Arizona law crosses into harsh territory

[SteelCityDem]

As a person who has been to Arizona and had no plans to return -- my basic view is: seen one cactus, seen them all -- my interest in the new immigration law there has hitherto not been personal.

If conservative politicians want to alienate every Latino in the nation from the Republican Party for the next 100 years, it is fine with me. After all, nothing in America is more sacred than the right to be stupid, unfortunate as the consequences may be for the two-party system and the future of democracy.

But my attitude of general disgust tinged with lazy indifference has become impossible for me. Unfortunately, Arizona's example may be coming to Pennsylvania, courtesy of a couple of state lawmakers who apparently seek to please today's most vital voting bloc: the perpetually angry and resentful.

Of course, any nation that cares about its sovereignty must ensure that its borders are secure -- and this the federal government has not done. So, yes, Arizona's frustration is understandable but the responsibility-- and the remedy -- still lies in Washington, D.C.

As The Arizona Republic said in a great, full front-page editorial Sunday in support of comprehensive immigration reform: "When migrant labor is channeled through the legal ports of entry, the Border Patrol can focus on catching drug smugglers and other criminals, instead of chasing busboys across the desert."

The Pennsylvania copycats aren't importing cacti to the Keystone State, just hoping to transplant the prickly immigration legislation that is a thorn in the side of any Arizonan with half an unprejudiced brain.

And if this can be tried here in friendly old Pennsylvania, it seems possible that it will become a national trend. Many other states surely have their own bone-headed politicians up to the task of passing, in the wise words of The Arizona Republic, "a state law that intimidates Latinos while doing nothing to curb illegal immigration."

In Pennsylvania, the charge of the lightweight brigade is being led by state Reps. Daryl Metcalfe, a Butler County Republican, and Harry Readshaw, a Democrat from Carrick. In this odd couple, Mr. Metcalfe is the one justly renowned for his uncanny instinct for lashing out to no good effect. A reactionary's reactionary, he never passes up an opportunity to lead bulls into china shops, so long as it irritates anyone to the left of Genghis Khan.

Illegal immigrants are about as rare as hen's teeth in Mr. Metcalfe's own district, but no matter. He is currently seeking to become the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, and no doubt sensible Republicans are flocking to chiropractors because they have hurt their backs cringing in embarrassment.

Unfortunately, his antics now pose a threat to people like me. Twenty-two years ago this week, I became an American citizen at a naturalization ceremony in the federal courthouse in Pittsburgh.

Having promised to renounce allegiance to foreign princes and potentates (how they sulked afterwards!) and "to bear arms on behalf of the United States when required" (which is more than most natural-born citizens do) and even having pledged to "perform work of national importance under civilian direction" if required (I always hope it doesn't involve cleaning port-a-potties), I take umbrage at the idea that I might be pulled over for speeding in Pennsylvania and asked to show my papers, a la Nazi Germany or the old Soviet Union.

That it would be done by some local officer with no training in immigration work and whose idea of "reasonable suspicion" could easily be a questionable accent, and who might believe that my cricket equipment in the back seat is really a jai-alai set, is doubly offensive. A driver's license might not be enough to save me. Heck, the same bumptious officer may think the president of the United States is not a citizen, so general is the paranoia and the craziness.

Yes, some illegal aliens are bad people, but millions of others have risked their lives to seek a better life here, which any patriot worth his salt should admit he would do too if he or she were in their position.

Coming to America to embrace its goodness is a forgivable crime if ever there was one -- and that being so, amnesty for those who industriously empty the nation's trash, make its hotel beds, harvest its crops and drive its cabs ought to be part of immigration reform. Let lightning not strike me, but George W. Bush was right.

The word from Arizona is that Washington must act bravely and soon. For somewhere the ultimate evil alien, Osama Bin Laden, is laughing and telling his cave mates: "United they stand, eh? No, now I can see that the American people have turned against themselves with bitterness and hatred and divided they will fall."

Read more: http://post-gazette.com/pg/10125/1055561-154.stm?cmpid=bcpanel1#ixzz0n5btPvap

[sabrina 1]

1. Very good article ~ they are in every state

the bigots and the stupid politicians. Which is why it is so important that the Az law is rescinded.

[happygoluckytoyou]

2. i liked the part about illegals being as rare as a Teabirther's Teeth....