WARREN D. GRANT: Sheriff’s action of firing deputy was the correct call

Page Two is of the opinion that attorney Mr. Finkelstein’s interpretation of the First Amendment is literal and cannot be challenged. His statement that “plaintiff’s Facebook posts expressed political opinions” did not come to me in that manner. Mr. Harris did not express or imply that his comments were his opinion. His statement appeared to me to be a partial quote or references from conversations “with some of my white brothers,” which in no way indicated that this was his opinion. He has given me the feeling that his vitriolic ranting is a hate-filled history lesson.

His whole statement is not of peace, but of revenge. If Mr. Finkelstein is correct, then I should be able to make any comment about anyone under any circumstances and suffer no consequences, even if I do not clarify my statements as being an opinion. But should I post a death threat on Facebook to anyone in the government, especially the president, guess what’s going to happen?

It a very slippery slope of what is protected by the First Amendment and what isn’t. Can I make a libelous statement about anyone and everyone as long as I clarify it as my opinion? I see absolutely nothing in the article that The Albany Herald printed that was an opinion or even close to it.

As for Kevin Sproul, as a taxpaying citizen of Dougherty County, I wholeheartedly support your actions and am upset that we must spend tax dollars to defend your corrective procedures. And in closing, Mr. Harris asks me to “KMA.” Is that his opinion or a request? Whichever one it may be, I, in my opinion, offer the same to him.

WARREN D. GRANT

Albany