First of all, this stuff about them being "BAD" is stupid. They're not in jail to be tortured so we can feel tough, and abuses against them are as criminal as against anyone else.

And Arpaio isn't just making it unpleasant. He is making his prisons abusive, unsafe, and more third world than American.

And this "coddling" nonsense is made up. We do not have a problem with excessively nice prison; it just doesn't exist.

Now, you asked me to cite my sources:

FBI crime rate statistics will show that crime has gone way up under Arpaio.

Many of Arpaio's abuses are a matter of public record as they've been sued over it, and lost.

And Arpaio's proudly declared some of his crimes.

The Pheonix New Times has been aggressive in reporting the crimes committed by Arpaio. Along with beating people to death, he's refused care to pregnant women and diabetics.

Other newspapers have reported on the conditions as well. Even a British newspaper, the guardian, ran a story.

Amnesty International and the ACLU, as well as other local civil rights groups, have examined the prisons. Of course, you'd probably rather believe the words of Mr. Arpaio.

Arpaio isn't in prison because A. police officers are rarely punished for abuses, B. most of the investigations were under the Bush administration who had no interest in civil rights, C. most of the investigations have focused on racism rather than outright abuse (Arpaio is guilty of both), D. The local government has paid millions in settlements to protect Arpaio.

Who still takes Sharpton seriously? Far too many blacks who've gone from being slaves of the white man to endentured slaves of the government they put in place to help them be free.

I like the guy, every time I see a new's story and say to myself That I've never heard anything so stupid you can bet that pretty soon thr rev. Sharpton will top it ! He's nothing but a stand up comic in my book

Tell me. Did Tawana Brawley racially profile her fictious rapers? When she was exposed as a fraud, did Sharpton or any of her cohorts apologize to the accused? Would it have been considered "white" of him if he did?

I understand why so many people from all over the world want to come to America. Unlike what some liberals believe NOT to be true, I know THIS IS THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. I do not state this because someone radio talk show host said so. I say it because I have experienced it, I have seen it, and I have lived it. This country is so wonderful, that even a broke immigrant kid like me was able to pay his way through college as a blue collar worker and achieve his goal of becoming a physician. Who could even imagine?!... That in this unfair world, where only the friends of those in power can become wealthy, there could be a country/place where through hard work and persistence anyone, ANYONE! could achieve his goals and fulfill his dreams.

However, this dream is SLIPING AWAY! because "American" politicians like Sharpton are using "banana republic" tactics in order to benefit from political gain. Now defending the sovereignty of OUR NATION and obeying the law is seen by "3rd world politicians" like Sharpton as going against human rights. Now those who follow OUR LAWS are described as “racists.”

Sharpton is playing the same racial card tactic that many old Washington insiders have used on “minorities.” Well, I am here to tell all of you (Ricky Ricardo accent and all) that I am not a minority. I do not need anyone to “take care of me.” And sure as hell, I do not need an opportunist like Sharpton to “defend” me. All I need is for the LAW to be followed, and I can do the rest. Thousands of other accomplished and self-reliant latinos share my views. Unfortunately though, they are not as many as I would like.

Do I believe that there is a need for IMMIGRATION REFORM… Sure! But not at the expense of our legal system. The same legal system that made the USA what up until a few years ago used to be. The opportunities and goods of this country (the few that will be left after European/LatinAmerican socialism is done with America) should be enjoyed by those who PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE to this land and its laws, and not just to anyone.

It tears me apart to see how this wonderful experiment called USA is slowly fading away. The land of independence, of self reliance, of law, is progressively changing into the socialist, limited, mediocre, chaotic, DEPENDENT, and broke place that I escaped 15 years ago. There is only one difference… this time there is nowhere else to go. I apologize for the length of this, now, letter. I just have been quiet for too long. NOT ANY MORE!

Sharpton and Jackson better get in all the licks they can because when Obama is kicked out of office he will then be crowned king of black America for the rest of his life. And Jackson and Sharpton are out.

Is that you? Bravo!

