Online Public Relations Thoughts

I feel sorry for the reporters in this case, but it is about time that government employees hiding behind anonymity are exposed for bending of the rules. I have no idea whether Mr. Hatfill had anything to do with the anthrax attacks of 2001, but the government had no right to destroy his reputation through a whisper campaign. I am willing to bet that public affairs officers were not involved in the backgrounding. It came from lawyers and law enforcement officials who were using the media to try to "smoke" Hatfill out. They blatantly ignored presumption of innocence until proven guilty, and regrettably, they still do.

An individual's reputation is precious and once it is destroyed, there is little the person can do to remain a productive member of society. Government bureaucrats, of all people, should understand that. Obviously, they don't.