Here's a reasonable idea to help you sort out fact from fiction in the chaos that has erupted over Arizona's decision to deal with illegal immigration, which the Federal government has refused to do.
Read the bill.
This links you to the Arizona Secretary of State site. Halfway down the list, you'll see the link to CH_113. Click it, and the pdf of the bill as passed and signed will download to you.
Read the bill, and think it over for yourself. Unlike the incomprehensible verbiage we are treated to by bills passed in Congress, this is written in clear English, carefully avoiding nuance. The Arizona legislature, unlike Congress, knew the content and intent of the bill, as a responsible legislative body does. This may explain the rage directed at them by the left side of Congress, born of humiliation.
OS has gone through it once, plans to do it a few more times. At no point does it authorize any agent of law enforcement to detain any person just because they are brown of skin. Furthermore, Governor Brewer signed amendments to clarify the bill's intent. No authorization of mass deportations. No authorization of inhumane treatment of persons detained. No double-talk. Very little 'legal-ese'.
Basic, understandable English.
Read the bill, and decide for yourself.
But, as a starter, here's just the first bit of it--plain English, no spin here:
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Intent
The legislature finds that there is a compelling interest in the cooperative enforcement of federal immigration laws throughout all of Arizona. The legislature declares that the intent of this act is to make attrition through enforcement the public policy of all state and local government agencies in Arizona. The provisions of this act are intended to work together to discourage and deter the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and economic activity by persons unlawfully present in the United States.
Could it be, at the end of the day, that the real objection by Our Beloved Leader and the Left is to the intent of the bill: '...to discourage and deter the unlawful entry and presence of aliens and economic activity by persons unlawfully present in the United States.'?
At the end of the day, neither Obama, nor Bush the Second, nor Clinton, nor Bush the First embrace(d) the idea of enforcing our borders. The assertion that immigration enforcement is a Federal prerogative is simply a means of avoiding responsibility, not embracing it.
This whole mess is not about race. It is about the Constitution and the rule of law. The Federal government has despised both the Constitution and the rule of law, and now has a grassfire on its hands.
The only sense of surprise felt here is that it took so long to get started.
Chin-straps on. Watch for other legislatures to pass similar measures.
It is unfortunate that it has come to this, and there is definitely a human side to this story. Were OS of Hispanic heritage, he would be certain to always carry his driving license, just to be certain. He might even avoid Arizona for a while, just to be doubly certain, while things settle down.
But, give the bill three to five years to work, and it won't be an issue, 'cuz the problem will be greatly alleviated. If enough states follow suit, the solution will arrive more quickly.
Final story: A few years back, Mr. and Mrs. OS spent a fabulous vacation in Canada.
When we arrived at the border in our car, we waited in line, presented passports and title to the car. We were questioned by firm-but-friendly border control officers about where we were traveling, what we were transporting, and when we planned to return home. When changing money, every teller in every bank followed the same script: 'Passport please. When did you arrive? Where are you visiting? When do you plan to depart?' Polite, but firm.
And it was all perfectly fine, 'cuz it's their country, and we were guests visiting there.
We had a wonderful visit, and we came home, where we belong. Where we work, and live, and hold our citizenship. Our country.
'Nuff said?
2 comments:
You will get the same sort of drill when you visit any other country, including mexico. It is understood that this is the way all countries work, except that in the Liberal mind, the US is supposed to be different (I suppose this is their idea of American exceptionalism). We need to screw up our courage and remember that we too are a nation, with real, honest to Pete, borders.
Thanks, Dr. D. Well said.
Hope you will take the opportunity to read the bill and share your thoughts.
Does it pose a threat to civil liberties?
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