..."The die is cast..." And so it is with the Leon Houston trial. Whatever the opinion about the process or the outcome, there is something that stands. It is the rule of law. And the necessity of that is best expressed by the eloquent words of Sir Thomas More (or St Thomas More if one is of that persuausion). Although the quote below is from the screenplay of "A Man for All Seasons" (I recommend it), research has shown that More actually had this conversation, or something very close to it. It applies just as well now as it did in 16th century England.

"William Roper: So, now you give the Devil the benefit of law!
Sir Thomas More: Yes! What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?
William Roper: Yes, I'd cut down every law in England to do that!
Sir Thomas More: Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned 'round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast, Man's laws, not God's! And if you cut them down, and you're just the man to do it, do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!"

RB