Tuesday’s events were encouraging in that prosecutors [AUSA E.D. Ky.] Tom Self and [Public Integrity Section Trial Attorney] Richard Pilger were willing to fight the hard battle for the people of Knott County, which hopefully will lead to at least a grassroots effort for people to take back their towns. Encouraging that some light has been shed on the workings of the dark political underworld which might shock the good people of Eastern Kentucky into action, at least for their children's future. Encouraging that what might be perceived as a baby step with Newsome’s conviction could finally lead to that giant step Eastern Kentuckians must surely be ready to take to recapture control of their own destinies. Encouraging that federal authorities have pledged to continue the fight they have started to restore to the people the right to govern themselves without dealing with a stacked deck. Encouraging that Judge Reeves and prosecutors did see that the Knott Countians who sold their votes, in some cases for food, were victims of Newsome’s plot and didn’t need to be punished further. Encouraging that there’s some branch of government, in this case on the federal level, not shy about taking on political power houses, knowing the obstacles in their way will be many. 200