Sheriff Joe

-
It's been a lot of years since I first heard of Sheriff Joe Apraio and his controversial techniques in Arizona.

Like many others I sort of believed that it was a progressive way to get something out of those who might be in jail. Why let prisoners sit around, lift weights and watch television?

Can't they be put to work somehow?

Yet, time has passed and a lot of light was placed on Joe's antics.

And they were antics.

Before you jump to his defense, consider that many of those confined in his tent city hung themselves. Others were treated like animals. Many, many, many were rounded up because of what they looked like.

The color of their skin.

Immigration isn't an easy subject. That border line is like a huge scar running for miles. Men and women, running for their lives crossed that line.

Not rapists or criminals in most respects.

Men and women.

And once in a land where freedom reigns, they were rounded up and stripped of their freedoms and denied any semblance of law.

Okay. 

It has never become more apparent to me that a lot of people are actually for that type of action now. I wish I had a nickel for every social media warrior who talks of imprisoning these people, or worse, without thought of their life or liberty.

Yet Sheriff Joe was told to stop.

He received a direct order from a judge.

No more!

He was hired to uphold the law of the land. He received direct orders on numerous occasions to stop what he was doing.

He ignored those orders.

He was found guilty.

And he hadn't even been sentenced yet when he was pardoned by a man who ignored the process, ignored the directive of the judicial system that governs the land.

That's not right.

"Is he really a racist?" Kathy asked as we were watching the coverage of the Trump pardon.

A simple question because I understood where she was coming from.

Most people don't understand that someone can actually believe that you're okay with denying people  the same rights we all have...

...because of how they look.

A simple question.

Are Sheriff Joe and Trump racists?

The word is thrown around a lot these days...

...most of us don't want to believe it.

But if your actions strip a certain group of people of rights that other groups receive just by being born...

...then you just might be a racist.

And if you're still comfortable in your defense of the grand old sheriff, remember that he was also accused of installing cameras in the women's bathroom in his tent community.

And that's not racist behavior.

It's just plain disgusting.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more