Letters From the Issue of Thursday, November 1, 2007

I imagine you would have had a considerable number of other journalists showing up down there, or otherwise lending a hand to help you deal with this crazy situation. Now, find out why [the authorities] backed off. Is it because the arrest has been picked up and is now being carried worldwide? Probably so. This does not paint much of a pretty picture here in George W. Bush's America, does it?

While the U.S. attacks countries like Afghanistan in order to "install democratic governments," thanks to the Internet, people all over the world can read about this situation and see we have a "Taliban problem" down in Maricopa County. Whatever you do, never, never, never give up!
John Harrington, Salt Lake CityCloser to removing the worms: Congratulations, New Times! The idea of a free press (the first amendment to the Constitution), in my opinion, is part of a system of checks and balances designed to keep our government honest.

By exposing the abuse of powers by the Sheriff's Office and the County Attorney's Office, I hope we are a little closer to removing these worms from office. New Times has done its part and I hope you continue, without mercy, to bring to light all the wrongs committed by Nickel Bag Joe.

The rest is up to the consumers of all media outlets to take notice and change their votes at the next election. I would rather see Sheriff Joe become a guest in his own jail, languish there during a long, painful, exposing criminal trial and then shipped off to a maximum-security prison.

As for County Attorney Thomas, either he sanctioned Dennis Wilenchik's conduct in this grand jury investigation, or he is clueless as to what tactics his deputies are using to get a win in court. Either way, both men are incompetent to hold office and should be removed and possibly disbarred. Keep up the good work!
Robert Rodriguez, via the InternetWe like it, too: I like having freedom. What sick pigs for thinking they could do this to Americans.
Mike Provost, via the InternetThis is just the beginning: This was never about revealing grand jury information or any other crock the disgraceful county attorney and sheriff concocted. This was an attempt at intimidation. Thank God New Times stood up to it forcefully and fearlessly. You made an important stand on behalf of all of us.

However, it's not over. At his press conference, Andrew Thomas said of his office's illegal assault on the New Times: "I do not condone it. I do not defend it, and so it ends today." Like hell it ends today! It's just beginning.

We can't allow public officials to pry into the reading habits of tens of thousands of people without vigorous, sustained challenges on multiple fronts.

I intend to file a complaint about Thomas's outrageous conduct with the State Bar Association. I'm also writing to Attorney General Terry Goddard to seek an independent prosecutor and/or an investigation to determine if any laws were broken in this witch hunt. If he determines no laws were broken, I'd like his recommendations for a state law that would protect citizens from such reckless, dangerous, anti-American intrusions.

I also think we citizens need to begin a drum beat demanding that the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors audit the County Attorney's Office, especially in the area of spending on and use of outside attorneys, and the Sheriff's Department because it apparently hasn't been audited in years.

You guys are my First Amendment heroes for 2007.
Bill Gates, Sun Lakes