Arpaio Appearance at ASU Sparks Outcry

Texas2step · ALIPAC Super Hero Joined: Apr 30, 2006 Posts: 5982

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Arpaio appearance at ASU sparks outcry

Some Arizona State University students say Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio doesn't deserve to speak at a First Amendment forum later this month at the journalism school because they say Arpaio does not tolerate dissent.

They plan to protest the Nov. 30 event by demonstrating outside the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication building in downtown Phoenix.

Some students also plan to protest silently inside the event by wearing duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing Arpaio's efforts to "intimidate" critics of his controversial immigration sweeps, said Sandra Castro, 21, a senior at ASU studying history and justice studies.

Last year, sheriff's deputies charged six people with disorderly conduct who were part of a group that peacefully tried to get the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors to investigate the conduct of the sheriff's office and its use of funds in relation to the raids. The six were later acquitted of the charges.

"We don't feel he is fit to speak at an ASU forum," Castro said.

She and other students opposed to Arpaio's appearance have been distributing fliers on ASU's three campuses that claim that during a time of financial distress the university shouldn't be paying to have Arpaio address the issue of the First Amendment, which protects free speech.

"It does not make sense for an institution designed to educate to provide a stage for such ignorance," the fliers say.

The students also created a Facebook page dedicated to opposing Arpaio's appearance: http://tinyurl.com/ygqhdnc

Christopher Callahan, dean of the journalism school, said the students are misinformed on two key points.

First, the university is not paying Arpaio to appear at ASU.

Second, Arpaio was not invited to give a speech about the First Amendment.

He is coming to answer questions in a "Meet the Press" style format from a panel of three "distinguished journalists."

They are Rick Rodriguez, former executive editor of the Sacramento Bee; Susan Green, a 21-year veteran of broadcast news and director of the Cronkite News Service; and Steve Elliott, who worked for the Associated Press for 19 years and is now director of digital news at the Cronkite News Service.

All three are professors in the journalism school.

Callahan e-mailed this statement in response to the Arpaio protest.

"This is a unique opportunity for our students and the community at large to hear how three outstanding journalists question a popular but controversial political figure on critical press issues. The job of the journalist is to hold people and institutions of power accountable for their actions. Our "Meet the Press" question-and-answer session with Sheriff Arpaio was planned in that great tradition. And we believe it is particularly appropriate that the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication explore the press-government relationship in our aptly named First Amendment Forum."

--Daniel Gonzalez

Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 12:43 PM

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/LiveWire/67877

Links within the original may be accessed at the source link above.

laughinglynx · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:54 pm Post subject:

Ever notice how the very place where different points of view should be heard and discussed are the very places that breed intolerance. Would you have ever expected our colleges to be the very place where logic is not accepted if it interfers with their agenda.

Figures, they don't pay taxes and probably half of ASU IS ILLEGAL.

redpony353 · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:59 pm Post subject:

How can you say that someone does not deserve to be heard at a First Amendment fourm? Dont they understand what the First Amendment says?

vortex · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:21 pm Post subject:

This is very sad. Our schools are supposed to teach students to think, and the best way to do that is present both sides of a debate so kids can make up their own minds and debate with others thinking the other way.
And what a way to espouse the First Amendment--wearing tape over their mouths because they might not like what they have already made up their minds they want to hear. To be a journalist, at least in my experience, you have to hear both sides of anything to be able to report accurately. Sounds like serious journalism is being dropped for cheap editorialism.
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Immigration is not a right that belongs to anybody and everybody who wants to come here. It is a privilege we Americans alone decide to convey. - Patrick J. Buchanan

Hylander_1314 · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 9:43 pm Post subject:

Floorguy · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:19 pm Post subject:

What an opportunity to have another TPAA.
If nothing else, to thank Sheriff Joe, for all he has done so far on the limited resources he has to work with.
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The Floorguy, remembers the Alamo!

April · ALIPAC Executive Officer Joined: Dec 07, 2006 Posts: 21780

Judy · ALIPAC Super Hero Joined: Apr 17, 2005 Posts: 12760

SOSADFORUS · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 1:29 pm Post subject:

They don't even know the meaning of "Freedom" no less the meaning of "Freedom of Speech"!!

Scared of the truth is what it amounts too.

GOOOOOOO Joe!!!!!!!!!! Laughing

exercise you rights!!!
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AUT*AGERE*AUT*MORI (EITHER ACTION OR DEATH)

NoBueno · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 3:02 pm Post subject: