Florida Sheriff SHOULD Be Censured For His Palin Rally Introduction
Posted on October 8, 2008
-By Warner Todd Huston
I may shock some of you with what I am about to say. I agree with the left that Sheriff Mike Scott of Lee Country, Florida should be censured for what he did at the Sarah Palin rally on October 6.
But first the background. On October 6 Sheriff Scott appeared in uniform to introduce Governor Sarah Palin at a rally held at Germain Arena in Estero, Florida. As he introduced Gov. Palin, Scott told the cheering crowd, “On Nov. 4, let’s leave Barack Hussein Obama wondering what happened.”
Naturally the far left is all upset that Scott’s use of Obama’s actual middle name is somehow “racist.”
And now my shocking agreement with the left… well, at least near agreement. I agree that Sheriff Scott should be censured by the Country Sheriff’s department for his actions.
There. I said it.
But, there is a crucial difference between why I want such a censure and why the left does. It is where I disagree with the left on why he should be censured that matters most.
The left wants Sheriff Scott censured for the absurd reason that he used Barack Hussein Obama’s full name. This is a stupid reason to get mad at Sheriff Scott.
There is, however, a proper reason to want him slapped down by his bosses: He wore his uniform and was on duty while he introduced the Governor and as he participated in partisan activities at the same time.
Now, I want to be consistent, here. I would no more want a Sheriff to appear in uniform and on duty at a rally to introduce Barack Hussein Obama than the left would want him to introduce Sarah Palin. I think it is a misuse of his uniform and authority to appear at a partisan rally while wearing it. Fair is fair, after all.
No public servant in uniform should be allowed to wear their uniform to participate at a partisan political rally. Period.
I would have had no problem whatsoever if Sheriff Scott had appeared in civilian clothes and participated at the rally, just as I would have no problem with any other public official appearing at a political rally when in their role as private citizen. Public servants have just as much right to their freedom of political choice as anyone else.
But, while in uniform, it is an abuse of their position to use their uniforms representing the public trust to engage in partisan political activity.
Certainly a federal probe (as it looks like is being threatened now) is going too far, but he should be reprimanded just the same.
» Filed Under Elections, Liberal Media/Bias, News, Sarah Palin
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26 Responses to “Florida Sheriff SHOULD Be Censured For His Palin Rally Introduction”
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I don’t think sheriffs ever appear in civilian clothes.
Well, my Father was a police chief for 20 years and he appeared in civilian clothing many, many time.
I agree that what he did was wrong. Now if only the Obamaphiles would admit that having law enforcement officials form goon squads to squelch free speech was wrong!
Christiana, I couldn’t agree more with you on that one. But, then again, they are fascists and fascists LOVE their OWN guys in uniforms.
Whats the big deal? Mike Scott said Obamas middle name. What is this, anyone can make fun of Palin being a soccer mom, or having a pregnant kid, but we cant say Obamas middle name? Evidently Obama must be off limits. I mean we dont want to take his name in vain or anything, its foolish. Mike Scott did nothing wrong he said the mans middle name, BIG DEAL. I dont like Mccain or Obama but this is dont right silly.
Ill still vote for Mike Scott he did nothing wrong.
Truly this is no different your local mayor holding a rally for a Congressperson of the same political organization.
One thing you fail to remember is that a Sheriff was elected. Yes…the Sheriff is an elected official. Thus generally has party affiliations and will at times do things that are representative of their party.
Well I now guess we cannot say certain politicians full name…Love the ACLU..What a waste of time and money.
Mike , I will be voting for you for sure now. You did nothing wrong. This is what this so called free speech has become for us…Seems certain politicians and factions can make the same remarks without retribution and us non politicians can not.
This is a very real travesty of justice in this country.
Saying the name itself isn’t racist. But it is definitely meant to appeal to racists just as if he were to say, “The Black Senator Barrack Obama”. A true statement that unnecessarily plays on people’s prejudices. A person in his position should know better. I guess it would be OK to call him a “Skinhead”. After all… he is bald. Just stating a fact here people.
Folks, Sheriffs in the State of Florida are elected officials which means the “bosses” they have are the voters in their community. Apparently Sheriff Scott feels confident that the majority of the voters in his county support him and his beliefs, if not he won’t be re-elected. As for calling Obama by his middle name, I have news for you it’s not racist! I’m sure he was referring to the religion of Islam that Obama was born into. And one’s religion is not one’s race. You can use that racist moniker all you want eventually people are going to look at you like the boy who cried wolf – it just won’t have any impact anymore. And the Feds can investigate all they want but nothing will come of it – it’s not illegal to wear a uniform to a politcal event. Police and firemen do it in New York all the time. It is illegal for any military members to wear a uniform to a political event but Sheriff Lee can do as he pleases.
I am a Democrat and I do not think it was “racist” to use Obama’s middle name. However, it was undoubtedly an attempt to stir up the false belief that Obama is a Muslim.
