The Daily Wildcat puts the issues to the test.

Arpaio’s legal battle a surprise, no one says

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that two news executives for the Phoenix New Times can sue the Maricopa County sheriff’s office for their 2007 arrests.

Newspaper co-owners Michael Lacey and Jim Larkin were arrested in 2007 after reporting that the sheriff’s office planned to use a subpoena to figure out who was talking to journalists about the infamous Sheriff Joe Arpaio. They attempted to sue Arpaio in 2008 for false arrest and due process violations. A court dismissed the suit, a decision now overturned by the appeals court.

It doesn’t come as a surprise that Arpaio, creator of Arizona’s tent cities and mastermind behind prisoners’ pink underwear, enforces the law by making splashy headlines and arresting journalists. But when law enforcement tries to silence its critics, there is a clear abuse of power that needs to be addressed. So here’s a resounding pass to the 9th Circuit and to the power of journalism.

In diversity, GOP keeps trying, stays awkward

Lately, the Republican Party has tried to temper its reputation as a party for middle-aged white men. The Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., was notable for the racial diversity of speakers, with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez among them.

But a party typically perceived as hostile toward minority voters will have trouble pushing diversity. RNC attendees aren’t making it easy, as two were thrown out for throwing nuts at a black CNN camerawoman and saying, “This is how we feed animals.”

Conservatives distanced themselves from the incident, calling it “deplorable.” But for a party that is trying to appeal to a broader voter base, these incidents are just more strikes against it. Distance or not, a fail goes to the RNC for cheap jokes and uncomfortable incidents.

— Editorials are determined by the Daily Wildcat editorial board and written by one of its members. They are Bethany Barnes, Kristina Bui, Jason Krell, K.C. Libman and Alex Williams. They can be reached at
letters@wildcat.arizona.edu or on Twitter via @WildcatOpinions.