Finally! The Law Goes After Joe Arpaio, The Most Abusive Sheriff In America

[G_j]

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/finally%21_the_law_goes_after_joe_arpaio%2C_the_most_abusive_sheriff_in_america/#126986

Finally! The Law Goes After Joe Arpaio, The Most Abusive Sheriff In America
Posted by Emptywheel, Firedoglake on February 14, 2009 at 10:47 AM.

You have probably heard of the shamelessly self professed "Toughest Sheriff in America", Maricopa County Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio. For years he has been making a PR spectacle of himself, all the while running an unconstitutionally deplorable jail system, letting inmates die under tortuous conditions, and violating the civil rights and liberties of everybody in sight, especially minorities. Today, the House Judiciary Committee made public a critical and public step to rein in the Most Abusive Sheriff In America.

From the HJC press release:

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.), and Immigration Subcommittee Chairwoman Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Constitution Subcommittee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), and Crime Subcommittee Chairman Bobby Scott (D-Va.) called on Attorney General Eric Holder and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to investigate allegations of misconduct by Maricopa County (Arizona) Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

Sheriff Arpaio has repeatedly demonstrated disregard for the rights of Hispanics in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Under the guise of immigration enforcement, his staff has conducted raids in residential neighborhoods in a manner condemned by the community as racial profiling. On February 4, 2009, Arpaio invited the media to view the transfer of immigrant detainees to a segregated area of his "tent city" jail, subjecting the detainees to public display and "ritual humiliation." Persistent actions such as these have resulted in numerous lawsuits; while Arpaio spends time and energy on publicity and his reality television show, "Smile… You're Under Arrest!", Maricopa County has paid millions of dollars in settlements involving dead or injured inmates.

...

It is time for the federal government to step in and uphold the rule of law in this country, even in Maricopa County."
"Law enforcement is not a game or a reality show, it is a public trust," said Scott. "There is no excuse for callous indifference to the rights of the residents of Arizona, whether in their neighborhoods or as pretrial detainees."

The full official text of the letter to Napolitano and Holder is here.

It is high time that somebody on the national scene notice, and the Federal government take action on, the egregious and violative conduct of Joe Arpaio.
<snip>

[Joanne98]

1. YAY

[file83]

60. For people who want to learn more about what Joe Arpaio has done...

There is a GREAT archive of news stories here:
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arpaio (note: they have an entire subsection of their website dedicated to the thug!)

On the left side of that page they have 15 years worth of great investigative news stories. The website is by the independent news publication called "New Times".

There is a wealth of information there about ol' Joe.

(sorry I highjacked your post - but I think it's important to share this info!! And I agree with you "YAY":hi:)

[G_j]

61. excellent

lots of stuff there, thanks!

[grannie4peace]

2. off to the greatest page!!!

he is a jerk- they need to serve him with a pink slip! what a co-inkie-dink !

[santamargarita]

3. This is way overdue!

:applause:

[Cirque du So-What]

4. If Chimpolini hadn't been 'the deciderer' these past eight years

the federal government may have gotten involved long ago.

There's a new sheriff in Washington, however, who won't allow civil rights violations to occur on his watch:

http://www.ww4report.com/node/6810

Arpaio is either too stupid or too publicity-crazy to realize that he's poking a hornet's nest; he WILL get stung!

[1776Forever]

5. I was channel surfing yesterday and came across a Fox interview with him - They actually asked some

good questions! I couldn't believe it. The young woman interviewer asked him if he was just being looked at because someone had a grudge against him and he said "No we just won our last 11 lawsuits." Then the interviewer asked him "Then what is it? Do you think there is a problem here?" He was pretty flustered after that and seemed blind sided by the in depth questions. Weird from Fox but the interviewer did look hispanic.:shrug:

[okieinpain]

24. actually I think the guy is ok. maybe he shouldn't take human life

to light, but the harsh punishment is ok by me.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

28. Wow.

Just wow.

[rpannier]

29. Ummmmm... Yeah... Okay...

Thanks for sharing... I guess

[blondeatlast]

32. I live in Maricopa County--you have NOOO idea what this man has done.

He framed a 14 year old for murder among way too much to list here.

[AZBlue]

44. I'm encouraged by this latest development!

Do you think we'll actually be rid of him one day??

[blondeatlast]

46. Not through the election process, I'm afraid.

At my debate watching party, I had THREE die-hard, donating Democrats who praised Arpaio to the heavens when the subject came up.

The other 18 of us were speechless from astonihment--but there it was.

Un-effin'-believable.

[AZBlue]

47. I blame the media in part for his continued re-election.

They are so scared of him that only New Times carries real stories about him. Even when the others report anything controversial about him, they water it down and always make it seem like it's some sort of nonsense drummed up just to harass him.

[okieinpain]

63. you're probably right, I just know what's on the idiot box, but

i have to be honest I really don't feel sorry for people that constantly get in trouble with the law, and that includes me and my kids. I'm not without sin understand, but I've never hurt any one or took anything from anyone. my kids have a problem with a particular section of the law, and I warn them about it all the time, so there is nothing they can say if it ever bites them in the butt.

