Guilty 'til Proven Innocent?
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The other night when I appeared on my friend Bill O'Reilly's show, the subject was the Enron trial.
I said simply, "innocent until proven guilty."
Bill pounced — something to the effect of they're guilty as sin.
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They might very well be.
I'm just increasingly nervous in this society we assume guilty as fact and the notion of innocent as fiction.
Barry Bonds comes to mind. There's a new explosive book out that its authors contend offers undeniable proof the guy was shooting up steroids for years. We now accept that as gospel.
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Countless sports columnists that I've been reading say pretty much the same thing: Barry's a bum, Barry's damaged goods — as if it's undeniable.
All I'm asking is what if it is deniable?
You know, years ago, the media chased Ronald Reagan's labor secretary for a variety of alleged improprieties, convinced he was a poster child for crooked politicians.
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All those stories were page one. His complete and total exoneration was buried.
His name was Raymond Donovan.
I mentioned recently his lament to the press at the time: "Now, where do I get my reputation back?"
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It's hard, especially when everyone has assumed you're the devil. Bad opinions stick.
All I know is that I'd rather be given the benefit of the doubt, than doubt I had any benefits to show at all.
Click here to order your signed copy of Neil's new book, "Your Money or Your Life."
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Watch Neil Cavuto weekdays at 4 p.m. ET on "Your World with Cavuto" and send your comments to cavuto@foxnews.com