WHDH Gag Order Overturned, Menino Orders Fire Dept. Review

The story of the drugs and alcohol found in the toxicology results for the bodies of firefighters Warren Payne and Paul Cahill has three threads--the freedom of the press, public safety, and the memory of the firefighters themselves.

As noted earlier, all news outlets except WHDH reported yesterday and today about the toxicology results. WHDH couldn't report because Suffolk Superior Court Judge Merita Hopkins silenced them at the request of the firefighters' union.

WHDH appealed, and Appeals court judge Andrew Grainger overturned Hopkins' ruling today. Since everyone else ran the story, Grainger said, "The universe has changed." WHDH has been transformed from the leaders of the "New Coke Newscast" to a free-press hero.

Dan Kennedy wonders if Grainger will say that Hopkins, who worked for Mayor Tom Menino, should have recused herself because of her ties to the mayor. Firefighters with drugs in the system, whether they be living or dead, are not good news for the city brass, and her blinders may have been on when she faced the case.

Speaking of, Menino has made his move in the case and ordered a "stem to stern" review of the fire department. The very phrase "stem to stern" makes us skittish because it was used in association with the Big Dig, and anyone who drives in the Big Dig tunnels isn't going to feel safer because someone formed a committee.

And then there's the firefighters. What's important to remember is that they were overwhelmed by the fire at the Tai Ho Restaurant, and cocaine and alcohol weren't a part of the equation. Many firefighters barely escaped death that night. Payne and Cahill died doing their jobs, which is to protect the public. And they likely aren't the first firefighters to have drugs or booze in their system. That doesn't make it okay, but it should make it irrelevant when determining the benefits their families should receive and applauding their heroism.

Image of Boston firefighters at work from the cityofboston.gov website. Opinions expressed in this post belong to this particular Bostonist.