Changes are happening in Arizona, though cause and effect remains somewhat unclear. Not that it really matters, as movements take on a life of their own. Along with the extremely successful lawyer rally came Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk’s op-ed in the Arizona Republic. The latter was unanticipated, but a hugely significant addition to the cause at a propitious moment.
As Jeff Gamso notes,
As Jeff Gamso notes,
These folks are in the same business. They’re members of the same political party. They’re natural allies. Prosecutors simply don’t engage in this sort of attack on other prosecutors without cause. Or without thinking about the consequences.
With nearly perfect pitch, Arpaio’s spokesman did exactly what one would pray he would do:
Arpaio’s chief deputy, David Hendershott, told reporters Monday that once he learned of Polk’s column over the weekend, he notified the FBI that they should investigate Polk for hindering the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office’s corruption investigations.
Hendershott’s response was exactly the note one would expect from Arpaio. Naturally, he maligns Polk as having tried to “tank the case” she was working on because she’s part of the conspiracy against Arpaio. And so, Yavapai County Attorney Polk joins the Maricopa Supervisors and judges as part of the vast conspiracy against Crazy Joe Arpaio and his butt-boil, Thomas.
It’s far easier to dismiss a bunch of lawyers rallying against Arpaio than it is the neighboring county’s prosecutor. And even the immigrant fearing, faux-crime fearing, myopic 55+ crowd, can smell paranoia, even if they can’t spell it.
What we have witnessed over the past month are acts of increasing boldness and bravery. True, it was long past due for these acts, but they come in their own time. I’m sure when Jim Belanger called for a rally he had no idea that Sheila Polk would speak out in support of his purposes. Polk saw the opportunity and seized it, placing herself squarely on Crazy Joe’s enemies list. She joined the tenor of Maricopa lawyers, bringing a beautiful soprano to the harmony.
Up to now, there are two common threads the bind those who have spoken out. A respect for law and the Constitution, and a willingness to accept the risk of Crazy Joe’s ire. The latter is not inconsequential, given the fact that Arpaio is in command of an armed force and has shown no reluctance to abuse his authority to silence his enemies.
That the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice and NACDL have been silent is a disgrace. Are they waiting for someone to throw an awards dinner before they lift their voices?
On the other hand, the story of the lawyer’s rally appears in the ABA Journal. It was as routine a post as they could offer, sandwiched between Mich. AG Likens Carp to ‘Nuclear Bombs,’ Asks High Court to Stop Lake Entry and Ex-Pro Bono Chief for Kaye Scholer Suspended for Failing to Pay Taxes. The ABA’s motto is Defending Liberty, Pursuing Justice.
Having taken the initiative to write about what is happening in Maricopa County, the absence of any recognition, of any position, of any concern, for the fact that this is a watershed event in the war against the Rule of Law being played out in the courthouse square, is the final note. In the choir of voices singing about the constitutional crisis playing out in Maricopa County, we now have our castrato.
This was the time for the ABA Journal to show a fraction of the gumption shown by the Maricopa lawyers, by Sheila Polk. This was the moment when a platitude was given meaning or proven empty.
The ABA Journal has been busy running beauty pageants designed to get lawyers to register with its website, and pretending that marketers and social media gurus are Legal Rebels. This would be embarrassing enough on its own, palpable demonstrations of how vapid and superficial the ABA has become. They are selling a Legal Rebel skateboard, for crying out loud.
We could happily overlook its efforts to achieve pseudo-coolness if only the ABA Journal had seized this opportunity to actually serve a purpose, to take a stand, a firm, clear and forceful stand, at this point in time when it meant something. Not tomorrow or next week, after the brain trust figures out that their failure to stand up has made the ABA the embarrassment of the legal world.
By the mere act of having written about this event, while failing to either recognize its importance or take a stand, the ABA Journal, and thus the ABA itself, has shown itself to be irrelevant. Go run another beauty pageant or skateboard sale. That’s all you’re good for. The time to act has come and gone. It failed.
Back in Maricopa, the voices are building toward a crescendo. It’s unclear how long the song will last, or how its final verse will play out. There are voices, such as the Governor’s and the United States Attorney’s, who have yet to be heard. There is the threat by Crazy Joe’s spokesman that “[t]hinges are going to get a lot uglier before they get better.”
While the problems of Maricopa play out in smaller ways across the country, nowhere else has it reached critical mass. It took someone as crazy, arrogant and overt as Joe Arpaio to bring the fight between law and order out in the open. Now that sides have been chosen, the battle engaged, lives and reputations hanging by a thread, there can be no easy way to stop the choir from singing.
