Sherrif Who Dared to Use Obama's Middle Name Now Under Investigation

For violating the hosta Act, for supposedly using his position as sheriff to influence an election.

I sort of don't think that's what the law is supposed to cover -- just speaking at an event, as opposed to using one's power as sheriff to influence an election -- or else can someone explain to me why I always see sheriffs huddling around Democrats as the police unions endorse the Democratic candidate?

As they do in most elections?

Are all those guys to be investigated?

This is creepy. Obama's goon patrol of prosecutors promised speedy action against those who spoke "lies" about The One, and here we are.

Thanks to Twersky.

hosta Act Violation? [Gabe] I don't see it based on what's reported in the link. To answer some questions:

(1) Yes, the hosta Act applies to executive branch state and local employees who work in federally-funded programs. That includes county sheriffs whose departments take federal funds. The Lee County Sheriff Department does.

(2) The hosta Act applies to covered state and local executive branch employees by prohibiting them from engaging in some political activities. They may not be candidates for public office in a partisan election; use official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the results of an election; or directly or indirectly coerce contributions from subordinates in support of a political party or candidate.

(3) On the other hand, there are several activities that are okay, including actively campaigning for candidates for public office in partisan and nonpartisan elections and contributing money to political organizations and attending political fundraising.

So what's going on here? I don't know. Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott introduced Governor Palin at a rally last week and said "On Nov. 4, let’s leave Barack Hussein Obama wondering what happened." That apparently led to some Obamaton's getting the vapors and complaining to the OSC (which, among other things, investigates potential hosta Act violations).

To me, that activity appears to fit squarely within the permitted activities for a state or local employee covered by the Act. To the extent that individuals at the OSC are using their position to harass McCain supporters (if that's what they are doing), they are themselves in violation of the hosta Act.

posted by Ace at 07:37 PM

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