If you're reading from out of State, we have some colorful names for the more rural areas of Arizona. "Big Bug Creek" is one, where apparently, there are some big bugs. "Dead man's wash" is another, a reference to a battle site between the White man and the Native Americans in earlier days.
Refining my search, I discovered that the editorial in the Big Bug News was a condensed version of the full editorial from corporate headquarters of the Daily Courier in Prescott titled, "Hinson is doing the right thing."
Wow. Where to begin?
The editorial starts off by claiming,
Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Howard D. Hinson Jr. is performing an act of integrity. Even if it's a little late, as some critics have said, we believe it is never too late to do the right thing.First, we have to be careful with their thesis statement "it is never too late to do the right thing." While true in theory, we must be careful applying this in practice. Specifically, what is "doing the right thing?"
Hinson is resigning effective Sept. 30. The resignation will resolve misconduct charges against him.
I think of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus—Once. Not 25 or 30 times since 2001—for 30 silver coins. According to the editor of the Courier, Judas must have performed an act of integrity because he eventually did the "right" thing. After Judas realized what he had done—that he had sinned and taken blood money—weeping, he returned the coins to the Pharisees. (That's more than Judge Hinson has done. He should return ALL the salary he falsely took when he falsely certified his Affidavits. THAT would be an act of integrity.)
By way of contrast, see what the Roman government official Zacchaeus did about any money he may have falsely taken. See Luke 19:1-10.
In his shame, Judas even hung himself, Harikari like, as his final act of "integrity." (Matthew 27:4-5)
Did Judas eventually do "the right thing?" No. While there is indeed forgiveness with God, Judas' tears were tears of remorse. Not tears of true, Biblical repentance. There's a BIG difference. Indeed, God says Judas is in hell. Hardly the place for someone with integrity.
So, in order to unequivocally conclude that Judge Hinson is performing an act of integrity, as the Courier did, we must question his motives for resigning. To that end, we skip to the end of the Courier's editorial.
This is where the integrity enters into the equation. Had he decided to stay on, Hinson likely would have faced a suspension without pay - something many would look at as a vacation without pay.But the editor(s?) is/are assuming a lot in their calculation. Do they know for a fact why Judge Hinson is resigning? Is he "doing the right thing" of his own free will? Did he, as they assume, have the choice to "stay on?" Perhaps the Commission told him "it's resign in three months, or you're out now."
WHY DIDN'T HE RESIGN ON THE SPOT as Judge McDougall did when he was caught doing the same thing?
No, the timing is suspicious, resigning at the end of September. The Courier naively concludes,
Despite these revelations, we do not believe Hinson's work as a judge is a matter of concern or shows a lapse in judgment from the bench. Otherwise the powers that be would be removing him immediately, not three months from now.Wow. That's a lot of faith to put in the powers that be. But then, for many, government IS a religion and "the powers that be" their god. You mean this couldn't be a manifestation of the Good ol' boys club letting one of their brethren off easy? (I can only hope the editors of the Courier demonstrate their faith in government and are the first to voluntarily enroll in ObamaCare.)
I've already offered that this three month delay is highly suspicious, just coincidentally being the end of the third quarter. There may be financial implications for Judge Hinson in that. Often antithetical to integrity.
Oh that the blind could see.
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