Sheriff's comment ("Barack Hussein Obama") scorches phone lines

[JonLP24]

Source: NBC 2

FORT MYERS: The phone lines lit up at the Lee County Sheriff's Office this morning after Sheriff Mike Scott's comments at the Sarah Palin rally Monday.

In urging voters to choose John McCain in the November election, Scott used Barack Obama's middle name - "Hussein."

Both the Obama and McCain campaign's immediately criticized the statement. McCain's camp said it distracted from their message, while Obama's office said Scott was trying to stoke the fires of a whisper campaign claiming Obama is a Muslim, which is not true.

The sheriff says his stance on the issue hasn't changed - that he was just using the candidates full name and his use of it was not meant to imply anything.



Read more: http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=22051&z=3

[Historic NY]

1. He violated the "Hatch Act" when he appeared in uniform...

he has shown his bias.

[Oskie]

16. And McCain's middle name? John Adulterer McCain K&R

[Bluzmann57]

2. Isn't it illegal for a uniformed cop to campaign?

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I thought it was supposed to be illegal for a police officer to openly campaign for any candidate while in uniform, therefore, on duty. And I have to say, that guy's comments can't be good for the tourism industry in Lee County, Fla. I mean, if one displays an Obama sticker on their car, he or she is likely to get a ticket or worse.

[Corgigal]

4. Just to add to this thread also

Sorry if anyone has to repeat reading this.


My husband and I saw this sheriff on the news tonight and noticed he was wearing his uniform. My husband , years ago, was running for a county seat and he wasn't allowed to wear his uniform in the State Of Florida. He was also a deputy sheriff for the county of Hillsborough Tampa Florida. In fact, the republican that ran against him pulled the state law from the book and made him drop out. That republican didn't win, the democratic person who took over for my husbands campaign won. We still have the news clipping and the state law.

Now this was several years ago, but if I can find that law I will contact the Obama people and let them know. If it's still on the book, then this sheriff can take some time off without pay. If this state law is still on the books, we will make sure no other law enforcement appear on stage, in uniform for a political event. Wish us luck and if anyone know who to contact for the Obama campaign, please IM a phone number. I want to make sure they are aware of this

We have the hardcopy of the Florida Statues in our hands right now. We're working on it

[Corgigal]

8. Chapter 104.31 Florida Statutes

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0104/Sec31.HTM


An employee of the state or any political subdivision may not participate in any political campaign for an elective office while on duty.


Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

[renate]

10. well done! thanks! n/t

:applause:

[Roland99]

12. Send that to Obama's campaign *and* to Keith O. and Rachel!!!

[Corgigal]

15. Contacting the Obama Headquarters first

So that crap doesn't happen again. That Sheriff should know better.

[Thorandmjolnir]

21. He might also have violated Lee County Municipal Code:

Sec. 9 1/2-26. Employees not to be active in political campaigns.
No person holding a classified position in the sheriff's department shall take an active part in any political campaign. Nothing in this act

shall be construed to prohibit or prevent any such person from becoming or continuing to be a member of a political club or organization, or from attending any political meetings, or from enjoying entire freedom from all interferences in casting his vote. Any person violating the provisions of this section may be dismissed from the service of the office of the sheriff of Lee County.
(Sp. Acts, Ch. 74-522, § 16)


I would assume the Chief of Police is a classified position.

http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=10131&sid=9

Sorry, turns out he is NOT a classified person:

Sec. 9 1/2-13. Provisions to encompass all classified members of sheriff's department.
The civil service act, as set forth, will encompass all classified members of the sheriff's department of Lee County.
(1) All members of the department under the rank of major shall be classified members of the civil service act.
(2) All members of the Lee County sheriff's department above the rank of captain will remain unclassified.
(Sp. Acts, Ch. 74-522, § 3)

[TornadoTN]

22. That code language has a lot of wiggle room, sadly to say

They can define it to construe as "On Duty", meaning "On the clock". At which they'll say he wasn't on county time - which is thoroughly bullshit through and through, but it will allow them to escape it.

