Political Speech is a Constitutional Right ... | Eastern North Carolina Now

Publisher's Note: Generally this series is intended for the public to speak, and have their concerns relayed to our growing readership. On this occassion, the publisher is having words with his public, and I hope that you will contact me if there is any truth, or none, to these allegations.

    However; keeping your job,as a sheriff's deputy, may not be if you wish to engage your 1st Amendment right guarnteeing freedom of speech. This alleged scenario has been brought to my attention by a number of people concerning former Beaufort County deputies, who are working in adjoining counties for Democrat Sheriffs, who may wish to support Republican Sheriff Candidate Dondi Dixon in the Beaufort County Sherriff's race in this 2010 General Election. Furthermore, it was related to me that these former Beaufort County deputies would lose their jobs in they chose to tacitly support the Republican challenger to incumbent Sheriff Alan Jordan.

    I do pray that this communiqué is incorrect, because this possible hypothetical directive within any Sheriff's ranks would be a direct infringement of the constitutional rights of these deputies': 1st Amendment right that guarantees their free speech, and possibly the 4th Amendment protecting one's right to privacy as well. If these deputies were to lose their jobs because of their lawful political activities, and, or speech in an adjoining counties, it would be a travesty in direct violation of their constitutional rights, which their duly elected sheriff / boss are sworn to defend. While I can't fathom that a sheriff would be so stupid to do such, I have learned well in my 14 years of service as a county commissioner to never underestimate the stupidity of politicians, and sadly, the majority of people who elect them.

    Maybe that is why we have three branches of government at the federal level: executive, legislative and judicial. When the people make a mistake and elect the wrong folks, it is up to the federal courts to sort it all out, so that our nation does not resemble one that is run, literally, by the mob. The problem is: Who will stand by, and with, these public safety officers if they come forward to expose the suspension of their constitutional rights that all elected officials are sworn to defend?

    I will. Will you, as well, stand with me, and demand that this autocratic behavior by an elected sheriff not stand; if, in fact, these unconstitutional, and moreover, hypocritical directives have been levied by a duly elected county sheriff? While I pray there is no validity to these accusations, which are incredible, I would be incredulous if I found them to be true.

     As a county commissioner, my powers are watered down, and somewhat limited in dealing with the duly elected sheriff of my own county, irrespective of their political party. As the publisher of fledgling publications, most notably Beaufort County Now, which has a readership that is growing roughly 20% per month, my powers are more notable. To that end, please let me know if you have any specific information regarding this unconstitutional behavior by a duly elected sheriff. That sheriff will be confronted and given all the space he needs to defend his actions, or refute such accusations.

    And subsequently, with Beaufort County Now watching him, that sheriff will be under the watchful eye of the public's domain to act accordingly in a continual constitutional manner. Beaufort County Now is now, and will remain the watchdog of the United States Constitution. I personally take particular pride in this directive, and I am not one to back down.