While I'm not certain that this is the appropriate avenue for these submissions, I feel that the existing letters to the editor are not addressing a few critical issues; issues that are proving to be pervasive throughout all levels of government.
The first and foremost issue lies in the perpetual blurring of the lines that occurs when an organization chooses to protect itself, rather than enforce the will of the people. Instead, Conley's refusal to act against an officer who breaks the very same laws he was designated to uphold only encourages further corruption within the organization. Those who hold the power and the will to act above the law will only seek to continue, so long as they have protection.
Officer Clase was tasked with enforcing the rule of law, which happens to *require* the fair treatment of animals. His reprehensible actions indicate that he has absolutely no regard for the law. As such, his position, one that he is compensated for by the people of Kosciusko County, has been compromised.
Commissioner Conley, rather than simply doing the right thing, is completely incapable of making an objective decision regarding Clase's actions. Rather, the pitiful defense put forth by Conley echoes a rhetoric that is becoming frighteningly more commonplace in the U.S. His choice to neglect the problem due to a personal view conflicts with the very principles our nation was founded upon. Whether or not he posits that an animal, or any other being for that matter, has a soul, it is imperative that he execute the law as it is written.
It is apparent that Mr. Conley's faith is obviously not a suitable platform for strong morals, either. His response indicates that he is completely indifferent to inappropriate actions of our officers, whose goal should not be to interpret the law on the basis of faith, but to apply it on the basis of reason. This is a matter of *law*, one that was enacted by the people; people who have generally agreed that animal cruelty is wrong. If he cannot enforce that, then his viability as commissioner is questionable at best.
Regardless of political stature, religious doctrine, or opinion, if those *serving* the public cannot execute in good faith the will of the people, I'm afraid their value to us is precisely nil.
If Mr. Clase cannot be trusted to enforce the fair treatment of animals, then he should not be an animal control officer. And if Mr. Conley cannot be trusted to assist in applying the law objectively, as it is written, then his time as commissioner should come to an end.
As I'm sure many would agree, this matter needs to have a proper investigation immediately, in an extraordinarily transparent fashion.
