Mark Twain said: "A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes."
If you are a Duke lacrosse player rebuilding your life and reputation is like starting a long journey. All you can do is put on your shoes of truth and take the first step. Step-by-step, the Duke players are talking more about the hoax that ran them over and left them as media road kill.
The DukeChronicle reports on how the Duke "Lax" players are trying to get the truth out:
Faced with dozens of individuals a week looking for first-hand insight into what exactly the deal is down in Durham, Tony McDevitt said he has never hesitated to answer questions relating to the situation. When a curious intern pokes in and asks about the newest developments in the case, McDevitt takes a deep breath, gathers his thoughts and dives right in.
"I don't want to be quiet about the issue," McDevitt said. "I feel that leads them to be more inclined to think that something suspicious is going on."
[...]
Many have wondered why Nifong continues to pursue a trial as mounting exculpatory evidence, released by defense attorneys, continues to suggest that a rape did not occur at 610 N. Buchanan Blvd. on the night of March 13.
"That is the $64,000 question," McDevitt said. "I have a sister two years younger than me, and I know that if I heard something like this supposedly had happened to her, I would want someone to pursue the case as far as they could. Now I'm also level-headed in that if I see all this evidence that goes against what one person is saying has happened, as a district attorney-not as a brother, not as a dad, as a district attorney, someone who has to seek out the truth--I would have to take a step back and say, 'What am I doing?'
"I can only hope that he is still playing that role, seeking out the truth."
Not every player was as reserved as McDevitt, and John Walsh alleged Nifong could have other motivations.
"He started something to get re-elected, and now he's got it, but he's made the biggest mistake in the world," Walsh said. "He buried himself in a hole, you know. What's he going to turn on it now when he publicly stated that 'I know there was a rape in this house?' What can he do? He's got nothing, absolutely nothing."
The Friends of Duke University published an open letter to President Richard Brodhead and the Duke University Board of Trustees.
Main points:
- Speak up for your students
- Be fair to the lacrosse team and encourage others to do so as well
- Speak up for Duke
- Accept the challenges presented by this crisis
Show some backbone. Don't be cowardly wimps.
sources:
Living A Nightmare: Lax players speak out [DukeChroicle.com, July 19, 2006]
Open Letter to President Richard Brodhead and the Duke University Board of Trustees [FriendsofDukeUniversity.blogspot.com, July 19, 2006]
