AZ Holes (Clean)

There's truly a problem in this wonderful country of ours. Apparently, holes in time and space must be opening up in the minds of our citizens. Through these strange holes thoughts of prejudice and discrimination that seemed quite normal in the sixties are flowing through into the minds of our modern day citizens. This must be true because I can't see a way that the events that are unfolding could be happening without such influence.

I don’t know if you are all familiar with a thing called civil rights. See back then minorities weren't treated so fairly. A bunch of people decided this wasn't right so they got together and marched and protested and were stoned and bombed and killed and had dogs attack them and fire hoses turned on them all in the hopes that they'd be treated equally. Eventually, they got about half way there. It's now taboo to pick on minorities but it still happens quite a bit.

We went through it with black people, Native Americans, and women. Now, it seems, it's time for Latinos and Hispanics to go through this mess all over again and it's ridiculous. I guess people aren't aware of this but it's 2010. There's a man of color in the white house. We have access to virtually unlimited amounts of knowledge. We have touch screen computers that can fit in our pants pockets. We don't live on Neptune, we don't have laser pistols, but this is the only future our 1960's predecessors have for their dreams to come true in.

Do all those dreams of world peace and Utopia and success mean nothing now because some people have these holes in their noggins that let all those visions slip right through?

I'll start with Arizona. Probably, not the first place these time warps to ignorant times have occurred but quite possibly the most prominent right now. They got a law they say is for the protection of the U.S. from illegal aliens. I'm sure they've said it's for all illegal immigrants from any country but they’ve only one border that comes into contact with another country. They border Mexico. Though perhaps they feel doubly threatened since New (and possibly more technologically advanced and therefore more dangerous-this is me joking by the way) Mexico is right next to them too. This law states, in layman’s terms, that if a cop has "reasonable suspicion" he can ask someone for proof of residency, like a green card, driver's license, or I.D. card.

Reasonable suspicion is a dangerous term. There are certain legal protections built into it but anybody that's been harassed by cops for D.W.B. (driving while black and it happens a great deal more than anyone would like to admit) can tell you that there are ways around it. And what is reasonable suspicion for being illegal? Speaking Spanish? Being brown? Doing somebody's lawn? Driving a car you don't look like you can afford? You can't look at someone and tell if they're legal or not. You can't even tell by talking to them. I know people that are here legally and live in neighborhoods surrounded by illegals and none of them speak more than a few words of English.

There's another paragraph in this law that makes it seem very shady to me. Again in layman's terms, if a cop thinks you committed a crime and that he can deport you he can arrest you without a warrant just like that. So, say you're walking past someone's house and in that house a crime may have been committed and as you walk by the homeowner accuses you of molesting his daughter, "There's the Mexican that touched my little girl!" Doesn't matter if it's true or not or if everything is straightened out in a few hours, you just got held up for a few hours for being in the wrong skin at the wrong time. That isn't right at all.

This law is an easy route to racial profiling. It should not have been allowed to come into effect. I get that our borders need to be secure. I understand that illegal immigration is illegal. But that is by no means justification for stopping every person with a little color to them to see if he's supposed to be here.

Next up, those kids in Morganhill, California. Five kids come to school on Cinco de Mayo wearing American flag shirts, shorts, and bandannas and got sent home because the school thought it would be incendiary. While it is my personal opinion that these kids were looking to at least agitate some folks, they have a right to wear whatever they want to whenever they want to. If they didn't go around pushing people or putting other people's cultures down then there's no reason to send them home. They can protest Cinco in their own little quiet way if that's what they feel they have to do but I wouldn't blame somebody much for taking a swing at one of them if he eggs it on. (Though I do not encourage violence, people should understand that not everyone can keep a cool head about them.)

People get so caught up in protecting people’s rights that they wind up restricting their freedoms. The kids are protected by their right to assemble and their right to free speech. Just because you say something that might get you beat up or be offensive to someone doesn't mean you don't have the freedom to say it. It's pretty much the reason why you have those rights. Though people should keep in mind using words that shouldn’t be uttered in front of kids doesn't mean you won an argument when arguments are based on logic. They really just show you got no creativity or intelligence left to use against someone. All that creativity might be being sucked up by your AZ hole.

Finally, this I became aware of today, a school in Spring, Texas put up a Mexican flag as part of their Cinco De Mayo celebration. A student asked permission to put it up, school said okay. Another kid sees it and thinks it's disrespectful because the flag is displayed four feet higher inside the building than the American flag on the outside of the building. So, this kid pulls it down and chunks it in the trash saying he couldn't figure out who it belonged to.

