The Fox and the Flock

A fox should not be on the jury at a goose’s trial. Thomas Fuller’s words, not mine. Fuller was an enslaved African. A brilliant man, renowned for his mathematical prowess. Came to be known as the Virginia Calculator. Fuller wasn’t talking about a certain cunning canine or waterfowl when he said what he did. Nor am I when I say geese should never fly in formation wherever a fox may lead them.

The thought came to mind as I eagerly awaited Fox News going on trial for defamation, a fate the misinfotainment industry giant dodged by agreeing to pay Dominion Voting Systems $787.5 million to settle a lawsuit over the network’s knowingly false claims that Dominion’s machines altered the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

The settlement might be just compensation and a measure of vindication for Dominion, but it’s not good for the American people or our democracy. We deserved to see the evidence and hear the testimony. We needed the veil lifted. How else might we fully come to terms with…