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One of the most sacred principles in the American Criminal Justice System is that a person is innocent until proven guilty. According to the law, when you are innocent and the statute of limitations has expired, it simply means -- you do not have to say a single thing and/or plead your case in the "court of public opinion."However, Bill Cosby has addressed these decade- old allegations 10/12 years ago and at that time Mr. Cosby made a public statement, "I have never raped and/or drugged anyone." If the media would fact check (do the research) they would report that these alledged accusations are not true.It's very relevant that someone and/or a well-comprise entity has decided to try and destroy Bill Cosby's image and legacy. Maybe, it's a large media conglomerate, entertainment agency, a group of well-established individuals and/or a number of major corporations that realized Mr. Cosby's new television show was on the verge to galvanize an entire new generation of people.Does the media have the right to try and destroy an individual (Bill Cosby) and who will be there next victim in 2015?You provide the answer to that question based "only" on the morals, values and principles that you were taught as a child.I thought that America (the land of the free) outlawed bullying. If so, why is Bill Cosby fair game --- as if he's a deer prancing through the woods, worried about who is going to take the next shot.Your facility is known for its ethics, integrity, and hospitality -- this is why Bill Cosby's fans should be given the opportunity to digest joy and laughter.Bill Cosby supporter, Kim Tinsley inks an open letter "In Service of the Truth about Bill Cosby" There is a pungent aroma of derision in the criticisms that have been hurled at Phylicia Rashad and others who support Mr. Cosby as if those of us who laud his accomplishments,appreciate his kindness and generosity, respect his contributions to humanity,and care about his personal well being are delusional for doing so. Nothing could be further from the truth.It is not unreasonable for people who know Mr. Cosby well, people who love and respect him -- his family and friends and co-workers-- to counter attempts to assassinate his character with strong statements affirming their personal, factbased truths about the kindness he has shown them, about the good he has done in the world, about the great man they know him to be. To speak of Mr. Cosby's intellect and creative genius is to speak to a truth based in fact. A truth known to many. A truth that risks being overlooked in the frenzy to convict him of actions hehas never been criminally prosecuted for and may not be guilty of.If everyone is allowed a voice in this democracy, then why not Mr. Cosby'ssupporters? Should the truth of those who know him to be a good human being be discounted in light of unfounded accusations? Is the truth spoken aloud by those who have had nothing but wonderful experiences with Mr. Cosby less worthy of consideration, less deserving of an audience, less believable, and totally without merit because that fact-based truth speaks to his goodness? To put it yet anotherway--is his goodness less true because he has been accused – and not proven guilty- of causing harm?Recently, Keshia Knight Pulliam was criticized for saying of Mr. Cosby in an interview on Access Hollywood that " ...we're still in America and you're innocent until proven guilty." According to some in the media, "innocent until proven guilty" is simply an adage or maxim, commonly used to deflect attention. That assertion is wrong. The premise that one is innocent until proven guilty is a protection. A right. A privilegeafforded to each and every citizen of the United States by law.Harsh criticism has also been lobbed against Phylicia Rashad for her expression of concern that Mr. Cosby's legacy is being obliterated. In the rush to condemn Mr. Cosby for actions he may not have engaged in, his good works are being overlooked, discounted, removed from view. People and institutions who have boasted of their association with him for decades are distancing themselves from him, those who have done nothing but benefit from his support for dozens of years have turned theirbacks on him for fear of being associated with a man-- who may not be guilty of anything, a man who has never been legally tried or found guilty of any offense. That is, indeed, a situation to be decried, railed against. Mr. Cosby's cultural legacy is important. He has made it possible for untold numbers of people to go to college, he has helped untold numbers of people further their careers. Through his creative work and philanthropy and service to this country, he has inspired untold numbersof people to think about themselves and others in a way that is expansive and powerful and transformative. He has given freely and unselfishly of his time and resources for decades to help people make the most of their lives. In service of the truth, it is not