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The Toughest Sheriff in America defends Arizona’s immigration law

Ken Miller

Wed, May 12, 2010 (3:58 p.m.)

Image

Joe Arpaio

Photo: Rick Scuteri/AP

I wouldn’t hold your breath, Joe.

I’m sitting at an oval-shaped table in some nondescript executive suite off St. Rose Parkway listening to Maricopa County, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio talk about how he’s the victim in all this, that he’s just doing his job and getting little appreciation in return.

It’s a bit hard to believe I’m hearing this from The Toughest Sheriff in America (he’d be quick to correct you with “The World!”). Arguably the most polarizing figure in the ongoing immigration debate, he’s a sheriff who’s been under investigation for everything from civil-rights violations to using his office to settle vendettas, a sheriff who’s followed everywhere by protestors, a sheriff whose state just passed an immigration law that many say is tantamount to fascism.

But here the 77-year-old authority figure sits, in town not because of anything to do with his state’s sudden notoriety, but because he’s the guest of First Friday, a monthly Republican mixer that decamps to Stoney’s for two-for-one drink specials. He’s just in town to get his wine on, apparently.

Oh, and to tell the media it’s hard out here for a sheriff. He talks about above-and-beyond training for deputies to ensure no racial profiling takes place in his parish; how his employees represent 35 countries, and that they all have green cards; how he’s got “great relations” with the Mexican people, going back to his days with the DEA in that country.

He flatly denied his decision to not run for governor was in any way motivated by an investigation into his office by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Integrity. He also does his best to disarm the press, indicating his son-in-law, Phil Boas, is the editorial page editor at the Arizona Republic, which routinely slams him, and that his cell phone’s ring tone is “My Way.”

Asking for papers? Nonsense, he says, explaining documentation is only checked in the course of normal investigations. (No real discussion as to what constitutes “normal”). Thanks to that damn media, Arpaio says there’s now a lot of “panic, hype and misinformation” about it. Immigration reform? Arpaio said he’s vehemently opposed to amnesty, adding, “Let’s give the new law a chance.”

Finally, he said he wished he had run for governor, as that would have set up a presidential run. Yeah, he really said that. As for Obama, Arpaio wonders why he’s never been invited to the White House “for wine or basketball. They don’t want my opinion, which is sad.”

Like I said, I wouldn’t hold your breath, Joe.

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This so typical of the lefties in the media. You pounce on Sheriff Joe for having the chutzpah to do the job the federal government will not do. All he and the rest of Arizona are doing is enforcing current immigration laws already established. Since you care so much about these illegal aliens and not are immigrants why don't you have them come live with you and take care of all of their needs. This would help out us taxpayers tremendously and use our taxes for more important means such as reducing spending and having a balanced budget. What don't you and rest of the left wing media understand about the term illegal? They broke the law and have no rights at all since they have not earned the rights to be citizens of this great country. Is is fair to all the legal immigrants who have come into this country and deny them rights since they have played by the rules? What makes the illegal aliens special? We must close the borders and have no annesty. We must also repeal the 14th amendment to clarify what it means and we must have no anchor babies at all.

Posted by: bdave1 on 5/13/10 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Mr. Ken Miller since you love these people so much why don't you listen to the Terry Anderson show every Sunday at 9pm Pacific and see how he and the rest of his listeners feel about this issue. I would suggest you watch a video on You tube when a college professor at UCLA with La Reza calls for war with USA as he says how the USA stole this land. He hates anyone who is not a chicano which means you and me. Can you please get do your research and stop letting your liberal, progressive views get in the way of your reporting. Ask Nancy Pelosi to help you out since she loves all the illegal aliens. Go live with her since you two deserve each other.

Posted by: bdave1 on 5/13/10 at 2:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

oy, why does the discussion have to be so divisive?

well, at least people are talking

Posted by: aoyang on 5/13/10 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Screen for the aptitude; Buy for the attitude
"I came here for an argument" - Monty Python
For the 'imbedded' vituperative corporatocracy (emergent standard use) [...]
Bodies 3 min 29 sec

Posted by: cypher on 5/17/10 at 6:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree that this new law actually makes sense as I've often wondered why you can see a group of "more than likely" illegal immigrants at any lawn supply store or Home Depot without immigration at least making an effort to check on their status, and it isn't like police don't already ask EVERYONE for their state issued identification as it is, but I have a challenge to some of the other people commenting on this piece: can you go even one day without turning everything you say into the same "you guys are leftist / liberal media" crap?

Your point, I'm assuming, is to voice your opinion and possibly influence others who might not be fully informed on the matter at hand. A hint at accomplishing your goal might be to try and say something factual, relevant, and credibly sourced without babbling on about "leftists" and Nancy Pelosi like a drunken Sarah Palin at a moose hunting expo. Kind of turns people off immediately and makes you sound like you are nervously holding a shotgun and wearing a tin foil hat. ;-)

Posted by: metropony on 5/18/10 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

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