I'm of the opinion that uniformed officers or officials using the taxpayers property (Cars, uniforms, insignia, etc.) should not be allowed to participate in political events - regardless of the party that they are working for.

[mod mom]

26. please send to a FL reporter who might cover this!

[grannie4peace]

11. you are an angel!!! God bless you!

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. No, he is an elected official

If the voters are offended, they can take it out on him next month. He is up for reelection.

[Roland99]

6. He's the Sheriff...a political position. One runs for office.

[Bluzmann57]

9. We have had County Sherriff's from both parties

And I can never recall any of them openly campaigning for a candidate while in uniform. But our sherriff's are usually pretty good at what they do. That is law enforcement in rural areas of the county.

[JonLP24]

7. Joe Arpaio needs to be examined

He is the sheriff of my county and is openly republican. I can't recall him publicly endorsing any candidate but in my eye it is obvious who he is going to vote for.

I remember the latest ad by him talking about how he saves taxpayers on jail utility costs and meals and says "don't pay attention to the liberal media" then he throws a copy of the Arizona Republic newspaper in the trash(probaly reporting on one of his human right's violations)

[Historic NY]

23. Yes it is even to speak in public when you administer a dept.

that recieves Federal funds.

http://www.osc.gov/ha_state.htm

[the other one]

3. I'm changing my name to Steven Hussein Hershkowitz

to honor Mr. Obama and his great name.

[tosh]

14. t. Hussein tosh

:hi:

from an anglo-saxon female who has a real-life Arabic FIRST name.

Good old story here: http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2008/02/28/hussein/

[firedupdem]

13. That shit only appeals to the people he was speaking with.

Hussein is Barack's middle name and I have no problem with it at all. I wouldn't care if his name was Mickey friggin Mouse...he's the better candidate!!

[shanti]

17. i've heard this happening a LOT!

my friend works for the obama call center here and she spoke to an older man who practically spat the name "hussein" out when he told her he wasn't voting for him. also, i've seen youtubes with it too.

[hadrons]

18. I saw the clip, he's a log cabin Republican, no doubt about it

[Virginia Dare]

24. He looked like he belonged in the Village People...n/t

[LibertyLover]

19. Ah, Lee County

A good friend of mine lives in Lee County, in fact one of my godsons is a county deputy sheriff. I am not surprised by Scott's appearance on behalf of McPain/Failin'. I am also not surprised that the article didn't indicate which way the lit up phone calls were going. If the time I've spent down there visiting is any indication, the callers were probably telling Scott that he had done a good job. I love my friend dearly but we don't discuss politics at all. She and her husband and the kids are all Republicans. She forgot that detente a while back and sent me a copy of an editorial from an Australian newspaper about how wonderful Failin' was. I replied all that if Australia liked her so much they were welcome to her and I'd contribute money to help her emigrate. She wrote back to say that she wanted to keep Failin' here, to which I responded, yeah, finishing out her term of governor of Alaska. Since then we've been very polite and very cautious.

[George II]

20. What is a sherriff doing addressing a POLITICAL rally in full uniform?

[Cass]

25. There is a federal investigation about this now re: Hatch Act

2:02 p.m. update
A federal investigation is being opened into the actions and comments of Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott at a rally for Gov. Sarah Palin in Estero on Monday.

Erica S. Hamrick, senior attorney at the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, wrote in to complainant Carl Spackler that due to his complaint, her office will be investigating under the Hatch Act, which governs political activities of certain elected officials.

The complainant stated the sheriff violated that act because the sheriff’s office receives federal money, engaged in political activity while on duty, engaged in political activity while in uniform, wore political buttons while on duty and used political influence or authority to interfere with an election.

http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081006/NEWS0107/81006002&s=d&page=3#pluckcomments

[BattyDem]

27. So ... his use of the candidates full name was not meant to imply anything.

Then why use the candidate's full name? The candidate doesn't use it, so why should anyone else? Is there another "Barack Obama" running for president which made you believe it was necessary to get so specific? :eyes: