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Was someone struck with a 'stupid stick'?

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To the editor:
    My name is Sheila Hottinger, and I am a resident of Fayette County, but work in Clinton, Highland and Brown counties. I am an educator with the local community college and, therefore, I have the privilege of traveling from campus to campus, which I thoroughly love. The faculty, staff, and students are phenomenal. I have met some wonderful people and I am extremely blessed to know them.
    Now, in response to last week’s letter in the HCP by Judge David McKenna, my first thought was “how arrogant are these people?”
    Then, I realized that it was not arrogance, it was fear...the fear and threat of competition.
    Furthermore, the person(s) who left memos and/or e-mails suggesting personnel perform these criminal acts are just as culpable as the person who walked in and stole the newspapers. It is called a conspiracy. Not only are they just as culpable, but I will go out on a limb and state they were struck with a “stupid stick” by sending out traceable and verifiable memos and/or emails. Can we say “duh?”
    We live in a democratic society – lest they forget – and this country was built upon antitrust laws and fair competition. For those persons who may have forgotten what the Sherman Act addresses, here is your history lesson for the day: The Sherman Act, simply stated, addresses conduct and provides repercussions against “Every person who shall monopolize, or attempt to monopolize...any part of the trade or commerce…” (15 U.S.C. S2).
    In addition, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics has been
in existence since 1909. Although not legally enforceable, the Code of Ethics is utilized as the source for ethical behavior for journalists in newsrooms, classrooms, and print journalists. As stated by the SPJ, “public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues.
    “Conscientious journalists
from all media and specialties strive to serve the public with
thoroughness and honesty. Professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist’s credibility (www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp).”
    The actions that occurred are criminal and fully enforceable under the Ohio Revised Code; therefore, I believe those person(s) who were involved in the theft of the HCP property should be held accountable.
    This type of behavior is absolutely unprofessional and inexcusable.
    Sincerely,
    Sheila D. Hottinger,
    Washington C.H.[[In-content Ad]]

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