Letters From the Issue of Thursday, October 4, 2007

DENNIS THE MENACE

That’s putting it lightly, John: Excellent story about the Dan Saban lawsuit against Joe Arpaio ("Below the Belt," Paul Rubin, September 26). I knew Dan when he was in the Mesa Police Department, and I thought he was an excellent officer.

Saban obviously does have family problems, but that doesn't give the sheriff's people the right to try to ruin him. And that lawyer [Dennis Wilenchik]! He sounds like a mean SOB.
John Berman, Mesa

Why can't we do better with our elected officials? "Below the Belt" was a very interesting story, and I went back and read the earlier one ("Boob's Tube," Paul Rubin, January 25), which really told what was going on. Thanks.
Jamie Carnahan, via the Internet

Another paranoid rant: Regarding your many articles on the issue (including "Town Without Pity," The Bird, Stephen Lemons, September 13), I would like to comment on the immigration problem in Arizona and in other states. I am a Native American. Everyone knows our history. As an American Indian, I am disgusted with the influx of Hispanic people. The Hispanic people refuse to adapt to American ways. Many of them refuse to speak English or to learn English. They bring their heritage to us and shove it down our throats.

My people speak English in the general public out of respect, though we may speak Navajo or Hopi in our homes and our ceremonies.

My people had to learn English, and I refuse to learn Spanish just so I can speak to illegals. The Irish, Germans, and Japanese learn English before they come here to live, out of respect for America! Drive around Phoenix and you will see that it looks like a Third World country in some places! This is not fair to other races.

Then there's the graffiti problem. Illegals tend to tag anything that stands still. It looks like Tijuana. You don't own those buildings and walls. You don't own the land, either. If you have to tag something, tag your walls at your house! They don't want to disrespect their homes, just ours. No respect for Americans at all.

I heard comedian George Lopez on HBO a few months back. He stated that the Mexican people are taking back California "one Mexican at a time." I no longer listen to this idiot. Because what he said is their secret goal. Hey, George, it's not Mexicans' land. Native Americans were here first!