I've been robbed

I'm struggling with something and so I have to write it down in order to vent a bit. Recently a friend was accused of inappropriate behavior. I believed it to be a false accusation and the police and DA seem to be concluding the same thing. Thats great and it makes me feel better, but unfortunately it has not helped my friend. He has recently resigned and is planning to move.
I have to say I HATE THAT. This accusation has ruined his life, and the more that I think about this and look at the losses to our community and school system I want to scream

I'VE BEEN ROBBED!

Now our community has been robbed of my friends talents and skills. We are losing a contributing member of our community - someone that I feel added lots to our community.

The person who made these accusations has robbed our community of a great deal. That makes me angry. I know that as a Christian I am to be talking about forgiveness. But the way I see this is that I don't have that opportunity. Only my friend and God can forgive. The community is to seek out justice and truth. We as a community should be looking into the possiblity of providing consequences to those who make false accusations. These words can literally ruin someone's life. And the sad part is anyone can make a damning accusation about another and instead of innocent until proven guilty - we have flip flopped it to guilty until proven innocent.

The other side of the coin

Now I have to say here that I believe that there should be very stiff and swift punishment for those who are proven guilty. I want to protect our society and especially children from those who commit these crimes. I just want to deter knowingly making false accusations by providing punishment for those who say things that ruin another's life just because they don't like them.

As a pastor or public servant or public figure you are an easy target for accusations. If you do the crime - then literally you should do the time. But if you are not guilty then the person who made the accusation is certainly guilty of many crimes that unfortunately society easily overlooks.

This is just my thought - not speaking for anyone but me.
Trent