The buck stops...where?

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors has put a hold on Arpaio's money allotted for illegal immigration enforcement. This signals a large political shift of support in this distinctly party line divided state.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2009/04/01/20090401immigmoney.html

This isn't the first time that the County Board of Supervisors has placed themselves in the news. In fact the Board was the very body that was holding hearings on the jail segregation policies.

While it is true that the Board of Supervisors may be sincerely concerned, politics in this state is a different beast. Very few in public office are humble in regards to the press. Political "pissing contests," are quite frequent. I can't help but wonder if this is a real moral concern of the board (immigration policy and/or excess spending) or if the board is reaching for 15 more minutes of the public's attention.

The board would not be the only participants. This weekend I attended an animal adoption event in arguably the most affluent part of Maricopa County, Fountain Hills. While the wonderful non-profit who puts on these events works with the Sheriff on all of their adoption events across the county, Sheriff Arpaio chose only this event to attend. Microphone in hand he reminded the gathered "fellow animal lovers," of all the glorious accomplishments he has had as Sheriff... except for the most appropriate boasting. He mentioned nothing of his policy and dedication to helping the stray and abused animals of this county, something that one must commend him for no matter how they feel about any of his other policies. Why would he not mention all of his hard work for animals at an event by an organization that his support has helped immensely? Why would he only show up to the event in the wealthiest part of the county? Maybe I heard wrong and the speakers distorted the speech I heard from 50 feet away, but from my position Joe Arpaio's rhetoric sounded distinctly like a speech at a campaign fundraiser.

Phoenix is the kidnapping capital of the US

Even more shocking, Phoenix is only second in the world in kidnappings to Mexico City. True the number of kidnappings is most likely large because it is based on people and not instances, but the statistic is still quite alarming. People pay smugglers to sneak them across the Mexico border (people of all nationalities). These smugglers, Coyotes, often smuggle immigrants across the border, keep immigrants prisoners in drop houses, and then ransom their families for more money. Thus the kidnapping rate is so high in Phoenix.

The border itself has become a dangerous place. I posted warnings in 2008 from the government about crossing the border and now the violence has gotten worse. Over 1000 people have been brutally murdered in border towns, some severed heads have been found atop fence posts while one man was arrested in Mexico for disposing of countless victim's bodies in acid. Shootings happen in broad daylight and many people (especially when you are just a few hours from the border as we are) are terrified that the violence is going to spread even more.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/189246

The question, it seems, that Phoenicians seem MOST concerned with is : Is this violence going to effect my every day life? When the only dangers were towards those sneaking into the country illegally, many people turned a blind eye saying that the violence is part of making a choice to break the law. Now that innocent people are being mowed down with assult rifles in the streets of Mexican border towns many American's are starting to worry if the next spray of unconcerned bullets will be in their streets.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/27/2256881.htm
http://www.nogalesinternational.com/articles/2008/09/10/news/news3.txt
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2009-02-23-mexicoborder_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

Recently the federal government has become concerned as well. With soldiers all over the world, one wonders what the US has planned for troubles in its own back yard.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/commentary/the-china-post/arthur-cyr/2009/03/06/198949/p2/Robert-Gates.htm

edited to add:
Here is an article from Al Jazeera posted 3/31 (although it is still 3/30 in Phoenix.) It presents a third party perspective on the violence.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/03/2009330192045168972.html

MCSO & Joe vs. The Feds

I apologise for not being up on my entries. A lot has happened that has kept me away from informative updates. I will post multiple topics separately in order to keep events free standing.

Sheriff Joe is under investigation by the county and the Feds for his new jail policy that is being deemed by many groups and agencies as possible segregation. Early in 2009 Sheriff Joe marched all illegal immigrant inmates to a separate holding facility in Tent City. He Marched the prisoners in public and justified his separation policy by stating that ICE would have an easier time handling the prisoners if they were all in one place.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/04/ap/national/main4775188.shtml

Other's, including the county Attorney and usual Arpiao ally Andrew Thomas, are not so sure his new policy is constitutional.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2009/02/10/20090210Montini0210.html

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/02/07/20090207countyhearing0207.html

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/02/26/20090226politics-insider0226.html