Quick hit number three

Apparently adopting Shrub's attitude that "power means never have to say you're sorry," North Carolina Governor Mike Easley

has refused to pardon a man he sent to prison when he was a prosecutor even though the man was freed after the victims recanted their testimony.

Easley denied the petition of Sylvester Smith, 54, who was convicted in 1984 for first degree rape and two counts of first degree sexual offense, the governor's office said Wednesday. ...

A judge ordered Smith released from prison in November. The accusers, who were 5 and 6 at the time of the trial, recanted their earlier testimony and said their grandmother told them to say Smith was responsible for the abuse rather than their 9-year-old cousin. ...

Smith won a new trial and a prosecutor dismissed the charges. ...

There is no appeal of Easley's decision.

So now Smith will have to wait for a new governor whose ego is not at stake in a decision about a pardon.

By the way, redirect your anger: Easley is a Democrat.