Original Article Arpaio blares Christmas, patriotic tunes to inmates By Gary Grado, Tribune December 15, 2005 A set of speakers blared Elvis Presleys "Blue Christmas" Wednesday as a bearded man in a womans swimsuit awaited booking at the Fourth Avenue Jail in downtown Phoenix. Related Links Arizona Politics Five other handcuffed detainees sat patiently on a white concrete bench as Presley and other performers serenaded them. The jailhouse songs, a mix of patriotic and Christmas tunes, have been playing for a week in Maricopa Countys jails as part of Sheriff Joe Arpaios latest publicity ploy that has brought him national attention. Arpaio said he ordered the music to be played to honor U.S. troops overseas and to remind inmates of the sacrifices of the soldiers at this time of year. Arpaio said Wednesday afternoon that he had spoken on five national talk shows about the music, some of the interviewers wanting to tackle the subject of whether there is a "war on Christmas." Larisa, a Tempe woman who declined to give her last name, was stopped for speeding and arrested on a warrant. As she waited with the other detainees, she said the music took the edge off the hardened, noisy jail atmosphere. "I give it a thumbs up," Larisa said, poking up her right thumb from cuffed hands. "It almost lets you forget youre in jail." A lookalike for Gen. George Custard sat a few feet from Larisa on the bench. His name was Gary, a 43-year-old panhandler who also refused to provide his full name. He said the music was a "nice gesture" and "better than listening to nothing." "What sucks is you get arrested for holding a sign," Gary said. "That aint the Christmas spirit." Arpaio said he has received a few written grievances from inmates, including one who accused the sheriff of violating his civil and constitutional rights by forcing him to listen to religious music. "I told them thats the way its going to be," Arpaio said. Contact Gary Grado by email, or phone (602) 258-1746