Letters From the Issue of Thursday, October 4, 2007

PLASTIC EXPLOSION

Fake boobs: Still pass: I just finished reading Megan Irwin’s jaunt through Scottsdale plastic surgery (“Pimp My Bod,” September 27). What a fun read. Way to go, Megan! And, girl, you hang on to your real self! Bottle-blond hair and fake boobs have been pass for half my life — except around here.

Now, some local surgeons do nice work. I should know. But subtle is the key word these days. What you want is plastic surgery that your friends wouldn’t notice, unless you took all your clothes off — and even then they shouldn’t be sure whether you’d just been working out a lot, sleeping more, and eating your vegetables.
Name withheld by request

DENNIS THE MENACE

Thats putting it lightly, John: Excellent story about the Dan Saban lawsuit against Joe Arpaio (“Below the Belt,” Paul Rubin, September 26). I knew Dan when he was in the Mesa Police Department, and I thought he was an excellent officer.

Saban obviously does have family problems, but that doesn’t give the sheriff’s people the right to try to ruin him. And that lawyer [Dennis Wilenchik]! He sounds like a mean SOB.
John Berman, Mesa

Why cant we do better?: I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t vote in the 2004 election that was mentioned in this story. I did vote for Arpaio before that. No more voting for Joe by me. I’m not sure about Saban, either.

Why can’t we do better with our elected officials? “Below the Belt” was a very interesting story, and I went back and read the earlier one (“Boob’s Tube,” Paul Rubin, January 25), which really told what was going on. Thanks.
Jamie Carnahan, via the Internet

Were sure youre not alone, Hal: As a former resident of Phoenix, and a longtime reader of New Times and Paul Rubin, thanks for the great story on Dan Saban and his trial. I voted for Joe when I lived out there, and I wonder what I was thinking.
Hal Stiles, via the Internet

Media are complicit: Courts are supposed to reflect public opinion. Video and print media reflect editors’ opinions. Point being, the media [Channel 15, in the case of Dan Saban] make people guilty without the use of the law. Even if a person is innocent, the media does their damage.
Rich Vanek, Peoria

Thats why we call him Sheriff Joke: I think Sheriff Joe and Andy Thomas are a joke. They get people voting them in because they are “tough on crime,” right? They are seething, publicity-rabid nut cases. I hope everybody sees this and votes them out.
Tom Trottier, via the Internet

But what did the judge say?: I would like to see more about Superior Court Judge Robert Houser’s jury instructions that led to this kind of outcome in the Saban case. An accusation of rape ought to be defamation per se, and damages shouldn’t need to be proved. The drama goes on.
Name withheld by request

REDNECK FORUM

Another paranoid rant: Regarding your many articles on the issue (including “Town Without Pity,” The Bird, Stephen Lemons, September 13), I would like to comment on the immigration problem in Arizona and in other states. I am a Native American. Everyone knows our history. As an American Indian, I am disgusted with the influx of Hispanic people. The Hispanic people refuse to adapt to American ways. Many of them refuse to speak English or to learn English. They bring their heritage to us and shove it down our throats.

My people speak English in the general public out of respect, though we may speak Navajo or Hopi in our homes and our ceremonies.

My people had to learn English, and I refuse to learn Spanish just so I can speak to illegals. The Irish, Germans, and Japanese learn English before they come here to live, out of respect for America! Drive around Phoenix and you will see that it looks like a Third World country in some places! This is not fair to other races.

Then there’s the graffiti problem. Illegals tend to tag anything that stands still. It looks like Tijuana. You don’t own those buildings and walls. You don’t own the land, either. If you have to tag something, tag your walls at your house! They don’t want to disrespect their homes, just ours. No respect for Americans at all.

I heard comedian George Lopez on HBO a few months back. He stated that the Mexican people are taking back California “one Mexican at a time.” I no longer listen to this idiot. Because what he said is their secret goal. Hey, George, it’s not Mexicans’ land. Native Americans were here first!

Is that how we Native Americans get our land back? Shoot out 10 kids per family, expect everyone to speak our many native tongues, tag businesses with Indian symbols to let everyone know we’re here. I think not. So, illegals, think hard about this letter next time you ask why Americans don’t want you here. It’s not about jobs! It’s about respect.
Jim Raishart, via the Internet

Theyre cowards, Micho: Bird, I love your column. I read it every time it comes out. But I do have to disagree about agents Ignacio Ramos and Jos Compean. Obviously, they shot the guy for a reason, probably prior offenses.

Man, you don’t smuggle drugs on the border, even weed, with a nice attitude. These guys are ruthless, and who knows if the guy Ramos and Compean shot could’ve had a gun and thrown it in the river, or stashed it.

Yeah, these Border Patrol agents were scared on the witness stand, but I think their punishment was harsh.

As for the poor girl who got deported in “Town Without Pity,” if she’s under 18 or still in high school, they need to bring her back. But my grandfather was from Mexico, and when he got caught by the Border Patrol, he voluntarily went back and came back legally.
Micho Cordero, Peoria