I want to see a nationally televised debate between President Barack Obama and Governor Jan Brewer on the issues that are of concern to the administration. I would be happy with a person with authority to speak for either of them with the understanding that they are speaking absolutely for that person's position.
The way this issue has been handled by the Whitehouse is astounding to me. I would expect a leader of a country to have contacted the Governor and discussed the issues of concern. From my perspective, I, instead, see a FOCUS ON FAILURE:
1. public statements disparaging the Arizona legislature passed and Governor Brewer signed and warning of what MIGHT HAPPEN = sounds like predictions of what did not happen at Tea Party Rallys
2. a threat by the Attorney General to look into challenging Arizona protecting itself with the statute
3. failing to acknowledge Arizona's response to fears of racial profiling with HR2162 which deals with racial profiling and allows the use of a drivers license if there is a legal contact. This makes Arizona law superior to the federal law and California state statute.
4. inviting a leader of a foreign country to speak against Arizona and agreeing with him which indicates an alliance of this administration with an invading nation against a state in what was the UNITED States of America.
5. failing to recognize that the inciting rhetoric and actions adversely affects the wellfare of the Arizona population, 30% of which is of Hispanic heritage. That is discrimination against American Hispanics by their ?fellow? Americans.
The only reasons which I can imagine for keeping Governor Brewer from discussing her situation with President Obama or someone he delegates confirm my fears of this administration's intentions for America.
Governor Brewer and her legislators heard the people voicing their fears of racial profiling (30% of Arizona population is of Hispanic descent) and dealt with it by passing House Bill 2162 prohibiting racial profiling and adding the drivers license as acceptable proof of citizenship. They want to protect their borders and citizens without abusing their citizens. Rather than focus on failure, they dealt with the issue by adding a clarification that is clear and easy to understand. I will post that section here and you may read the entire bill at
http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/2r/bills/hb2162c.htm
B. For any lawful contact stop, detention or arrest made by a law enforcement official or a law enforcement agency of this state or a law enforcement official or a law enforcement agency of a county, city, town or other political subdivision of this state in the enforcement of any other law or ordinance of a county, city or town or this state where reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien who and is unlawfully present in the United States, a reasonable attempt shall be made, when practicable, to determine the immigration status of the person, except if the determination may hinder or obstruct an investigation. Any person who is arrested shall have the person's immigration status determined before the person is released. The person's immigration status shall be verified with the federal government pursuant to 8 United States code section 1373(c). A law enforcement official or agency of this state or a county, city, town or other political subdivision of this state may not solely consider race, color or national origin in implementing the requirements of this subsection except to the extent permitted by the United States or Arizona Constitution. A person is presumed to not be an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States if the person provides to the law enforcement officer or agency any of the following:
1. A valid Arizona driver license.
2. A valid Arizona nonoperating identification license.
3. A valid tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification.
4. If the entity requires proof of legal presence in the United States before issuance, any valid United States federal, state or local government issued identification.
C. If an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States is convicted of a violation of state or local law, on discharge from imprisonment or on the assessment of any monetary obligation that is imposed, the United States immigration and customs enforcement or the United States customs and border protection shall be immediately notified.
D. Notwithstanding any other law, a law enforcement agency may securely transport an alien who the agency has received verification is unlawfully present in the united states and who is in the agency's custody to a federal facility in this state or to any other point of transfer into federal custody that is outside the jurisdiction of the law enforcement agency. A law enforcement agency shall obtain judicial authorization before securely transporting an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States to a point of transfer that is outside of this state.
The entire bill is available at: http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/2r/bills/sb1070s.pdf
There has been a lot of inciting rhetoric over the potential problems of this bill and there has been a video of the effect of racial profiling that this bill causes.
The misinformation counts on people looking at, but not reading the article because:
1. It is the federal government, ICE, demanding a birth certificate
2. The wife states that this has nothing to do with racial profiling and Arizona law
3. The bill does not go into effect until July 28, 2010
4. HB2162 prohibits racial profiling and allows a drivers license to be used as proof of citizenship
This article may be found at http://www.azfamily.com/news/91769419.html
and the last part points out the misrepresentation in using this for a demonstration of Arizona law possibilities with HB 2162. Jackie explains, “I have his social security card as well and mine. He's legit. It's the first time it's ever happened.”
Both were born in the United States and say they are now both infuriated that keeping important documents safely at home is no longer an option.
Jackie says, “It doesn't feel like it's a good way of life, to live with fear, even though we are okay, we are legal…still have to carry documents around.”
A representative at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) returned 3TV’s calls after researching the incident and she said this was standard operating procedure.
The agents needed to verify Abdon was in the country legally and it is not uncommon to ask for someone's birth certificate.
She also said this has nothing to do with the proposed bill or racial profiling.
Their problem is with ICE, not with Arizona which offers a solution to a problem that has existed in Federal Law with no remedy for awhile. Arizona implemented their solution in response to people's concerns. That, to my way of thinking, is an example of how our employees in government should handle our issues.
Let us judge not on what might be, but rather on what is and what happens. There are activists who will try very hard to create problems and this is a hardship on Arizona law enforcement. I would like to see an additional part of the statute that makes staging an incident a felony with serious penalties. We need to take America forward and that is best done by keeping America safe and strong. We cannot do the good that we do if we do not sustain our ability to do it.
LET US SEE A DEBATE SO THAT WE MAY KNOW WHAT IS REAL!
“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.” -- Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan
“The opinion of 10000 men is of no value if none of them know anything about the subject.” Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from 121-180 AD
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