Brickbat: Burn This
The Atlanta City Council has agreed to pay $1.2 million to settle a lawsuit brought by former fire chief Kelvin Cochran, who was fired after after writing a book in which he compared homosexuality to bestiality. Cochran said he was fired for his religious beliefs. Then-mayor Kasim Reed had questioned Cochran's ability to lead gay and lesbian firefighters. But a city investigation found no evidence Cochran had discriminated against anyone or that his religious beliefs affected the fire department.