The White Man's Burden

Edgar Killen will die in jail, if there's any justice. But the authorities in Misissippi still don't have a clue about justice, according to this sickening account of their victory lap:

"For so long we have borne the burden of what was done here by a handful of people 41 years ago. Today we showed the rest of the world the true character of the people in Neshoba County," said District Atty. Mark Duncan. "We won't be known throughout the world by a Hollywood movie anymore."

Sorry, Mark. It's not about you or your county's reputation. I'm sure the burden of being alive the past four decades is overwhelming, but you're about 40 years and a murder conviction short of redemption.

If the white community of Neshoba County had any character, Killen would have been convicted -- by a state jury -- a long time ago. The stain does not go away.

The murderer, Edgar Killen, is a Baptist preacher. Bet you won't hear him referred to as that. Or as a terrorist. But that's exactly what he is.