In Arizona, a federal grand jury has been hearing testimony about the conduct of Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio, self-proclaimed ‘toughest sheriff in America.’
He’s been a disgrace to America’s centuries-long tradition of the rule of law. Some have celebrated Arpaio for his anti-immigrant stand, but he’s threatened the civil liberties of citizens and non-citizens alike. (That’s why county employees he’s allegedly harassed and threatened are testifying.)
Why blog about a grand-standing officer from far away, who thought he could build a reputation on the backs of immigrants, while abusing both immigrants and citizens?
Quite a few in our town can guess why, and it is an indelible disgrace that no number of excuses will wash away.
Perhaps one thinks: “I’ll be a hero, and this will be the great achievement of my career.” I don’t know.
I do know that officers of all ranks, including Arpaio, are not, and must not be, above the law.
Exercise of limited authority conferred under law is only a burden to the mediocre or mendacious.
One can’t say how the grand jury proceedings in Arizona will end; one hopes that a better, more just community is the result.
See, Top Maricopa officials testify in apparent Arpaio investigation.
For more on Arpaio, see Sheriff Joe’s New Low.