U.S. - After Virginia Governor Ralph Northam became embroiled in a controversy over an old yearbook photo, the nation's Democrats announced they were suddenly concerned about ruining someone's life over decades-old accusations without respecting due process.

Several voices on the left confirmed they will now return to preaching about due process and the need to let someone defend himself without smearing them unfairly based on things they did in school.

"I'm worried we might be rushing to judgment over old behavior as depicted in a yearbook photo without giving Northam a chance to defend himself," said one CNN commentator without any hint of irony. "This could set a dangerous precedent. Can you imagine if a nominee for higher office, say for Supreme Court or something, were ruthlessly smeared for old material in a yearbook whether or not it was true?"

"I just don't know if we want to live in that kind of a nation," he added.

At publishing time, the nation's Democrats had confirmed that they would return to ignoring due process completely the next time a Republican is accused of anything.