[poverlay]

37. How about withholding necessary medication from those who have not yet been arraigned? Holding

those same people in freezing cold or over 110 degree cells while awaiting arraignment? Not allowing them to lay down anywhere but in dirt and shit no matter how sick? Feeding them sour fruit and other near inedible foods? God forbid one of them have a mental condition.
Many of these people are completely innocent. INNOCENT. Is that ok, or is it only ok to torture people who are real criminals? Like pot-smokers and illegal immigrants who were only trying to improve their family's lives, jaywalkers?

I disagree with torturing even people who truly are criminals. Loss of freedom is their punishment as handed down by a judge or jury. In no sentencing guideline does it say that criminals should be physically tortured.

In fact, the founding fathers of this country had a major problem with it as well. A problem, as in the eighth amendment, wherein they recognized that arbitrary torture was not only unjust, but the hallmark of capricious dictatorial rule. That sort of rule was something that millions of Americans have died to deliver us from, and defend us against.

I guess their sacrifice is meaningless to you since what they fought so hard against is "ok" by you. I suggest you hope and pray that you never fall under the power of someone with your sense of justice, or to be more accurate, cruelty.

[DefenseLawyer]

52. Right, because your son or daughter will never make a bad choice and end up in jail.

And if they do? Well perhaps being beaten to death will teach them a valuable lesson about making bad choices.

[EstimatedProphet]

53. I bet you have a thing for Catholic school nuns too.

[RedstDem]

59. I would guess you're a big fan of Dog the bounty hunter too?

They're both solid d-bag's.....lol

But The Sheriff is Miles Above Dog....

[EOTE]

64. If you consider losing your child due to not receiving timely medical treatment

to be "harsh punishment", then you don't have a soul. Do you know even a fraction of what this guy has done that you feel comfortable saying that you're fine by it? You actually think this sick, twisted, racist fuck is 'ok'?

[bottomtheweaver]

6. Why didn't Napolitano go after him while she was governor?

Just something I've wondered. :shrug:

[Balbus]

10. She tried but nothing would ever stick.

And I don't see why this is going to be any different. Feds and local government have been trying to take him down for over the last 10+ years but nothing never comes of it. The guy is super greasy.

[MadMaddie]

41. It may be different now that we have a DOJ that is not in bed

with criminals like this guy.

[blondeatlast]

33. I know everyone loves Napolitano here--but he helped her get elected.

She's paid lip service and not much else.

[rucognizant]

56. Yes BUT

The 2 Senators from that state "tortured old guy " ad facscist Kyle, may have obstructed!

[1776Forever]

57. Good question - I think he has some big backers there - He goes after the wrong people!

It is the big drug smugglers and kidnappers that he should be concentrating on. I heard there were over 300 abductions in Phoenix last year. Found this on it:

Phoenix: Kidnap capital, USA

6:41PM Thursday October 09, 2008

http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/1318241/2191123

The criminal underworld in the sun-baked Arizona capital of Phoenix has long enjoyed the hot money profits from illicit smuggling of drugs and people over the border from Mexico.

But now its members are living in fear as they are stalked by kidnappers after their proceeds, authorities say.

Police in the desert city say specialized kidnap rings are snatching suspected criminals and their families from their homes, running them off the roads and even grabbing them at shopping malls in a spiraling spate of abductions.

"Phoenix is ground zero for illegal narcotics smuggling and illegal human smuggling in the United States," said Phil Roberts, a Phoenix Police Department detective.

"There's a lot of illegal cash out there in the valley, and a lot of people want to get their hands on it."

Last year alone, Phoenix police reported 357 extortion-related abductions - up by nearly half from 2005 - targeting individuals with ties to Mexican smuggling rings.

........

Guess stuff like this doesn't help the little guy get any breaks. If they cleaned the real crime ridden areas up it would help more then just targeting one race.

[panader0]

7. He is the worst sherriff in the nation

Temperatures in the tents reach 120 degrees in the summer.
He and his cronies took monies confiscated and vacationed in Honduras under the guise of educating the police there. He's a thief and a cruel racist.

[norepubsin08]

8. Good this fucker has always annoyed the hell out of me

waterboard the bastard...just kidding... but do prosecute!

[immoderate]

9. I used to live in Phoenix. Couldn't stand this scum bag.

He plays the people for fools, and unfortunately there are enough to comply.

--imm

[Balbus]

11. Finally?

Or is this just the first time the news has reached your part of the world? Authorities of some sort have been trying to take him down for over a decade with no results - I don't see how this is going to be any different...

[Tsiyu]

12. I hope this is a new day for law enforcement

To be fair, most cops around me are decent, good folks. The nearest small town's cop cars say "That none may live in fear."

I know it's so different in so many places, and my hope is that under a Dem administration law enforcement gets cleaned up.

And someone gave me more hearts....:)

[crikkett]

13. Next: ban tasers

[vadawg]

14. hell no, the taser is a superb piece of equipment

when utilised correctly.

