We were glad to see the Denver District Attorney’s office drop a felony charge of attempted assault against an HIV-positive man who is accused of spitting at a probation worker. William O’Kelly is still being charged with misdemeanor harassment, which is more appropriate.
Spitting at anyone is obviously an aggressive act that is both unsanitary and disgusting. And there should be sanctions against it. But the risk of being infected with HIV through such an act, according to medical authorities, is essentially nil. A felony charge would have reinforced the sort of myth that was prevalent in the 1980s about the risks of HIV infection.
There’s no statute of limitations on valor. You’ve got to hand it to Margaret Zerwekh. The Wisconsin woman is about to realize a decades-long quest to have a Civil War soldier honored for his brave actions as a member of the Union Army in the Battle of Gettysburg.
Zerwekh, a 90-year-old with a penchant for history, has been campaigning to have the Army award Lt. Alonzo Cushing the Medal of Honor, according to a recent New York Times story. Cushing was killed in a hail of bullets after refusing to retreat on the battlefield.
Because more than five years have passed since Cushing’s death (more like 147 years), congressional action will be required before he can be awarded the medal posthumously. It is expected soon.
And a tip of our caps to . . . Bruce DeBoskey, who is leaving the helm of the Anti-Defamation League’s Mountain States Region in August. This is a loss for those who believe in the battle against bigotry. DeBoskey said he will open a business offering consulting services in philanthropic advising. We wish him well in his new career.
Short Takes is compiled by Denver Post editorial writers and expresses the view of the newspaper’s editorial board.
