St Johns County Sheriff displays integrity and humility

Under fire for passing out controversial t shirts at a veterans group meeting in May, Sheriff Shoar took the direct and honest approach and came alone to address a core group of peace activist leaders Tuesday night at the Universalist Unitarian Church in St Augustine Florida. The shirts have been interpreted by many as advocating military sniping of civilians who do not agree with the "war" in Iraq.

The sheriff apologized, agreed to publish his apology, agreed to stop distribution of any more shirts and will request that all indecent, vulgar, sexist hate mail to peace group members surrounding the t-shirt issue stop immediately.

While speaking out against the message on the shirt was intimidating to members who were subjected to a barrage of hate emails, it was important that this issue got wide exposure. More and more of our civil rights are being curtailed daily, from "free speech zones" cages to enclose protesters to warrantless wiretaps and searches. More communities and groups need to speak out and call attention to any attempts to silence their right to free speech, no matter what side they are on.

As for Sheriff Shoar, if you follow through with your promises from last night,this quote is for you:

The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office.
Dwight D. Eisenhower