Joe's an attention whore — nothing more: There's nothing left to the imagination about this story. It's crystal clear what Joe Arpaio is up to here. He's hassling every brown-skinned person he can find, in the hopes he will find an illegal alien or two to [get kicked] out of the country.
That the Guadalupe raid last year netted only a handful of illegals says a mouthful. How in the hell is such a sweep justified — money-wise, much less human rights-wise — with such a meager result? I'll tell you why: Joe only wants the publicity; he doesn't really care about the problem.
I'm one of those people who wants the illegal alien problem solved, but not at the expense of human rights. What Joe's doing is vile, and it's having little, if any, effect.
Becky Schaefer, Glendale
Even veterans despise Joe: I didn't enjoy your recent article in New Times. Although it was well-written, I didn't enjoy it much because it made me very angry. Why? Because I was very upset about the way the citizens of Guadalupe were treated by the Nazi Sheriff Joe. These citizens are all Indians and were here well before the Nazi sheriff was.
I used to live in Tempe, very near Guadalupe, and often visited there because I enjoyed the people and various religious and other ceremonies. I am a World War II veteran, and I find it outrageous the way the Nazi sheriff has treated the Indian people there.
I'm glad you have brought this to the attention of the public, and I am also glad that the sheriff's department's actions are now being investigated by the federal government. Hopefully those who participated, as well as those responsible for such actions, will be treated by the feds [the same as the MCSO] treated Guadalupe citizens.
William Trush, via the Internet
Unmasking Arpaio: Harassing American citizens like this cannot be allowed in our country! Michael Lacey has really unmasked what Joe Arpaio is all about. And it's either pure racism or a vendetta mentality. I think it's more the latter: The Sanchezes opposed him, and then he made them pay!
He's famous for exacting revenge on most anybody who crosses him, as many of your stories have proved.
Hal Arrington, Phoenix
Set up a tent for Joe: To answer the last question posed [in "Are Your Papers in Order?"], I'll bet it's Miller time for Arpaio. Last call won't be until if and when he gets indicted, tried, and convicted. Won't hold my breath on that, but maybe miracles can happen? Sure would be sweet to see him as a resident of Tent City wearing his own pink undies and eating green bologna.
Joe Curwen, Phoenix
Doling out abuse is like heroin to Joe: Great article. Very candid and pointed. It's too bad that the ignorant masses can't pull their heads out of the sand long enough to just take a serious look at what goes on. It's not a secret; those who support [Joe Arpaio] either don't want to face the facts and would rather champion some conspiracy theory or just flat-out are too lazy to take the time to know.
I talk to the latter, usually, and they have such a hard time believing the facts I lay out to them. This [harassment of the Sanchezes] is abuse of power. This is not an isolated incident. It's the norm for the MCSO and Joe — almost like a daily fix of heroin for them.
It's appalling, ludicrous, and has no place in America. It's rather shocking, though, that the pro-Joe crowd is actually upset that the Justice Department is doing what it needs to do to protect everyone's rights, not just illegals' rights. The ignorant need to comprehend that if [abuse of constitutional rights] is allowed just once, it will continue. History has shown us this.
[Arpaio's] M.O. at the DEA was easy arrests, hence the nickname "Nickel Bag Joe." That M.O. seems to have followed him to the MCSO. Why else would he send 60 deputies to arrest three janitors? Is that a wise use of resources, paying how much overtime in these tough economic times to arrest three people? Was SWAT gear really needed to apprehend these hardened criminals?
I look forward to the upcoming stories, Mr. Lacey, and thanks for your courage and patriotism in the face of adversity!
David Saint, Phoenix
A must-read: This article is required reading for any Phoenix resident. Puts a face on Arpaio's crimes against basic human decency.
Corby Ziesman, Scottsdale
Standing up to a gangster: Thanks for 15 years of courageous reporting on Arpaio's abuses. Never in 15 years has there been this much organized resistance against this gangster.
One can say with absolute certainty that the flames of resistance have only begun to burn. Those of us who actively resist and oppose Arpaio will not stop with the DOJ's slapping [Arpaio's] wrist or the removal of 287(g). This isn't over until it's over.
