In the "Wonder When Last Time He Uttered the Words 'Morally Straight'" Department

Also from CNN: A former top official of the Boy Scouts of America pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of receiving and distributing child pornography, including pictures of boys younger than 12.

Douglas S. Smith Jr., 61, entered the plea before a federal judge in Fort Worth, acknowledging he "knowingly received or distributed an image of child pornography."

Smith didn't speak during the 45-minute hearing, other than an occasional "yes, sir" or "no, sir" when the judge asked him questions.

[Ed. note: for some reason, the U.S. attorney was quick to note there was no evidence that Mr. Smith had actually molested children" and also described him as contrite and "eager to put this behind him". Strange, in the Justice Department of John Ashcroft (and I'm not sure it will change under Gonzalez), I don't recall them one other time having one of their attorneys try to soften the public's perception of the offender. Politically cautious in a way that speaks more of concern for Scouts and important leaders than of the children involved? Uh.. that's for you to decide.]