Kid, the flag didn't belong to you. You can't trash other people's stuff without their consent. If you want to get it taken down, talk to a teacher. If they see it isn’t supposed to be there, they'll get rid of it, but it was, so they didn't. As far as it being displayed higher than the American flag I'd have to double check this but I don't think that counts as a violation unless they are on display together which as I can see from the pictures that they aren't.

Kid, you got an AZ hole where your brain should be and it's feeding you brainwashed patriotic harmful lies.

But no need to fear, friends AZ holes are not the end of the world. AZ holes can be shut up by simple logic along with free and independent thought. Think about what you do or say before you do or say it and I guarantee no one will think you have an AZ hole where your mind should be.

Jennifer said…

I assume you do not live next to the Mexican Border and do not know someone with a drug problem. You probably also don't know that Mexican drug cartel have been aiming and shooting their automatic weapons across our border for at least the past 5 year (in Texas).

I don’t live near a border town but I am aware things are very rough there, I do visit relatives frequently. I don’t at the moment have anyone in my life that is currently dealing with a drug problem, I’m very lucky for that. Drugs should not be smuggled into this country nor used by anyone. Undoubtedly, they create a vast societal problem. I don’t think anyone is arguing that.

I get asked if I am a citizen every time I am near Mexico and I have blonde hair and green eyes. Border Patrol questions everyone they come in contact with. They are trained and can pick up on the slightest behaviors. It doesn't bother me, and it should not bother US citizens. If Mexicans want to come here, they should do it legally.

Most definitely, there are proper procedures to go through to come to this country. I love my state and the freedoms I can enjoy in America as a born citizen. The border patrol does their job to the best of their ability. I have no problem with everyone crossing the border being asked if they are a citizen or not. I do have a problem with racial profiling and the wording of the law which I believe leaves it open ended for such an abuse of power to occur. I do not believe all officers would abuse the power but it occurs now with those few who would. Why give anyone a reason to harass more minorities? It just seems to me that Latinos and Hispanics are becoming a hot target group for prejudice. I just want people of all colors to be treated justly.

Most illegal’s come here by way of a "coyote" of which they pay their life savings. These coyotes will leave them behind in a dessert environment with no knowledge of where they are (some of these people are 12 years old or younger) If the weary travelers manage to keep up, they are then housed in a one room facility with horrible living conditions and forced to work off their "debt". These coyotes break in and steel from American citizens. I have family that deals with this quite often.

Coyotes are no good for anyone. They prey on these families that come to America with the hope of making their financial situation a bit better. Exploiting the hopes of others is wrong. We must understand that though an illegal alien is a criminal he is still a person. He did something wrong trying to make things better for his family. Not all who cross the border are hardworking saints nor are they all sleazy devils. Each case is an individual and each has their own reasons for doing what they’ve done. We can’t group them all together as the media often does into rapists and murderers and child molesters.

What makes people think that American citizens are going to be targeted? If a person is doing what they are supposed to be doing than they shouldn’t be bothered. Why do people automatically assume that the police officers are going to be “racist” or treat Hispanic people any different than whites. That is being pretty discriminatory towards the men and women who put their life on the line for us every day.

I have no problem with the law enforcement officials that go out there and do their job fairly and justly for all. Of course it is a difficult job. Of course it is dangerous. They are heroes. But again we can’t group them all together. Some people are racist and people are cops they don’t always put on a badge and leave their own views at home.

AZ is doing the right thing by protecting their citizens. I wish Texas would do the same thing. You offended me by using the F word and the S word in your blog, but I am not going to throw a hissy fit about it. You would actually sound a lot more intelligent if you did not use words like that.

You weren’t the only one to complain about the language so I cleaned up the writing. I admit I was a little ticked off while writing. Others also had a problem with my grammar-she never did nuthin’ to nobody I’ll have you know-it’s just my distinctive style of writing. It gives it that southern flare apparent in any southern voice which I like to think gives my writing less of that coming from your superior feel. I do think a lot of people feel as you feel and you are entitled to feel that way. I do not. I believe it’s a slippery slope, as they say. This law has an abundance potential to be abused and I would like to see it removed from the books.

Thank you for taking the time to at least read wrote. I do appreciate it and I encourage independent thought.

Ceastveld said…

Texas is next. If you are doing the right thing, then you will not be bothered. They need to implement citizen checks at every aspect of life. You can't get electricity unless you have a valid SS#, You can't get water unless you have a valid SS#. You can't work unless you have a valid SS#. It needs to be a requirement for every business to not only look at a SS card but to electronically verify that it is not for a dead person. if Mexicans want to work in the US, great. If they are looking for a better life for their family, great. Do it the legal way. If someone is willing to do it illegally, what makes you think they are going to not break other laws of our land. My daughter is a first generation American. My family, including me, migrated here from Canada to get away from the Socialist Tyranny. We came here on a work Visa, got our GreenCards and are now Citizens. It took years. We could not go home for the first 6 years we were here or we would have lost the work visa my dad had, but it was worth it for our family to have a better life. If that is what you are looking for, go for it, but do it the right way. Learn the damn language and don't be a leach on society.

I can not stand behind “citizen checks at every aspect of life.” I’m about freedom. I don’t like being forced to talk to computers instead of people, or being ticketed by cameras instead of cops. The last thing I think most of us want is to be harassed for proof of citizenship among other things every time I pay my light bill, rent a movie, or whatever. It sounds like you left Canada’s “Socialist Tyranny”, never heard Canada described that way before, in favor of what seems to me like Fascist Tyranny.

I do however agree that if anyone wishes to settle here they should do it legally. It’s hard work but it’s necessary to follow these rules to be able to enjoy life and freedom. I also agree that we should be able to check for valid social security numbers faster. I know at my father’s company he has a problem with it taking months to find out if a number was any good. It would be a lot better to find out in a day or so.

Chey said…
My wish for you is that you experience one-tenth of what Arizonans have to live through, especially Southern Arizonans like Mr. Krentz. You embarrass me and all of Texas.

http://caivn.org/article/2010/04/23/will-arizonas-illegal-immigration-crackdown-spur-california-action

I guess this is what you’re referring to? It is unfortunate what has happened to Mr. Krentz. I couldn't blame you for thinking that something must be done.

I have been lucky in that the drug and gang violence in my area has slowed down quite a bit over the years that I’ve been alive. But I know what it’s like to have gang shootings in the neighborhood and drug raids on the next door neighbors. I will assume that what Arizona is going through is worse if this law is already in effect. You are right in saying that things are scary there. You are right in believing that we need more secure borders. I don’t think anyone disagrees with you there, however we should acknowledge that this law could be interpreted in such a way that leads to racial profiling. It seems to me that Mexican-American as well as other groups of Hispanics and Latinos are growing more and more out of favor as these situations escalate. There is no doubt in my mind that there will be cases of racial profiling in the near future.

For you, Chey, I wish that things grow more peaceful there and everywhere along the border. I understand it is fear and the protection of the people that motivates your local government to do this. I can not however condone racial profiling or an abuse of authority to oppress any culture.

My critics on Facebook have accused me of being misinformed on this subject or that I used profanity but none of them have presented what I feel to be a valid argument. I’ve read the law. Perhaps it’s a difference in what we see in the words written.

http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/2r/bills/sb1070s.pdf

FOR ANY LAWFUL CONTACT MADE BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL OR AGENCY
21 OF THIS STATE OR A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS
22 STATE WHERE REASONABLE SUSPICION EXISTS THAT THE PERSON IS AN ALIEN WHO IS
23 UNLAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES, A REASONABLE ATTEMPT SHALL BE MADE,
24 WHEN PRACTICABLE, TO DETERMINE THE IMMIGRATION STATUS OF THE PERSON. THE
25 PERSON'S IMMIGRATION STATUS SHALL BE VERIFIED WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
26 PURSUANT TO 8 UNITED STATES CODE SECTION 1373(c).

A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, WITHOUT A WARRANT, MAY ARREST A PERSON
38 IF THE OFFICER HAS PROBABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT THE PERSON HAS COMMITTED
39 ANY PUBLIC OFFENSE THAT MAKES THE PERSON REMOVABLE FROM THE UNITED STATES.

I read these words and I can not stand behind them.

I do have to ask this one question though. It’s been bothering me today as I can’t seem to answer it. Maybe I’m blind to it. If Arizona is really just enforcing a law that is already in effect why does there have to be a new law? Why have “it’s illegal to speed” followed by “it’s illegal to speed”? Isn’t that a redundancy? Or is there something in this law that is different something specific like the faults I see in these words?


Arizona drops ethnic studies:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100512/ap_on_re_us/us_arizona_ethnic_studies


U.N. disapproves of Arizona:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/azelections/articles/2010/05/11/20100511arizona-immigration-law-un-criticism.html