the government, but by those who need more money, more viewers, and more attention for more ad money.

Wow, there are alot of opinions out there.
Terry, I have to agree with you.
Now regarding responses that include racism, get over it!
I wasn't here back in the days of slavery and most likely most of you weren't either! You want racism to stop, then stop throwing it in our faces. As long as the good reverend's are on their soap boxes, it will never end.
The Duke guys will be fine. They will reap the rewards with being known for something.
I will never be famous for anything but I am good enough for the life I live!

Terry, although you make some valid points about the justice system, your comments advocating that we all not concern ourselves with the plight of these young men because they are "rich" and have "connections" are absurd and disingenuous. Do you not use your connections daily? Would you not use all of your resources to protect your children from false accusations that had the potential to ruin their lives? Of course you would. And you would feel similarly agrieved by such a case.
Further, you indicate that there are many less fortunate people out there who the system has failed and continues to fail. Last time I checked, you worked for a NEWS ORGANIZATION. So, go out there and report on those cases. Become their advocates. Shine the light you have been afforded to illuminate the problems you so rightly identify. The fact of the matter is that you will not do so because it is not marketable. You will not find advertising buyers. So before you lecture the public on their morals and ethics, look at home first.

I find this appalling. All of it. I especially find it unsettling that Mr. Moran believes that students attending Duke or other similar schools are cushioned from the real world! Give me a break. These young men obviously have the brain power to get into Duke and to stay there. My parents graduated from Duke as did my two nieces. My father was the son of missionaries and my nieces are the daughters of a minister and a school teacher. Both of these families have/had limited funds but felt education was a priority. Before one pigeon-hole's everyone, he should conduct the necessary research. Mr. Moran is sorely wrong about this.

Is this surprising to anyone that a news anchor for ABC news is spewing the standard liberal bias that they have become so famous for? Moran should be making a personal appearance at the homes of thses three kids to apologize for the one sided coverage his network provided for this case. Pitiful, but not a surprise.

This is absurd. I think these young men should be given an apology from all those who prematurely condemned them. I agree with the poster who stated that I was not around during the time of slavery and neither were most who still use slavery to throw in our faces. Yes, what happened the night of the lacrosse team party was unseemly and repulsive, but the accuser's story was never very believable. Revs. Sharpton and Jackson must be ecstatic that they have a new controversy to protest or else they just might have to apologize to the young men they wrongfully accused. Are Sharpton and Jackson going to apologize to these boys? Is Oprah going to invite them on her show to speak of the legal injustices they have been subjected to because they are wealthy white folk? Probably not. The "Dukies" and their families did not ask for an apology from Sharpton, Jackson and all of the others that prematurely proclaimed their guilt, but I think that we should demand that they get one, just like others demanded that the RU women's team get one.

I would never, EVER hire such men. Individuals like these who show such utter disrespect to women and minorities would never even hope to get a job working for me no matter how "well-connected" or "educated" they are. Treating people like objects or property is not the kind of character trait I would want in anyone I would employ. No, they shouldn't have been falsely accused of rape, but they shouldn't have treated these women like they were soulless pieces of meat, either.

The fact that these three men come from wealthy backgrounds has nothing to do with this case. It's comparing apples to oranges. They were wrongly accused and the arrogance of the prosecution had to be addressed and must be punished. Maybe this case will have a positive outcome for all races. Maybe, just maybe, prosecutors will now take a closer look at all the evidence before they judge the accused. That's assuming prosecutors have evaluated the outcome of this case and have learned something from it.

Well, as long as we're so closely scrutinizing these young men's pasts and risky behaviors as an indication of their guilt, what was the alleged victim in the habit of doing? -- STRIPPING her clothes off and doing sexy dances in front of rowdy groups of young males.

Gee Terry. There are an awful lot of negative comments here. Is that what you wanted or do you actually feel that judgemental against three innocent people.

I know a person that wound up in the hospital with chest pains after being wrongfully and vengefully accused. His family lost their life savings but we are not to feel too sorry for these people? You better hope this never happens to you.

I will never watch ABC News again because of you and your tasteless comments.

These are nasty, entitled young men who finally felt some consequences for years of ugly behavior. Granted, if they are not guilty, the consequences shouldn't stick, but I hardly think they qualify as victims. After all, THEY decided to bring unknown individuals (strippers) into their home, THEY failed to take appropriate action when it was clear this stranger was not functional, and THEY ignited racial tensions by their ignorant comments. If they didn't do the crime, they shouldn't do the time, but they are not innocent victims.

Did the AG's news conference strike anyone as political pandering? I have no idea what his party affiliation is, but would guess he's a Republican based on his evident glee in taking full advantage of his opportunity to slam Nifong (a Democrat and, apparently, an idiot).

First of all, I didn't realize there was "praise" being heaped upon these young men.

Second, why should it matter that they requested a white stripper? If a service is for sale or hire legally (whether you agree or disagree with the availability and provision of that service) isn't it the purchaser's right to specify precisely what it is they want to purchase?

