Applaud Sheriff Arpaio

Like the somewhat smart bomber Gary Crooks (Jan. 11), I lived in Arizona, and my opinion of Sheriff Joe Arpaio is the exact opposite.

Crooks’ reference to “anti-immigration forces” is inaccurate. They are actually anti-illegal-immigration forces. Note the important distinction. Arpaio’s removal of network TV and pornographic magazines was applauded by Arizonans. As for summers in Tent City, the sheriff says that if our troops endure 110 degrees in Iraq wearing full battle gear, then criminals really shouldn’t complain.

Gary neglected to mention the vegetable garden prisoners tend for food. He also missed the pet infirmary where prisoners rehabilitate injured or abandoned animals, and then are healed themselves in the process. Prisoners laughingly wear the pink pajamas as a badge of honor. They willingly volunteer for community service chain gangs.

As for Gary’s charge of racial profiling, special interest groups called U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate that allegation. Eventually, Holder’s team left Phoenix with heads down. No case.

Citizens of Arizona have re-elected Arpaio repeatedly since 1992. He is a sheriff who firmly and fairly enforces the law. I applaud him and wish him many more years of service.

John Pauley

Veradale