Comments on: The Continuing Downsides of Having a “Colorful” Sheriff

By: markm

markm — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:06:07 +0000

Ian: Only if you don’t count the crimes Arpaio and his PD are getting away with…

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:22:21 +0000

2 issues. There is attorney client privilege. An agent for the prosecutor can’t just go rifling through the defense’s work product. What Stoddard did should land him in jail otherwise we should skip the trial and take anyone arrested to a judge for sentencing.

Also,Sheriff Joe and gang will arrest groups of people for being Hispanic and jail them until they can prove they are Americans. No crime needed. Hispanic Americans should be forced to carry passports while working.

I’m not fond of the idea of arresting groups of people and have them prove their innocent.

By: gadfly

gadfly — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:43:13 +0000

It looks here like Sheriff Joe is not the only Arizonan to act “inappropriately” recently.

By: gadfly

gadfly — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:22:54 +0000

So Michael prefers higher crime to enforcing the law? If the demographic group is breaking the law, its members may face appropriate penalties.

Personally, I believe that if a suspect is arrested and then convicted, his “demographic” is not the defining basis of that conviction.

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 00:52:18 +0000

I just saw the Stoddard press conference. In the statement that Joe wrote for him to read, he takes the position that he is permitted to read and photocopy any document in the possession of the defense under the pretext of keeping the court room secure.

@Ian Random. It’s pretty easy to keep crime down when you’re above the law and can blanket arrest a whole group of people based on a demographic. The old mob bosses on the east coast could keep an area pretty crime free too. A thug is a thug.

By: John Moore

John Moore — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:07:55 +0000

I sorta like having Joe around, as long as he doesn’t come after me.

I mean, after all, what would Arizona be without our colorful politicians. We’ve had Ev Mecham (impeached, darn it, spoiled the fun); Sam Steiger (libertarian burro killer, midnight graffiti artist); Barry Goldwater (alright, he didn’t break any laws)… and lots of others.

BTW, many of Joe’s programs are pretty good – for example, his tent city (a friend of mine is no fan – which is good – maybe he won’t do anything to get back there); his chain gangs (popular among the inmates, btw); his large, armed posses who provide many public services including keeping the peace.

What’s scary is that Joe may run for governator.

By: Ian Random

Ian Random — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:40:53 +0000

I prefer to hear both sides of the story before making a decision, but it looks like he is able to keep crime down.

http://sonoranalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/graph.jpg

By: roger the shrubber

roger the shrubber — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:58:32 +0000

the word you want is “caudillo”. i hate to say it, since i liked the way arpaiao treated cons and went after illegal aliens – note those key words “convicts” and “illegal” – but the guy is out of hand. his PD is out of hand. it’s clear that he’s finally come to the age-old conclusion of “la loi c’est moi”. history teaches that once a man in power comes to that conclusion, things will get worse for john q. public every day thereafter. does he carry special pearl-handled revolvers? does he wear a special uniform with special solid gold insignia? does he get a special straight-armed salute? no? he will, soon enough, unless he’s stopped. where the hell is the state in all this?

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:50:45 +0000

The press conference was a stupid idea. An agent for the prosecution stealing defense materials warrants arrest ad trial. Letting this go undermines the whole concept of out criminal justice system. Plus, there could be 5th amendment issues.

By: DrTorch

DrTorch — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:39:13 +0000

Interesting separation of powers case.

I believe the sheriff does have the ability not to go forward w/ the court’s direction.

Of course the Gov also has the ability to call in the state guard…

Fun times our there. Good thing Erickson is such a bust so there isn’t any distraction from the real entertainment.