Nobel Peace Prize Winner: What's Next?

In an article today on CNN.com the spotlight shifted to a newly developing scandal that is calling out "America's Toughest Sheriff" for racial profiling techniques and ethical questioning. The following is excerpted from the article:

"Sheriff Joe Arpaio and the Maricopa County, Arizona, sheriff's department have had an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security since 2007 that allows his department to enforce federal immigration laws. But Arpaio says the federal agency is moving to revise the agreement to limit that power to checking the immigration status of inmates already in his Phoenix jail."

Revise the agreement? Let's start out with how the hell did this come about in the first place. Since when is it a local Sherriff's duty to patrol the streets for illegal immigrants? There is already a department in place to control the border and who gets in or out. I could be way out of left field here, but it is pretty clear that clearance was given to some attention and fame seeking yahoo who believes he is the "Toughest Sheriff in America". This month the Department Of Homeland Security is "working hard" to revise this plan, probably because they are blatantly aware of how far this has gone (and now makes them, not the people that allowed this, to look like total assholes). The list of aggregious incidents this man has compiled in his tenure in Arizona is like Mike Tyson's rap sheet with a badge. The state of Arizona should be ashamed one of their public officers uses his position and the rights of prisoners to facilitate his fame and fortune (His trademark "pink underwear" he forces inmates to wear is sold in shops as a "fundraising tool" has recently become subject to public scrutiny while accountability on the profits is of course unavailable).

Arizona has a unique geographic position along the borders. This inevitably thrusts the focus within that state on the immigration debate and the issues that surround it. Sheriff Joe Arpaio has taken it on as his personal crusade to rid the state of illegal immigrants and place himself in the national spotlight to better serve his own interests. Approximately 33,000 illegal immigrants have been arrested during his tenure. He has also released a book, deeming himself "America's Toughest Sheriff" with the despicable treatment of his inmates. There have been several notorious deaths during his watch stemming from neglect, incompetence and general disregard for human life. This part of Joe shifts from immigration to a human rights standpoint. Since he took over he has decreased prisoner food rations and feeding times while citing "taxes" as the main reason why (Joe claims to be saving Americans millions of dollars in tax money by doing this). He setup an online webcam so that viewers could watch inmates be booked and detained on a daily basis (This was overturned after several inmates sued and won in a 2-1 vote in the high courts). The list of other violations is far to long to recount, however, it paints a disturbing picture of a man in a position of power in this country.

The harsh mix of personal satisfaction, monetary gain and political idealism is simply astounding. In the past couple of years we have all gotten to know John McCain fairly well--his arguments, politics and views on human rights and prisoner treatment. It would be interesting to have a full out opinion produced by Mr. McCain on this string of incidents (more like a cloud of stench) that hangs over Joe Arpaio like a swarm of flies. The inhumane treatment of prisoners is revolting and the system ought to be ashamed of itself for acting so late upon an individual so clearly demented (the treatment of humans in captivity is something Mr. McCain knows as well as anyone). The jail system is a problem all within itself (Rehabilitation? What part of pink underwear has to do with that!?). Joe has instilled his personal beliefs and glorified stereotypes that have wrapped into one gigantic mysoginistic, anti-gay, anti-immigrant and anti-minority sandwich. The ridiculous arguments in favor of his methods are comparable to him defecating orally: following years of enjoying such an unconstitutional feast. The state of Arizona ought to be ashamed of themselves for allowing such a great state to be stained by this misguided and attention hungry individual.

The other issue that remains to be seen is the crime rate in Arizona. This past year they were ranked number one in a country wide poll in kidnapping rate. The issue of human smuggling (something the Sherriff claims to be fighting steadfastly) is an alarming and increasingly problematic issue on the grand scale. Several Americans have turned up dead on the other side of the border (many of them young teenagers) and even college students gone missing from Universities (not to mention the members of this society who far to often are left from the public eye). It seems that Joe has shifted his focus of law enforcement strictly upon illegal immigrants (you know, the people that aren't Americans?) instead of focusing concerning himself with the protection and treatment of OUR people. That is not to say illegal immigrants can run rampant, they, must be dealt with accordingly, however, seeking them out like a McCarthy-Hitler-esque vengeance movie is clearly not acceptable. This is not Inglorious fuckin' Basterds. This self-proclaimed hunt to rid the state of it's illegal immigrants is a national disgrace and paints one of the ugliest portraits of ethical morality currently existing in our country today. To make matters worse, the government backed this ridiculous A-team from the start (Another brilliant move from the prior administration).

I am no reporter. I don't have all the facts. I'm sure I can be persuaded on certain grounds, but on others I will not. It is terrible that on the day Barack Obama wins the Nobel Peace Prize he is still cleaning up years of putrid human behavior backed by this Nation's government. The Department Of Homeland Security should be held accountable (yes, firings, even trials, heads should roll). Yes, inmates (illegal immigrants or not) have lost certain rights due to problems they have caused for themselves and others. We try, and apparently try hard, to uphold this nation as a beacon for freedom, justice and liberty (Not to get all fucking cliche on you but peep the statue of liberty next time you get a chance?). Our foreign relations lie in shambles in the aftermath of one of the most selfish and stubborn administration periods in our Nation's history. We move forward on Iraq and Afghanistan, and move swiftly to worldly debates on how to restore order and treat human beings (We gawk at Iran's treatments of protesters for example). If we are supposedly setting a moral standard for the rest of this world then we are undoubtedly sending mixed messages.

Criminals, the worst of the worst, are human beings. Punishment is necessary in this society. Leadership (from a community member, to a state congressman, to a president) must preach humility and grace even the worst of circumstances. Inhumane treatment of individuals held by the state is unacceptable. Tax dollars are American. Money that serves as foundation for this country. The true foundation of this country is set upon bloodshed, religion, morals and law. No history is perfect--especially ours. I would feel better if American tax dollars were going into a rehabilitation center for inmates as opposed to a holding pen of 115 degree tents (Even if you agree with this treatment, it's a holding pen: they get out after a certain amount of time...after pink underwear, tents, and forced lack of food...how would you act?). If we truly consider ourselves the greatest country in the world then we need to do more than act like it--we need to be it and assume responsibility. Words are meaningless in a time where heroic actions can even be forgotten. "America's Toughest Sheriff" could be in the running for "America's Biggest Asshole" (it would probably make a great left wing reality show) even though this country has backed him, and in some areas, continues to back him today. I hope John McCain sees it, I hope Barrack Obama sees it, and I hope citizens both in America and around the world see it.

I'm a teacher, and we teachers love to talk about "teachable moments". It is time for Joe's tenure to end and for a new one to begin. Hopefully, Joe's personal crusade is the start of an end. A moral end in which his actions (however misguided they maybe) transform into a more ethical and morally appropriate "immigration debate". Many people talk about the war on terror, I would call this a "war on immigration".

We are a country of immigrants--illegal or not. The treatment of human life is sacred and the people in power must teach this lesson. In an age where darkness thrives and countless human atrocities occur, it wouldn't hurt to encounter an act of heroism and goodness. Please, remove this morally inept individual from public office. Far too many problems rest comfortably outside of our control--this is an issue we must firmly seize and fix. Congratulations to our Nation's President on winning the Nobel Peace Prize. I am more interested in what he might do next.