Just how ugly has yet to be seen. But for those in the choir right now, the harmony sounds wonderful, if still lacking the voices of those too afraid or irrelevant to join in.
Update: As if by kismet, marketing philosopher Seth Godin today offers a post First, organize 1,000.
The lessons of marketing can be put to use for the good of mankind as well. Is that 1000 number an absolute, or is there some wiggle room?
It’s far easier to dismiss a bunch of lawyers rallying against Arpaio than it is the neighboring county’s prosecutor. And even the immigrant fearing, faux-crime fearing, myopic 55+ crowd, can smell paranoia, even if they can’t spell it.
What we have witnessed over the past month are acts of increasing boldness and bravery. True, it was long past due for these acts, but they come in their own time. I’m sure when Jim Belanger called for a rally he had no idea that Sheila Polk would speak out in support of his purposes. Polk saw the opportunity and seized it, placing herself squarely on Crazy Joe’s enemies list. She joined the tenor of Maricopa lawyers, bringing a beautiful soprano to the harmony.
Up to now, there are two common threads the bind those who have spoken out. A respect for law and the Constitution, and a willingness to accept the risk of Crazy Joe’s ire. The latter is not inconsequential, given the fact that Arpaio is in command of an armed force and has shown no reluctance to abuse his authority to silence his enemies.
That the Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice and NACDL have been silent is a disgrace. Are they waiting for someone to throw an awards dinner before they lift their voices?
On the other hand, the story of the lawyer’s rally appears in the ABA Journal. It was as routine a post as they could offer, sandwiched between Mich. AG Likens Carp to ‘Nuclear Bombs,’ Asks High Court to Stop Lake Entry and Ex-Pro Bono Chief for Kaye Scholer Suspended for Failing to Pay Taxes. The ABA’s motto is Defending Liberty, Pursuing Justice.
Having taken the initiative to write about what is happening in Maricopa County, the absence of any recognition, of any position, of any concern, for the fact that this is a watershed event in the war against the Rule of Law being played out in the courthouse square, is the final note. In the choir of voices singing about the constitutional crisis playing out in Maricopa County, we now have our castrato.
This was the time for the ABA Journal to show a fraction of the gumption shown by the Maricopa lawyers, by Sheila Polk. This was the moment when a platitude was given meaning or proven empty.
The ABA Journal has been busy running beauty pageants designed to get lawyers to register with its website, and pretending that marketers and social media gurus are Legal Rebels. This would be embarrassing enough on its own, palpable demonstrations of how vapid and superficial the ABA has become. They are selling a Legal Rebel skateboard, for crying out loud.
We could happily overlook its efforts to achieve pseudo-coolness if only the ABA Journal had seized this opportunity to actually serve a purpose, to take a stand, a firm, clear and forceful stand, at this point in time when it meant something. Not tomorrow or next week, after the brain trust figures out that their failure to stand up has made the ABA the embarrassment of the legal world.
By the mere act of having written about this event, while failing to either recognize its importance or take a stand, the ABA Journal, and thus the ABA itself, has shown itself to be irrelevant. Go run another beauty pageant or skateboard sale. That’s all you’re good for. The time to act has come and gone. It failed.
Back in Maricopa, the voices are building toward a crescendo. It’s unclear how long the song will last, or how its final verse will play out. There are voices, such as the Governor’s and the United States Attorney’s, who have yet to be heard. There is the threat by Crazy Joe’s spokesman that “[t]hinges are going to get a lot uglier before they get better.”
While the problems of Maricopa play out in smaller ways across the country, nowhere else has it reached critical mass. It took someone as crazy, arrogant and overt as Joe Arpaio to bring the fight between law and order out in the open. Now that sides have been chosen, the battle engaged, lives and reputations hanging by a thread, there can be no easy way to stop the choir from singing.
Just how ugly has yet to be seen. But for those in the choir right now, the harmony sounds wonderful, if still lacking the voices of those too afraid or irrelevant to join in.
Update: As if by kismet, marketing philosopher Seth Godin today offers a post First, organize 1,000.
I think the ability to find and organize 1,000 people is a breakthrough opportunity. One thousand people coordinating their actions is enough to change your world (and make a living.)1,000 people each spending $1,000 on a special interest cruise equals a million dollars.
1,000 people willing to spend $250 to attend a day-long seminar gives you the leverage to invite just about anyone you can imagine to fly in and speak.
1,000 people voting as a bloc can change local politics forever.
1,000 people willing to try a new restaurant you find for them gives you the ability to make an entrepreneur successful and change the landscape of your town.
