Sheriff Joe Arpaio swore in his new “illegal immigration posse” this past week. Latino activists are crying foul for fear of minuteman mentality being exercised against immigrants. They fear the mentality of ‘Lets go hunt Mexicans.’
According to the Daily Beast:
The group of mostly middle-aged or older white men dressed in brown uniforms with gold badges will assist Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s deputies in such duties as “transporting illegal immigrants arrested for potential immigration violations,” “crowd control during demonstrations against the sheriff’s immigration policies” and “searching for load vehicles and drop houses.”
Sheriff Joe also positioned his new posse near props that hinted of war — a helicopter, an off-road vehicle, and an armored personnel carrier with a long gun. Over half the 56 posse members were cleared to carry weapons, and all had received training in illegal immigration enforcement, Arpaio announced during the ceremony.
Latino activists accuse Sheriff Joe of trying to take the attention off some of his legal problems which have arisen from some of his extreme measures in dealing with illegal immigrants. He is currently under several on-going investigations.
In early November, Maricopa County deputized 6 federal agents to look into other abuses of power such as funneling money from one account into cash strapped operations like immigration enforcement. Sheriff Joe is being investigated now for keeping 2 sets of books. Arpaio is already under investigation for abuse of power and civil rights violations.
Danny Ortega, a Phoenix attorney and chairman of the board of the National Council of La Raza fears that the possee will attract those who are ’emotionally attracted’ to immigration enforcement and the volatility that such an attachment could give rise to.
And if there weren’t enough of a show with the Sheriff and his newly formed posse, The Beast further reports:
Two new posse members are actually minor movie stars—action figure Steven Seagal and Lou Ferrigno, the former Incredible Hulk, who doesn’t even live in Arizona.Arpaio had named Ferrigno an “honorary deputy” in May so the Hulk could “bodyguard” the sheriff when he spoke at a friendly Tea Party rally. The bodyguard gig boosted publicity for both the sheriff and Ferrigno, who sells t-shirts and exercise equipment on line. Ferrigno says he’s signed on to the illegal immigration posse because he wants to support Arpaio’s efforts to curb illegal immigration.
So now the Incredible Hulk is part of the posse. All we need is a green beef up suit to make things completely bizarro-world.
They should just put the sheets over their heads and get it over with.
For as many people who feel like you do, Sheriff Joe has a real folk hero type of following.
I would say that there are an awful lot of law enforcement officials out in Arizona who haven’t been nearly as ‘in your face’ as Sheriff Joe who have very effective track records at removing criminal illegal aliens from the streets.
He seems to be an attention junkie.
Those latino activists don’t speak for me. I think what the Sheriff is doing here is just fine. If his posse is successful – great.
Steven Seagal? They’re doomed. That’s jumping the shark even before you start. Look for a new reality program soon.
Moon, don’t know how the second comment was posted. You can delete this one and number 5. Thx by
done.
Marin, welcome back. You were missed.
Does it concern you that Sheriff Joe has so many legal problems? Is there a chance he is going overboard?
Americans will sleep better at night knowing that fat, middle-aged guys are patrolling our border. Our illegal immigration problems are solved.
Lou Ferrigno and Sherrif Joe look like a freak side-show at the circus.
You ever wonder why when the Hulk transforms his pants burst at the knees and feet, but never around his crotch?
Starry, maybe because TSA owns the crotch area?
MH, Sheriff’s have the right and obligation to form up posse’s to enforce the laws of the land. Our Sheriff here in PWC has the same ability – to muster all able body people (the law may still say men but I’ll go with people until I learn otherwise) to do what needs to be done.
The Sheriff is innocent until proven guilty. My perspective may be skewed but I think his legal problems are much to do about nothing. I think if the good people of AZ had an issue with him, he wouldn’t be re-elected to Sheriff.
Starry, yah I doubt there will be a PT (physical training) program for those people. 🙂
If the sherrif is spending taxpayer money on his posses, without authorization from the legislative authorities, that is, indeed, illegal and not much ado about nothing.
That photo has more chins than a Chinese phone book.
@Starryflights
LMAO!
That was great!
Starry, you are confusing two different things. One is the ability for the sheriff to form up a posse and pay for it. The other is the legal issue MH was asking about with respect to DOJ.
His ability to form up volunteers and arm them isn’t a question. The legislature has allowed that for a very, very long time. 🙂
Our Government, has allowed the invasion of 30 million criminals in direct violation of Article IV, Section IV of our Constitution. they force American tax payers to pay Billions to provide Welfare, Prison cells, Educate the invaders children, free medical care,massive document fraud, & are destroying our schools, hospitals, communities, culture while Robbing, Raping, Killing & Assaulting American Citizens WAKE UP PEOPLE!
.youtube.com/watch?v=tsH8xvjTAlo
.youtube.com/watch?v=Btj6IeOFkis&feature=player_embedded
immigrationcounters.com/
.ojjpac.org/memorial.asp
.immigrationshumancost.org/
.newswithviews.com/Wooldridge/frosty580.htm
Every Non-representative including obama and holder need to be IMPEACHED! for not upholding the oath of office they swore to defend the Constitution! If these clowns were to do their job, this would all be a Moot point!
Deport all illegal’s, now, all 12 to 20 million of them. Anchor babies and their criminal parents go, period, and cut the phony tears, you knew you were breaking the law when you crossed the border.
Next shut down any business hiring illegal labor and confiscate all property belonging to the owner. Property will be sold at auction and the proceeds to pay for the massive deportation. Oh and owners go to jail.
Got a better idea? Lets here it!
Actually, the above comment was allowed through because it it a good reminder of the extremist views out there.
Note to contributors: the above comment was NOT made by Steve Thomas.