News

The relentless raptor sinks his beak into the tyranny of Sheriff Joe Arpaio and County Attorney Andrew Thomas

A A A Comments (9) By Stephen Lemons Thursday, Sep 18 2008

The Bird can give you more than 43 million reasons, Howie. That's as in the $43 million-plus in lawsuit payouts Joe's cost the county.

Then there's the incompetence of Joe's regime, the 40,000 unserved felony warrants, the still-unexplained adventures of underling Chief Deputy David Hendershott in Honduras, the retribution against Joe's enemies, the cruelty in his jails, the unconstitutional sweeps targeting Latinos.

Danny Hellman

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Jumpin' jaybirds, what do you have to do, catch Joe gnawing the heads off bambinos?

Plus it's particularly asinine for some blather-mouth like Fischer to kvetch that Dan Saban hasn't made his case when little if any media is following Saban on the stump as he speaks several times a day, attacking Joe. This bark-scratcher caught Saban speaking to a Sun City group recently, and the former Mesa commander and Buckeye police chief offered a withering appraisal of Joe's misdeeds in office and the hits county coffers have taken because of it.

Saban's even challenged Joe to a series of debates, sending Arpaio a registered letter to this effect in June. Joe's response so far? Silence.

"He's a coward," Saban told this tweeter, referring to Arpaio. "Clearly, when you watch his tactics and the way he operates. He's not man-to-man. Come out; let's go. You're the self-appointed 'toughest sheriff in America.' Why would you fear a mere mortal like me?"

The Bird asked Arpaio about Saban's challenge at one of Joe's recent book-signings for his prevarication-friendly tome Joe's Law. Joe shrugged it off, said he gets lots of letters, and refused to answer any follow-ups.

Is there any reason Fischer and the other deans of the local journo pool here in the PHX haven't questioned Arpaio directly as to why he won't debate Saban? Could it be that Howie is afraid of losing his precious media access to our corrupt county constable? New Times isn't afraid to ask the sheriff anything. As a result, its scribes are banned from MCSO press conferences.

At the very least, Fischer, et al. have a duty to get their facts straight and not just repeat Joe's propaganda. Read something other than your own articles for a change, Fischer. That is, if you want people to think you're anything other than Howie the Hack.

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Former Republican 10/06/2008 9:01:00 AM

The County Attorney's oath of office clearly states that he is to act apolitically and as a minister of justice. Seeking the truth and fair justice seems to escape Thomas in his quest to destroy lives, families and their children, for his own personal agenda. This Republican will vote for Dan Saban for Sheriff and Tim Nelson for County Attorney.
Equity Court Services of Arizo 09/22/2008 3:55:00 PM

Comment removed for being off topic
Doug Reilly 09/22/2008 2:23:00 PM

I am truly surprised that someone has not taken that punk Arpaio out yet. I guess its probably just a matter of time. He'll screw with the wrong person one day and become a distant memory! Doug Reilly www.FireMe.To/udi
Equity Court Services of Arizo 09/21/2008 5:49:00 AM

Comment removed for being off topic
Equity Court Services of Arizo 09/21/2008 5:24:00 AM

Comment removed for being off topic
Coz 09/19/2008 6:28:00 PM

There is enough of us that have been harassed and had our Contitutional Rights violated by these Monkey's. Maybe it's time we all band together and start a Class Action Suit against Arpaio, Thomas, Maricopa County and the Board of Stupidvisors....
Vote out Thomas/Joe 09/18/2008 8:32:00 PM

The really sad thing about these men is the destroying of lives these men have caused for their own political gain. Courtney Bisbee is in jail used by these men when we were all hot on child molesters, nevermind there was no evidence to support the facts. An innocent women lost her child, her live as she knew it. Anyone who looks at the story can tell it was a child custody case where the ex-husband buried his ex-wife alive in Sheriff Joe's prison. Thomas has had the recanted testimony for over a year. It is not about justice. It is all about headlines. Dan Saban knows this, Lisa Aubuchon says everyone is guilty she is a charging officer...with that mentality the county attorney is not discriminate with the cases. Moms at malls,Andrew Thomas thinks women who put there children in daycare should be put in jail. Joe has just gotten feeble. Thomas will hide behind illegal immigration so you don't notice his theft of funds from Maricopa County for billboards, brochures. I am sickened evrytime I see the mothers who lost their children to drugs and hear Andrew Thomas's voice as a tag line. He has utilized these mothers grief as a political ploy. If he was doing his job and sheriff joe was doing his job the drug dealers would be caught and prosecuted. They are pretending to be a sheriff and a county attorney. Hopefully the citizens of Maricopa County will realize the Joe and Andy show is in reruns and we need to cancel this show. I heard on the KFYI this morning Sheriff Joe say he would "enforce the laws he wants to enforce." Thomas will prosecute the cases he wants to prosecute. This is not ethical, it is not right. Selective enforcement is what led to the New Times arrest.I am a conservative Republican not a liberal. These men are corrupt and self serving. This election residents of Maricopa County should educate themselves to the facts and vote accordingly. If you do Dan Saban and Tim Nelson should be elected.
Coz 09/18/2008 7:13:00 AM

Geez, Maricopa County sucks. It's becomming more and more like Nazi Germany everyday here. Where the law can break the law anytime they want and trample all over the US Constitution anytime they feel like it with the blessing of other Politicians. Maybe what Maricopa County needs is a good old fashion major riot for rights and to take back over this Nazi mentality that is destroying Maricopa County.
George Wells 09/18/2008 5:40:00 AM

What's the matter with people in Arizona? Do they enjoy living in this police state Mr. Lemons describes? Apparently they do. I would say they deserve what they get, except that too many innocent are trampled underfoot as well. I can only hope Arpaio loses reelection. But as long as he stays in power, I'll be avoiding Maricopa County in my travels.