The police are supposed to protect and serve our communities, not divide them. At its core, this is an abuse of power case involving a sheriff and sheriff’s office that disregarded the Constitution.... Read more»
The U.S. Justice Department filed a complaint Thursday against Sheriff Joe Arpaio, alleging racial profiling, discrimination in the Maricopa County Jail, and illegal retaliation against critics of the sheriff. “Arpaio ... intentionally and systematically discriminated against Latinos,” the department said.... Read more»
Last week I offered Russell Pearce’s anti-Mexican jihad as an example of the kind of overt racism that is no longer tolerated in politics. Now just a few days later we learn that J.T. Ready, Arizona’s leading white supremacist, appears to have committed a murder-suicide.... Read more»1
Since the days of Harry S. Truman, only one Democratic presidential candidate has won in Arizona: Bill Clinton, seeking a second term in 1996. But despite the state’s reputation as a GOP bastion and Mitt Romney’s advantages here, President Obama’s campaign is suggesting that it can win Arizona in November.... Read more»
A federal court has reinstated a lawsuit against Maricopa County and Sheriff Joe Arpaio by a woman who said her brother’s death stemmed from being held down, stripped and forced into the pink underwear of county inmates.... Read more»1
Exit polls from the recent Republican primary reveal Arizona Republicans who are much more moderate than their oddball leaders.... Read more»
After their first meeting with Joe Allbaugh, Rick Perry loyalists were left unimpressed. The competent Allbaugh of political legend — the one who had so effectively run George W. Bush’s 2000 campaign, a logistics man who had been part of the former president’s “Iron Triangle” — wasn’t the one who’d shown up.... Read more»
The order that candidates will appear on the ballot for the Republican presidential primary in Arizona was set by drawing Tuesday in Phoenix.... Read more»
Texas Gov. Rick Perry has named embattled Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio his Arizona campaign chairman, despite a recent Obama administration report condemning alleged discriminatory practices in Arpaio’s office.... Read more»13
Much like a monsoon haboob or a lengthy speech by an East Valley Republican, 2012 promises more dust-ups and hot air in the local political arena. Here’s one take on what the year holds: on wry, hold the pickle.... Read more»5
Despite Latinos’ mounting disapproval of President Obama for his administration’s immigration policies, a majority of the demographic would still prefer to see him in the White House over his Republican challengers, according to a new study.... Read more»8
When the government issued a report condemning Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s “discriminatory” policing policies, some immigrant rights groups lauded it. Others are worried it was nothing more than a conveniently timed political ploy.... Read more»4
In the wake of Justice Department allegations of widespread discrimination by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security has canceled an agreement that allows MCSO to detain illegal immigrants after their initial arrest.... Read more»13
Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio engaged in “wide-ranging discrimination against Latinos and retaliatory actions against individuals who criticized” his office, the U.S. Justice Department said Thursday. MCSO practices racial profiling in traffic stops and immigration sweeps, and discriminates against Spanish-speaking inmates in county jails, a report alleged.... Read more»20
While admitting that it mishandled more than 400 investigations into rapes and sexual assaults, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office claims its failures did not lead to additional crimes. But in the pile of ignored cases is the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl in 2006. Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s detectives largely disregarded the case.... Read more»2
Rick Perry’s dramatic tumble from the top of the Republican primary heap can be partly attributed to his immigration woes. An endorsement from Joe Arpaio could be a campaign strategy as Perry takes a harder stance on such issues.... Read more»
15433333
