JUDGE MAKES RIGHT DECISION ON BUSH CASE

Good for Circuit Judge Reginald Whitehead in Orlando, who risked some
high-powered political wrath by ruling that Noelle Bush's drug court
hearing must be open to the public.

Whitehead issued a 16-page ruling that weighed a patient's right to medical
privacy against the public's right to access to courtroom proceedings.

Noelle Bush, 25, of course is the daughter of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

Whitehead rightly said, in effect, how would we know if drug courts are
working if we can't monitor the proceedings, which we support through
public tax dollars.

Bush's case was placed in drug court and she is residing at a drug
treatment program.

All drug court proceedings currently are open to the public.

A ruling allowing Bush's case to be closed would have set a precedent for
closing all drug court cases.

Although most drug court cases attract little public attention, Noelle Bush
is unfortunate because of her celebrity status.

However, our courts have a long tradition of openness and they need to
remain open to public access.