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Highlands Today

For Shame

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Jim and Judith Hinkle

Published: October 18, 2008

Yesterday, we received in our mail yet another political publication. This one, however, was from a different source, the Florida Police Benevolent Association; the one which often solicits for donations to its "causes." Its large red headline stated: "Sheriff Susan Benton Accused of …" Accused! Not convicted, not charged, accused! This country's legal system proclaims a person to be innocent until proven guilty.
We were astounded that such an organization, which supposedly bases its existence on that proclamation, could so blatantly accuse one of its own as if already proven guilty. Regardless of one's political loyalties and choices, such a charge is both immature and just plain wrong. We see this piece of paper as libel. Yes, our country has freedom of speech, but libel is not freedom of speech. Acting to damage someone's reputation without proof of fault is actionable in a court of law. For shame!
Jim and Judith Hinkle
Sebring

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