FOLLOW UP: Sheriff Scott makes no apologies for comment

[maddezmom]

Source: WINKnews

FOLLOW UP: Sheriff Scott makes no apologies for comment
By WINK News

Story Updated: Oct 6, 2008 at 7:48 PM EDT

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA - Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin spoke to a packed house at Germain Arena Monday afternoon. Republican Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott was one of the introductory speakers at the rally. But when Scott referred to Senator Barack Obama using his middle name "Hussein", the crowd let out a roar and the controversy exploded.

“Ladies and gentlemen there are three types of people, the ones who make things happen, the ones who watch what happens and the ones who wonder what happened. On November 4th, on November 4th, let's leave Barack Hussein Obama wondering what happened," said Scott during the rally.

WINK News spoke with Sheriff Scott, and he said he makes no apologies for the comment. “If there is a problem with the middle name, and if apparently some people, I’m assuming it’s the Obama camp, are so offended perhaps he should consider changing his name... He is a Harvard lawyer by the way. People change their name every day. I am not going to make apologies for it. I simply said Barack Hussein Obama,” said Scott.


Read more: http://www.winknews.com/news/local/30542194.html

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Instant Editorial: Insincere Mike Scott feigns ignorance, fuels ignorance
~snip~
Scott was playing to irrational fear, conjuring images of Obama as a shadowy Muslim.

“All I did was say the man’s name,” Scott said, as if unaware that “Hussein” is used as a baseless weapon against Obama.

The sheriff couldn’t be more disingenuous. He played to the lowest denominator and was rewarded when the crowd burst into screams and applause.

The Palin campaign, rightly so, called Scott’s ploy “inappropriate rhetoric which distracts from the real questions of judgment, character, and experience…”

In other words, exactly what Scott intended.

more:http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081006/OPINION/81006080/1075

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Ignorant, and a racist...what can one expect?

[tavalon]

2. What is Sarah's middle name?

What is John's middle name?

What is the name of my middle finger?

[grannylib]

8. Sarah Louise Palin - anagrams to Lush Paranoia Lies.

[dchill]

13. !

:)

[roody]

28. Gross! My middle name is Louise!

[Judi Lynn]

3. He should be required to resign. It's just not right to campaign for a politician while

wearing a uniform ALL the people in his area are required to respect, and living on a salary they all pay. It's filthy. He needs to be retired in a hurry. Completely unethical.

[wtmusic]

6. Won't happen

He used his middle name, we all know why. Making an issue out of it makes it worse.

[bluestateguy]

9. Does that violate the Hatch Act?

If his department gets ANY federal money, I think the Hatch Act applies.

[Freddie Stubbs]

40. No, it does not apply to elected officials

If that were the case, no mayor or governor would be able to participate in political activities.

[Doctor_J]

11. In Florida? He should run for governor

will win in a landslide in the Banana Republic of Jeb Crow

[Freddie Stubbs]

38. He is up for reelection next month

[wtmusic]

4. Anyone who votes based on Obama's middle name is a lost cause anyway

why prolong this "issue"?

[flvegan]

5. Don't get pulled over with an Obama sticker on your car in Ft. Myers.

Bet a visit to his home would be quite enlightening.

[bluestateguy]

7. You know, I give him credit

These people, the conservatives, "The Other", never apologize for what they say and what they believe. Panzy ass politicians on our side are endlessly badgered into apologizing for saying things that are truthful or controversial.

The result of this when the righties never apologize for their words, and our people are always forced to capitulate, is that they look like big tough guys who stand up for their beliefs, while our side looks like a bunch of wussies.

A forced apology from this Gestapo officer would not have ben sincere anyway.

[demo dutch]

10. Is that legal in uniform?? How do voters feel at the polls, knowing that the sheriff is is so bias!

[g30rg3 8u5h]

16. *audible sigh*

First of all, there should be no shame in having the name "Hussein". I do not know why this is even able to be used as a smear. I don't know what is more saddening: the fact that there are people who are xenophobic enough to discriminate based on a name that isn't "American sounding" enough, or the fact that this tactic is being employed by the John McCain campaign to rake in the "lowest common denominator" vote. Maybe instead of pointing fingers at the man with the funny name, these people could take a moment to see that they are just being used by the McCain campaign?

Actually, they probably don't care.

