A Legal Eagle

We have become conditioned to accept what is important based upon media coverage. The Schiavo case caused us to hold our breath as we awaited each court decision. Pope John Paul's failing health and foreseeable death consumed us. Yes, two major stories worthy of intense coverage. But during the time we were so engrossed with these accounts of life and death, the word of the passing of a great legal icon found its way to what can only be compared to a short blurb on page 7, Section B, of your local daily rag.

No matter what one thought of Johnnie Cochran, he was a stalwart champion of the common man. While his legacy will erroneously reflect his successful defense of the murderous O.J., he was much more valiant in his triumphs representing the "NO.J.'s" as he called them. He gave his all, whether the client be celebrity or mere mortal. He represented those victims of tue police brutality and civil rights violations and not just those claims designed to earn a fast buck at settlement. A winning lawsuit brought attention to injustice of racial profiling. A wrongfully convicted man was freed from prison after 27 years because of Mr. Cochran's relentless endeavors. Should I interject that no fee was involved?

I'll have to dodge the slings and arrows of my friends in law enforcement for taking this stand, but that's life. Johnnie didn't care; neither do I.