Looking up to Arpaio justifies bigotry

Fred Vanderhoof, chairman of the Fresno GOP has a funny notion of what constitutes guilt or innocence. His excuses (letter, Sept. 23) for inviting former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio are typical of the way so-called conservatives (Republicans) look at the world.

If they like a person, then that person can do no wrong. Even though they may be caught in the act of wrongdoing, it is nothing more than a politically driven “witch hunt.”

When the shoe is on the other foot, then the bar of proof moves to remarkably low levels. It rarely, if ever needs to be higher than an unfounded allegation, by Faux News, Breitbart, of the decrepit Hoover Institution (named in honor of the Herbert Hoover who stood by while the country sank into the Great Depression, not the vacuum cleaner).

It is obvious that Mr. Vanderhoof and the Republican cult he chairs are dwelling in a fantasy world. Looking up to Arpaio, or Donald Trump is tantamount to accepting bigotry as being a justifiable attitude as long as it pleases some.

Perhaps the GOP should consider closer association with the vacuum cleaner. It would certainly explain their affinity to the current moral vacuum in GOP leadership they seem to hold so dear.

This story was originally published September 25, 2017 at 1:09 PM with the headline "Looking up to Arpaio justifies bigotry."