# DoJ sues Sheriff Arpaio for civil-rights abuses **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 11, 2012, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586 "2012-05-11T04:14:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/21 "2012-05-11T18:44:14Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > 😕 Didn’t you do that ninety years ago?! > > From [by James Howard Kunstler, chapter on Las Vegas: Well, when they came up with the allocation scheme for the various states withing the Colorado River Basin via the “Compact”, the years they picked later turned out to be above average according to Marc Reisner’s Cadillac Desert\*: > [@](#): > > “The 17.5-million-acre-foot yield that the Compact negotiators had ascribed to the Colorado River was based on about eighteen years of streamflow measurement with instruments that, by today’s standards, were rather imprecise. During all of that period, the river had gone on a binge, sending down average or above-average flows three of out of every four years. Not once the the flow dropped below ten million acre-feet, as it had repeatedly during the Great drought of the 1930s. But all it takes to make statisticians look foolish is a few very wet or very dry years.” Since the book was published in 1986, the Colorado has more or less gone into a “deficit”. As the effects of AGW increase, the west will become increasingly dryer on average (although, the variances year-to-year will become even greater) and the allocation issue will become even more contentious. It will increasingly affect urban development, agriculture, and the production of electrical power in the southwest. With Arizona apparently advocating quasi-succession, you can expect them to call up their Nat’l Guard to defend their water rights again at some point. I’m not [URL=“[http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe50s/water\_10.html](http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe50s/water_10.html)”]exaggerating here](]_The City in Mind,_[/url), BTW. That being said, California is the leading state for water-rights sleaze. The Owens Valley antics, St. Francis Dam collapse, hidden costs of the California Aqueduct, trying to suppress the Central Arizona Project by political means…it goes on and on. But had the tables been turned, you can bet Arizona would have been just as cut-throat and nasty. The only real winners here are the American Indians whose water rights are deemed superior to the Compact. Something far more valuable than gaming casinos–and they know it. Thus endth the hijack. ---
**Author:** ![dngnb8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@dngnb8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dngnb8)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/22 "2012-05-11T20:22:24Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [More details.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/10/justice-department-joe-arpaio-lawsuit_n_1507098.html?ref=politics) Arpaio’s record is a whole lot more disturbing than I realized. Being a resident of AZ, he is well liked here. Not necessarily by all though. We have a critical issue with illegal immigration and we get no help from the Feds. Joe is very aggressive with the issue, especially since the crime that spills over here from illegals is epidemic. The problem with Joe is he feels the ends justify the means, even if it means walking over peoples rights. Im not surprised the DoJ went after him, especially after he went after Obama. Joe feels he is untouchable, and that will be his downfall. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_With\_The\_Golden\_Gun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@The\_Man\_With\_The\_Golden\_Gun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_With_The_Golden_Gun)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/23 "2012-05-11T20:49:20Z")
From what I’ve heard about Arizona, it makes me wonder why they arrested or did anything to Jared Loughner after that shooting in Tucson. While what he did was horrible and awful, I can’t say for sure that what he did broke any Arizona laws. ---
**Author:** ![dngnb8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/977dab/32.png) [@dngnb8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dngnb8)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/24 "2012-05-11T22:17:22Z")
> [@The\_Man\_With\_The\_Golden\_Gun](#): > > From what I’ve heard about Arizona, it makes me wonder why they arrested or did anything to Jared Loughner after that shooting in Tucson. While what he did was horrible and awful, I can’t say for sure that what he did broke any Arizona laws. I dont think Jared did anything wrong. After all, everyone in AZ is just like Jared. \ ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/25 "2012-05-11T23:15:32Z")
> [@dngnb8](#): > > The problem with Joe is he feels the ends justify the means, even if it means walking over peoples rights. Im not surprised the DoJ went after him, especially after he went after Obama. The other big problem (well…one of the others) is that the shit he arrests people for does nothing to stem the big problems that part of the US has, namely Mexican drug cartel shit spilling over into the US. He and his office go after people with a tiny amount of pot or cocaine, often not near enough to qualify as “intent to distribute.” So he locks up a bunch of people (more often than not Mexicans, legal or illegal) eho have, like, 1/4 ounce of pot on them and then praises himself for being “tough on drugs!” and shit like that. He likes to brag that he has a million dollar bounty on his head from the big Mexican drug cartels…yeah, bull-fucking-shit. If he had even a $10,000 bounty on his head from the Zetas, he’d have been dead years ago. The cartels love him, because he’s so focused on small time users, and illegals who oftentimes have committed no crime (other than being in the US illegally,) that the big-time shit goes unnoticed. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/26 "2012-05-11T23:26:27Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > I’d love to see Arizona and Joe saddled with a large fine when this is over. Well, it’s a [civil suit,](http://www.scribd.com/doc/93122473/Complaint) and what we call the “prayer clause” at the end – > [@](#): > > PRAYER FOR RELIEF > > 1. WHEREFORE, the United States prays that the Court: > > 2. Declare that the Defendants have engaged in a pattern or practice of conduct by MCSO law enforcement officers that deprives persons of rights, immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of theUnited States, in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 14141(a); > > 3. Declare that the Defendants have excluded persons from participation in,denied persons the benefits of, or subjected persons to discrimination under programsor activities receiving federal financial assistance, on the basis of race, color, ornational origin, in violation of Title VI; > > 4. Order the Defendants, their officers, agents, and employees to refrain fromengaging in any of the predicate discriminatory acts forming the basis of the pattern orpractice of unlawful conduct described herein; > > 5. Order the Defendants, their officers, agents, and employees to adopt andimplement policies, procedures, and mechanisms to remedy the pattern or practice of unlawful conduct described herein, and by specifically addressing, inter alia, thefollowing areas: policies and training; non-discriminatory policing and jailoperations; stops, searches, and arrests; response to crimes of sexual violence; posseoperations; jail operations; supervision; misconduct complaint intake, investigation,and adjudication; retaliation; oversight and transparency; and communityengagement; and > > 6. Order such other relief as the interests of justice may require. – demands no money, only a court order to make Arpaio and his department **stop doing this shit.** If they **defy** such an order, **that** could run into some money. And jail time for contempt. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2012, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/27 "2012-05-11T23:29:47Z")
