Reacting to sheriff’s ‘slap in the face’
Double standard
I’m with Sheriff Al Cannon ’til the bitter end in regard to that open hand. In fact, it is just about every day that I, myself, feel compelled to give some jerk an open hand to the side of the head of my choosing.
However, there is a stop-gap that prevents insignificant, law-abiding, taxpaying folk like me from venting rage by attacking deserving jerks. It’s called the law. Let’s not get bogged down in civil liberties and due process — that boring stuff hasn’t been an ingredient of this soup since its inception.
If insignificant, law-abiding, taxpaying folk like me did vent rage by giving an open hand to the side of the head of jerks at will, then we would surely be charged with aggravated assault.
If the deserving jerk was first restrained by a group and then I rendered the open hand, then I would surely be charged with lynching. We shouldn’t worry about the criminal ramifications of Sheriff Cannon’s open hand, though. That, we all know, will be handled and quietly go away.
My worry is the civil ramifications of that open hand. I am sure attorneys for every civil liberty organization out there are lining up to sue.
So, it looks like insignificant, law-abiding, taxpaying me is with the sheriff in this ’til the bitter end.
And not by choice.
John Cooper Sr.
River Landing Drive
Daniel Island
Risk removal
Thank you, Sheriff Al Cannon. Great job removing a menace from the road before anyone was killed.
You and your deputies should receive a medal for defending life and property.
I, for one, believe Sheriff Cannon showed great restraint by uttering just one curse word and delivering an open hand slap. The lawman could have given the order to shoot to kill, but instead insisted on removing the menace by shooting out the tires of his truck.
There is one question that screams for attention in this case:
Why, since his license had been suspended three times, was Timothy McManus behind the wheel of any vehicle?
Jack Rankin
Broad Street
Charleston
Fitting penalty
After reading about Al Cannon slapping an upstanding citizen, I have concluded that he should be punished.
Fine him $10 and suspend him two weeks with pay.
With what our law enforcement people have to deal with day after day, I can understand their anger.
Bill Mabry Sr.
Linksland Road
Mount Pleasant
Bon voyage
I think Sheriff Al Cannon should be reprimanded for slapping Timothy McManus. He should be given two weeks off with pay in Hawaii. That will teach him.
A lot of people could have been hurt or killed. I know police brutality is already being claimed.
What do you call it when a person, who has a suspended license, is allegedly going 100 miles per hour, forcing people off the road and fleeing from police?
I call that a real problem.
Sheriff Cannon has a lot of people behind him.
Nancy Rourk
Hawthorne Street
Mount Pleasant
Spray overlooked
Sheriff Al Cannon needs to understand the disappointment the community has with his recent actions involving a chase suspect.
His response was quick and emotional. He completely failed to assess that pepper spray and a baton were readily available.
Wayne Todd
Ellen Avenue
Mount Pleasant
Which result?
Just to clarify — if I slap Sheriff Al Cannon (or one of his deputies) during a traffic stop, will I have the option to “self-report,” or will I immediately be arrested for assault on a police officer?
Tim Anderson
Jewelwood Court
Mount Pleasant
First prize
Sheriff Al Cannon should be awarded a commendation from Charleston County Council and the Town of Mount Pleasant for chasing down and apprehending the suspect after Monday’s long chase from Mount Pleasant to Awendaw.
As far as I’m concerned, he should receive a blue ribbon and the Order of the Palmetto. The apprehended suspect got off lightly with a slap.
Grayson Carter IV
Heriot Street
Charleston
