Mesa Morning Live, the Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s late-night-style talk show — albeit taped in front of a live audience one Friday morning each month — hosted its largest audience in the last two years last week, according to Chamber officials.
That’s no doubt a result of the presence of the February taping’s featured guest Friday — Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio himself, who quickly revised host Mark Cordes’ introduction of him as “America’s Toughest Sheriff” to “World’s Toughest.”
Arpaio kept the conversation mostly light and often comical, poking fun at or touching upon some of his trademark issues like illegal immigration, violent crime, President Barack Obama’s birth record and animal welfare.
“Mahatma Gandhi said you judge a morality of a country by the way (they) treat their animals,” Arpaio said, touting a task force he created to help abused animals and arrest offenders.
Arpaio also used the illegal immigration issue and identity theft as ways to illustrate his crime suppression sweeps and raids on businesses, laughing at the public interest his own recent bout with a stolen credit card number caused.
He took questions from the crowd, and told the audience — mostly members of the Mesa chamber — that he sympathized with the plights of business owners during the still-frail economy, stating that he, too, had experience building his own businesses in the past, alongside his wife.
“Keep working hard, make that money,” Arpaio said. “I feel sorry for you ... because the way the economy is now, you’re all hurting. But you’ll get back there.”
Arpaio also said he will continue to build the posse which he called “free” law enforcement officials, and highlighted his idea to utilize posse members for school security.
The 20-minute segment ended with Cordes handing Arpaio a pair of boxer shorts Cordes claimed were his own - but they were black ones, not pink.
Other guests on the show included Stuart MacLay of Mesa-based East Valley Disaster Services, the episode sponsors. City of Mesa planning director John Wesley and East Valley Tribune managing editor Brett Fera also sat in with Cordes for segments.
Beginning next week, “Mesa Morning Live” will play on the City of Mesa’s local Channel 11 throughout the month of February and into early March. The new episode, as well as previous editions, can also be viewed online via streaming video at www.mesamorninglive.com.
Contact writer: (480) 898-5647 or dquigley@evtrib.com.
Slabside posted at 7:19 am on Sat, Feb 9, 2013.
Thank you Joe Arpaio!
retired03 posted at 8:08 am on Sat, Feb 9, 2013.
what a sham and staged event. Why didn't you ask about his depts lack of concern for part one crime victims? Why didn't they ask about his budget he butchered? Why didn't they ask about his witch hunt for so called corrupted politicians (translated, people who rightfully opposed his tactics)? Instead they get a man so full of himself and nows calls himself the worlds toughest sherif, and this show catered to that. What a loser and a loss for maricopa county. We deserve better.
Ateam1 posted at 10:30 pm on Sat, Feb 9, 2013.
Coast to Coast,Joe is respected! He Enforces The LAW Everytime! It's His Job. Like it or not, THE MAN IS DOING HIS JOB! If You Don't Like it, THEN PLEASE LEAVE!!![thumbup]
soricobob posted at 6:22 am on Sun, Feb 10, 2013.
When "the posse" shoots the first innocent, who will the lawsuit name as co-conspiritor, Joe or Steven Seagal?
Deddzone posted at 9:19 am on Sun, Feb 10, 2013.
Here we go---Arpaio will do and say anything to get his face in the media. Silliness does not define this old fool. Why on earth would a serious lawman team up with a has-been actor to enforce laws? Because he is a camera hound---nothing more.
Ateam1 posted at 10:09 am on Sun, Feb 10, 2013.
Deddzone: get over it. Joe is the Envy of most every american Sheriff! Yes he is in the Limelight some because he is popular. People like you cant stand that lawbreakers are being punished in a way that is working. All Joe Says, "If you Don't Like It Here, Then Don't Come Back"!!! Seems simple enough to me! What is wrong with that?
downtownresident posted at 11:16 am on Sun, Feb 10, 2013.
Ateam1, how many sheriffs, anywhere, have you ever heard say that they envy this incompetent buffoon? I think you are making things up!
He's stolen lots of things from lots of people. Why not steal a contrived show too?
retired03 , well said.
Deddzone posted at 12:31 pm on Sun, Feb 10, 2013.
Ateam1, I've heard that simplistic argument forever about Joe. The last election he won by less than 1%---why? Because his voters are aging and the rest of us are not buying that he's Mr. Popular with all the other sheriffs of the U.S.
And I have no idea what you mean by "lawbreakers being punished in a way that is working". I have read about the 400-some sex crimes that were never investigated and the people that broke the law where never punished.
Ateam1 posted at 4:12 pm on Wed, Feb 13, 2013.
It Is what it is. You Pro-Illegals want rid of him and so far haven't succeeded Yet. I did hear you are trying to get him recalled ,and for What reason? For doing his job?
Masterrogue666 posted at 10:22 pm on Thu, Feb 14, 2013.
Deddzone: Where did you get your "facts"? 1%? Try 10%!
The info wasn't that hard to find...
http://www.latinospost.com/articles/6650/20121108/arizona-election-results-2012-sheriff-joe-arpaio.htm