Finally, the fact that these young men were lucky enough to have families with financial resources should in no way matter to whether one feels sorry for them or not. Its as if you think its okay that their famiiies will likely have to pay approximately 1 million each in legal bills.

I expect more of you Moran. Hope its never your son or daughter in such a predicament.

Are you sure its not Terry Moron?

To relate this case to the Rutgers case is an outrage, but because you attempted to draw the relationship, lets continue it. I would imagine most if not all of these young ladies on the basketball team drank underage, bought rap music that called white people racial epithets, or otherwise broke the law or acted immorally. So does that make it ok to say that we shouldn't be sympathetic for them?
How bout "Rev." Jesse Jackson. He came out and condemned these 3 guys, along with just about every other major Black organization in the country. They said Imus shouldnt keep his job because he used GOVERNMENT controlled airwaves to make the comment. What did Nifong do? What did Jesse Jackson do? Called these kids every type of name in the book. To call these kids privileged, etc is exactly the type of name calling this country has cried out against in the Rutgers case, except these kids are hated because they are wealthy, and white. They were called rich brats, hooligans, and any number of names. But it is okay because they are white?
When you make a comparison, draw it to its conclusion and make sure that is where you want your comment to go.

The media is complicit in all of this. Prosecutorial misconduct was so obvious in this case shortly after the indictments yet the media never really emphasized how wrong this all was. And further, why has the complainant never been publicly identified? Our Constitution says we all have a right to face our accusers. Laws against the media identifying accusers are, where they exist, unconstitutional. The media's code in the regard should now be dropped. Mike Nifong is not the only culprit here. She and the media are too.

Many valid points made in these posts. Wouldn't our world be a much nicer place if we could live with no ethnic or economic boundaries, and these boys, along with their accuser, were being judged by their ACTIONS as opposed to their ethnicity, social status and financial standing. I think many of these posts might read differently, as would Mr Moran's article.

On another note, it sure would be nice to see people stand up and become accountable for their actions, good or bad, instead of constantly finding someone to blame (or sue) because "they can". In my day, accountablity was a valued quality. It seems that although these boys were wrongly accused, I have not heard any reports of how sorry they were for the "party" that they were responsible for hosting when and where the incident occured. Perhaps the families are "suffering" not only because of the unjust charges that were rendered against these boys, but also because of the embarrassment that the "party" caused to the University, and their families. If not, wouldn't these boys return to the fine University to finish their education? Is Nifong responsible for those actions also??

Yes, this has been a terrible representation of our Legal System, and as a tax paying US Citizen for more years than i care to admit, I for one am very frustrated at the amount of money that was spent to wrongly prosecute innocent men. Can i sue Mr Nifong too??

These young men will live with this forever, and to be wrongly accused is a very unfortunate error. However, for all that we complain that their "false guilt" was displayed in the media, and has cost one young man a job on wall street, and hurt their futures, i say this. as our media has very openly reported to us their alleged guilt, they have also vehemently expressed their innocence. I would think these future employers would ALSO see this information. As they apply for these prestigious positions, they must realize that not getting the job may not be a reflection of the false allegations, but perhaps in their behavior which first led to this entire incident
I just wish our world would drop the race card, and i mean that about ALL races.

It's not a matter of feeling sorry for them, it's a matter of expecting equal treatment at least. These young men were pronounced quilty immediately. The "racial/social-status hatred" poured out on them by some of the best at seeking the media attention, the Revs Abernathy and Jackson equaled anything that Imus said...but that's another post. When will we see apologies from the Revs, from the Duke Facility who railed against them without a bit of proof.
But I forget, they are white, middle to upper-class males, they have no rights or recourse when slurred or insulted. They are fair game to everyone.

I completely agree with you Terry, and frankly, these boys are NOT completely innocent. I am appalled at their behavior that night....and I compel any reader (those that aren’t rapists and racists) who disagrees with you, how they would feel if these boys were their children and behaved the way they did. It is absolutely disgusting.

I hope that all of this will make these obviously "privileged" boys realize that they can't get away with everything and learn to treat women with respect. Unfortunately I know these types well…if it didn’t happen this time, I am sure it will happen next time. Ask any rape crisis counselor…these boys are casebook.

Terry- I would bet money that you yourself have seen a stripper once in your life. It happens everywhere and in colleges across the country/world. Get over it. I don't condone any racial slurs but none of us were at the party to know that actually happened. Of course, they were guilty of anything accused as were the other lacrosse team members by people like you before justice was allowed to take its course. I am a lacrosse player and fan and according to you,as such, I must be privileged. I have seen strippers in my life so I must be sexist. I went to a good school like Duke (on full scholarship) so I must be "elite". I served in the Middle East so I must be a warmonger..all these labels I must be according to your discriminate view of people. Amazing how close minded you really are. I feel sorry for you...

Terry, your opinions lack consistency and depth of knowledge. We should feel sympathy for all who are wrongly accused, rich or poor and black or white. These boys have acknowledged how lucky they are to have had the resources to fight off a misguided DA and an opportunistic accuser (read article on CNN.com from the AP).

