What is the difference?

Here in the patch, we're glad to see HeraldStandard.com weigh in on the controversy involving Fayette County Commission chairman Al Ambrosini and his alleged role (or lack thereof) in Uniontown Hospital getting a piece of the Medicaid in-patient psychiatric services pie, which has ruffled the feathers of competitor Highlands Hospital.

Sunday's editorial, "Come clean: Time to substantiate or drop charges," can be read in its entirely here:
http://www.heraldstandard.com/opinion/editorials/come-clean/article_d5024ef1-0765-5d1a-9df2-929aa459078f.html

Editor Mark O'Keefe and Co. have assessed the situation thusly, regarding Ambrosini:

As happens all too often with Fayette County politics, he’s also become fair game for all sorts of personal attacks and innuendos. ...

Ambrosini was adamant that he had nothing to do with the contract and denied even talking to (county MR/MR director Lisa) Ferris about the contract. ...

(Highlands Hospital CEO Michelle) Cunningham must also either come forward now with proof that Ambrosini "pressured’’ Ferris or admit that she was wrong. It’s unfair to have Ambrosini linger under this cloud of suspicion and doubt, and it’s also a disservice for county residents to have them left in the dark about such an important matter involving the county’s top official.

We find it supremely interesting that in another controversy, the one involving Fayette County Housing Authority board member Beverly Beal, the same editorial logic and standards apparently do not apply.

The Beal flap involves a folder allegedly left behind at a local restaurant, which resulted in her fellow housing authority board members censuring Beal.

If HeraldStandard.com recognizes that Ambrosini is fair game for "all sorts of personal attacks and innuendos," must the same standard not also apply to Beal's lunch companions, Fayette County Commissioner Angela Zimmerlink and former housing authority finance director Sonya Over? There has been no stronger innuendo than the one tying them to this restaurant folder -- yet HeraldStandard.com has uttered not a peep in their defense.

If HeraldStandard.com is willing to editorially recognize the fact that Ambrosini has "been adamant that he had nothing to do with the contract" and "denied even talking" to Ferris about it, should it not also accept Zimmerlink's position that she knew nothing about the restaurant folder? And should it not accept Beal's position that she did nothing wrong and the case against her is politically motivated?
http://triblive.com/Search/?search=Beverly+Beal&x=40&y=15

And finally, if HeraldStandard.com believes that someone should finally "come forward with proof," lest Ambrosini continue to "linger under this cloud of suspicion and doubt," should the newspaper not also call upon the state police and district attorney Jack Heneks to do the same regarding the police investigation into the restaurant packet?

We commend HeraldStandard.com for not wanting to let Ambrosini twist in the wind, and for challenging his accuser(s) to either put up or shut up.

But the same standard should apply to the accuser(s) of Beal, Zimmerlink and Over.