And, just like the point of this blog, I think it is MUCH more troubling that Sheriff Scott was in uniform and on duty while being an advocate in a political rally. Absolutely no excuse for that.
Fire him
Mike Scott should be prosecuted for wearing his uniform at that rally. What he did was against the law! He violated The Hatch Act, which is pretty specific. I can only remember one other southern sheriff who would wear his uniform 24/7 and strut around town. It was Barney Fife. Scott proves that Florida is still 50 years behind the rest of America in terms of professional law enforcement.
For being such a liar, anyone like the above poster should find that the day nurse at his facility denies him computer time in the common room. The nurse might up his meds, too.
Calling someone a liar when theyhave told no lies? Isn’t that a bit odd? She did say all of that. Are we to disbelieve our lying ears? Come on, think a little more about what is true and a little less about blind reactions.
Using Obama’s middile that was not the issue but we all know why Mike Scott did that… Other thing is Mike scott represente every one from his town Republican and democrats therfore he should never engage in these types of even while in uniform. This is a third word behavior, this should never happened in United Stated of America. We are too great of a Ntion to let this happened…
That sheriff should be suspend without pay. If he makes this type of remarks about an African American(Senator Obama),then it clearly shows that he is racist.
What can we do, such as who do we write to, to express our outrage and abuse of position if we feel this violates the Hatch Act?
His intent was clear – to rouse racist and xenophobic passions and tar Obama with them.
That’s his business, and he’s entitled to do it just as much as any other Yahoo or troglodyte is.
Thing is, he’s *not* entitled to do it in uniform, and needs therefore to be at least censured (and preferably removed from office). For stupidity if nothing else.
COMMENTS FROM THE SHERIFF: Apparently there are a lot of people inferring something from his name, I don’t know. My name is Joseph. I don’t know what you would infer from that. Am I Joseph in the stable with Mary? What do you take from that? I don’t know,” said Sheriff Scott.
Think about it people….it IS his name. If you are offended by the Sheriff’s use of Obama’s full name — what are YOU inferring???
He was in uniform!!! The middle name is not the issue here! Everyone knows what he was getting at!!!!!
FIRE HIM!!!!!
Estero, Florida, Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott SAID:
“Issue of my appearance at the rally in uniform has been raised. It is noteworthy that I recently
completed my primary campaign and continue my general campaign in the same uniform. My
practice has been to wear the uniform at all times and as is undisputed, I am on duty 24/7 and
365. It is also noteworthy that I joined my fellow Florida Sheriffs in Tampa very recently for a
political rally…all were in full uniform…….
————————————————-
And where did THEY find this guy? He just admitted that he and others violated 5 CFR 734.302
(a) and Sec. 734.306.(a). He also just indicted his fellow sheriffs for the same violations, by
association them. This will automatically start a second investigation.
—————————————–HATCH ACT
Use of official authority; prohibition.
(a) An employee may not use his or
her official authority or influence for
the purpose of interfering with or affecting
the result of an election.
(b) Activities prohibited by paragraph
(a) of this section include, but
are not limited to:
(1) Using his or her official title while
participating in political activity;
(2) Using his or her authority to coerce
any person to participate in political
activity;
Sec. 734.306 Participation in political activities while on duty, in
uniform, in any room or building occupied in the discharge of
official duties, or using a Federal vehicle.
(a) An employee may not participate in political activities subject
to the provisions of subpart E of this part:
(1) While he or she is on duty;
(2) While he or she is wearing a uniform, badge, insignia, or other
similar item that identifies the employing agency or instrumentality or
the position of the employee;
(3) While he or she is in any room or building occupied in the
discharge of official duties by an individual employed or holding office
in the Government of the United States or any agency or instrumentality
thereof; or
(4) While using a Government-owned or leased vehicle or while using
a privately-owned vehicle in the discharge of official duties.
That section addresses Federal and State employees not elected officials.
As an elected official, the Sheriff can wear his/her uniform when campaigning for re-election as an incumbent; deputies, as employees under this act, may not.
It’s interesting that you didn’t post the ‘exemptions’ listed in this Act.
He insulted his profession and insulted other law-enforcement officers who may not agree with him. If he is indeed needed “24/7, 365″, I think it means he is being paid by the public to be available. He should not use that time to engage in political activities.
BTW, has anyone checked to see if his middle name is Adolf?
when is he up for election again? i want to make sure that i don’t vote for him!!
I just wonder how many of us are responsible
for our names??? The fact of the matter is
the Sheirff in uniform was improper!!!!
A Sheriff in any county is sworn to uphold the law. The law says you cannot use your official position or title to participate in a partsian election. He made a choice. He should be held accountable. Every sheriff agrees to follow the Hatch Act when they apply for federal funds. No Sheriff is above the law. If he appeared off duty without his government car and used his name only there would be no violation. He chose to wear his uniform, be on duty and drive to the event in his car. He chose to speak favoribly about a candidate and should pay the piper.