News

First! Wow... when will he Sun City crowd realize that this murdering thief CANNOT BE ELECTED ANY LONGER??? Here in the old west, we believe in freedom. When will the transients who moved here for a better life tell this bastard to go away? Someday, retirees, the bell tolls for thee!

Comment by az native — October 17, 2007 @ 09:44PM

It's time to move on and wake up from the nightmare that Arpaio has been... which has been a TV drama queen and a breeder of lawyer pets to abuse the system and get his filthy little hands over the different parts of government for his own cronies. It's time to let Sheriff Joke go.

Independent journalism lies in the hands of the outcome of this case. May the Phoenix New Times fight and win.

Comment by Another AZ Native — October 17, 2007 @ 09:49PM

WOW! This makes me appreciate the OPEN SOURCE (FREE) anonymity software I use more than ever!

I suggest we ALL use it!

I suspect most readers are familiar with the firefox browser?

The firefox browser coupled with the VIDALIA bundle offers virtual anonymity! However, do NOT forget to add on "cookie culler" to delete cookies left on your computer. Do not forget to add on "java script" to disable java and you will also need to add on "flash block"....its all explained in the instructions for installing VIDALIA ...at

http://tor.eff.org/download.html.en

Firefox Browser Download;

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/products/firefox/

Comment by Joe Phx — October 18, 2007 @ 03:34AM

Will your "anonymity software" hide your IP address from the webservers? I think not.

Comment by Phx tech — October 18, 2007 @ 09:39AM

Other than make sure that we go to the polls, what can we do to get rid of Arpaio and Thomas? They are an embarrassment to the judicial system and to the State of Arizona. It's hard to believe that in this day and age, these two can have made it as far as they have. These two are more of a danger to society than the illegal aliens. .

Comment by KP another AZ native — October 18, 2007 @ 09:42AM

Anonymity software will not hide IP addresses from the web server, however, the proper use of standard proxies or tor proxy servers will. :)

Comment by Native IP — October 18, 2007 @ 10:08AM

dennis wilenchik has never been a good person. no surprise that he's running amok on a larger field. go get these guys. maybe, at long last, we'll be rid of the lot of them.

Comment by bosox406 — October 18, 2007 @ 10:45AM

Thank you for printing this article. Personally, and as a member of the bar, I am disgusted by Wilenchik's arrogance.

Comment by Tiffany — October 18, 2007 @ 12:51PM

As a journalist of 27 years (mainstream and altie press), and a New Times alum (Dallas Observer), I can only say: Go Boys. Kick those Maricopa Nazis' asses. Unbelievable. I know your policy for fighting these things, and I'm proud to share this profession with you. Thanks and play hard.

Comment by Holly Mullen — October 18, 2007 @ 01:47PM

I see the future of Arizona! Tent City jail will have ten thousand new residents who have read news from Phoenix New Times website. (I don't look good in pink) I wonder if any Sheriff's department employees or our governor read New Times website. Side note: I was shocked to find my personal information and a copy of my signature in our county records websites. Your private info is in there also. Good Luck!

Comment by Richard Shafer — October 18, 2007 @ 01:57PM

The actions of the County Attorney's office, the Sheriff's Office and of Dennis Wilenchik make me embarassed and ashamed to be citizen of this County. Their actions further make me angry and outraged. I look forward to these buffoons getting their comeuppance. There is not enough public humiliation that could be heaped upon them for their gross abuse of their ofice, their power and their public trust.
Stand your ground, New Times. Fight the good fight and don't let the bastards grind you down!

Comment by Red Allover — October 18, 2007 @ 02:56PM

Freedom isn't free. It cost a buck o' five...

I'm truly inspired. Thank you NEW TIMES.

Comment by Gary Johnston — October 18, 2007 @ 04:47PM

Perhaps these gentlemen should be held in contempt. After all, ignorance of the law is no excuse.

Comment by FreeSpeak — October 18, 2007 @ 05:13PM

Keep up the solid investigational work up! Keep the sunshine from being eclipsed by the underhanded, overbearing henchmen of the Arpaio posse. Arizona taxpayers - and the New Times readers (wherever they may be) deserve it.

I was going to give you a message to give him, but then D'oh - I realized he will have my IP address and can read it for himself. Kiss my nutsack Arpaio! I will even wear pink panties.

Comment by DaveS — October 18, 2007 @ 05:18PM

FreeSpeak - They probably will, and I'm sure they are fully aware of that possibility. My guess is that's kinda the point, actually.

Do you condone the reprehensible actions perpetrated by Sherrif Joke and Candy??

Comment by IO — October 18, 2007 @ 05:29PM

"Will your "anonymity software" hide your IP address from the webservers? I think not."

YES, it will hide your IP from the web-servers!In fact, it will change your IP address every 17-20 minutes...and route your traffic through 1000 servers or more!

VIDALIA is software BUNDLE that packages TOR and PRIVOXY into one. Coupled with the Firefox browser...you can virtual ANONYMITY!

After you install VIDALIA and FIREFOX...both free (open source)...your IP address is lible to from Germany, China, Japan, Brazil, Canada.....its REALLY cool!

See the links I already posted above!

BTW....TOR stands for "The Onion Ring"...think about an ONION RING and you will get the idea of how TOR works...

Comment by Joe Phx — October 18, 2007 @ 06:58PM

I learned of TOR (The Onion Ring) from this article in ComputerWorld magazine;

How to surf anonymously without a trace
Several ways to protect yourself from the feds and others

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9012778&pageNumber=2

And CNET, which is in the business of rating new tech for consumers, sort of like a consumer reports for tech.

