Do you enjoy your basic human rights?

Don't feel like having your civil liberties trampled by a bunch of corrupt Wild West cowboy-wannabes?

Then don't vote for this guy.

I've been wanting to write something on Joe Arpaio since moving to Phoenix and hearing first-hand accounts of his corrupt policies and practices. I've fully intended to post a rap sheet listing the various crimes and abuses of power on the part of Sheriff Joe and his Good Ol' Boy Posse. It seems, thanks to an increasingly powerful grassroots movement on Facebook, that now is the perfect time to do so. While I'm writing (and it might take awhile; the list of abuses is lonnnnnng), you can check out the Facebook movement for yourself:

People against Sheriff Joe Arpaio

And here's a very brief summary of the "Arpaio Abuses" complete with links to relevant articles. If I've forgotten any critical points here, I will add them in later posts:

• Arpaio's controversial (see: unconstitutional and nonfactual), so-called "crime suppression" sweeps, targeted predominantly at Hispanic populations, that are actually searches for undocumented immigrants and amount to nothing short of racial profiling (and essentially constitute a campaign of fear);
• The abhorrent conditions within the Maricopa County jail system and "Tent City," which infringe on the basic human rights of both convicted long-term residents and undocumented immigrants (who, though "guilty under the law" [I even have issues with this phrase, touted by many a pro-Arpaio fan, as is implies criminal activity... crossing the border without documents is a civil violation], are still human beings), and inmates being held in the jails awaiting trial (who should be allowed to exercise that little right called presumption of innocence until proven guilty);
• The excessively rough, even brutally abusive, treatment of individuals who are temporarily housed in Arpaio's jails awaiting trial, many held on relatively minor offense charges (punishment = crime?... nope); and even instances of brutality and victimization toward individuals who are disabled or who have potentially life-threatening medical conditions;
• In a similar vein, the horrendous abuse of women's rights within the MC jail system (see: forcing a pregnant woman to give birth while shackled);
• The frequent, systematic targeting of vocal Arpaio critics--public officials, news media, and average citizens--in the form of arrests, "investigations" and threats of filed charges against said critics... blatant attempts at censorship and retaliation that foster fear;
• Overt disregard of federal mandates that limit Arpaio's power to locally enforce federal immigration laws, and blatant refusal to cooperate in the federal investigation of his policies and practices.

Human rights are for EVERYONE. Fear campaigns and persecution have NO place in upholding the law. Stand up to human rights abuse. Spread the word.

The Reading Pile

No, I don't just read textbooks right now. I would go loop-a-doop-loopy if that were the case. While I don't have a special shelf on my bookcase for the "fun" books I'm reading (or will-read-in-the-near-future queue), I do instead have a sloppy little stack of goodies teetering right next to my bed. For those who are interested, here's the annotated bibliography of what is currently on The Pile:

1) "They Take Our Jobs!" and 20 Other Myths About Immigration, by Aviva Chomsky

I'm just getting into this one. During almost the entirety of last semester, I was bothered because I was having difficulty finding conversation and resources about immigration advocacy and open-immigration reform policies. Amazon.com surely saved the day this semester. This book touches on the 20 most common false perceptions about immigration, including "illegal" immigration, and offers strong counterpoints to anti-immigration drivel... er, arguments. 

 

2) The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, by Carl Sagan

This book, judging from all of Dr. Sagan's works I've read thus far, is going to be amazing. Furthermore, it appeals to the scientific-methodist (gaahh, bad pun!) and woo-skeptic in me. Basically, drawing from history, culture, and--of course--science, "Sagan examines and authoritatively debunks such celebrated fallacies as witchcraft, faith healings, demons, and UFOS." Sagan also discusses and discredits (see: delivers a roundhouse-kick to the face of) the growing popularity of modern pseudoscience practices such as "channeling," ESP, past lives, alien abduction, and paranormal activity. Oh, joy.  :-) 

3) Illegal People: How Globalization Creates Migration and Criminalizes Immigrants, by David Bacon

Another gem from Amazon.com. The author--a photojournalist, former labor organizer and immigrant rights activist--documented connections between labor, migration of people, and the global economy for twenty years. Twenty. Years. This book is an analysis of our national immigration policies and economic practices and how they produce "even more displacement, migration, immigration raids, and an increasingly divided and polarized society."  

4) Atheist Universe: The Thinking Person's Answer to Christian Fundamentalism, by David Mills

This one, I started awhile back when I was considering writing a blog on Christian Fundamentalism and how I think it's wronnnnnnnng. Unfortunately, Atheist Universe got stuck on the back burner last semester, as grad school started to kick in. It really is quite awesome, however, and Mills plants himself firmly in the religious skeptic's corner, detailing "why God is unnecessary to explain the universe's diversity, organization and beauty." A logical breath of fresh air in that murky, awkward realm that is a religious conversation with my grandparents.

5) The Politics of Immigration: Questions and Answers, by Jane Guskin & David L. Wilson

Sensing a theme? I tried to find a book that was more "middle-of-the-road" then the other two I purchased (I have absolutely no desire to pick up a copy of Arpaio's biography or a different 200-page anti-immigration bundle of word vomit). Although, paging through it, I'm finding it of similar structure to Chomsky's book, as it identifies the main players, questions, and misconceptions in the national immigration debate. Guskin and Wilson appear to take a rationalist's approach to the subject, which is good. If you can remain neutral in tone while providing a solid analysis of a subject that has so many people shrieking bloody nonsense, your credibility is never in question.

6) Beyond Civilization: Humanity's Next Great Adventure, by Daniel Quinn

I'm almost ashamed at how long this book has been sitting on the pile, 1/3-read. Quinn, as some of you may know, is the author of Ishmael, one of my favorite books in the entire world. Yes, it is about a talking gorilla. But it is also about changing the world. I'm not going to give too much away, because I think you need to experience Ishmael (and this book, for that matter) for yourself, unbiased. Beyond Civilization touches on this new world created in Ishmael, and bravely proposes how humanity as a whole can transform itself into something different, something better. It's revolutionary, really. I love Daniel Quinn.

7) The Origin of Species -and- The Descent of Man, by Charles 'THE MAN' Darwin

I think we all know what this one's about. I mentioned I was almost ashamed about procrastinating Quinn. I am PROFOUNDLY EMBARRASSED about procrastinating Darwin. The sparkly gems of evolutionary science, straight from the mind of the guy who originally theorized about them. Dinosaurs and monkeys and homo sapiens, oh my! This book should be a must-read for everybody. Even the Crazy Creationists. I want to read this book so much it's ridiculous, but I've never made the time. Travesty. I will remedy this as soon as possible. 

Okay, that's all for now. I should mention that I am reading my textbooks, which do take up a significant amount of my time, so getting through this list is going to feel like slow-motion. That said... what are YOU reading?

What do cartoon cats know about 'illegal' immigration?

Quite a lot, surprisingly, from this video. Interesting perspective on the illegal immigration debate... a perspective that, I've noticed, gets drowned out by the whack-job rants or shrugged off by a lot of the moderates who still cling to the "illegal is still illegal therefore criminal" mentality. Which ends up comprising the bulk of immigration conversations in this state, from what I've read so far. I'm doing some research and will have an AZ-relevant blog post soon, but grad school has other plans at the moment. For now, enjoy the articulate, animated kitties...

Yes, it starts a little slow. But neither Pinky--nor her cantankerous counterpart Daisy--say they're in this because of a lust for power and fame, nor do they attempt to stir the metaphorical hornet's nest of fear and prejudice. You want that, talk to Glenn Beck. I hear he does one hell of a carnival act.