[antigone382]

43. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

Yes, it is a very sad situation, but it seems we're finally leaving these people and their primitive ideas in the dust. Obama has a nine point lead over McCain. People are finally tired of this type of ignorant bellicosity.

[dabenpb]

12. I really do not see a problem

with using Obama's middle name in a speech or at all. Whatever, it's a name. It is more problematic that a sitting sheriff is endorsing political candidates.

[maddezmom]

14. well looks like Palin's spokesperson got the underlying message

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3529845&mesg_id=3529845

[dabenpb]

27. That is on their side.

I understand their attempt but, we should not fear our own names. Geez.

[antigone382]

44. Yes, that is the larger issue.

And yes, it is just a name, but it's a name certain factions choose to emphasize, repeatedly, with obvious intentions. It's not a huge issue, but it is very childish and silly of them.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[badgervan]

17. John Sidney McCain

Elitist twink. Which reminds me, has anyone ever met a Dem "Tucker"? mcsame's campaign seems to have a "Tucker" everywhere you look. Every "Tucker" I've ever met or seen on the tube has been a republican to the core... and a dork to boot.

[Plucketeer]

18. What an asshole!

"Let's leave Barack Hussein Obama wondering", said Sheriff Mike McScumbag Scott.

[Sukie]

19. Good grief.

The guy looks like a skin head. The bigger issue to me is what some have already spoken about. How can a law enforcement officer speak out in a political forum while in uniform? He is representing the law when he is wearing that uniform and to me it appears to be a form of intimidation. Someone in that area needs to take that issue up with this officers unit.

[mellowfellowO]

20. I guess when it comes to the sherriff....

If the hood fits, poke holes in it...

[scarface2004]

21. expect final rallies of republicans to consist of

racist crackers who will start screaming kill him, lynch him, nigger!!

[paparush]

22. WINK news? No freakin way! LMAO.

[Skip Intro]

25. OMG! ROFL!!!

:rofl:

[Imagevision]

37. WINK news is local name for -->FOXnews

[elleng]

23. But

"On November 4th, on November 4th, let's leave Barack Hussein Obama wondering what happened," said Scott during the rally," may be worse.

Guess not, tho, if his 'constituents' don't mind.

[Skip Intro]

24. "The Palin campaign.." - ?! nt

[Corgigal]

26. Sheriff Mike Scott

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.

[the_realist]

30. Write to the jerk

[e-mail]

[Critters2]

29. Heard Debbie Wasserman-Schultz talking about the Repug campaign in FLA.

She says they're only campaigning in counties that are already deep red. They're not trying to reach any new voters or new audience. Just preachin' to the choir. So, this asshole said this to assholes. Nothing new here.

[krkaufman]

31. Regardless of exactly what he said, I'm wondering what the rules are ...

... for him speaking at a political rally like that while still dressed in his official department uniform. I would HOPE that it's prohibited -- and, if so, he should be reprimanded.

[Buenaventura]

32. when's Sheriff Mike Dick Scott up for election?

[Roland99]

33. Sheriff Scott is one Grade-A Asshat.

[Dogmudgeon]

34. Sheriff Scott *probably* isn't involved with minors and in the drug trade

He hasn't ever been convicted of selling drugs to minors.

Not even once.

He hasn't ever been convicted of selling crack cocaine to minors.

He hasn't ever been convicted of selling heroin, opium, or morphine to minors.

He hasn't ever been convicted of selling hallucinogens to minors.

And, he hasn't ever been convicted of selling prescription drugs illegally to minors.

I think the voters have a right to know that, and all of them should be told, right before Election Day the next time he's running.

If he's an appointed bureaucrat, this issue should be brought up when the person(s) who appointed him is/are up for election.

The issue of drug trafficking to minors is very important. We have a right to know that if Sheriff Scott really is trafficking narcotics to children, that he will be brought to justice, like any career criminal.

--p!

[uppityperson]

35. All I did was yell "fire" in a crowd.

[NoodleyAppendage]

36. One can only hope that this asshole has a daughter who marries a person of Middle Eastern origin.

I'm so friggin' sick of RACIST, REPUKE DICKHEADS.

J

[Imagevision]

39. The Sheriff figured he would speak for the other cops wearing his uniform...

[Greyskye]

41. I wonder what Joe-6-Pack thinks about "John Leslie McCain III"

:shrug:

[Supersedeas]

42. Law Enforcement with dire warning about Terra and Hussein Obama never apologize