‘Presumption of Innocence’ or ‘Everybody Knows They’re Guilty?’
 

Good article.

The "primacy effect" with how memory works means it is an uphill battle to overcome people's initial judgments, even when shown facts that challenge their assumptions.

This is a huge point, and that is precisely why Goodell released his charges with a big flamboyant splash and lots of hooplah, he wanted to establish in the minds of the public the "storyline" that the Saints were guilty, bad and evil from top to bottom, all the coaches, staff and "22-27" different players, and that Goodell was the white hatted cowboy who rode into town and cleaned them up in the honorable name of "player safety" -- and that is the storyline that was put in front of John Q. Public, completely devoid of evidence. Classic PR move.

That's because there are two items of contention. Our justice system and its strict guidelines, and public opinion which has none... "legal" and "not legal" are predefined, while "right" and "wrong" are morality items that can not be legislated... neither can the word "fair".

Free speech is pretty much the culprit in this case... I do believe 100% in free speech, but not with out consequences. I fought for our freedoms and will defend them until I am buried... However, some people take those freedoms to the extreme and stretch the limits of how those freedoms were intended and interpreted.

While it is illegal for me to put my soup-bone in someones chops for running off at the mouth, it should be equally illegal for that person to piss me off so much that I have to take a "hands on" approach.

Spot on brother!:bng: