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Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio is shown during a news conference in Phoenix July 30. The controversial Arpaio, who will speak at the annual Kootenai County Republican Women’s Women In Red gathering at the Coeur d’Alene Resort Oct. 4, was sued by the U.S. Justice Department last Thursday. (Story here.) The fedeal government says the Arizona lawman refused for more than a year to turn over records in an investigation into allegations his department discriminates against Hispanics. (AP Photo/Amanda Lee Myers, File)
Question: Why do you think the local Republican women invited Sheriff Joe Arpaio to speak at their annual gathering this fall?
D.F. Oliveria is a columnist and blogger for The Spokesman-Review. Huckleberries Online was judged the best 2008 Idaho newspaper blog by the Idaho Press Club. And the best 2007 news blog in the Pacific Northwest by the Society for Professional Journalist. Print Huckleberries is a past winner of the Herb Caen Memorial Column contest by the National Association of Newspaper Columnists. The Readership Institute of Northwestern University cited this blog as a good example of online community journalism.
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moscow_minidoka on September 09 at 9:11 a.m.
“Question: Are you interested in hearing what Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio has to say when he visits Coeur d’Alene?”
Nope.
Smacky on September 09 at 9:19 a.m.
Because they think that he’s a hero. Our standards for “hero” have been lowered to the level of a sewer rat lately.
moscow_minidoka on September 09 at 9:24 a.m.
“Question: Why do you think the local Republican women invited Sheriff Joe Arpaio to speak at their annual gathering this fall?”
Because they like fat-gutted reactionaries with guns?
nic on September 09 at 9:25 a.m.
Probably for the same reason that Bonner County GOP insisted on going to the fair under a “celebrate” banner.
eagleproducer on September 09 at 9:29 a.m.
Maybe the Women in Red can pitch in and help Joe pay for the hundreds of millions paid in settlements to victims of his abuse of civil rights? Maricopa County had more complaints against their department for civil rights violations than the five largest cities in the U.S. COMBINED!
Sisyphus on September 09 at 9:39 a.m.
Bingo nic.
If anyone cares to look at the stats, you’ll see that Sheriff Arpaio is nothing but a bad cop who wants to scapegoat Latinos for his poor record of enforcement.
http://americasvoiceonline.org/research/entry/arizona_immigration_law_could_lead_to_surge_in_violent_crime
Unfortunately, the evidence shows that the Arpaio approach is a proven failure at reducing crime. From 2002 to 2009, the crime rate in Maricopa County has increased 58 percent, while the state as a whole averaged a 12 percent decrease. Compare that 58 percent crime increase to other localities of Arizona that did not use the immigrant-targeting approach. In that same time period, Phoenix enjoyed a 14 percent decrease; Tempe, a 26 percent decrease; and Mesa, a 31 percent decrease.
But Republicans do love a scapegoat. Especially brown ones. Xenophobic law enforcement coming to a state near you. That should unite the country. Lets burn some Korans while we’re at it.
Don_Sausser on September 09 at 9:42 a.m.
MM, maybe the RW respect law & order?
Spoketucky, law suits have been files, how many have been won?
Smacky on September 09 at 9:45 a.m.
They respect law by inviting one that doesn’t follow the law….my head hurts.
hmoffsuite on September 09 at 9:47 a.m.
I am not surprised by the tenor of comments above by our lovely blog liberals regarding sheriff Joe. He has an incredibly high approval rating by ALL the citizens of Maricopa County and is highly respected. I have met him a couple of times and find him to be a great guy to visit with. Why do the people like him so much? It is because he enforces the law. Coincidentally a job that he has. Its just too bad that he has to enforce the laws that Obama fails to enforce.
moscow_minidoka on September 09 at 9:47 a.m.
“MM, maybe the RW respect law & order? ”
Or maybe they’re just turned on by fascist thugs?
moscow_minidoka on September 09 at 9:49 a.m.
hmoff, you are a riot, considering you have openly admitted on this blog to hiring illegal immigrants to mow your lawn. Perhaps we should send Sheriff Joe over to your house in Arizona…
brentandrews on September 09 at 9:51 a.m.
Love it moscow. Love it smacky. Love it nic. Love it spoketucky. Also love to see Sheriff Joe talking to the Republicans. He needs to speak for them, and get his picture taken with them as much as possible.
Four more years! Four more years!
Sam_Crawford on September 09 at 9:53 a.m.
So now I have to carry my papers when I leave the house?
BethB on September 09 at 9:59 a.m.
We need a “like” button on HBO, like there is on Facebook. Loved it, Sam!
nic on September 09 at 10:01 a.m.
“He has an incredibly high approval rating by ALL the citizens of Maricopa County and is highly respected. ”
Well, all citizens, except those of a different ethnicity. You are correct he has had a high approval rating, although that rating has been dropping. A recent Rocky Mountian poll used the word “Collapses” to describe his recent ratings.
And according to Phoenix news Times, Sheriff Joe’s approval ratings dropped to 57%. http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/bastard/2008/04/sheriff_joe_arpaios_approval_d.php
Interesting, considering (according to the US Census Bureau) the population of Maricopa County is 57.5% White persons not Hispanic.
hmoffsuite on September 09 at 10:02 a.m.
mm >> “hmoff, you are a riot, considering you have openly admitted on this blog to hiring illegal immigrants to mow your lawn”
Just to set the record straight. I hire a lawn service and I have no idea as to the status of his workers. My cleaning lady had work papers but her husband didn’t, so they went back to Mexico. I play by the rules. Btw, Sheriff Joe plays the National Anthem and God Bless America twice a day for the jail inmates. (that must irritate you liberals) His food budget for inmates is the lowest in the Country and he openly admits he spends more per police dog per day than the inmates. Because the dogs are worth it. Inmates can now watch TV providing they get on an exercycle to create the electricty.
nic on September 09 at 10:07 a.m.
hmo, I love how you change your stories. First, your lawn workers were illegal; then you didn’t hire them, you hired a company that hires illegals. Now, you hire a company and don’t know if those workers are or are not illegal.
What’s next? You personally inspected the worker’s documentation before allowing them on your property?
Sisyphus on September 09 at 10:19 a.m.
hmoff you are hilarious. I give you facts. You say the exact opposite of my fact based conclusions and offer nothing in support.
In this video you can see Sheriff Joe posing for pictures with neo nazis telling him “we have your back”.
http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/sheriff-joe-arpaio-says-hi-his-neo-n
Smacky on September 09 at 10:19 a.m.
“Btw, Sheriff Joe plays the National Anthem and God Bless America twice a day for the jail inmates. (that must irritate you liberals) ”
Oh yes HMO, we libruls just hate America to its core and are regularly conspiring to replace the National Anthem with a Russian dirge. We also have operatives running from shore to shore attempting to confiscate every paper copy of God Bless America in order to replace the word God with the Flying Spaghetti Monster. You know us so well HMO. Really. It’s a good thing that you don’t buy into biases and distortions and use your own large melon to come to a rational conclusion. A very good thing.
Sisyphus on September 09 at 10:31 a.m.
His “popularity” seems to be taking a huge hit, hmoff. Not among Republicans, mind you, but its sliding there as well.
http://www.brcpolls.com/10/RMP%202010-I-01.pdf
I noticed he chose not to run against Brewer despite polls showing that he’d win that race. He must not have like the odds in the general.
brentandrews on September 09 at 10:38 a.m.
Beth - please - no ‘like’ buttons on HBO! ‘Like’ buttons make me want my old rubber room back.
***
But yeah, you go, Sam.
brentandrews on September 09 at 10:38 a.m.
Beth - please - no ‘like’ buttons on HBO! ‘Like’ buttons make me want my old rubber room back.
***
But yeah, you go, Sam.
brentandrews on September 09 at 10:39 a.m.
Drat! I meant to post that EIGHT times!
hmoffsuite on September 09 at 10:41 a.m.
Sis >> “I noticed he chose not to run against Brewer despite polls showing that he’d win that race. He must not have like the odds in the general.”
Not the case, imo. He has taken the job of enforcing the laws of Maricopa County and that is his mission. And, he has often said that he runs “an equal opportunity jail”. Anybody that breaks the law is welcome.
hmoffsuite on September 09 at 10:45 a.m.
BTW, Sis. There are, in fact, some liberals and democrats in Arizona. And, I think their opinions of Sheriff Joe have been influenced by Obama’s attacks on the good sheriff. They kinda have to side with Obama in order to be good dems. That Obama influence is likely a reason for the changes in approval polls for Sheriff Joe. Just my guess.
nic on September 09 at 11:03 a.m.
“He has taken the job of enforcing the laws of Maricopa County…”
… and stonewalling the Department of Justice.
nic on September 09 at 11:04 a.m.
Brent, if we had like buttons, I would have liked both of your comments.
OrangeTV on September 09 at 11:11 a.m.
Hmo, I’m pretty sure I’ve asked this before, but doesn’t it get tiresome viewing the entire world and everything that happens in it in strictly Republican vs. Democrat/Liberal vs. Conservative/Us vs. Them sort of terms? Or is that really truly the only way you know how to view the world? If so, that’s rather sad.
hmoffsuite on September 09 at 11:12 a.m.
nic >> “… and stonewalling the Department of Justice.”
Simple question. Why doesn’t Obama and Holder enforce the laws that are currently in place? Or, better yet, do something to create laws that might actually be more workable, as promised in all the campaign speeches? Sheriff Joe is simply doing the job the Feds should be doing.
hmoffsuite on September 09 at 11:15 a.m.
Otv. Actually, it isn’t all binary for me, even though it might look like it. And, btw, I wanted to mention to you that I saw Donna Summer in concert a year ago and she was phenomenal. Put on a few pounds but still has that incredible voice and range. If you ever get the chance to see her perform, don’t miss it.
Sisyphus on September 09 at 11:18 a.m.
Really hmoff. You elected Joe to enforce immigration? I posted this up there but you obviously didn’t read it. These are facts hmoff. C’mon horsey. Drinky drinky.
SB 1070 mandates that this proven failure spread statewide, forcing every police jurisdiction in Arizona reverse years of successful trust building between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Police will now have to spend precious time and squander community trust checking the status of anyone they apprehend who they have “reasonable suspicion” is undocumented. And if law enforcement officials don’t adopt Arpaio’s priorities and put enforcing immigration law “to its fullest extent” at the top of the agenda, they could get sued.
Under the direction of Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County’s law enforcement regularly sweeps Latino neighborhoods and pulls over Latino drivers while felony warrants go unaddressed. Arpaio’s department is under Federal investigation, his jails have had their health certification revoked and police chiefs around the nation have decried his tactics. Sheriff Arpaio takes pride in his anti-immigrant reputation, openly admitting to arresting “very few non-Hispanics.”
Please explain why crime should go unpunished while Joe’s out advancing his political prospects.
nic on September 09 at 11:20 a.m.
“Sheriff Joe is simply doing the job the Feds should be doing.”
Is that why he’s facing numorous complaints of civil rights violations? Is that why the crime rate in his county have risen at rates alarmingly disproportionate to the rest of the state?
OrangeTV on September 09 at 11:23 a.m.
@hmo: That’s good to know. Opening oneself up to the gray areas of life, the mid-spectrum of it all, can enrich one’s outlook tremendously. It seems there aren’t enough people that grasp that concept these days.
How fun and interesting that you saw Donna Summer! While in reality, I haven’t paid much attention to her since the early 80’s, I’ve always thought she never got enough credit for helping to invent the genre of electronic pop in the mid to late 70’s, a genre that is now hotter than ever with the likes of Lady Gaga and Rihanna burning up the airwaves…
CaptainAmerica on September 09 at 3:19 p.m.
So he enforces the law, does VOLUNTARY chain gangs, the bad guys wear pink underwear and you all have a problem with that?
Arizona passes a law that says it’s basically illegal to be here illegally—so if the police have probable cause they might just ask to see your driver’s license-???? And, you folks have a problem with that?!
This sort of invasion from the South is NOT sustainable.
BTW- I hear our dear Sheriff Rocky Watson will not be in attendance what’s with that?
Stickman on September 09 at 4:19 p.m.
It’s obvious where this thread is going. I did like Captain America’s comment though.
Sisyphus on September 09 at 4:37 p.m.
Thanks Stick, I missed his comment.
CA, that is NOT what this law will do. The cops are REQUIRED to verify the legal status of anyone they REASONABLY SUSPECT of being here in violation of our immigration laws or be sued by anyone thinking they’re not doing so.
Personally, I want to add to the difficult job cops do to hunt down felony warrants. And I definitely don’t want them hunting people down just because they have brown skin. I don’t want cops having every minuteman gun freak looking over their shoulder while they do their jobs with the threat of litigation which does nothing but raise my taxes.
The stats I showed above clearly show the failure of Arpaio’s methods. People of Phoenix SHOULD be screaming about crime. But it ain’t because of illegals since rising crime rates aren’t attributable to them. While Arpaio is out rounding up hmoff’s pool boy, lawn mower and housekeeper, the criminals are getting away.
hmoffsuite on September 09 at 4:56 p.m.
Sis. I think you need to do a little more reading. The Az cops can’t ask for proof of citizenship UNLESS another crime has been committed or a violation of the law. The way it used to be, they couldn’t even ask about citizenship EVEN if the person was arrested. 87 illegals have committed murders and Joe has them in jail. Don’t you think that if a killer is caught and arrested, the cops should be able to find out if the are citizens or not? That was part of the problem that prompted the law. ASU just did a poll down there and 81% of the folk like the law. That would mean that many legals would also be in favor of it, regardless of origin or color. Rather than complaining about what Arizona DID why not explain why Obama has done NOTHING about immigration reform, breaking a campaign promise. Tell me all about that, ok.
nic on September 09 at 5:09 p.m.
CA, I don’t have a problem with the voluntary chain gangs or the pink skivvies. (Honestly, I think the pink underwear is awesome and should be adopted in all US prisons.)
My problem isn’t with wanting to have the law enforced.
My issue with Sheriff Joe’s DOJ issues. And the numerous accusations of civil rights violations stacking up against him. And his refusal to cooperate.
My problem with Arizona’s immigration law isn’t that they want to keep illegals out. My problem is the method used. So ambiguous and so prone to abuse. Who defines “probable cause?”
hmoffsuite on September 09 at 5:20 p.m.
nic >> “My problem is the method used. So ambiguous and so prone to abuse. Who defines “probable cause?”
Do yourself a favor and read the law. That might help you better understand what you are talking about. Since Sis won’t, why don’t you tell me why Obama won’t do anything about illegal immigration even though it was a campaign promise. Top priority, as I recall. Gunna do it in his first year, he said. Sherrif Joe doesn’t cooperate with the DOJ because they don’t have the jurisdiction that he has being the Sheriff of Maricopa County. He is charged with enforcing Arizona laws and that is what he is doing. The DOJ can stay out of it. States rights.
Stickman on September 09 at 5:31 p.m.
Good one HMO.
Sisyphus on September 09 at 5:33 p.m.
LOL, imagine you correcting me on facts. Actually hmoff its not me who’s mistaken. They always determine the identity of criminals. Always. And that includes citizenship.
But please give me a cite to your load of BS and I’ll have a look. You will forgive me for doubting your source, recitation, and conclusion. I have been given little reason for trust. That, of course, and the fact that a federal judge issued a stay indicating a likelihood that the ethnic cleansing law is unconstitutional.
nic, the standard in the law is “reasonable suspicion” not probable cause. Probable cause is the standard to make an arrest. Its very important to get that correct cause the lower standard is what leads to the profiling. They are both well defined in the law and police procedure. And its yet another reason why hmoff is again incorrect in his assertions. That must get old for him.
hmoffsuite on September 09 at 5:38 p.m.
You are dead wrong, Sis. But, lets move on. Tell me why Obama has done nothing, as I have outlined in my other posts here. Please offer a reason for his breaking his promise. Being a liar, essentially. He has a history of that.
CaptainAmerica on September 09 at 7:31 p.m.
Well, am I to believe that those of you opposed to Arizona attempting to enforce the state and federal laws know more than what a dozen others states have joined in supporting?
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/09/04/states-join-legal-brief-supporting-ariz-immigration-law-donations-roll-gov/
Look at the company you keep? The Mexican government???
I am sorry to say that there are far too many who have their interests tied up in making sure our borders are porous.
I suppose I won’t even ask you if you think the 14th Amendment was intended to legalize the births of foreigners who were here illegally! This is exasperating—I cannot even believe it is debatable.
nic on September 10 at 8:21 a.m.
ok, hmo… here’s the LAW itself
“For any lawful contact made by a law enforcement official or a law enforcement agency of this state or a law enforcement official or a law enforcement agency of a county, city, town or other political subdivision of this state where reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States, a reasonable attempt shall be made, when practicable, to determine the immigration status of the person, except if the determination may hinder or obstruct an investigation.”
So… if “reasonable suspicion exists” an officer is required to determine immigration status. If a cop has “reasonable suspicion” that someone is here illegally, that person can be questioned. That person doesn’t even have to be breaking the law.
So the question I’m struggling with is: what is “reasonable suspicion”? I know there’s provisions in the law that prohibit racial profiling, but how do you not profile? What makes “reasonable suspicion” outside of race? What is the likelyhood that an old rich white dude like yourself is going to be asked for proof of legal residency? What’s the likelyhood that an unshaven darker skinned fellow with dirty jeans and a flannel shrit will be asked for proof of legal residency? What truck is more likely to be stopped (assuming neither are breaking any traffic laws) one with three white highschool kids in letterman’s jackets in the back, or one with three migrant workers in the back?
I’d love to see existing laws enforced. I want to see a reduction in illegal immigration.
I’m not opposed to tougher immigration laws. But the one passed by Arizona is murky at best and prone to abuse at worst. Most legal experts agree that the law is vague and there is a lot of grey area that will be fought out in court for years to come. The state of Arizona is setting itself up for a multitude of civil court cases - potentially costing it’s tax payers millions.
hmoffsuite on September 10 at 8:25 a.m.
nic >> “I’d love to see existing laws enforced. I want to see a reduction in illegal immigration.”
So, why doesn’t Obama do anything about illegal immigration as he promised he would?
nic on September 10 at 8:35 a.m.
“why don’t you tell me why Obama won’t do anything about illegal immigration even though it was a campaign promise”
“Tell me why Obama has done nothing”
How about you stop being intellectually dishonest. Nothing? Really? He has broken some promises, but he’s also done more than nothing.
So far, we don’t have the comprehensive immigration bill that he promised. He said we’d have it in the first year… didn’t happen. It might by the end of his term, but for now lets assume it won’t happen.
However:
He has been beefing up border security and personell (with the largest number going to Arizona). There’s been an increase in technology and infrastructure on the borders (Canada included).
Republicans weren’t happy with his plan to crack down on companys that hire illegal workers, so he compramised. He’s kept Bush’s e-verify and is requiring it’s use for all companys seeking government contracts. Could be better, but he is doing something.
He’s working with Mexico for ecenomic development so that more Mexicans want to stay in Mexico. And he’s working toward streamlining the visa process for student visas.
You might not like what Obama is doing, but to say he’s doing nothing is disingenuous.
Sisyphus on September 10 at 8:42 a.m.
I thought so. We bring facts and you bring opinion based on nothing, hmoff. If you weren’t just pulling it out of your a$$ you should have cited something. How ironic you calling Obama a liar.
The border is more secure now than ever. Twelve years of Republican control with no results and you demand Obama do it right now. Indeed when Bush sponsored legislation in 06 it was Republicans who killed it. I’m sure you’ll blame your increased costs of pool cleaning, lawn mowing and house keeping on Obama as well. Damn socialist. Funny how your mirror fails to function. You scream about deficits, debt and less government and here you are yelling about doing just the opposite. Typical Republican hypocrisy.
sue on September 10 at 8:43 a.m.
Nic, does disingenuous mean lying?
President Obama is a good man, and I’m glad he’s our president. I’ve decided I’m going to post that right after hmo’s daily criticisms of him. Cracking down on credit card and bank fee scams has been one of the best things he’s done. Emphasizing the middle class needs as opposed to the ultra wealthy and special interests is a breath of fresh air. He’s well-respected in the world, and operates from a perspective of intelligence, integrity, and thoughtfulness. I appreciate that change so much.
sue on September 10 at 8:45 a.m.
oh, and I’m lovin’ that hopey changey thing.