Letters from the issue of Thursday, April 3, 2008


This old hog: The Bird proves that Sheriff Joe Arpaio is senile, dumb, evil, or brazen. It's probably all of the above with emphasis on evil.

This old hog appearing before an organization with neo-Nazi members would strain credibility ("Resident Evil," The Bird, Stephen Lemons, March 27), except that other unscrupulous politicians [state Representative Russell Pearce] have already done it. And because we have come to expect nothing but the most gutter-level behavior from our pitiful excuse for a sheriff.

What is Arpaio, an ex-member of the Hitler Youth?! He's certainly old enough to have been associated. And he has so much in common with Hitler. Paint a mustache on him, and there's a striking resemblance.

Unless Arpaio dies of old age, from a staph infection from one of his jails, or is defeated at the polls, there is no hope for us in this county. With a fellow Nazi like County Attorney Andrew Thomas in power, who's going to prosecute Joe for his malfeasance?

Um, as in giving his top deputies paid vacations in Honduras ("Jabba-Gate," The Bird, March 20) and lying that it's for the public good in this county. Please, Joe; only the people who vote for you are that stupid!
Antoine Cash, Phoenix


It's just a matter of time: That Joe Arpaio's SS — Selective (Enforcement) Squad — would target a particular reporter so that the sheriff could attempt to have his revenge reeks of Nazi Germany ("Head on a Skewer," Paul Rubin, March 20). New Times' John Dougherty should get a medal for standing up to this tyranny.

Joe has to be stopped! Please vote him out of office in the upcoming election!

The jack-booted public officials in this otherwise beautiful Valley of the Sun are making me want to run for my life. It's only a matter of time before any right-thinking individual who speaks out against Arpaio becomes the victim of one of his smear jobs ("Enemies List," Sarah Fenske, November 29, 2007).

Opposing Joe could land you in Tent City, where you could very well wind up dead. Truly terrifying!
Jan Alexander, Phoenix

A hotter, messier Phoenix: Thank heavens for journalists like John Dougherty. Phoenix is a mess, a very hot mess. Just wait a few years and it will be even hotter and messier. I don't miss Phoenix for a minute.

Kudos to John for his lifelong work on important issues. Too bad he didn't end up doing it in a city where it could've been more effective.
Nancy LaPlaca, Denver


More arrests mean more OT: Frightening? It can get much worse ("One-Drink Wonder," Sarah Fenske, March 20).

If you have a drink, decide to move your car in your own driveway, get behind the wheel with the keys, change your mind and get out, but get arrested and register a 0.08, you're guilty. It's called "actual physical control." Even on private property.

And if your license is suspended, it's a felony, and you must go to [jail]. Even if it's your first offense.

Think of the overtime costs. After all, it's innocent people and outrageous cases that go to trial. And that's where the OT [for cops] really is. If you're an observant police officer working four 10-hour shifts per week, you can make one or two arrests per shift. Then all the time spent in court — could be 40 hours per week — is paid at time-and-a-half.

An ambitious, young police officer can make a darn good living arresting people who really aren't a threat to society.
Michael L. Scanlan, Phoenix

One messed-up mom: I read your article, but I had to sleep on it so that I wouldn't be too abusive in my response. Are you freakin' kidding me?! Please tell me this article is phony. If not, pathetic, pathetic, pathetic! Why do people refuse to take responsibility for their actions?

All three of these people put themselves in their respective situations because of their actions. Play with fire, you're gonna get burned. I don't want to speak ill of the dead, but Phil Cisneros put himself in it. Why didn't he show up for his court case? If he would've shown up, he most likely wouldn't have gone to prison.

Growing up in Detroit, I was taught not to "mess with the po-leece, 'cuz they'll get ya in the end!" If you have a court date, you show up, period. You're a bad citizen and a criminal if you don't.

I believe Shannon Wilcutt is a bit of an unfit mother. Why do you have to drink alcohol with your kid? I think it's wrong to drink alcohol and drive your kid around because clearly it's risky behavior.

If you've had dental surgery, stay home afterward. You're messed-up and groggy. You don't belong on the streets or in a restaurant. Shannon didn't feel like cooking? Then stay home and order pizza for the kid. Or get a neighbor, a friend, a family member, or, God forbid, your husband to help you out. Have someone take the kid.

If you drink alcohol with your child and someone sees you and they perceive you're acting funny, you might just have to face the consequences of your actions.
Jane Smith, Scottsdale

Next Page »
My Voice Nation Help
michael radosevich
michael radosevich

greetings: have known donald w. harris for thirty years, practiced law in the office for ten years, served as a volunteer as the campaign financial reporter from july to december 2004. the undersigned passed the arizona bar exam 1993 and uniform certified public accountants exam 2003.

know people that serve or served maricopa county attorney's office from 1971 to 2007. relative to the individual 'elected' in 2004, it is hoped phx new times ad revenues are at a climax. unfortuanately it is beyond hyperbole, the county has and will continue to disburse dearly for disservice rendered by a-hole.

hope all is well. please have fun, take care, and be safe.

respectfully yours,michaelradosevich