Today's Fun Fact

[5kcandlesinthewind]

Courtesy of a participant who maybe needs to go back to 4th grade social studies:

"I mean, the whole reason we're innocent until proven guilty is because of the Salem Witch Trials."

Your local officials' minds at work, folks.  *headdesk*

[5kcandlesinthewind]

They just kind of looked confused, nodded and moved on. She's older, and kind of kooky, so it was kind of like when your crazy great aunt says something.

Except, you know, this crazy great aunt is a city councilor.

[MixedBerryJam]

According to this article (pretty reliable source) that person might not be that far off the mark, actually, just oversimplifying. It sounds like after the trials people realized that the then-standard "guilty until proven innocent, and here's your bill for your room and board" was nuts and the concept of innocent until proven guilty came to be. I had no idea they were related.