PRIVOXY just pushes ALL your web traffic through the TOR network...

VIDALIA is the bundle that incorporates TOR and PRIVOXY into one...

The implications of truly ANONYMOUS web surfing are immense...good and bad...

Comment by Joe Phx — October 18, 2007 @ 07:11PM

Forgot to post the link to CNET article on TOR...open source (FREE) anonymity software;


Surfing anonymously? You just might get a call from campus police


http://education.zdnet.com/?p=837

Comment by Joe Phx — October 18, 2007 @ 07:15PM

Hey Free Speach. Are you over 80 years of age? Are you the the 3 second fish from finding Nemo? Read the story. Of course New Times knew they could face a charge for publishing the story. They said it in the 3rd paragraph. The did so for so many reasons. Call Keanu Reves and ask for the blue pill. Wake up. Cheese and rice I am surrounded by sheeple. These guys have hairy bean bags the size of Texas. God bless New Times for sticking up for what is right.

Comment by Truth Decay — October 18, 2007 @ 07:19PM

Hey folks, one last note; Its CRITICAL that you add on the TORBUTTON to your FIREFOX browser if you intend to USE TOR. Otherwise, you will NOT be able to turn TOR on and off.


https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2275

Comment by Joe Phx — October 18, 2007 @ 07:25PM

New Times is solid. When they bob for apples, the darn things jocky for postion! New Times tells the moon when it can be full. Chuck Norris reads New Times. Chuck Norris can throw a New Times 50 yards, but New Times can throw Chuck Norris 50 yards. If the you threw a New Times up in the air, it would turn into sunshine. Ghosts are even afraid of New Times. Thomas and his red faced love clown Wilenchik should be too. Go New Times. GO. Get those donkeys.

Comment by The worlds most intersting man — October 18, 2007 @ 07:35PM

I am disgusted at the waste of tax dollars that Thomas and Arapaio are BLOWING to harass the reporters and readers of the New Times.

Comment by Katherine — October 18, 2007 @ 10:00PM

Bozo Joke Arpaio and Candy Ass Thomas would have been a big hit in NAZI Germany...
That's where they belong...
What Fucken PIGS they are.
Thank God the New Times has the balls to stand up to these GOONS. Something you will never see from the Arizona Rrepulsive.

Comment by Jim Cozzolino — October 18, 2007 @ 11:17PM

Clip from NewTimes BLOG "BREAKING NEWS: NEW TIMES FOUNDERS MICHAEL LACEY AND JIM LARKIN ARRESTED! Thu Oct 18, 2007 at 11:45:54 PM"

Comment by NotSurprised — October 18, 2007 @ 11:40PM

If the you threw a New Times up in the air, it would turn into sunshine....
HA! now that's phat... The army uses New Times for tank armor... My dad was saved in nam by a New Times Bunker...

Comment by Cindy Travis — October 19, 2007 @ 02:04AM

I don't see what all the fuss is about???

Comment by Old Fuck — October 19, 2007 @ 02:06AM

I am appalled that your media executives were arrested for publishing a story which the public has every right to know about! This sherriff is clearly abusing his authority. He is the one who should be in jail. And if the prosecutor wants to subpeona me as a reader, I'd be glad to come to Arizona at his expense, just for the privilege of telling him to take a hike!

Pat

Comment by Patrick B — October 19, 2007 @ 03:32AM

I am continuously surprised by the arrogance of Sherrif Joe and his minions. If they win, all my faith in the justice system will be lost.

Comment by Two Headed Boy — October 19, 2007 @ 03:34AM

I read somewhere that Hitler died on April 30, 1945 in a bunker in Berlin. How in hell did he get reincarnated in Phoenix in 2007?

Comment by Michael McNally — October 19, 2007 @ 05:33AM

I recognize that the publication of this letter may well result in the dispatch of Maricopa Sheriff's agents to Massachusetts in order to commence an investigation of me. It is, after all, fair to speculate that the exercise of my First Amendment Rights will be viewed as criminal and threatening by many Maricopa County authorities. So be it. We still observe the Constitution in Massachusetts. I must commend you, Mr. Lacey, Mr. Larkin, and members of your reporting staff. Your efforts, and the integrity of Judges Baca, Ryan, and Mundell, are exposing an incredible abuse of the Constitution and laws by public authorities in Maricopa County. I suspect that those same authorities fear you are on the verge of exposing much more. Imagine, if you will, the prospect of a former sheriff wearing pink underwear in a federal prison, and the lawsuits he would file in protest thereof. United States Department of Justice - where are you?

Comment by Attorney Kenneh S. Mello — October 19, 2007 @ 05:46AM

Wow, the fact that this man still has a job finely illustrates the motivated voters in this state may be lacking in the sanity department.

Human rights violations in his jails now a blatant retalatory use of the court system against a well known and respected media outlet...Fight the Power! This story rang on the nytimes website too so yet again our dear Sherrif has humiliated us in front of the nation KUDOS! now can we all collectively show up at the polls and vote him out next time?!

Or maybe they'll just our info from all of these posts and sent us straight to Guantanamo...

Comment by AimeeInPhx — October 19, 2007 @ 05:57AM

What's next? Sheriff Arpio is already on the Amnesty International list for violating basic human rights. He's on the same list that people like Hitler would have been on. Now he's taking things one step further by trying to take away our Constitutional rights as well. Maybe Arpio should be jailed and subjected to the same violations of human rights that he subjects others to.
My question is why haven't the Feds stopped this man? The city where I am from was cleaned up by the Feds for violations of human rights, but in no where near the severity of this county's department.
It is a proven fact that the more severe you are on prisoners all you accomplish by this is raising the offender repeat statistics. If you survive the severe treatment you gain status of being big and bad and are idolized. The attitude becomes "If I can survive that, I can handle any jail or prison." It does nothing for rehibilitating offenders,what it does teach is how to be a better criminal.

Comment by MaryAnn — October 19, 2007 @ 06:33AM

Keep up the good work.

Comment by Edward — October 19, 2007 @ 06:33AM

While the "toughest sheriff in the country" is wasting public money persecuting the New Times, vicious criminals are roaming free and assaulting innocent visitors, like the husband of a colleague, who was robbed, beaten, left in a bathtub with the TV playing loudly and his wrists so tightly bound that gangrene began to set in before he was found. As a result, he lost his left hand and is still trying to regain full use of his right. From what I have been told, other guests at his motel were also attacked but did not suffer such catastrophic injuries. Apparently, drug addicts and dealers were known to frequent the area. Where was the sheriff?

Comment by Joel Wechsler — October 19, 2007 @ 06:51AM

I just read the authors of this piece were arrested last night. What a crock! A waste of taxpayers money! What happened to freedom of speech? I'm all for supporting law enforcement, hell, my dad was a cop for nearly 30 years. We couldn't have our address published either so I can see why the sheriff might not like that but with all the shady dealings the sheriff has a hand in, I guess I'm not too worried for his safety. I hope there's a public outcry regarding the sheriff's stance on many issues and I will continue to have 100% support for the Phoenix New Times. I also hope this arrest brings to light the sneakiness of the sheriff and Candy Andy.

Comment by April — October 19, 2007 @ 06:56AM

Go Joe, Mr Arpaio Rocks. Finally a good man who is a patriot. Maybe the PNT will start telling the whole story and not be such media hacks.

Stand up for your country before it is to late. Remember what your grandparents fought for. God bless America

Comment by tom — October 19, 2007 @ 07:15AM

Just in case the Maricopa County DA's Office or Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is reading this:

Fuck Joe Arpaio and you can shove your subpoenas.

Signed: A civil libertarian and member of the media.

Comment by SocraticGadfly — October 19, 2007 @ 07:23AM

Tell the "toughest sheriff in the country" to come subpoena me too -- I just looked at your website. Throw that tin horn jerk out!

Comment by Richard — October 19, 2007 @ 07:34AM

Freespeak said: "Perhaps these gentlemen should be held in contempt. After all, ignorance of the law is no excuse."
Hey freespeak, you need to pull your head out of your arse.
You know how many laws are in this country, including federal, state, and local? Over 20 million. You can't fart without committing a felony somewhere in this country.
So, seeing as how we have all these laws, how is ignorance of the law NOT an excuse?
Oh and Joe? You have my IP. Suck my balls.

Comment by J Wyant — October 19, 2007 @ 07:44AM

Congratulations, guys, for standing up to this tyranny, this incredible abuse of power. And thank you for informing the public of this outrageous attempt to intrude into the lives and reading habits of people. It's the job of a free press to do exactly what you did. I want Thomas (and Arpaio) that I proudly visit the New Times site, and will step up my visits. They need to understand people will not be intimidated by such tactics.

Comment by Bill Gates (real name) — October 19, 2007 @ 07:48AM

This story has now been told to the readers of Reason.com. I'd like to see the sherrif try to intimidate national and international readers of the Phoenix New Times.

Comment by Michael A. Clem — October 19, 2007 @ 08:03AM

Props to the Arizona Republic for making this their front page story AND linking back to the original New Times article. It's nice to see two papers that frequently disagree banding together to report on this gross misuse of power.

Comment by Anonymous Pete — October 19, 2007 @ 08:13AM

Jeebus! I didn't realize Arizona was a banana republic, although there have been hints over the years! I thought Utah was bad for clueless voters, but I guess your state's voters' brains have long since fried. Oh, the stupid, aaaiiiiieeee.

Comment by Mary M. Thompson — October 19, 2007 @ 08:23AM

Go ahead and give them my info. Also, let them know I live in NE Phoenix, work full time in a white collar profession, pay my bills and vote. I read my HOA's CC&Rs so I know how many pets I'm allowed to have (and take good care of them), my pool is locked and kept clean so no toddlers can fall in and be hidden in algae. I take the bus to keep Phoenix's air clean. My "babies" are 23 and 27, so there is little likelihood that I will leave them to die unattended in a hot car. I was born in Minnesota and lived there all my life until moving to Phoenix in 1998. I've never been out of the country. I hate to fly. I mostly respect the Phoenix PD and the job they do. I smoke (but not within 20 feet of a business entrance). I drink once in a while (but never drive if I've had even a sip of liquor). I renew my vehicle registration on time every year. I'm not sure if I've visited the New Times Website during the perior in question, but I do pick up the New Times at the bus stop to read frequently. (Does Joe want me to try to get the personal info of the other bus riders who read the New Times while riding?) I visit lots of news websites. If you give them the previous website I visited today, it was AZCentral, and prior to that it was 'Village View' in NY where they're still talking about the story of Carol G being sent alone to Phoenix where I have been defending the actions of Phoenix law enforcement. If he wants to know anything else about me, give him my email address.

That being said, since when is it a crime to dislike a pompous, grand-standing, arrogant local 'celebrity'? I think his stunts to get in the public eye and get his picture in the newspaper are silly. (i.e. - when he offered to take Paris Hilton in to tent city - what does Paris have to do with Joe? Notta! He just wasn't getting enough attention at the time!) I don't like the man. Never have. Never will. I voted against him last time and I will again next time. Not a crime - simply an American right. And kudos to the New Times for publishing the grand jury summons. I think I'm entitled to know if the grand jury is looking for information about me because I've read a negative article about Joe. And Kudos to AZCentral for providing the link to the story on THEIR site, and to the local news stations who are covering the story WITHOUT putting Joe on TV.

Comment by Liz Fournier — October 19, 2007 @ 08:25AM

Just checking in to make sure my IP addy gets logged again! Go Team, Beat State!

Comment by John Smith — October 19, 2007 @ 08:26AM

This is what happens when we let massive abuses of the Constitution in Washington pass without any significant protest. Little pinheads take it as a cue that they too can just forget about the Constitution.

People need to wake up to what's happening in this country. We're on the edge of not standing for anything anymore.

Tell the Sheriff and the Prosecutor I've visited this site and come and get my ass here in New York City. They're a bunch of pathetic crooks ripping off the people.

Let's get this country back on track.

Power to the Ordinary People!

Comment by Sean Bailey — October 19, 2007 @ 08:30AM

This unbelievable misuse of power against a free press shows the attitude of
This unbelievable misuse of power against a free press shows the attitude of Sheriff Apaio and the minions that work in the prosecutors office. It is beyond words how badly the legal system leaders in Phoenix are treating the constitution. They want all personally indentifying information on EVERYONE that visited the newspapers web site since 2004 from anywhere in the world! This and many other requests are clearly against any use of common sense. If this Wacko is allowed to get away with the unprecedented abuse of power then all news agencies and the American people are going to lose in a big way. Freedom of the press and the right of persons to freely view news or other web sites without fear of the government interference are at risk.
If we are lucky the sheriff will be drummed out of office and get to wear one of his pink prison uniforms. This type of abuse is exactly why antibigbrother com was started.
These BIG BROTHERS must be stopped and punished for their outrageous actions.

Comment by Greg — October 19, 2007 @ 08:33AM

It's obvious that these guys are out of control. It's obvious that they are vengeful, petty and mean and abuse our legal sytem to further their personal agendas and extremist opinions. It's obvious during many public interviews that Joe Arpaio has some serious emotional problems.

It's also obvious that the populace of Maricopa County is clueless regarding their activities because Joe keeps getting re-elected. How do we get rid of them, there has to be a way.

Comment by No Way — October 19, 2007 @ 09:04AM

Dear Sheriff Arpaio, re:Recent arrests of the editor and CEO of the New Times and your blatant violations of the Constitution:
FUCK YOU. Come and send you little goons up to Denver to get me.
Strong letter to follow.

Comment by Bob — October 19, 2007 @ 09:21AM

Speaking out in these public forums CAN work. I don't know if anyone here recalls the story from Steamboat Springs Colorado in September 2006 when 2 young men were arrested and thrown in jail for 6 months for taking spoiled veggies out of a trash can. The public outrage on the message board (Steamboat Pilot) over the 4 days of the Labor Day weekend culminated in a televised confrontation between the DA's office, Sherriff's office and local community members, and, ultimately, the immediate release of these 2 "criminals". I was glued to those boards for 4 days, and it was amazing. It worked! These boards are still available if anyone wants to see how the public can make a difference. Here's one of many of them:

http://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/2006/sep/01/men_get_six_months_jail_stealing_food_trash/


Also, I believe in taking care of my civic duty. Where do I sign up for jury duty on this latest personal vendetta of Joe's?

Thirdly, New Times, you have all of our email addresses. If the day ever comes where you actually DO need to appear in court, shoot us an email a few days in advance. It seems our actions are being called into question, too, so we might as well show up to defend ourselves. I would show up in a heart beat to protest this action. It sounds like there are others here who would as well.

Comment by Liz Fournier — October 19, 2007 @ 09:25AM

instead of all the talk of anonymity, let's all just keep reading this website, show our support, and stand up for the free press. I can't wait to receive a subpoena, or find out i was identified by this prosecutor based on my IP address; the next day i will have my attorney sue the prosecutor for invasion of privacy, and i am willing to spend money on this. whether it's the feds or a loser corrupt sheriff somewhere in the desert, we have rights in this country and it's time to show we care about them!
i want to be able to read the new times, watch aljazeera, email the white house, call vladimir putin or post comments on a nazi website without fear of being investigated for saying or doing what the constitution expressly allows me: speak freely. and i will fight for that, as the indicted editors here bravely do.

Comment by gheorghe — October 19, 2007 @ 10:11AM

Good on you. At a time when much of the mainstream press is playing lap dog to the lunatic temporarily and illegally occupying the White House it is more than refreshing to see a vital independent media standing their moral, ethical and legal ground. Arpaio is a legend in his own mind seen by the rest of the world as nothing more than a reckless red-neck buffoon.

Comment by James — October 19, 2007 @ 10:20AM

I've read all kinds of illegal stuff on this and literally thousands of other websites! Come and get me!

Comment by Benjamin D. McClure — October 19, 2007 @ 10:23AM

Truth Decay/IO........:Haven't lived in Arizona for over 20 years... My comment was intended to smell like fish and be as snide as rotting liver.

I WISH this whole thing were big enough to rouse the sheeple to response but the fact is there is a new generation in control now that cannot answer the question "What's a Constitution?" This is one obscenity in a feed-lot full of constitutional obscenities stretching across the USSA.

Let me put it like this...... We won all the battles but the Nazi's won the war. Fascism is the new and growing form of government in America.

No whining.

FreeSpeak

Comment by FreeSpeak — October 19, 2007 @ 10:32AM

Thanks, Lacey and Larkin, for being some of the few out there who never pussy out of defending us from unconstitutional thuggery.

Be careful in there.

Comment by Amy Alkon — October 19, 2007 @ 10:34AM

I would be glad to stand up for the Supreme Court-established right to privacy that all American citezens have. Subpoena me (but you will have to pay my plane ticket costs and hotel bills). I am a first-time visitor to this website, here because of reading the story on Google News about the power-tripping sheriff. Sounds familiar to me, as small-town law enforcement types tend to have a grandiose view of their powers. In my county, the sheriff has been in power for longer than I've been alive (over 30 years). He actually drives around town in a Cadillac sheriff patrol car - they literally bought him a brand-new Cadillac and installed the lights and cages and all that makes it a patrol car. He also is rumored to have his own network of drug dealers. The cops sell drugs, and they also abuse their power to make crooked business dealings out in the open. We need HONEST LAW ENFORCEMENT! I encourage the newspaper officials to fight this one all the way. You have the support of the nation's public, as you can see.

Comment by Thomas JefFranklin — October 19, 2007 @ 10:35AM

OH NO! ARE ALL OF COMPUTERS GOING TO TURN PINK?
JOE IS OUT OF CONTROL.

Comment by WEE — October 19, 2007 @ 10:41AM

My IP is 69.181.31.42.

Comment by Right Here — October 19, 2007 @ 10:43AM

I'll testify. Arpaio and his corrupt cronies need to go. Whatever happened to the free press?

Comment by Tyler Hurst — October 19, 2007 @ 10:49AM

Dear New Times: Please feel free to divulge my IP address, email address, and any other info garnered from my computer straight to Sheriff Joe so that he may know who I am. This is important to me, becuase I think he needs to know how very much I as an individual citizen of this once-great nation believe him to be a turd-munching brownshirt. I would also like Sheriff Joe to know that I openly and publicly mock him, criticize his actions, and belittle his office.

I realize Oregon is technically outside of his jurisdiction, but if Sheriff Joe is half the man he brags to be he'll surely be able to overcome this trivial limitation. After all, if the 1st and 4th Amendments can't constrain him why should artificial lines on a map hold him back?

Please hurry with my green bologna sandwich. It's almost lunchtime and I grow hungry.

Comment by ablackstormy — October 19, 2007 @ 10:51AM

I'm sure I disagree with most of your political positions, but I support you 100% in this matter. In addition to the harm that individuals suffer from abuse of the legal process, the legal institutions themselves suffer a loss of legitimacy that harms everyone.

Comment by ronbo — October 19, 2007 @ 11:05AM

Give em hell! It's about time someone stood up to...well, anyone these days!

Comment by Maria D. — October 19, 2007 @ 11:40AM

Wow. Thank you for bringing to light this egregious abuse of power. Cockroaches hate the light!

Comment by phidda — October 19, 2007 @ 11:48AM

Part of the blame for this has to be put on media outlets. The media rests in the hands of a few giant corporations, who themselves are trying to control the government. - Eric Monse

Comment by Eric Monse — October 19, 2007 @ 11:52AM

The fact that anyone is suprised has to be the most pathetic thing about this entire story. To comment here require my name and email address....makes you wonder....

Comment by Nerd of War — October 19, 2007 @ 12:00PM

Good Job! Wanted to add my IP address.
62 year AZ native.

Comment by Peg Perkins — October 19, 2007 @ 12:10PM

Now, I might be mistaken about this, but it seems to me that whenever the corruption our elected officials is exposed to the public it has to be given a "-gate" name. I think Nixon started this policy with Watergate. How about some good suggestions? Ego-gate? Nickle-gate? Pinkie-gate? Post your best!

By the way, there are a lot of people posting on AZCentral that haven't read the entire article. It shows in their comments. LOL.

Comment by Liz Fournier — October 19, 2007 @ 12:36PM

Thank you for exhibiting the kind of journalistic integrity and true patriotism that our country so tragically lacks in this time of dire need. People with your kind of professionalism, integrity and courage are always a comfort and inspiration. Again, thank you so much.

-carolyn

Comment by Carolyn — October 19, 2007 @ 12:39PM

Go ahead and give them the data about users' IP addresses, internet browsers and operating systems. They'll have to contract Google to derive anything meaningful from those many thousands (if not millions) of records, if such is even possible.

Comment by ballyhoo — October 19, 2007 @ 12:47PM

waaa waaaa waaaa..... I am glad the sheriff took you all to jail and I hope the prosecutor throws the book at you too.

Comment by tsosieaj — October 19, 2007 @ 12:48PM

As a fellow journalist and, damn it, an American citizen, I want to add my thanks to the chorus of those who recognize the supreme value and character the New Times represents here. This attack, however, is not merely an attack on the New Times; it is instead an unabashed assault on the American public and the illegal use of law enforcement to suppress our right to know. Those involved in this scam ought to be ashamed for abusing their power in an effort to silence opponents who have done nothing illegal. They disrespect every American value that makes us who we are, and which provides them their dirty jobs. They disrespect basic human rights with their grandiose delusions and power-hungry dreams. They would be better suited living and working in a third-world oppressive regime, for only in a place like that would they be patted on the back for such an atrocity.

Comment by j — October 19, 2007 @ 01:00PM

I just want to be included in the lists of people who went to your website, and make it clear how easy it is, in this nonsense, to be on your side and not Sheriff Arpaio's

Good luck.

Comment by Tom DeVries — October 19, 2007 @ 01:01PM

The Grand Jury subpoena must be resisted!
"Hats off to owners!”

In my opinion, Arizona law is very lax in this area.

This case is precedence setting and should be fought
all the way!

If it makes its way into Federal Court, We
would be delighted to do some pro bono work
for you all.

I will monitor this blog and keep our Attorneys
up to date.


Computer Nerds®
3301 East Rancier #G101
Killeen, Texas 76543

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(816) 523-6373 - Kansas City Missouri
(480) 969-6373 - Mesa Arizona
(405) 748-6373 - Oklahoma City Oklahoma
(866) 451-0588 - Fax

Comment by Shawn — October 19, 2007 @ 01:04PM

Thank you to the New Times for publishing these stories. When we originally moved here from Florida, I had already read about this craziness and actively looked for a house to buy outside of Maricopa County. Happy to say we live in Pinal County. They may have their problems but I love where I live in the San Tan area and would rather deal with living near a beautiful mountain range and cheaper houses than to live in fear of this crazy man.

Stand up for your rights! Thank you for what you do!

Comment by Tim Hannick — October 19, 2007 @ 01:05PM

Our Pile and Willing Chick, et al, make a strong case for gene pool maintenance.

Comment by Commandante Zero — October 19, 2007 @ 01:08PM

It is incredibly hard for me to actually find the words to describe my feelings after reading this article. The degree of abuse from "SCUMBAGS" Joe Arpaio, Andrew Thomas, and Dennis Wilenchik, and their grand jury supoenas are beyond comprehesion. Then, to have read the artice, and woken up to the news of the arrests of the founders of the New Times further deepened my disgust of these "men", and I use that term extremely lightly. Please feel free to email me with any and all support you need. Hell, I would even donate money to a legal fund if need be. I thank the NEW TIMES for their truths in reporting, and special thanx to the reporters that don't back down from the assinine threats of SHERIFF Joke Arpaio.

Comment by JOSHUA FRIEDMAN — October 19, 2007 @ 01:19PM

VOTE THOSE PIECES OF SHIT OUT OF OFFICE PEOPLE..... The Abuse will find you, the supporters, somehow, someway eventually !!
Please feel free to publish my IP, my email, and my web browser of choice !!

Comment by CONCERNED CITIZEN — October 19, 2007 @ 01:26PM

This whole thing reminds me way too much of when Don Boles was murdered for having the wrong information about people in power. They killed him with a bomb under his car. I wouldn't put anything past the current crop of fascists! Hope they follow my links -- from an article in the NYTimes about this fiasco. Thanks for making Oklahoma look progressive!

Comment by jim botkin — October 19, 2007 @ 01:32PM

I hope the ACLU is called on to take this case. All readers, visitors of the New Times website? How many pieces of paper is that? Who is going to read that information? Where is it going to be stored? How long will it be kept? What safeguards will be taken to keep all that information safe? How much will it cost taxpayers?

Muy sad and ridiculous.

Comment by J Chavez — October 19, 2007 @ 01:39PM

Below is a email sent to the Attorney Generals office by myself, I believe that if we all make our objections known that they will have no choice but to take action against the Communist state being created in the state by Sherriff, County Attorney's Office and Special Prosecutor. I hope that I will not be the only one to do this and that there will be others who will speak out against the volations of our first ammendment rights.

To Whom it may concern:

I have been following the Campaign of terror that is being waged by Sherriff Joe Arpaio as well as the County Attorney Thomas and special prosecutor Wilnechik's waging on Phoenix New Times and the First Amendment. I am curious if your office is going to do anything to stop this injustice before it gets out of hand, it already has gone over the lines in requesting the records of anyone who has viewed stories on the Phoenix New Times Website. This is not a communist state or country and the press does have a certain amount of Freedom as do all of the citizens who choose to read their publication. It is appalling to me that the Special Prosecutor could go behind the backs of the Defense Attorneys to try and influence the judge who is hearing the case.

As a journalism student we have been learning about the laws and the ethics that go along with our line of work, and yet here is a contraversy that effects not only the way we do things but the very fabric of what we do. I hope that not all of the State belongs to Joe and his hinch men as they have been likened to Nazi's frankly at first i thought he was a great sherriff but recent events that have thrust him into the media spot light have turned that opinion sour, placing more value on animal rights than on basic human rights is something that is appalling to me and to anyone who has a sense of justice. Tent cities are great idea however i think he is going over board by declaring himself a victim of the Freedom of Information Act which makes public records of things such as Home address's and business's owned by publice officials. this information is there for anyone with 25 dollars to purchase.

We are subjected to the laws of this state just like everyone else yet these three gentlemen have placed themselves above those laws, laws that this country was founded on by invading the privacy of the public when requiring that all readers of the New Times since 2004 information be turned over to them. What purpose does this information intend to be used? What right do they have to know what people read? What right do they have to our private information? If we wanted them to know what we were reading we would share it with them.

Please do something about this before it gets out of hand and tears apart the fabric of our first amendment rights.

Thank You I look forward to hearing from you!

