It really isn't enough to be governed by a strong moral compass: that sense of morality must be assisted by the wisdom to avoid situations that will corrupt it.
I don't think he was governed by a "strong moral compass" in the first place. "Don't plagiarize" is a pretty simple rule to follow; not being able to follow it does not indicate a strong moral compass with a lack of wisdom; it indicates a weak moral compass to begin with.
My suspicion is that those in the media who are really piling on, are doing so at least partially to avoid hearing what's being said.
This may well be true; I think many people in the media do the same things Lehrer did, they just haven't been caught yet. But that doesn't give me any more sympathy for Lehrer; it gives me less sympathy for the media in general.
I don't think he was governed by a "strong moral compass" in the first place. "Don't plagiarize" is a pretty simple rule to follow; not being able to follow it does not indicate a strong moral compass with a lack of wisdom; it indicates a weak moral compass to begin with.
My suspicion is that those in the media who are really piling on, are doing so at least partially to avoid hearing what's being said.
This may well be true; I think many people in the media do the same things Lehrer did, they just haven't been caught yet. But that doesn't give me any more sympathy for Lehrer; it gives me less sympathy for the media in general.