People settle because there is enough merit to the opposing side's evidence and theory to cost justify settlement. In this instance, if Long agreed to mute claims of innocence, and to mute claims of lack of proof of wrongdoing, it is because he sold his voice to his opponents for their own silence. Don't wear rose colored glasses. Instead, be incensed because the valid claims about ministers' abuse give the color of reason to false claims that will soon surround more Christians. Eddie Long's actual harm to Christian testimony will make a little easier those similar but spurious claims against Christians in general that are on the horizon