Jan Brewer’s Scorpion Lies, Part I

See any “screaming kids” chained to the state Capitol?  Obviously, there’s limited room in New Times’ print edition to attack all the lies, myths, falsehoods, and half-truths promulgated by Governor Jan Brewer in her ghost-written memoir Scorpions for Breakfast. So there was no way for me to catalog and rebut them…

Joe Arpaio Cites The Globe’s “Inside” White House Sources About First Lady’s “Panic” Over Sheriff’s “Birther” Probe

First Lady Michelle Obama apparently is in a “panic” over Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s probe into whether her husband, President Barack Obama, is a U.S. citizen — if you believe the supermarket tabloid The Globe’s “inside” White House sources, that is.Arpaio, who applauds supermarket tabloids as having “the best…

Should Joe Arpaio Resign Over Hundreds of Botched Sex-Crime Cases?

Maricopa County Sheriff is again under fire over hundreds of admittedly botched investigations into sex crimes over a three-year period ending in 2007.One of his biggest critics: Congressman Raul Grijalva, who is calling for Arpaio to resign over the bungled investigations.See our story on Arpaio’s oopsies here.Grijalva, whose Congressional district…

Sheriff Arpaio Won’t Investigate Deputy Chief Paul Chagolla for Alleged Threat to Reporter

Usually, Arpaio loves a good probe. The list of questionable investigations the five-term sheriff has launched against his political foes includes county Supervisors, judges, bureaucrats, lawyers, journalists and political activists. (See “Enemies List,”, “Joe Knew,” for starters.) But he won’t investigate his deputy chief’s alleged threat against a reporter and…

Jan Brewer’s Arrogant Bull at ALEC’s GOP-Corporate Love Fest

I kept waiting for her nose to start sprouting. Because when you tell whoppers like Governor Jan Brewer did at the American Legislative Exchange Council’s opening luncheon at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa Wednesday, there really should be some Pinocchio-esque “tell” for those who don’t know better.Brewer’s self-aggrandizing arrogance…

Rick Perry and Joe Arpaio: the Bromance Explained (By the Sheriff Himself)

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has officially picked his horse in the GOP presidential primary, Texas Governor Rick Perry, which came as a bit of shock to those familiar with America’s self-proclaimed “toughest sheriff.”Arpaio, as you probably know, is the poster-boy for bootin’ brown folks back across the border. Perry,…

Joe Arpaio Makes It Official: Rick Perry’s the Sheriff’s Horse in GOP Presidential Primary; Hispanic Groups Already Lashing Out at Perry

Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio today ended months of speculation about who he’d support in the GOP presidential primary by officially throwing his weight behind Texas Governor Rick Perry.Arpaio is currently in New Hampshire campaigning with Perry, which is where he gave his official nod.  “I’m endorsing Rick Perry because…

Will Joe Arpaio’s Endorsement Hurt Rick Perry?

As you’ve probably heard, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio will be in New Hampshire today where he’s expected to endorse Texas Governor Rick Perry in the Republican presidential primary.Arpaio’s nod could be a double-edged sword for Perry, though, who many far-right-wingers — a.k.a. the people who typically vote in Republican…

Governor Jan Brewer to Speak on First Day of ALEC Convention

Should anyone be surprised that Governor Jan Brewer will be one of the keynote speakers at the American Legislative Exchange Council’s big wingding in Scottsdale this week at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa?I’m sure not. Even before ALEC posted the announcement to its website and the governor’s office noted…

Russell Pearce’s Fall Argues Arizona Compact’s Time Is Now

Former state Senate President Russell Pearce is history. Tomorrow, Jerry Lewis, his victorious challenger in the Legislative District 18 recall race is scheduled to be sworn in as LD 18’s new state Senator.Today, Citizens for a Better Arizona, the group that forced the recall in LD 18 will announce its…

Jan Brewer DENIED: IRC Chair Colleen Mathis Reinstated

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s incompetent overreach of power in removing the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission’s chairwoman Colleen Mathis — one aided and abetted by former state Senate President Russell Pearce’s “Tea Party Senate” — has been overturned by the Arizona Supreme Court, which today reinstated Mathis as chair.You’ll recall that…