The lessons of marketing can be put to use for the good of mankind as well. Is that 1000 number an absolute, or is there some wiggle room?
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As the old folk song goes:
One man’s hands can’t tear a prison down.
Two men’s hands can’t tear a prison down.
But if two and two and fifty make a million,
We’ll see that day come round.
I don’t think that actually answers your question.
And even the immigrant fearing, faux-crime fearing, myopic 55+ crowd, can smell paranoia, even if they can’t spell it.
In defense of the IFFCFM 55+ crowd, not only can many of us spell “paranoia,” we can spell “condescending jackass” too.
If it takes a condescending jackass to help straighten out the damage caused by scared fools, so be it.
Maricopa County’s median age is 33, and there aren’t enough 55+ adults to come close to his popularity numbers by any means. Really, the “55+” comment was just ignorant of the demographics here, which is forgivable, and you are frankly better than that, as much as you may want to be petulant about it.
I am hoping that this latest bit of buffoonery by Arpaio and Thomas will start to open eyes as to how dangerous these two are. I would hold my breath but…
BTW, I am Republican and 55 (you knew that already) who doesn’t vote “get tough on crime” and is a staunch civil libertarian. I frequent your blog, as well as Norm Pattis, Fresno Defense, and a number of “rein in the Police” blogs such as Carlos Miller’s. Ah, the problem with stereotyping.
The 55 comment wasn’t quite as much a matter of ignorance (or petulance) as you believe. It’s been a constant response of the lawyers in Maricopa as to how it’s possible that Arpaio remains in office given his shenanigans, that Maricopa has so many 55+ retirees, how many are cops, bringing their prejudices from elsewhere, etc. This comment relates to the point, even if it’s not a point you agree with.
But the median age of 33 doesn’t dispute this. Younger people vote at a significantly lower rate than 55+, and the 55+ vote as a more cohesive block than do younger votes, particularly when there is a common threat perceived by a potential voting block. While you may not fit the mold, that doesn’t make their point wrong. Since I’m not on the ground there, I would be disinclined to ignore what the people there tell me is a core problem. And I’m a little too old to be petulent about it, though it’s a rather assholish thing for you to write.
Well I am on the ground here in Maricopa County going on 40 years (45 if I count summers), and here is the population breakdown:31.40% from 25 to 44, 19.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who are 65 years of age or older. If everyone 55+ voted for him, he might get elected. Might, if everyone else stayed home. His popularity is at about 60%, which also belies the 55+ argument.
The assumption that Sun City and Sun City West, or Youngstown, is comprised of conservative buggers only isn’t supportable, or that all the retirees that have moved here from Illinois or New York for example are conservative. Or that all old people vote the same. It’s a prejudice I’ve seen here since before 1970, and it’s tiresome. Especially now when I resemble that remark.
Arpaio appeals to the “get tough on crime” group across the board, race and age. That is always a majority bloc, which sadly is predisposed to ignore police shennanigans. Weak election opponents don’t help either.
As one self-described lefty pointed out, given that no one in AZ seems to be addressing the illegals issue, it’s a perfect vacuum for Arpaio. And Arpaio likes to fill the vacuums that give him the most publicity.
As I write this, the Pinal County Attorney Walsh, the Yavapai County Attorney Polk (who has worked with Arpaio/Thomas and can’t stand their misuse of the subpeona and warrant), as well as long-time Arpaio supporter Ernie Baird, have come out publicly against Arpaio/Thomas. The AZ Supreme Court has appointed ex-Chief Justice Ruth McGregor to oversee these legal battles. I am hoping for a cascade that bites the Dimwitted Duo fatally. Arpaio will of course play the everyone-else-is-corrupt-and-out-to-get-me card. Sigh.
Love your blog and enjoy trading barbs over nit-picking while agreeing with you on the overall issue.I’ve read you long enough not to take offense. Keep up the good work.
Can’t leave without a parting shot: Petulance is not reserved to the young.
I shall inform the lawyer masses that their blame of the 55+ retirees will hereinafter be rejected in favor of the generic “get tough on crime” crowd. All complaints will be referred to you. Petulance is for kids.
Thanks, with a chuckle and a grin. I believe Thomas seems to want to investigate the State Bar too, so best refer them to me before their interviews with Thomas and Arpaio.
Blaming the generic “get tough on crime” crowd allows you to stay within Jerry Rubin’s dictum c. 1968.
Can’t go by population, Need to look at registered voters. They are the ones that count. Looking at old reports, there were more than 725,000 over the age of 55 in Maricopa County back in the 04 election and that election was won with 730,000 hmmmm…