Reality v. Fantasy

Sheriff in Phoenix Turning Immigration Sweeps into Entertainment for National TV
posted by CHARLES MUDEDE on TUE, NOV 17, 2009 at 8:00 AM
Crime in the age of reality TV:
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PHOENIX — There are new allegations against Sheriff Joe Arpaio as he conducts another one of his controversial crime sweeps.
The sheriff is targeting smugglers; but Arpaio himself is the target of critics who say this time he's really just playing for the press.
The sheriff shot down those claims, saying he’s dealing with increasingly sly, innovative smugglers, and this operation — targeting smugglers on highways — is needed.
But protesters accuse Sheriff Arpaio of staging the latest crime sweep for a national TV crew.
"This is nothing but grandstanding for national media who was asked to stay so they could witness a sweep,” said protester Lydia Guzman.
The sheriff's response?
"Network? What network? What is it? ABC? Oh, so I arranged this because ABC is here? The answer is no,” he said. “We happened to be here and they're smart enough to know they might want to film the sheriff."
We cannot separate this sort of thing from the balloon boy hoax. What is needed more than ever is a stricter regulation of the border not between Mexico and the US but between entertainment and life. Reality shows are not about reality; reality is not about reality shows.


Original post is here.