Terry, you pointed out that there are many poor Americans who do not have the resources to defend themselves like the Duke lacrosse players did. But how does that make them more deserving of our sympathy? Sympathy does not require that you be a minority and a destitute. Sympathy is merely feeling the emotions that others are going through and recognizing how their situation would make you feel. Finnerty, Seligman, and Evans are people who were wrongly accused and are worthy of our sympathy.

The bottom line: sympathy for the wrongly accused and condemnation for the false accuser.

Why would anyone NOT by sympathetic to these guys? Yes, the hiring of strippers is nothing to be proud of. Nevertheless, it is NOTHING compared to being accused of serious crimes, with long prison sentences hanging over their heads. They have endured a terrible year, one they will never forget or the one that the country will forget. Their names are imbedded in everyone's psyche, forever, period. They deserve whatever sympathy comes their way.

Suggesting that these men deserved what they got is comparable to implying that a promiscuous woman deserved to be raped.

FINALLY! I have 16 year old sons and I have tried to tell them that all of this STARTED with a phone call to a stripper and NOT ONE PERSON is taking responsibility for that action.
Try looking at those party pictures from the frat party. They were on the internet. These guys are not guilty of rape but they are not totally innocent either.

Fire Terry Moran. He's the sort
of nasty journalist who feeds our
current mood/mode of vindictiveness at all cost. And I guess he's not in the echelons of privilege himself??

Here is a good example of opposite of Imus kind of rhetoric. The only difference here is you are trashing the white kids. If ABC thinks CBS and MSNBC were justified in taking the actions that were taken with Imus, they should do the same for Moran.

Hiring striipers and behaving in that manner may or may not be immoral depending on your personal preference; however it certainly is NOT illegal. What happed to them cost them more then financial compensation can accont for. How about loosing an entire year of school; being set back that far back for nothing. AND to talk about finances, lawyers aren't free, just because they can afford them is not an excuse to why they needed lawyers in the first place; bottom line, it cost them millions, and an entire year, for nothing; so yes, I do feel sorry for them, and i cannot believe ABCNEWS encourages your nonsence.

What a joke. Are you serious with this? How would you feel if it was your son? These kids almost spent the rest of their lives in prison becuase of one man's misguided ambitions. Where they came from or what their parents do has nothing to do with it. Beyond that, if you actually think that going to see a stripper means that you deserve something like this you're crazy, my bet is the vast majority of men in this country have seen one at some point or another, do they deserve the same?
Get a clue.

Shame on you Terry. Hope you and yours are never unjustly accused of a crime you didn't commit. Guess if that did happen, I shouldn't feel too sorry for you. You can afford good lawyers, right? I also bet that when you were a young man of college age you had a few wild nights yourself. You were just lucky enough to not meet up with a lunatic who ruined your life.

What complete nonsense. The Duke men were the victims. I know that this doesn't fit your "liberal" sense of fairness but it is the truth. These men were falsely accused and persecuted and you think they don't deserve to be cared for? Give me a break!

There is a principle of law in this country, that one is presumed innocent until proved guilty in a court of law. These men were found guilty in the mind of a prosecutor, and were punished in the public press on no more authority than that personal "verdict".

And now we see people like you, Terry, attempting to excuse this horrid wrong by pointing to the possibly-regrettable by still wholly LAWFUL behavior of the accused in hiring strippers for a team party. You are exchanging "guilty even though never tried" for "innocent but they really deserved it [wink, wink]."

SHAME ON YOU!!!

If we cannot stand up against unjust prosecutions and unjust prosecutors in a case like this, then we will NEVER stand up against such injustice in our land.

As a parent of a lacrosse player at a prestigous university, these 3 players were not the only ones affected by this travesty. Duke University's reputation was also dragged through the mud, and all lacrosse players across the country were depicted as spoiled and privleged. The sport itself has taken a hit, and I at times feel the need to defend my son, just because he plays lacrosse.

Mr. Moran has his head in the sand. I do not condone the "boys will be boys" attitude, but the behavior exhibited by this team is a daily occurence at colleges across the country, right or wrong.
How familiar is Mr. Moran with all of the good these 3 boys, and the team in general have done? Do your research and present an informed case.

As someone posted earlier, most of these opinions, including Terry Moran's, seem to come down to spite and envy. In other words, if you don't have as much as these kids have, you hate them, predictably; if you do have as much, then it's not an issue and you allow yourself to recognize that these kids were wronged. The Attorney General of the State of North Carolina personally declared them innocent, so there's no question on this point. My question is this: since when did we as a nation get reduced down to such greedy, small-minded, and self-centered cavemen that we must begrudge others a little sympathy when it's clearly deserved, just because of their economic status? Must we always check with the selfish part of the brain (the one that calculates whether someone has more or less than we do), before allowing ourselves to empathize with them? What a pathetic bunch of moral midgets we've become when every smidgeon of emotion we feel for others must first pass our own personal envy test! Fat chance anyone gets much sympathy these days!!! We only demean ourselves by constantly linking our sense of right and wrong to material standards. As Terry Moran's views so aptly illustrate, the days of genuine moral integrity in this country, that is a sense of morality uncompromised by personal consider