unreasonable to keep those facts in mind and to view everyoneinvolved in this controversy with compassion and fairness, for certainly, Mr. Cosby is no less deserving of compassion and fairness than those who accuse him of wrongdoing.It has been said that Mr. Cosby's supporters do not want the facts or furtherinvestigation, that they are more interested in his legacy than in the truth. It has been said that Mr. Cosby's supporters do not think he should be scrutinized, that they put forth conspiracy theories to absolve him of wrongdoing. Those assertions are wrong.We who support Mr. Cosby do want facts and further investigation, but the articles which proliferate online and in print, the segments which air 24 hours a day on television and radio,offer neither. There is no indication that investigative reporting of any kind goes into the production of "news items" which condemn Mr. Cosby and impugn his character. There is no presentation of facts which prove Mr. Cosby guiltyof any of the actions of which he has been accused. There are a profligate number of media outlets offering opinion, speculation,gossip, supposition, assertion,and innuendo- but no facts. For example, a writer for a popular website proclaims that "a recitation of Bill Cosby's resume doesn't wipe clean all inequity" but this writer offers no proof of inequity in his article. Where is the proof of inequity? Certainly, such proof does not exist among the extensive coverage that has been devoted to unfounded allegations.In service of the truth,it is not unreasonable to ask why none of Mr. Cosby's accusers sought medical treatment, filed police reports, or brought suit against him. Nor is it unreasonable to ask why they waited to tell their stories until long after justice in a court of law was possible, until the only remedy available for an alleged injustice is an out-of-court monetary settlement. In service of the truth, it is not unreasonable to ask how many of the accusers have been paid for their stories by media outlets nor is it unreasonable to ask how many of them have tried to extort money from Mr. Cosby.The allegations being made against Mr. Cosby are very serious. Those allegations demand serious inquiry and examination. Many an article has suggested that asking reasonable questions of Mr. Cosby's accusers is a tactic commonly used to inhibit people from coming forward with their stories. In service of the truth,reasonable questions must be asked. To question, to examine, to carefully weigh serious allegations is to approach a situation – especially one with such dire and far reachingconsequences- with intelligence and equanimity. To believe everything one is told without question is foolish and smacks of intellectual lassitude. Gossip is easy to spread. A mynah bird can repeat anything it hears. To investigate, evaluate, and get at the truth requires more effort, a greater aptitude, and - above all - a wealth of integrity.If so many people-- intelligent people--suspect that there is something larger at play here why deride and dismiss their concerns?Why not investigate?In service of the truth, it is not at all unreasonable to ask the question "Why now?" Mr. Cosby has not been in hiding for the past 50 years. He has not been dogged by accusations throughout his life. Why are people coming forward with allegations that are 40 and 50 years old - on the eve of major new developments in his career?Before dismissing the concerns of those who feel that something strange is going on here, might not a responsible journalist actually investigate the possibility that everything is not as it appears to be on the surface?In service of the truth, it is not unreasonable to take the media to task for spreading accusations without questioning their verity, without investigating sources of information before broadcasting- widely- allegations that may not be true and damaging the reputation of a man who may not be guilty. In the court of public opinion presided over by media "judges," the accusers have been afforded the presumption of unquestionable rectitude while Mr.Cosby has been denied the presumption of innocence until proof of guilt- the presumption of innocence to which he is entitled according to the laws of this country. If he had no money, no fame,no property, no cultural currency, if he had contributed nothing to humanity,he would still be entitled to the same presumption of innocence. In service of truth,itis not unreasonable to view this situation as unjust and unfair and to speak out against it. Here's a message from Bill Cosby to his fans:"GOD has Blessed me with thousands of loyal, patient and courageous fans that are going to leave their homes to enjoy an evening of laughter and return home feeling wonderful. I'm ready! I thank you, the theatre staff, the event organizers and the community for your continued support and coming to experience family, fun entertainment. Hey, Hey, Hey -- I'm Far From Finished." states Bill Cosby
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