The Pink Flamingo :: Sheriff Joe and the FBI

For your edification, I have provide a bunch o’ immigration links. I think the theme here is the possibility that people are starting to pay attention to the various and sundry outrageous committed by the various and sundry anti-immigration organization and political entities throughout the civilized world. Then there is Sheriff Joe and those nasty illegals (maybe). Mayor Phil Gordon of Phoenix has requested the FBI investigate Sheriff Joe Arpaio for

“…pattern and practice of conduct that includes discriminatory harassment, improper stops, searches and arrests."… Gordon's four-page letter details Arpaio's recent sweeps through predominantly Latino neighborhoods in Phoenix and Guadalupe. "Over the past few weeks, Sheriff Arpaio's actions have infringed on the civil rights of our residents," Gordon wrote. "They have put our residents' well-being, and the well-being of law enforcement officers, at risk." In his letter, Gordon says he was moved to write after Arpaio pledged to bring his sweeps to other Valley cities on an ongoing basis. Gordon, who is an attorney, asks that Arpaio be investigated for possible violations of four laws, including the Civil Rights Act and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act.

Gordon declined to discuss his letter in detail. "The letter speaks for itself," he said. The raids, which Arpaio has described as efforts to suppress crime in problem areas, have won the sheriff praise from residents fed up with government inaction on illegal immigration. But they have been harshly criticized by civil libertarians who say the sheriff's raids have led to racial-profiling and the illegal detainment of U.S. citizens. The American Civil Liberties Union and Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund have said the raids are likely to spark civil-rights lawsuits against the sheriff. Last week, the Arizona Ecumenical Council and American Jewish Committee issued a joint letter saying the raids had "evoked a 'police state' atmosphere" and led to "detainment on the basis of a racial profile and dehumanization of innocent people."

They were joined on Friday by the Arizona chapter of the Anti-Defamation League, which echoed calls for a Justice Department investigation. "We're not saying the sheriff's guilty," said Bill Straus, the chapter's executive director, who described himself as a friend of Arpaio's. "All we're saying is, if the sheriff's department continues operating under this cloud of allegations and they're not true, that's really unfair to the sheriff's department. If in fact they are true, it needs to stop."

A Justice Department investigation could lead to civil or criminal proceedings. Civil charges could result in a restraining order preventing certain aspects of Arpaio's raids, officials said. Criminal charges could lead to prosecution. In his office, Gordon has a pair of posters held by protesters at the recent sweep that took place near Cave Creek and Bell roads. Given to him by a Phoenix police officer who was on the scene, one refers to Latinos with an expletive and a slur. Another says "Hooray for the slaughtering of the illegals!" and is adorned with a swastika.”

And from our favorite liberal, The Feathered Bastard

“…I rang ADL Regional Director Bill Straus, who explained why the ADL decided to take this step. "We're just hearing an increasing number of these allegations," said Straus. "And we're not in the position to know whether the allegations are true or not. So we decided to go on the record and call for some way of determining if this is in fact happening. And if it is, it's gonna have to stop. But if it's not, we need to know that too. The community needs to know it." Straus stated that he had not talked to Arpaio or anyone at the MCSO before issuing the press release to the media. So far, the response to the ADL's stance by callers has been overwhelmingly positive, said Strauss. "I don't have a conversation with a mayor, or another city official of any city in the Valley or a police official that doesn't usually lead off with the subject of Sheriff Arpaio and his `crime suppression sweeps,'" related Straus….”

It is all about the racism. According to Ruben Navarrette

“…My views are well-known. As an opinion writer, my agenda is to expose shameful politicians who use immigration to scare up votes, to be skeptical of feel-good solutions that don't work, and -- consistent with the journalist creed -- to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. My agenda is to demand what this debate really needs: more honesty, an end to hypocrisy, a ban on simple solutions, to be purged of racism and nativism, and an understanding that our anger should be aimed not at people but at government. My agenda is to make sure that illegal immigrants, whatever their ethnicity, not be treated as scapegoats, picked on, or unfairly blamed for all of society's ills while we turn ourselves inside out making excuses for their accomplices -- the employers who hire them. As a Mexican-American, I needn't choose between being Mexican and American. I'm both. But, it's true: I am more one than the other. As an American, I care about the little guy; Mexico doesn't. As an American, I recognize the positive impact of legal immigration; Mexico doesn't. As an American, I care about fairness and stamping out racism and prejudice; Mexico doesn't. In the country that nearly 100 years ago cast afloat my Mexican grandfather, there are winners and losers; in mine, we take it as fact that with hard work and sacrifice, anyone can win….”

Instead of concentrating on the big drug dealers, even illegals, the BP in Yuma is picking up the recreational pot user. Strange, isn’t it? Why concentrate on the small time recreational drug users while you are letting the big guns get away?

Driving while Latina – in a late model car.
The Sierra Vista Herald has local nativist, Glenn Spencer’s take on the SPLC.
A warning has been issued in Cochise County about Ranch Support Services that has morphed into the Cochise County Militia.
Then there is the ruling on the Bennett case.
Speaking of the Cochise County Militia, what legal entanglements will Roger Barnett face – now?
American farmers moving to Mexico:
This rhetoric against immigration and Hispanics has lead to an increase in crimes against Hispanics. In Pahrump several Mexican restaurants have burned.
Along the NM border between Columbus and Palomas tensions continue.

HOW THE DETENTION SYSTEM WORKS
This is the story of a woman seeking asylum. She wasn’t even an illegal. The story is documented.

BLASTED BORDER FENCE
Now we hear that DHS is waving environmental rules. I keep telling you nothing gets in their way. (Outside the Beltway) You can’t have it both ways. When are conservatives going to realize the blasted border fence is the most big government anti freedom thing that has happened in this country since – well in a long time.

POETIC JUSTICE
It’s a minuteman feud guys. Just have fun watching it. It’s from Immigration Watchdog