Teachers claim defamation

A Jonesboro couple who accused conservative local public school teachers Nancy Best and Cindi Talbot of treasonous and criminal behavior (along with much more) after the teachers attended the Jan. 6. 2021, “Save America” rally in Washington, D.C., today find themselves as defendant in a defamation lawsuit for launching multiple actions aimed at discrediting the women.

In addition to filing a complaint against the veteran teachers with the Valley View School District superintendent that called for their immediate firing, Sean Allen sent accusatory emails to school board members, the local TV station (KAIT, Channel 8), the Arkansas attorney general, the Arkansas Department of Education and the FBI, according to attorneys Robert Steinbuch and Chris Corbitt, who filed the suit.

“Thereafter, Sean Allen filed a grievance against the teachers with the Arkansas Department of Education through the Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB) for supposedly committing criminal and treasonous behaviors in the Capitol while attending the rally,” Steinbuch said.

There was more. “Mr. Allen also threatened to file educational grievance and report their superintendent and school board members to the FBI for ‘harboring fugitives’ and not firing the plaintiffs.”

But wait, there was still much more.

Steinbuch said Allen also “accused Talbot and Best, along with their fellow teaching peers who share conservative political views, of being mentally unstable and a dangerous threat to the students of their school. Allen demanded a complete mental evaluation of Talbot and Best, giving examples of allegations against them that included trespassing on federal property, a domestic terrorism violation, participation in a coup attempt, involvement in a federal crime, taking part in a terrorist riot, being domestic terrorists, seditious traitors and racists.”

The Jonesboro Sun newspaper also received an anonymous packet composed of Facebook posts by Talbot and Best, as well as other Valley View employees, claiming to promote violence, racism, and hate, Steinbuch added.

Faced with this barrage of serious accusations, the teachers responded by hiring Steinbuch and Corbitt to defend their reputations, honor and employment against Allen and his wife Emily.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted separate interviews with Best and Talbot and determined they’d participated in no criminal activity, or violated laws by being present at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Their cases were immediately closed. And following a twomonth-long investigation, the PLSB ethics subcommittee similarly voted unanimously that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate by even a mere preponderance of evidence that Best and Talbot violated any standard of code of ethics, said Steinbuch.

Then Steinbuch and Corbitt did what isn’t done nearly enough in today’s cancel culture. They filed the suit naming the Allens as defendants. They, in turn, moved to dismiss the lawsuit on grounds that their assertions were merely opinions and therefore not actionable as defamation. Steinbuch tells me many defamation cases would end at this point.

But a Craighead County circuit judge in Jonesboro refused to dismiss the case, saying there was insufficient evidence to throw it out at this point. That means the Allens now have to prove all their allegations, Steinbuch said. On statements referring to Best and Talbot as “racists” and other accusations are actionable, the answer to that question, the judge said, is “maybe,” depending on whether the Allens’ accusations appear to be supported by reasonably specific facts that are capable of objective proof of truth. To support this analysis, the court actually cited an article by Steinbuch published in a law journal at Harvard Law School.

Frankly, if I were these educators being accused of treason, racism and criminal behavior in such ways for my political beliefs, I couldn’t imagine a better champion on my side in moving toward the discovery phase and likely trial than Steinbuch. I look forward to seeing the hard evidence used by the Allens to treat the two teachers in such a manner. It will be interesting indeed seeing them prove the validity of such serious and damaging allegations.

READERS’ VOICES

Several columns back I told the story of my 43-year-old daughter Anna, who purely on her own determinedly carved out an accomplished career as a now-retired U.S. Navy chief from despair as a high school dropout and teenage mother. My purpose, other than a proud father honoring her birthday and achievements, was to hopefully serve as an inspiration to other struggling teenagers to firmly grasp the wheel of their own future and steer unerringly toward their dreams and goals.

Here’s a smattering of appreciated voices I received in response to that column:

Edward McDonnell: “What an inspiring story, Mike! I loved it and hope other young women and men will have increased hope for their future through her experience!”

John Mertz: “Mike, Thanks for sharing Anna’s story. Amazing. May God continue to bless her and may he give you, too, the strength to persevere with writing during this difficult time in your health condition.”

Joel Nunneley: “Mike, just finished reading your story of Anna’s journey. Wonderful tale of vision, grit, hard work and determination. Too many young people let our world determine their trajectory. Anna surely did not! Congratulations to you. You should be proud. All the best!”

George A. Peters: “Hello, Mike. I have written you before about our shared squamous cancer cell problems. I was glad you could share your daughter’s tough times, then her good times. We had a daughter who had very hard youth years with addictions and then the legal consequences. With God’s help she overcame them, did well with her work and business and, besides caring for her disabled husband, is a church musician, also teaches children in church and helped care for her father-in-law before his passing. She sees us once a week after church, helping us if needed, and if she is needed, helps others. Your daughter’s story will inspire others.”

Linda Snell: “I’ve often said that much of what we endure is not even for us. It’s so that we can show others how to get through tough situations and even thrive. Your writings about your health ordeal have helped dozens of people. Now the inspiring words about a teen pregnant dropout. You use the platform you’ve been given to get the good word and the word out. That’s why you succeed. Carry on!”

Buck: “Her story is a great one, told especially well by an obviously proud father. Well done, Chief. Well done, Dad.”

Finally today, I felt the following letter from Pat Harrelson, a Little Rock psychologist, in response to my latest column about the UK banning American bull XL and other potentially large dogs with vicious natures is an informed voice that should be widely shared.

“I totally agree with your column today. Genetic predisposition is the thing. I think it is much more likely than training to cause dangerous dogs. I do have a Ph.D. in comparative psychology from Tulane and have since done some retraining and am a clinical psychologist. But my early training supports the genetic causes of aggression in dogs.

“I have had four Kerry Blue Terriers. All have had very similar training and treatment. My current Kerry loves all dogs, people and even cats and has never had a fight. He did once act like he might defend himself when a pit bull tried to attack him. My previous Kerry, Belle, attacked six other dogs. Mostly defending her food or her house from perceived doggy dangers. She was not large enough or mean enough to be a real danger, but it had to come from genes.

“Thanks again for taking this public stand against dangerous dogs. I know it isn’t always easy and many people don’t know how bad pit bulls can be.”

Now go out into the world and treat everyone you meet exactly like you want them to treat you.