Okay, the embargo is lifted: here's that dog, horse, and deputy story....

As told by an eyewitness, via e-mail to me. "Last Sunday, as I was enjoying an afternoon on Cumberland Island beach, I observed a couple of Park Rangers speeding down the shore of the beach in a park service boat. They passed about 20 plus boats pulled up to the beach and went straight to a spot where St. Marys attorney Jim Stein, his son, and one of their friends were sitting. Jim Stein also had his long-in-the tooth, 15-year-old Lab, Buddy Holly, under their umbrella. The park rangers motioned for Stein to wade out in the water to their boat. Buddy Holly continued with his nap. They had some conversation and then left. Being an acquaintance of Jim, I inquired what was up and was told that some one called in a report that Stein and his old dog were chasing wild horses. I did see Stein, his son Jay and the old Lab walk down the beach and back and there was no harrassing any wild horses. I happen to know Buddy Holly and his days of chasing are long passed. It occurred to me that some one really had to go to a lot of trouble. They had to know how to contact the Park Service and what to do to get in contact with them. Then I remembered seeing Stein, Buddy Holley, his son Jay and the friend walk past one person whom I recognized for sure as an off-duty Camden County Sheriff's deputy. He was with a group of people. I was thinking. What would be the consequences for you and me if we made a false report to federal law enforcement authorities? We cause them to crank up a gas guzzling government boat and shoot over to Cumberland and make inquiry about the Stein mutt. I bet if I contact the PETA people they will be all over this. Falsely accusing the mutt Buddy Holly would probably be of prime interest. It sure was to the Park Service. It also dawned on me that something is not quite Kosher about this. Stein and dog are the subject of an immediate inquiry but Smith constructs a house on the Park Service property and it takes them from June to August to advise the construction should stop. Lets see if this makes sense. The mutt and Stein are of immediate concern and the Sheriff and fugitive Jenkins are of less concern. False report on the 15 year old mutt, true report on the Sheriff, inmates, fugitive from justice Jenkins and the Park Service takes up the mutt complaint. Immediately. But slack on Jenkins and Smith. One would get the idea that the alleged dog violation is more important that the illegal antics of Smith and the fugitive Jenkins. I am wondering, do you think it might have something to do with Stein getting hot about six deputies investigating a bogus report about trespassing on property of the fugitive Jenkins? About CCSO DeputyArt Hernandez coming to Stein's office with a hidden wire on him? About Smith having Jenkins hauled to the Magistrate office twice - once to attempt to take out a warrant and then for a hearing to get Stein, Jackson and Viola arrested? The Park Service provided a barge for Smith and now they have their rangers jumping up and down about the Stein party and mutt. It just may be they still jump for Smith and his cronies. It is just a thought." Here's another thought: It would not surpise me a bit to learn that Smith has instructed his most loyal cadre of deputies - the one's Tommy will surely fire - to put on a full-court-press to do any underhanded thing they possibly can to Jim Stein, Steve Berry, Tommy Gregory, Rich Gamble, and anyone else they see as a threat, between now and the deadline for the last Friday edition of the T&G before the election on July 15. I speak from experience. Update @1845 HRS: I just heard from Jim Stein - of "Cumberland Three" fame - himself. He confirms that his friend's account of events is essentially accurate. Moreover, he said that "you don't mess with a Southerner's dog" and that Smith and his deputies will come to learn that "they should have let that sleeping dog lie."