Listened to the interviews on the radio this morning of Lyndon Smith and Sherriff May. Obviously two versions of the same incident. Most interesting was May saying that all the two players had to do was blow in the breathalyzer to prove their innocence. Other than his claim they were previously untruthful to him, he had no other reason to test them except for an accusation by a third party.

I came away with an understanding based on the sheriff’s comments that if I should be in Clark county and be stopped by the sheriff or a deputy, I will be expected to do whatever they ask to prove my innocence to them. It would seem they really don’t understand the Constitution that they took an oath to uphold and that the burden of proof is on them.

I am way behind on this...But I Know Clark County and I know May... He draws interesting lines when he enforces the law..Lines to do with religion, so racism is an easy step for him. In my opinion he had reasonable suspicion to question the players, but did not have probable cause when he did not smell alcohol.That is basic law 101....May has submitted false affidavits in court before, he has no problem stepping on a persons constitutional rights. As far as non invasive test go that is exactly what his affidavit was about.... How can he swear to a breath test in an affidavit when he was not certified to use the device? What you are seeing in May is a person who feels he is entitled to the elected position of Sheriff...

idahomom
We all see things that may not be right or we think are not right, no problem. Hopefully, we make a correct decision to inform, or try to protect on injustices, or to aid or protect others as each of us would hope for. However, some people are just obnoxious, not real intelligent and, the bad part is, they seem to inflect their views no matter how inappropriate or incorrect on others causing hurt or hard feelings. Maybe the audience member who reported was this type of person. Regardless, these players were minors, period. Sheriff May should have used better judgement and acted within the law, period. Unfortuately for the Clark County School District, the sheriff's choice to take action against these minors was at school event

Beentheredonethat:
That is what the article says, but the article is the opinion of one side of this issue.
The Journal would be wise to investigate this story as a whole before printing.
Another question is why is Clark County School district to blame. By this article, true or not true, a citizen reported to the Sheriff, the Sheriff then investigated.
The only thing CCSD did was host a basketball game.
I am wanting to know what, if any punishment was given to these boys?

The article stated "It appeared the sheriff had neither a reasonable suspicion nor probable cause to impose a breathalyzer test to the students." Sounds like a Sheriff Bart May action. He is not known for using the best of judgement or thinking about the results of his actions or comments. Hope the poor residents of Clark County will not suffer for his poor character.

I would like to make one fact clear about Clark County and its need for "Cultural sensitivity" and need for "Diversity training". If you knew thae statistics of the students at Clark county schools you would know that they have a Hispanic population of over 50% making the "Racist White Folk" a minority among the students. It is safe to say that Clark County School are more diverse than Shoban.
Sounds like this is a thing that happens to kids and adults of all ages and races. Someone saw something they believed to be a suspicious act, reported it, The Sheriff did his job by investigating. Is it correct that these boys faced no fines, tickets or any thing else. Did they or did they not play in that nights game?
The Idaho State Journal should be embarressed for reporting a story based soley on the Hearsay of one side.

No neither of you are correct. Clark County exhibited racial and stereotypical profiling. This must end somewhere. All you repugs and baggers hide behind cliché's like "high school is high school" and ridiculous Tom Luna responses like, "simple tests can solve a lot of heartbreak" (what the heck does that mean?).
Clark County citizens had absolutely no right to start this turn of events. I am sure you would be yelling foul if it happened to two Clark County players by Sho-Ban fans. I think most of eastern Idaho needs cultural sensitivity and diversity training. The Sho Ban are no longer an undefended sovereign people who are vulnerable to this trash behavior. They have lawyers and darn good ones. Hope an example is made of you racist white folk. Sending to Huffington Post hoping for National Coverage by intelligent people.

Phil88, you are absolutely correct.A non invasive test, and the truth is out. Then the angry birds can come out and play, one way or another. Its not racism, high school is high school, simple tests can solve a lot of heartbreak. What school this happened to should have nothing to do with the accusations.

Right on To Sho Ban School athletic Director and School Board. It finally needs to brought open to the eyes of the local community that such mindless acts do occur still in this new day in age. Racism/Discrimination: When will the cycle Stop?

"... two basketball players from … Fort Hall were wrongfully accused of consuming alcohol prior to a game..."

Really? who says they were wrongfully accused?

They refused the brief, non-invasive test that was offered to them. Had they taken the test and the results been negative, I would say they have a legitimate argument.

I guess there are three options;

1. The kids had not consumed alcohol and the parent through an act of racism attempted to cause trouble (which would have immediately been dismissed upon their negative test had they chose to take it). The sheriff would be complicit of this racist claim.

2. The kids had not consumed alcohol and the parent was simply mistaken and wasn’t motivated by the kids race. The sheriff likewise offered the kids the opportunity to prove their innocence with no punitive repercussions should they choose not to take the test.

3. The kids had consumed alcohol and it was recognized by an astute parent. The sheriff could not prove the allegation and the kids got away with it. The school in their hypersensitivity to label everything racism redirects blame to the accuser under the name of victimization. They make a list of demands taking a lesson from the basket ball court that the best defense is a good offense.

A professional victim would always choose the first when in all likelihood the second or third is more likely the case.

We can only hope the Journal has enough integrity to not print the Fort Hall talking points as a “news story.”