If they ever build that hall of fame for political movements that get zero traction, the Arpaio pardon will be inducted on the first ballot.
I am not an Arpaio fan. In my view he was abusive to inmates. He was also a skilled attention-seeker, a narcissist's narcissist. He made the news media his personal orchestra and they were all too happy to shower praise on the publicity whore. If we had a nickel for every chant of "The nation's toughest sheriff," we would have paid off the national debt a long time ago.
Despite our philosophical differences and my personal aversion to this inflated public figure, the fact remains that Arpaio was a dedicated public servant for over fifty years. The people of Maricopa County respected this man and elected him again and again. To his credit, Phoenix never became the next Detroit or Chicago. Given its location, Phoenix could have become the organized crime capital of Planet Earth. It could have become a colony of any or all of the Mexican cartels. Under Arpaio's reign--some would say a reign of terror--Phoenix maintained one of the lowest crime rates of any major US city.
Once more, the star of the show is the media establishment. They made Joe Arpaio. They destroyed Joe Arpaio. Sheriff Joe dared to challenge their precious Barack Obama and his merry men on issues ranging from THE ONE's documented birth to his absurd immigration policies. However you want to spin this story, it boils down to Arpaio refusing to kiss Obama's ring.
Once more, the fourth estate is aggrieved. How dare Trump pardon an 85 year old man who was prosecuted on ridiculous charges in an act of naked political partisanship. Arpaio's alleged crimes were bogus from day one. A mountain of horseshit.
Once more, the chronic malcontents remain chronic malcontents. The Paul Ryans remain spineless, craven eunuchs. Trump's base will solidify even more. Most of us get back to life and await Morning Joe and Nancy Pelosi and Wolf Cooper to take umbrage once more. We can hardly wait.
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