Usually I have faith in the court system in this country,
but every once in a while, they get it wrong. I mean, we all remember OJ
Simpson getting off for killing two people. And, before you ask, no, I didn't forget
to say ALLEGEDLY.
Now it seems that a federal judge, U.S. District Judge Susan
Bolton, has ruled that Arizona authorities can enforce the loveliest part
of their anti-Hispanic immigration law, the so racist "show me your
papers" provision. This clears the way for police officers, while
enforcing other laws, to question the immigration status of anyone they suspect
to be in this country illegally.
Now,
let's be clear: they mean the brown-skinned, Spanish speaking ones. I cannot
imagine an Arizona police officer asking to see the papers of a white Canadian,
even one with a hint of what some might call an un-American accent, so we have
to be clear: this law is aimed directly at Spanish speaking people in this
country only. Even those who are here legally, and have been for years--or sometimes
their entire lives--can be questioned about their immigration status.
Those
against the law--and this is mostly people who aren't idiotic and racist--urged Bolton
to block the requirement, arguing that it would lead to racial profiling and
unreasonable detention of Latino's, if it was enforced. But, lawyers for
Arizona Governor, that lying--remember when she talked about headless bodies in
the deserts and blamed them on Latinos--Jan "Eva Braun"
Brewer, urged the judge to let the requirement go into effect. They argued
that the police have the training not to racially profile any member of the
public. Yes,
we know, because there has never been an incident of racial profiling anywhere,
ever.
:::sarcasm font::::
So,
this is what Arizona has come to, a police state where, if you have brown skin
and if you have an accent, specially an Hispanic accent, and you, say, have a taillight
out on your car, or you crossed the street against the light, or might have
stayed too long in one spot, a police officer will ask to see "your
papers."
That's
so American, isn't it?
"white Canadian, even one with a hint of what some might call an un-American accent".....
ReplyDeleteeh? lol! I am actually an olive skinned, brown hair and brown eyes Canadian. Around here, big agricultural area, I often get asked for directions by Hispanic folks. I've been thru checkpoints in AZ but The Engineer, very pale, was driving. I never got the opportunity to use my Canadian accent.
So does this go up to the next court in line?
sweet mother of pearl, what's next in that racist state? remind me never to visit there!
ReplyDeleteHard to believe this is where Dr. Spo lives.
ReplyDeleteArizona will never arrest an illegal Canadian. The Phoenix Coyotes need all the fans they can get to make sure that shiny new arena in Glendale only has 10,000 empty seats instad of 15,000.
ReplyDeletetime to put Arizona on stupidity watch
ReplyDelete