[Eryemil]

16. I agree.

[crikkett]

17. So's a goddamn AK-47 but the cops can't use one on me at a whim.

I'm not a cow and don't deserve to be treated as one by anyone.

[Name removed]

18. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bertman]

15. I guess this is what happens when Conyers can't get Rove to testify. Still, I'm glad they

are going after Arpaio. He seems to be a tin-horn dictator.

[ooglymoogly]

19. Excellent; Maybe our grand experiment with Nazism

is coming to a halt...at least for a while.

[Broadslidin]

20. Sheriff Arpaio is nothing more than a reflection of Arizonians in general.

An arid area of the United States of America,
over run with functional illiterates and flim-flammers.

[Greyhound]

25. That's pretty accurate. Even the Democrats are authoritarian. n/t

[tucsonlib]

36. Easy, Boy....

You obviously know nothing about Arizona. We folks down here in Tucson (Pima County) have as much in common with those Yahoos in Maricopa County as Al Franken has in common with Normy Coleman. Whereas Maricopa County gave us the likes of John Kyl, Pima County produced Mo Udall. Next time, before you hurl insults at the residents of an entire state, try to remember: North of the Gila River = Home of the right-wingers. South of the Gila River = A progressive stronghold. Thanks.

[havocmom]

40. Viva Baja Arizona!

:applause:

and here is a link showing Joe's department and how they respond to lawful citizen participation in public meetings

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiwRUMjhnAU

[AZBlue]

45. You also have Raul Grijalva, a very good man.

I am lucky too - I have Harry Mitchell. Maricopa is still very red, but there's a strong blue group here and we're not going away!

[pacalo]

21. Sounds like he wants to run a GitmoUSA operation. He's despicable.

[ccharles000]

22. wonderful

[mitchum]

23. Is this because much of his fanbase is dying off from old age?

[Hubert Flottz]

26. There's room in the tent for Joe Arpaio...

It would be a good place for every repub in America.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

27. He's 76. I hope he believes not smoking and not eating greasy foods is a commie hippy thing. -nt

[getthefacts]

30. I sincerely hope

this guy really goes down. He is making a mockery of human rights.

[dbackjon]

31. Joe Arapaio needs to be in jail

Along with Jabba the Hendershott

[blondeatlast]

38. "Jabba th Hendershott." Exactly. nt

[debunkthelies]

34. WOOO WHOOO!!!!!!!!

'Bout flippin time.:woohoo: :woohoo: :applause:

[Stinky The Clown]

35. He should be sentenced to stand in one spot in Auschwitz, in silence for 8 hours a day, and ........

..... made to simply *think*.

[TripleKatPad]

39. Not holding my breath

When, in the last umpteen years, have we seen the Dems actually take action? I love Conyers' spit-fire attitude, but I want to see some results. I still see the Dems being cowed by the MSM and DC politics. Here's to hoping he bends my tail sideways and makes me moo for mercy.

[Pithlet]

42. That is good news.

:thumbsup:

[npk]

43. That is good news to hear

I can't stand the spectacle he has made.

[KamaAina]

48. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano

until recently the governor out there, no doubt has several good-sized boxes worth of dirt on Sheriff Joke.

[blondeatlast]

49. She happily accepted his endorsement in a major TV ad when she ran for Gov.

Sad, but true--she and he were good buds when she was Maricopa Cty Attorney General...

[KamaAina]

50. Ewww ewww ewwwwwwww gross!!!!

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[byronius]

51. Arpaio is guilty of multiple murders. He's a gangster.

Sad that it's taken so long. A lot of pain and misery caused by this monster.

[cboy4]

54. Good

:thumbsup:

[Piewhacket]

55. Wait, wait... the letter is even better...

it urges investigation by the AG
42 USC 14141 (Civil) - pattern and practice by LE ... that deprives persons of (civil) rights.
18 USC 242 (Criminal) - Violation of Civil rights under color of law.
review of 287g INA authorizations by dept of homeland security (being used for INS roundups)
with consideration of revocation for abuse.

and last, but not least -Request for notification to the HJC concerning actions to ne taken in
this matter to prevent abuse of civil rights by the sheriff.


as our beloved but now departed Earnest (Jim Varney) would say "ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww...."
and I would only add...get ready to be bf* mr. sheriff, cuz it looks
like its suddenly your turn.

The letter: (NOTICE - PDF, 224K)
http://judiciary.house.gov/news/pdfs/Committee090212.pdf

[Joe Chi Minh]

58. Doesn't he look a geek! A slob, but a geeky slob. I couldn't imagine him

personally arresting anyone, at least, without a stun gun and back-up. How on earth did he ever get into the police force? And look at the narrow sloping shoulders and the paunch! How did he pass the physical! Even with his glasses he doesn't exactly look like Clark Kent, does he? Pass the sick bag.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

62. Ideology. Ideology is everything.

Show a higher disposition to Crush the Inferior™ than your opponent has and you're in.

Sheep.