Oh Matt, yes Joe is anti-drugs, but if the laws were changed he would support them even if he disagreed with them. So you can feel good about supporting Joe. Just get the drug laws changed.

I tried to keep from commenting on this ridiculous subject, but couldn't get it off my mind. The rest of my day will be shot if I don't do it, so here goes.
Al Sharpton is the embodiment of the problem that continues to enslave African-Americans. Maxine Waters and Cynthia McKinney are included as well. African-Americans have got to choose better leaders if they are ever going to be considered seriously. It's enough to make you believe in the racial bell curve.

Neal asks: "Will someone please tell me who takes Al Sharpton seriously anymore?"

How about FoxNews which is constantly giving this con man, charlatan, race pimp and murderer free air time, stroking his ego and keeping this nobody propped up. Ask O'Reilly and Hannity, among others, why they persist in legitimizing this fraud.

"Or should we offer a free pass to everyone who isn’t “white”?"

Yes. For the last 40 years or so.

I am an immigrant rather than an illegal. Thank you for standing up for immigrants and help to make our efforts at following the rule of law worth something. Sharpton is a moron. Why doesn't he head over to Darfur if he wants support the idea of lawlessness.

"Will someone please tell me who takes Al Sharpton seriously anymore?"

Don Imus

Where can I write the sheriff to tell him I support all he does and wish heartily there were about a thousand more of him!

neal
leave al alone! don't you realize he has been trying to get negros into the main stream job market? if he would take over as sheriff of maricopa county he would save the tax payers money. how could that happen? the department would collapse under his leadership. no more deputies, no patrol cars, no jails, no spending.
the down side is the pissant criminals would be in control,but maybe osamabama could take time from his 5 times a day prayers and bailout al.

Saying there is racial profiling in AZ because there are more Hispanics in jail is like going to Africa and saying there is racial profiling because there are too many blacks in the jails -- But like someone said earlier, Ol' Al just doesn't have anything to do now that Obama is in the White House.

I live in Gilbert and heard on the radio a Phoenix Policeman tell the Mayor to shut up about the BS on racial profiling because when the police pull over cars that are speeding they have no idea who is driving due to the tint on the cars here in AZ. QUIT BREAKING THE LAW AND YOU WONT GET IN TROUBLE. Seems so simple, but if you have the "handout, whoa is me, you owe me, I deserve more while I sit on my a$$ mentality", I guess you just have to cry about something.

Sharpton and his goons should know we love Sheriff Joe here in AZ and will support him in his efforts to enforce the LAW.

Sharpton is proof that liberalism trumps Darwinism every time. Gimme yo' money, fool! That's the only way these people survive. Otherwise, they'd be extinct.

Maybe Al can go after someone else. Here's an idea, Planned Parenthood. After all, they were created by a bigot who's idea was to put Planned Parenthoods in low income areas to help decrease the minority population through preventing births and natural attrition. Or maybe turn the mirror on himself for his bigotry. Whatever, it doesn't matter. Just let good people work. Sheriff Joe's ideas are working. Leave him alone you bigot.

As long as people like this get recognition, they are a success. It's like an annoying sibling, if you can ignore their taunts and jibs they will give up, but as soon as you respond the attack increases.

You ask if anybody takes him seriously, but every time he speaks you respond.

I would surmise the end of Al Sharpton will occur when nationally sindicated talk radio show hosts, and national news agencies no longer report on his actions.

Wouldn't it be a hoot if the Sheriff arrested the race pimp; and incarcerated him - complete with pink underwear! That would be worth watching!

I suppose if the suspect for any kind of crime is a person of color the cops need to check out an equal number of whites as a matter of fairness. These are the folks that get offended when someone mentions Brownie Points.

Hopefully, Big Joe can find a reason to detain Al(Notso)Sharpton in AZ for a while. Perhaps aiding and abetting a criminal enterprise.

Great come back, Sheriff...(qouted in the article) Can't wait for round 2.

I'm never going to resign," he said. "The guy is living in a fantasy land if he thinks he is going to pressure me into anything. He doesn't even know where Arizona is."

If you recognize that they can't understand English, would that be considered profiling as well?