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As a practicing attorney, retired Marine Colonel, and former cop, what crime is associated with these controversial flyers? Last time I checked the Constitution, political speech was protected, even disgusting political speech. If the mayor has grounds to bring a tort action for libel in civil court he should, but use of the police to investigate political speech is unlawful and such action is given “strict scrutiny” in any court.

I think Chief Coon needs to check with the county attorney on any further action such as the one mentioned in the “kudos” on the front page of the Daily Bee. Collecting one flyer as a investigatory specimen or (if applicable) as evidence may be acceptable. Gathering them all, “before many people had to dispose of them” is frankly improper. The sheriff and the county attorney have a duty to investigate misuse of local government funds and unconstitutional acts by city officials. I am surprised and even disappointed that they haven’t acted to rein in this activity before everyone involved gets hit with a First Amendment lawsuit in federal court.

I’ve never seen the flyer in question but ask whose flyer is next to be “judged” unacceptable by the mayor and the police? Since when do policeman become final arbiters of what is acceptable written speech? When did garbage collection become a police duty? Frankly, I fear heavy-handed behavior by misguided police more than i do some knuckle-headed, vile political flyer written by idiots.

STEVEN MORGAN

Sandpoint