The "warning" basically states that travel to Arizona could lead to racial profiling. The Arizona Chapter of the ACLU has stated they already have had reports of "profiling" and wanted to get the warnings out before July 4.
Except, the law does not go into effect until July 29.
Further, it would seem that this is nothing more than a publicity grabbing, misinformation campaign.
First- As an Arizona native, I can say with 100% conviction that my facts are accurate in that JULY is likely NOT Arizona's best month for tourism. With the exception of parts of Northern and Eastern Arizona the state is HOT during July (and many from the North or East would say Northern and Eastern Arizona are too hot for them). July is the start of the monsoon, the lower elevations are not only HOT (115 in the shade) but also MUGGY, with a good amount of humidity and rain. The fall and winter are MUCH bigger tourism months for the state, with the influx of the seasonal "snow-birds."
(With that said, I have been 'home' to Phoenix in July and August, and I think the weather is fine-- although the kids thought it was hot. One of them dropped a Crayon on the asphalt when we went to visit the zoo and was suprised to see a puddle of molten wax when we returned to the car!)
Second- SB1070 is a SECONDARY offense-law. You cannot be stopped unless you are violating another law! This is no different from secondary seat-belt laws- you cannot get "pulled over" for not wearing your seat-belt. You can only get a ticket, if you are "pulled over" for something else. (With that said, Kansas just made not wearing a seat-belt a "Primary" offense).
Third- 1070 DOES NOT TAKE EFFECT UNTIL JULY 29!!!! WHY warn people on July 4th, unless it is to get press attention?
Personally, as a Native of Arizona, I would say we don't want the ACLU in Arizona to start with, so I suggest that you, the members of the ACLU, follow your own warning and STAY OUT of Arizona…
The Governor's office was a bit more polite:
"The legislation includes very specific language that makes it abundantly clear that racial profiling is and will continue to be illegal in Arizona," Brewer spokesman Paul Senseman said. "Instead of spreading fear, hate, and disinformation about the legislation, it would be helpful for the ACLU to instead join Governor Brewer's demand that the federal government stop discussing and begin implementing an honest plan to secure our nation's border.".
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It is odd that there has been this big spike in right wing idiocy coming out of Arizona though. Texas has a higher background level of crazy and right now Arizona is like a supernova taking the attention. I wonder how long it will last.
ReplyDeleteActually it isn’t that strange. Arizona has been moving gradually towards the middle over the last twenty years. The population has doubled in that time and a big part of that spike wasn’t old retirees who tended to be conservative, but a lot of younger families moving from blue states, etc. In 2008 McCain only received 53.4% of the vote here in Arizona, his sixth lowest vote total among the states he won. Now think about that, his home state was one of his least supportive states. Had McCain been from Texas, Florida, etc., he likely would have lost Arizona.
This state has a long history of very conservative, often racist politics and the supporters of those policies aren’t happy that they are consistently losing ground to moderates and liberals (simply termed as liberals in their tirades). Because of how the state legislature is set up conservatives still have a major majority in both houses but, when Napolitano was governor, she vetoed a lot of their stupidity. In fact she set the record for vetoes in the history of the state. You take her away, bring in Brewer who is a wing-nut’s wing-nut, and you see incredibly stupid legislation that was shut down by a reasonable governor make it out of the state house. At the same time you see an increase in non-conservative population as well as an increase in non-white population and the far white err, right is freaking out.
Great another MSNBC-er with their radical everything is racist/unfair comment. Just what we need. I don't think that securing our boarder is racist, nor is it foolish.
ReplyDeleteThis Arizona law makes about as much sense as having fences around your yard and doors on the hinges of your house. I mean come on what sense does that make? I think the government is really on to something here. It's practically a genius of an idea. I propose for everyone to take down the fences around their yard and all the doors off their hinges. Just think about it...that could be our slogan, "Down with the Fences and Doors off the Hinges".
When you think about it there is no real need to have either one of these. To be honest, both are old, both symbolize "the old way”. I mean how long have we had fences and doors anyway? FREE YOURSELVES!!!! There is no need to protect your home, belongings or loved ones. If you disagree with me you are just a closed minded freak. I mean after all don't you have a "Welcome Mat" on your door step? Is this a lie? Are we not really welcome? I think we should just invite into your home anybody who wants to come into your home. We can come in and eat your food, use your toilet paper and sleep in your bed. We can come and go as we please...After all it's our right…Isn’t it?
If you wouldn't want this for your home, why would you want it for your country? We have laws and ways to get into this "home" country. We need to secure the boarders of this nation. The same way we want to secure our home and property. The same way this would put a strain on you and your family is the same way it puts a strain on this country. The same ones that are putting a strain on Mexico’s economy are the same ones sneaking across and putting a strain on this economy. For instance, did you know that 1 in 3 people in our jails and prisons are illegal immigrants? That’s money we shell out for food, clothing, cable, air condition. This is ridiculous. I tell you again, “Secure our Border”.
Hypocrita.