Dennis Gilman, Scottsdale
Call the next one "Cry Me a River": I can't believe you would even waste paper on this story. People get pulled over everyday for shit like no license-plate light and broken taillights. And the lady who got thrown down in [her] backyard after not pulling over and pulling into [her] yard, what does she expect?
You need to write another article titled "Cry Me a River." If they're citizens, then they've got nothing to worry about. People these days just love to feel sorry for themselves. Please don't write anymore bullshit like this.
Jhon Herrera, via the Internet
Simply appalling: When I was in town for spring baseball, I read your article and drove down to Guadalupe to find the lemonade stand. I didn't, though I did observe some of the Yaqui festival. I am on the board of the Utah ACLU, and I am appalled that voters in Maricopa County continue to elect this jerk.
Thanks for the article. We all must do what we can to promote justice.
W. Andrew McCullough, via the Internet
Turn in your badge, Joe: This is a horrible story and should absolutely not be tolerated in America! What have we become? Are we back in the '50s and '60s? Have we learned anything at all [about] what comes from racially targeting innocent people?
[These are just] a few of the thousands of people who have been wrongfully accused of being illegal aliens. The exact same thing happened to my uncle, but he never reported it.
People are such idiots nowadays. Just because someone is anti-illegal alien doesn't mean he or she is a good person who upholds the law. The KKK is anti-illegal, too, you know?
Sheriff Joe should turn in his badge, as should any officers who agree with him.
Name withheld
When someone stops him: Sheriff Joe has now made the New York Times. He has now become the national symbol of racial profiling. When will it end?
Name withheld
Stomach-curdling sheriff: Every time New Times writes an article about the obvious abuses carried out by of our joke of a sheriff, whatever is in my stomach curdles. When will the citizens of Maricopa County open their fucking eyes to the blatant abuse of power, misuse of power, and total waste of our tax dollars on illegal sweeps and lawsuits against Arpaio?
Unfortunately, I work in the Wells Fargo building and have to occasionally see Arpaio in the elevator. Is it me, or does he have the obvious short-man complex? What a timid little bitch he must be to need his henchman with him at all times.
Name withheld
True Mexicans know the score: Your article was holding water until the part about [Elaine Sanchez] being pulled over for no light over her license plate, which I myself just got stopped for and received a ticket from the Scottsdale police. I'm white, and I can only imagine what the police would've done to me if I had driven into my yard and run to my back door!
I grew up in Yuma, my best friends were Mexican-American, and I love their culture. True Mexicans [know that illegals] are bad for everyone and bring heat on their own people.
Name withheld
BRUTAL TRUTH
Cops still have to play fair: How horrible for this poor woman. Normally, I would be saying that illegal aliens deserve what they get. But the cops have to play fair. They aren't allowed to force people to give over what are supposed to be voluntary fingerprints to the point of breaking an arm.
Arpaio and his men need to be prosecuted to the full letter of the law for doing this.
But I'm kind of glad this came to light, because most of us have no idea what a goon like Joe is really doing until something so contemptible happens.
And if I didn't live in Maricopa County, I'd think that once people see something contemptible happening over and over again for years and years, they'd have enough and throw the SOB out of office.
New Times, keep up the pressure. Whether he admits it or not, Joe's on the ropes with these federal investigations.
Ric Morales, Phoenix
Assholish-ness encouraged at the MCSO: In Joe's world, it's from the top down that everybody must act like a Nazi a-hole; if you don't get that illegal on her way to being kicked out of the country, your job's in jeopardy in Joe's MCSO. Better to break her arm than lose your job.
Timothy Davis, Mesa
Shame on Montini, Republic: Fuck E.J. Montini and his personal crusade to save this modern-day Hitler wanna-be! Eat some dirt for sticking up for someone who's so utterly vile! Shame on the Arizona Republic for running this article!
Andrew Creighton, via the Internet
E.J. gives Italians a bad name: Montini, you're a pineapple. Just as Arpaio goes around looking for attention and self-promotion, you're ignorant backing of this lowlife is an embarrassment to our great Italian heritage.
Rosco V. Vetri, via the Internet