> [@dngnb8](#): > > We have a critical issue with illegal immigration and we get no help from the Feds. What help do you want that the Customs & Border Protection isn’t giving you now? Serious question. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/28 "2012-05-12T00:27:44Z")
The comments on Yahoo, CNN and other places are downright insane. The man must have a cadre of supporters who do nothing but sit at computers all day and post on his behalf. I would not be at all surprised if any number of them were on his department payroll while posting. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/29 "2012-05-12T00:32:12Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > The comments on Yahoo, CNN and other places are downright insane. The man must have a cadre of supporters who do nothing but sit at computers all day and post on his behalf. I would not be at all surprised if any number of them were on his department payroll while posting. Didn’t you know? [There’s rather more than a cadre,](http://www.chrishayes.org/articles/new-right-wing-smear-machine/) generally speaking (not for Arpaio in particular). ---
**Author:** ![florez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9e5f3/32.png) [@florez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/florez)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/30 "2012-05-12T00:34:03Z")
In border states like Arizona, Latino migrants do much of the low wage labor, construction and farm work, yet are at the same time resented, and targeted for discrimination and abuse. This just comes to an ugly throbbing head, and is plain for all to see with Sheriff Joe. Arizona now has a hero for the common bigot, and at this point, Republicans might be able to utilize some of this white paranoia, fear, and anger to help make gains for themselves in the next election, but I would like to think they are above that.:rolleyes: Latino Conservatives and Republicans (of which I know a few) are also aware that they could be targeted as falling into- the wrong physical features, and skin color profile- within Sheriff Joe’s Arizona; and this awareness might unite Latino Americans like nothing ever has before. In the 2008 elections, Nevada and New Mexico Latinos voted heavily for Democrats, and IMO, Latinos may turn to the Democratic party in an effort to defend themselves from racist attacks, and in hopes of positive immigration reform. So, maybe a silver lining will be that we can partly thank that sick, twisted, sadistic piece of shit Sheriff Joe, for helping to get Democrats elected. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/31 "2012-05-12T00:38:41Z")
> [@florez](#): > > This just comes to an ugly throbbing head, and is plain for all to see with Sheriff Joe. Let us hear no more evocations of that image, please. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_With\_The\_Golden\_Gun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@The\_Man\_With\_The\_Golden\_Gun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_With_The_Golden_Gun)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/32 "2012-05-12T05:22:22Z")
> [@dngnb8](#): > > I dont think Jared did anything wrong. After all, everyone in AZ is just like Jared. \ I think you got my point perfectly well, and didn’t misinterpret anything I said, since I was indeed claiming that Jared Loughner is representative of all Arizonans and not simply saying that Arizona’s laws are so lax and so poorly enforced that while what Jared did was inarguably wrong, he didn’t do anything against what few laws they have that they don’t enforce. Oh, sorry, my sarcasm was on too. Let me turn it off. YOU HAVE THE READING COMPREHENSION SKILLS OF A BABY. THAT HAS BEEN DROPPED ON ITS HEAD. REPEATEDLY. ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/33 "2012-05-12T12:13:55Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > What help do you want that the Customs & Border Protection isn’t giving you now? Serious question. Summary justice, presumably. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/34 "2012-05-12T20:30:07Z")
> [@gamerunknown](#): > > Summary justice, presumably. What’s that? Summery justice? “. . . and may God have mercy on your soul! Have a nice day! :)” ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/35 "2012-05-12T20:40:56Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > What’s that? Summery justice? > > “. . . and may God have mercy on your soul! Have a nice day! :)” Maybe Sumerian, it is a dry Hittite. ---
**Author:** ![zagloba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/977dab/32.png) [@zagloba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zagloba)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/36 "2012-05-12T20:47:21Z")
> [@gamerunknown](#): > > Summary justice, presumably. You’ll have to wait until July for that. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/37 "2012-05-12T22:05:25Z")
> [@zagloba](#): > > You’ll have to wait until July for that. Or even longer: “May it please this august Court…” 😛 ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/38 "2012-05-12T23:39:15Z")
[GD thread,](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=651579) same topic, if anyone cares to debate it. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2012, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/39 "2012-05-12T23:47:32Z")
> [@user\_hostile](#): > > I, for one, would like to see Arizona move into the early 20th Century. > > But I’m not holding my breath for Alabama’s evil twin brother. I, for one, would like to see Arizona secede and get the fuck out of my country already. > [@silenus](#): > > Who the hell do they think they are, [South Carolina](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nullification_Crisis)? > > Of course, if it comes to war again, maybe California can grab all their water rights to the Colorado River and we can let the bastards dry up and blow away. From your mouth to G-d’s ear, my friend. If we could just get rid of all the backwards racist bigoted states, the U.S. would be swimming in water _and_ cash (no more Welfare for the Red states)! Fucking losers. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2012, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586/40 "2012-05-13T00:54:28Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > What’s that? Summery justice? So Pink Floyd were really singing about Joe in Echoes when they sang “and everything is green and summary”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doj-sues-sheriff-arpaio-for-civil-rights-abuses/621586.md?page=3)