Ann Friedman on the perils of police becoming immigration enforcers:
It’s tempting to write off Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio as just another right-wing hatemonger. Like the Pat Buchanans and Lou Dobbs of the world, he has a large platform, talent for exploiting the racist side of populism, and an all-consuming desire for attention.
So what sets Arpaio apart? Whether we like it or not, he’s more than a blowhard. His Arizona county covers 9,000 square miles. It has a population of nearly 4 million. He has 4,000 employees and 3,000 “volunteer posse” members. And although his tactics are under investigation by the Justice Department, he continues to receive financial support from the Obama administration.
