Sherrif Joe - Desecrating the flag has a stiff punishment.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

I swear this guy is attention whoring half of the time

(CNN) -- A diet of bread and water is the punishment for dozens of Arizona inmates who allegedly defaced American flags placed in their jail cells.

The 38 male inmates are part of the Maricopa County jail system, which is under the control of controversial sheriff Joe Arpaio.

[Paul Kemp]

I had forgotten about him. I suppose that's what he was afraid of...

[RedSLC]

I know they're prisoners, but I can see lawsuits coming out of this. In addition to flag burning, it could be argued that their punishment violates the 8th amendment.

[NewYorkExpress]

I know they're prisoners, but I can see lawsuits coming out of this. In addition to flag burning, it could be argued that they're punishment violates the 8th amendment.

It could be argued? We treat prisoners at Guantanamo better than this, and they do far worse than just burn flags...

The punishment here definitely does not fit the crime.

[Paul Kemp]

If this...



 ...can be legal so should whatever those guys were doing.

[Franzl]

I know they're prisoners, but I can see lawsuits coming out of this. In addition to flag burning, it could be argued that they're punishment violates the 8th amendment.

It could be argued? We treat prisoners at Guantanamo better than this, and they do far worse than just burn flags...

Says who? I don't recall any crimes being proven in court.

[NewYorkExpress]

I know they're prisoners, but I can see lawsuits coming out of this. In addition to flag burning, it could be argued that they're punishment violates the 8th amendment.

It could be argued? We treat prisoners at Guantanamo better than this, and they do far worse than just burn flags...

Says who? I don't recall any crimes being proven in court.

And your're right that they deserve a trial... but I highly doubt they'd be found not guilty... and you're missing the point. The Prisoners at Guantanamo are purportedly treated worse than this because they are suspected of terrorism, not flag-burning.  Therefore Sherriff Arapaio's punishment does not fit the crime, thus violating the 8th amendment (flag burners aren't necessarily terrorists at all, it's a lesser offense.)

[Franzl]

I know they're prisoners, but I can see lawsuits coming out of this. In addition to flag burning, it could be argued that they're punishment violates the 8th amendment.

It could be argued? We treat prisoners at Guantanamo better than this, and they do far worse than just burn flags...

Says who? I don't recall any crimes being proven in court.

And your're right that they deserve a trial... but I highly doubt they'd be found not guilty... and you're missing the point. The Prisoners at Guantanamo are purportedly treated worse than this because they are suspected of terrorism, not flag-burning.  Therefore Sherriff Arapaio's punishment does not fit the crime, thus violating the 8th amendment (flag burners aren't necessarily terrorists at all, it's a lesser offense.)

Oh I get your point, I just take issue with speaking of Guantanamo prisoners as "criminals" or "terrorists" when neither of which has ever been proven.

[Ebowed]

Sheriff Joe desecrates the flag every time he inhales oxygen.

[DemPGH]

He's really mostly cult of personality at this point, and I just don't see how he can be brought under control until his subjects the citizens of Maricopa (I think) vote him out. He'll probably live to be 102 and have to be helped in to his office in the morning, so they'll have to vote him out. And that brings me to Arizona and all this nonsense speculation that it's getting ready to lurch to the left. No it isn't.

[John Dibble]

He's really mostly cult of personality at this point, and I just don't see how he can be brought under control until his subjects the citizens of Maricopa (I think) vote him out. He'll probably live to be 102 and have to be helped in to his office in the morning, so they'll have to vote him out.

Alternatively he might end up going too far and doing something illegal that will send him to jail himself.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

He's really mostly cult of personality at this point, and I just don't see how he can be brought under control until his subjects the citizens of Maricopa (I think) vote him out. He'll probably live to be 102 and have to be helped in to his office in the morning, so they'll have to vote him out.

Alternatively he might end up going too far and doing something illegal that will send him to jail himself.

Haven't the feds already tried to have him locked up for criminal acts?

[PJ]

I don't see how anyone can argue that this is constitutional.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Presumably, if the same punishment were handed out for any damage to the cell, then there wouldn't be a free speech case to be made, just a case as to whether the punishment is proportionate to the offense.  Of course, that the damage was to the flag helps to give him the press he craves.

[DemPGH]

He lost the ethnic profiling case, which he is appealing (will cost at least 22 million) and I guess generally loses these things or is reprimanded, but he just keeps going with his awful routine!

His "spokesperson" says he is "a Korean war vet and a big patriot," so says the article.

He really needs some of his own medicine.

EDIT: I posted the same one Grumps did.

[ElectionsGuy]

This is unconstitutional. Not only is flag burning a ridiculous reason to be put in jail, but it violates the 1st (freedom of speech/expression) and 8th (cruel or unusual punishments) amendments.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Sadly the other thing surprising here is that they are in jail cells as opposed to being kept in outside pens facing the elements like Joe likes it.