Lessons from the Sheriff Versus the Governor
By Susan Steffen-Kraft
In the beginning Governor Rick Scott seemed quite conservative. He rejected federal funding of a high speed rail but bowed to pressure on the Sun Rail project. One should always beware of federal funding and he did on the high speed rail. And yet, "The bottom line is that he said he was going to protect the taxpayers, and he is clearly violating that promise," said Senator Dockery a republican, who supported Scott early in his campaign. "This will be a costly project that will be a drain on taxpayers for many years to come."
He signed a bill that required those seeking welfare under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to submit for drug testing.
Then he backed down. He made a lot of promises he did not keep. Whether you agree with the above or not he made these seeming conservative type promises he did not keep. He was encouraging students in some majors by reducing tuition.
All of this seems good and well but something was going to eventually burst forth that would show a different side to this man.
A courageous Sheriff Nick Finch choose to overlook a perceived concealed and carry charge against a resident of Liberty County in Florida by the name of Floyd Parish. While the man was in the cell the processing and documentation of his arrest began. After the arresting sheriff left Sheriff Finch arrived with a member of Mr. Parish's family.
The sheriff spoke to the arrested man and then he took possession of the file. Mr. Finch proceeded to release Mr. Parish because he believed in "2nd amendment rights" as he stated. And indeed the 2nd Amendment should supersede Florida law.
Now subsequently the good sheriff was arrested and later released. "According to the affidavit for arrest; Sheriff Finch is charged with one count of official misconduct as set forth in Florida State Statutes, Title 46, Chapter 838.022. Florida State Statutes, Title 46, Chapter 838.022. That section defines the crime of official misconduct — a third degree felony" — as follows:
(1) It is unlawful for a public servant, with corrupt intent to obtain a benefit for any person or to cause harm to another, to:
(a) Falsify, or cause another person to falsify, any official record or official document;
(b) Conceal, cover up, destroy, mutilate, or alter any official record or official document or cause another person to perform such an act; or
(c) Obstruct, delay, or prevent the communication of information relating to the commission of a felony that directly involves or affects the public agency or public entity served by the public servant".
Now comes Governor Scott of Florida. Instead of standing by this sheriff he went against him. Astounding! His haste to remove the sheriff from office and replace the him with someone else proves that in Florida at least, political expediency is more important then the Constitution. This was a sheriff that was elected by a majority of voters in Liberty County! The governor apparently had decided to change Liberty County to Tyranny County at least with his actions.
The person who was arrested for having the concealed weapon had "illegal laws" used against him. Thus he never should have been in the system anyhow. Note that the second amendment does not say "with limitions" and new law provisions allowed Quite plainly, it states "shall not be infringed!" Nick Finch understand and knows his oath, the Constitution and what our freedoms are based on. Governor Rick Scott does not know or chooses to ignore this.
As to the arrest itself; if being placed in a jail cell means you are booked which apparently the arrested gentleman was not then the log containing his name would be in error and the sheriff had every right to white out the arrested man's name if the arrest affidavit is correct! It seems to be very detailed about what went on. There then would be room for someone's name who actually was booked into jail.
The Sheriff was as of Thursday Oct. 31st, 2013 found Not Guilty. On Halloween Day and he finally becomes free of this nonsense. What a Trick this was and the Not Guilty verdict was a Treat for many of us who were on the Sheriff's side.
The Sheriff was as of Thursday Oct. 31st found Not Guilty. On Halloween Day and he finally becomes free of this nonsense. What a Trick this was and the Not Guilty verdict was a Treat for many of us who were on the Sheriff's side. I had sent Gov. Scott an e-mail on his site letting him know what I thought.
I blistered him good for being so stupid. Good thing I am in Idaho or he might send a squad car to arrest me. Right now I have little respect for Governor Scott. If he does not reinstate Mr. Finch as Sheriff I believe he should be recalled.
Congratulations for the Not Guilty Verdict Mr. Finch. You deserve it. A big thanks to Sheriff Mack for sticking by and helping Sheriff Finch and to the Constitution Club for much information on this case!
The sheriff was reinstated within hours of being found Not Guilty! That does not exonerate the Governor however in my mind!
It was shameful to begin with that a good Independently elected sheriff was forced into this position by a few well connected men and politicians.
Sheriff Finch told the New American that he is grateful for all the support across the country!
My point in this blog article is that many do not realize that the that the local county sheriffs are the ultimate law of the land and not the federal government is not a new belief nor is it only something that the CSPOA which stands for 'Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association'. The federal government is "the greatest threat we face today," according to Sheriff Richard Mack. The John Birch Society of the 1950's held similar views and modern day groups such as Oath Keepers, states’ rights groups and Second Amendment activists ask for support from local sheriffs to stand up to the government of the United States of America.
Sheriff Nick Finch understood and practiced correctly that the sheriff is the ultimate law of the land. He took his duty seriously and stood behind it; whereas Gov. Rick Scott understands nothing or chooses to ignore it.
Let us hope we can all find good sheriffs like this in our states to defend the 2nd Amendment and boot out governors or anyone else who fails to defend the 2nd Amendment!
http://www.ocala.com/news/20110618/some-key-decisions-ahead-for-gov-scott,
http://www.politifact.com/florida/promises/scott-o-meter/promise/600/require-drug-screening-for-welfare-recipients/,
http://freedomoutpost.com/is-governor-rick-scott-traitor-to-his-oath/,
https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/constitution/item/16851-sheriff-nick-finch-acquitted-immediately-reinstated-by-governor,
https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/constitution/item/15658-exclusive-interview-with-liberty-co-sheriff-nick-finch-i-will-never-back-down,
http://www.wctv.tv/content/news/FDLE-investigating-deadly-shooting-in-Bristol--394845921.html,,
http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2016/09/26/bristol-man-accused-second-degree-murder-killing-53-year-old/91132564/,
http://www.ammoland.com/2013/10/fl-sheriff-finch-goes-on-trial-for-standing-up-for-the-constitution/,
https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/constitution/item/16834-trial-of-liberty-county-florida-sheriff-nick-finch-begins,
https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/constitution/item/19000-sheriff-mack-we-re-taking-back-america-one-county-at-a-time,
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http://lawofficer.com/exclusive/sagebrush-sheriffs-form-last-line-of-defense-against-overstepping-federal-government/,
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/constitutional-sheriffs-cops-who-think-government-our-greatest-threat-n557381