Guilty until proven guilty

Lance Armstrong according to SI could be subject to a Grand Jury, but at the rate that the Barry Bonds investigation is moving who knows when this could actually take place. This new investigation of Lance is by the same guy, Jeff Novitzky, that heading the Marion Jones & Barry Bonds case. While it does not look good for either Barry Bonds or Lance Armstrong, I refuse to assume that they are guilty until a jury speaks.


Far too many times peoples reputation have been tarnish become of an accusation, example Cam Newton. Cam Newton has been at the center of a controversy regarding his eligibility and while he was found to do nothing wrong, many people refuse to acknowledge this fact. Newton, as far as any of us know, has done anything to hurt his eligibility, But to many, this means nothing. They accuse him and Auburn of cheating and are just waiting for the day for them both to return their awards. This is not acceptable. 

This is the world that we now live in. A world that, in most places, people are given a trial/investigation but in terms of public opinion, is often matters very little. The investigation and trial may take place, that person may be found not guilty but because of a personality quirk or unpopular reaction in the media, this person is still seen as guilty. While being not guilty in the eyes of the law is what really matters, a sort of social death, many times, can be just as bad. 


Now I know, that me trying to tell people to remain objective when it comes to Cam Newton, Barry Bonds or Lance Armstrong is not something that might be received well, but people deserve the right to not have their named sullied because of ones inability to accept the facts.