RUMOURMONGERING BORDERING ON SLANDER

I don't really know why, but on occasion I actually listen to Polk County talk host/station lessee/Republican activist/right wing ideologue Lynne Breidenbach's show to see what outlandish comments she and her like-minded guests will make.

Today, she really went beyond the line.

In recent shows during the climax of the ongoing Terri Schiavo
drama Lynne has been, as many of her conservative brethern, calling on Jeb! and the Legislature to act. She has even said on air that she would, if in the governor's place, called out state law enforcement to place Mrs. Schiavo into protective custody...even if in contempt of court orders preventing such action.

She's also wailed on against Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge George Greer and his decisions in favour of Terri's husband Michael. Today Mrs. Breidenbach stated on her afternoon talk show that she had "heard" that Michael Schiavo had contributed to Judge Greer's campaign for reelection to the bench, which --- if true --- would pose a severe ethical crisis for the jurist. However, Mrs. Breidenbach only said that she had heard the information from a couple of reliable people in the know, and did not provide any evidence to support such a claim.

Even a talk show host --- who, it's understood, is not a journalist and supposed to be opiniated on issues --- should know that one simply does not make such comments without proof to back it up. It is, to say the least, irresponsible, and borders on slander as the comment was clearly meant to further question not only Greer's judgement in his decisions, but also his ethics and integrity.

Lynne Breidenbach should know better, and stop trying to be the next Rush Limbaugh.