Comment by Voltaira — October 19, 2007 @ 01:45PM

Whoo hoo, come and get me. Proud to be investigated...not the first time. I'm 67 and if you really want to meet the Evil Nexus, read what the FBI did in the Sixties. We're supposed to get all scared now, stop talking with each other and wither away. Mary Sojourner

Comment by Mary Sojourner — October 19, 2007 @ 01:48PM

If you do have to turn in who has read articles feel free to add my IP to the list. Why do those in power get into these groups of "us against them" like we are the bad guys?
Fight this all the way, if you need help let me know. I for one am sick of this bullshit and am ready for the revolution if need be.

Comment by Daniel — October 19, 2007 @ 02:04PM

JOE pack your bags your done dumb ass

Comment by bryson — October 19, 2007 @ 02:29PM

he joe you still suck joe is the dude on his back at www.lemonparty.org

Comment by Joe is done — October 19, 2007 @ 02:35PM

Thank the absence of God I don't live in the hell hole that is America. It's getting hard to tell the difference between America and China these days, except that China isn't bankrupt.

Comment by Daniel — October 19, 2007 @ 02:58PM

What can we do to help?

Comment by Alice — October 19, 2007 @ 03:06PM

Who does this clown think he is? Huey Long?

-jcr

Comment by Some Guy — October 19, 2007 @ 03:14PM

After seeing what happened today on the news and thinking back to my own 1st Amendment battle as a whistle blower, I took refuge in the words of Hugo Black, former supreme court justice. This is only one of my favorite quotes, but the one I see as most relevant:

"The press was to serve the governed, not the governors. The Government's power to censor the press was abolished so that the press would remain forever free to censure the Government. The press was protected so that it could bare the secrets of government and inform the people. Only a free and unrestrained press can effectively expose deception in government." From New York Times Co. v. United States.[22]"

I wish you guys the best, but at the same remember that humanity is can take us all a long way in not being misjudged.

Respectfully,
Tom Burbank

Comment by Tom Burbank — October 19, 2007 @ 03:32PM

You guys hang in there! You're fighting for all of us. Someone needs to educate your local fascists about a thing called the U.S. Constitution. What you publish and what we read is none of their business. Just want you to know you've got support far and wide.

Comment by D.W. — October 19, 2007 @ 03:37PM

Go get 'em New Times!! Stand tall. Nickel Bag Joe needs to go to jail...

Comment by David — October 19, 2007 @ 03:43PM

I use Firefox and I'm quite mobile. The way the signal is up here; my IP address changes every time the card goes into "Roam"..and that's just staying in one location. I suppose everybody with a laptop and a cell modem card will be deemed homeland security threats, as well! Our infrastructure is sworn to protect the constitution; but government on all levels has emasculated it. Kudos to New Times for standing up to the power-hungry!

Comment by Incendianna — October 19, 2007 @ 03:44PM

This is just absurd. It's a remarkable example of how people in power will abuse it. It's sad. I hope that something happens with these people because they do not belong in the positions they now hold. To try and ruin an independent source of information is appalling. It screams power-hungry and reflects the worst parts of government greed.

You've got my support out here in LA. And, now that this has made the front page of digg.com, you've got a whole lot more people aware of the situation than before. Just think, this gets big enough and enough noise is made about it nationwide, these guys will have to step down.

Comment by Shawn — October 19, 2007 @ 03:48PM

I am 52 years old and have supported Sheriff Joe in most of the things he has done. I am not supporting him anymore. He is reminding me of Hitler's SS. This is against freedom or speech and the privacy act. I have never viewed your website, but I will from now on. I hope he knows he has crossed the line. My husband (who is retired airforce)is also very upset.

Comment by Sharon Gardner — October 19, 2007 @ 03:49PM

Now I'm really rolling on the floor laughing. No one here has mentioned this yet, so I guess I will.

The County Attorney THREW OUT the charges against Larkin and Lacey today.

You got some splainin' to do Joey!

Comment by Liz Fournier — October 19, 2007 @ 04:02PM

freedom of speech verses pube lick servant. WE the people verses a power trippin Dic tator wanna be. Trippin Arpaio works for the people and the people are the ones who pay for his bullshit propaganda which further fuels the bullshit machine. thanks to people like the new times we can help prevent a mini version of Hitler. it was Arpaio and his people who killed my friend Scott Norberg. an accident right? oh that's right we who pay the server grocery bills and mortgage payments are just numbers not people. as we know, only "important people" people make small mistakes like murder.when the power went to hitler he went too far in his title. ABUSIVE USE OF POWER. let us not forget. Adolf JO works for WE the people we do not work for him. He actually believes that he has immunity from a modern society
of transparency. As if anyone who wanted his home address couldn't find it. Yet he is willing to put up a whole lot of money fueling his propaganda machine to present a false illusion of who he is.
he and his buddy are POWER TRIPPING Bar none. YOU the new times are their biggest threat. trust me you have a lot of support in the U.S.
He has managed to piss off a lot of people and so eventually did Hitler and you saw the what happened that dictatorship. It's as if these type go into office for the right reason and suddenly something happens them which turns them into a power mad idiot.surely there is a shrink that can penetrate Jo's madness.

Comment by native arizonan — October 19, 2007 @ 04:21PM

Note to Arpaio, Thomas, and Wilenchik:

Subpoena this, assholes. (Holds up middle finger.)

God, what a bunch of nitwits.

Comment by Brian in TX — October 19, 2007 @ 04:22PM

Oh my gosh - did you guys watch the news?

