Looking silly is not a crime

A Florida man, Bob Hezzelwood, paid a visit to Bonita Beach recently to sunbathe, just like he's done regularly for years with no problem. As is his habit, he wore a Speedo swimsuit, to apparently ensure maximum solar coverage. The same Speedo, mind you, that competitive swimmers and French tourists wear in public all the time. It covers the same area as the bottom portion of the women's bikini that one can find on Florida beaches by the million.

On this occasion, though, a Lee County deputy sheriff took umbrage with Mr. Hezzelwood's style of bathing suit. The deputy issued the sunbather a ticket for trespassing and kicked him off the beach, with orders not to return.

I guess the deputy would much prefer that the peasantry wear outfits such as these

on "his" beach.

But since it's the public's beach, and because Mr. Hezzelwood was not exposing himself in any way and was quietly minding his own business, it's really not the deputy's call, now is it?

A judge has dismissed the ticket, but Hezzelwood is now suing the department for violating his civil rights, as well he should. The job of the police is to enforce laws, not act as the fashion police.

"'It frightens me and embarrasses me to go public with it. But by the same token, I don't know what else to do," Hezzelwood told The Naples News. "I'm a civilian out here who’s been picked on by a little bully deputy and that’s wrong. It’s just wrong.'"

Don't be embarrassed, sir. It's the cop who should be ashamed of himself for abusing his authority like that. Only by giving wide exposure to such incidents will these power-hungry martinets get their much-needed attitude adjustment.





(Pic from dallasvintageshop.com)