I am writing this letter to point out the atrocities that have occurred at the hands of the Unite Party.
Specifically, I note that Jason Tiemeier, Student Senate president pro tempore and member of the Unite Party, was found stealing and disposing of more than 200 copies of the Alligator. Tiemeier refutes the story, states that he was not there and was, in fact, sleeping at the time of the alleged incident.
But the Alligator, in following journalistic custom, supported its allegations with eyewitnesses Taylor Chambers, Elizabeth Hamilton and a source affiliated with the Unite Party.
Jason E. Handin subsequently wrote a letter condemning the Alligator, saying it should be “ashamed of themselves for their reliance on dirty and classless political tactics.” By foregoing reading, Handin has assumed his brother’s innocence without a second thought.
It becomes a serious predicament when Handin suggests civil litigation. It is true that Tiemeier is well within his rights to go to court for any frivolous claim.
However, Handin forgets that the truth is a complete defense to defamation.
Even if Tiemeier did not steal the newspapers, the Alligator’s witnesses provide an excellent foundation for 1) the publication of the article and 2) the judicial dismissal of Tiemeier’s claim. Any suggestion otherwise would be arguing against our First Amendment rights.
It is my recommendation to the editor of the Alligator — not legal advice, as neither Handin nor I can give you any now — to therefore embrace any and all litigation, civil or criminal, and to ethically disclose your witnesses to the paper’s readers, the police and the court system if it is the right thing to do.
In sum, the Unite Party and its predecessors have a long track record of having some of its individuals commit dirty political tactics. Furthermore, the Unite Party has a reputation of distorting and covering up facts, especially in the electoral season.
I pray that the undergraduate and graduate students of UF place more weight on reason and the law than on hollow conclusions and promises.
Thomas CR Reynolds
Second year law student