County Attorney Andrew Thomas acknowledges that "mistakes were made" in this prosecution and they didn't feel that they could move forward. Wilenchek will no longer be permitted to prosecute county cases. Sherriff Joe was (for the first time ever) rather camera-shy, saying only that he and his wife are the "victims" in this. Why didn't we get to hear any of his pompous rhetoric tonight?

Joe, where did you get the money for millions in commercial real estate investments? Inquiring minds want to know!

Andrew, why did the wife of one of your highest ranking employees contact the judge asking for a closed door conference about the grand jury? Inquiring minds want to know!

Joe, if you're so scared about being assassinated, why don't you retire and move to AJ and whittle shanks? Inquiring minds want to know!

Seriously, if you read the article and follow the chain of events, it become clearer and clearer that this is about the alledged threats against Joe. They've been going on since I moved here in 1998.

Joe, first of all, let me say that every single peace officer who puts on a uniform and reports for duty, day after day, night after night, runs the risk that they may not go home to their families at the end of their shift. We have 2 recent examples of this, and almost a 3rd. If you can't take the heat of your uniform, get out of it! And if you're so paranoid that someone is going to take a pot shot at you, quit getting on TV and talking tough shit and pissing people off! I loved the way you took Paris on. Come on now, Joe, bullying that little nit-wit? She wouldn't even dare slap you... she's afraid she'd break a nail. So that makes her fair game and shows how tough you really are, right? If you're so darned tough, threats wouldn't bother you.

Secondly, if you're so concerned about the safety and security of law enforcement officers, how DARE you indite Officer Lovejoy of Chandler over the tragic accidental death of Bandit? You come on TV and make you tough, hard arsed comments that get people riled up, you need to be ready for the consequences. For the record, let's define animal cruelty and abuse. You tie a rope around your dog's neck and tie the other end to your car and drag your dog down the freeway - that's animal cruelty. You douse your cat with lighter fluid and set it on fire - that's animal cruelty. You put a fire craker in your hampster's mouth and light it - that's animal cruelty. You put your dog in a closet in a house with no air conditioning in the middle of July in Arizona with no food and water and leave for a 2 week vacation - that's animal cruelty. Cruelty, by definition, requires INTENT. You deliberately take an action that you know is likely to result in great harm or death. Officer Lovejoy's actions were not intentional. Therefore no cruelty. Therefore no charges.

Andrew Thomas, you need to look at the above situation too, and probably let that one go as well. While I'm very displeased with your actions in the New Times deal, your withdrawal of the charges gives you a couple of brownie points. Keep them coming.

(Sigh) - and then there's the Saban situation. All I can say is tsk, tsk, tsk. Dirtiest politics I've ever seen. Joe, were you THAT SCARED that he would get more votes than you?

I truly hope that the dismissal of the charges against Lacey and Larkin does not end the inquiry into the activities of the elected officials' offices. INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW!

Comment by Liz Fournier — October 19, 2007 @ 05:23PM

I smell Pulitzer for our very own Woodward and Bernstein.

Comment by gaian — October 19, 2007 @ 06:01PM

As far as I am concerned? He can take his attitude, and flagrant disregard for the Constitution of this United States - and STICK IT WHERE THE SUN DON'T SHINE. He is nothing but a BULLY WITH A BADGE. And since he has no regard whatsoever for the highest law in the land - and flagrantly breaks this law by violating the Constitutional rights of your citizens - he is no better than any other criminal in tent city. He is disgrace to your state, and should be immediately removed from office.

Comment by David Potter — October 19, 2007 @ 06:19PM

You guys make me want to move to AZ just so I can vote against these bozos.

Time to file your own lawsuits against the Sheriff, Prosecutor and County Attorney. Hit 'em where it hurts and show them exactly what subpoena power should be used for - get every record of theirs regarding all the topics relating to them your paper has written about so that you can prove a pattern of abuse.

Oh, and ask for a few million dollars, too.

Comment by Greg — October 19, 2007 @ 06:20PM

Go now. Free press, n'at. Oi, Feds! Up my IP, will ya?

Comment by Frymaster — October 19, 2007 @ 07:07PM

We need to begin a National list of
Enemies of the Constitution
Do we include our neighbors or just our Leaders?

Comment by Gmoney — October 19, 2007 @ 08:08PM

What, exactly, was the legitimate purpose of publishing the Sheriff's home address?

Comment by Topher — October 19, 2007 @ 08:31PM

This is one of the scariest stories I can remember reading recently. Our government has taken 9/11 and turned it into a windfall of draconian laws and measures. I am surprised they aren't being charged with some Patriot Act violation as well. Seems the Feds like to muscle in on the local action whenever possible.

I am in Alaska, not Arizona but I support you standing up to these powerhungry control freaks. I have my own fight with the federal government. It is laid out at our website MakeTheArmyHonest.Com.

The Federal Bureau of Incompetents doesn't need a supeona to find me....just type the the addy in your browser, hit go, see.... Try finding out the name of an official to hold accountable in the FBI, DOJ, etc. They will refuse to tell you the name of the individual that is responsible for a given function. It is a wall they built on purpose. God forbid the public should be able to ask for honest service from a public official. The public servants have become the ruling class.

It is time Law Enforcement went back to the "Protect and Serve" mode. Take away their military toys and the spider web of laws designed only to control the public, not make it any safer.

Good luck Mr. Lacy and Mr. Larkin. And, thank you for defending the Constitution.

Our Founding Fathers would puke if they could see how much we have fallen.

Comment by Robin Boerner —