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If the Justice Department is worth its stationery allocation, it should be reviewing this outrage. If the facts are as presented in this article, some of the Boss Hawgs in Tulia should get training in sheet metal fabrication at the local Stoney Lonesome.

As described, this appears to be a clear miscarriage of justice. But, somehow, I have my doubts as to the accuracy of Mr. Herbert's allegations. I wonder if this whole account might not come under the heading of urban myth. Or, more accurately, a "rural myth" from up there on God's Pool Table...

Herbert probably doesn't realize it, but the major Texas media outlets would harbor no compunction about exposing racism in Tulia -- if it existed. If this story happened as described, the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston and Austin media outlets would be covering it like white on rice. Not to mention the Amarillo and Lubbock media.

Yet, after three years, this is the very first I've heard about the affair.

So, I'd like to see some corroboration before I buy into Herbert's allegations. Indeed, I wonder if Herbert himself has any corroborative material...

NYT/Bob Herbert....geez. This article fails to mention if the charges were federal or state.

Federal Prisons are full of folks of all colors doing serious time for drug conspiracy in which no drugs were found. The NYT is only running with this for the race effect and because it's Texas and not Massachusetts. I wouldn't wager my life on Herbert's veracity.