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Thank the Lord, and pass the ammunition......© Thomas M. Sampson
Mar 8, 2001
The thousands of letters and e-mails that have been sent to Florida politicians in behalf of the Earnhardt family have made a huge difference. The Florida Legislature is working on legislation to prevent the release of autopsy photos to the public. The Volusia County judge who issued the initial restraining order in Teresa Earnhardt's behalf has issued a continuance in the case until March 19th. Hopefully, this will allow enough time for the legislature to enact a law that will make the Orlando Sentinel's case null and void.
I have no doubt that this legal can of worms will not go away. The Orlando Sentinel has gathered support from some of the nation's largest and most powerful newspapers. When the new law is enacted by the Florida legislature, and the case is dismissed, these powerful newspaper tycoons will challenge the law in higher courts. They are not going to be put aside easily.
We have once again seen that the old saying, "The pen is mightier than the sword," rings true. But, we all have to be on our toes to prevent the Orlando Sentinel's further court actions from being successful. The best scenario that the Sentinel can hope for is one that is reflected in an old Rolling Stone song, "Time is on my side." As time goes by and the public outcry diminishes, the Sentinel will still be there, fighting for those autopsy photos.
We have all got to continue to be aware of what is going on in this legal nightmare. We can not let time breed indifference that will allow this atrocity to be swept under the rug. This is what the Sentinel will be planning on, I believe it is their only hope in attaining their goal. It makes no difference if our vigil takes 100 days or 100 months. We are only close to winning the first battle, the war remains.
For those of you who have not taken up this cause, who have not written any letters or sent any e-mails, and who feel indifference toward the whole matter, please be aware of this. It could happen to you! No, you are not as famous as Dale Earnhardt was, and your autopsy picture may not be desired fodder for a newspaper. But, you never know. People get involved in accidents and other legal cases all of the time. If making autopsy photos public property becomes commonplace, a photo of one of your loved ones could be out there for all to see. I do not believe that any of us would welcome that prospect.
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