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One of my main complaints about President Barack Obama has always been that when it's time to show some cojones in a tough situation, he gets timid. Taking a look at his administration's lawsuit against Arizona over the state's immigration reform law, however, it seems that he may no longer be so cojones-challenged.
Attorney General Eric Holder threatened to bring the suit not long after Gov. Jan Brewer signed the law, which allows state law enforcement to sniff out illegal immigrants anywhere they think they might be, which basically amounts to legalized racial profiling. But, according to a Pew Center poll, 6 in 10 Americans actually think this law is a good idea.
That's why the lawsuit is an example of Obama showing a little backbone: he's doing the right thing even if it's unpopular.
Gov. Brewer has always argued that illegal immigrants in Arizona are a terrible problem that the federal government has been cavalier about. So much so, that her state had no choice but to pass a law allowing their law enforcement to do the job she says the feds would not - a law mandating a witch hunt for Mexicans was her answer.
But the Obama Administration is challenging the very constitutionality of Arizona's law; Holder argues that the law takes away the government's authority under the constitution to handle immigration issues.
And that is true. Everything involved in coming in and out of this country - from passports to visas to green cards to naturalization forms - is handled by the federal government. So by law, Arizona cannot just say they are going to start processing people out of the country.
But this isn't really about bureaucracy and rubber stamps. Arizona is upset that there are thousands of illegal immigrants - even the children - within the state who are criminals . An incident in which a rancher was killed allegedly by an illegal immigrant spurred the law in to fruition.
This is, however, one of the places Brewer screwed up. Had she not been so willing to exploit the frontier-style populism that seems to be overtaking the country's politics these days, she'd have read that the rancher was killed by a Mexican cartel operative and that the true danger is the drug market in the United States, for which no governor seems to be willing to work with the Feds on providing a reasonable solution.
So while drug runners are pushing methamphetamine to labs in Arizona and all through the southwest to provide dope to her constituents, Brewer apparently thinks it's a better idea for cops to walk in to any restaurant kitchen and detain people, whether they are citizens or not, until they can come up with proof of their ability to be in this country. At the same time, the law enforcement resources that could have been capturing violent criminals who happen to be illegal, are non-existent.
That, Arizonans say, is the best solution to the illegal immigration problem.
Well, Gov. Brewer it's a dumb idea, but at least it will get you re-elected.
Meanwhile, Holder has to prove in court that Arizona is going against the U.S. Constitution. That should be easy to prove. But it would be a mistake to argue whether it's right or wrong, based on politics or racism, or is ultimately mean-spirited. Those are merits that a judge should not have to take into account.
The only thing here to worry about is whether or not Arizona violated the law of the land by ignoring its authority on a federal issue, which it did. To let Arizona win this one would provide a very, very bad precedent where states could simply feel the U.S. Constitution has no bearing.
Tthat would be dangerous for the civil rights of all Americans.
Comments: (8)
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By: rik on 7/08/2010 10:32PM
Frankly I don’t care what side of the issue one favors, me I’m for Arizona. I just hope folks can form their opinions based on facts, which are lacking here in the article.
1. That would be dangerous for the civil rights of all Americans.
Really, then why not argue this point?
Funny that the suit, only mentions profiling once, and now they concede the profiling and rights violations are not what the case is about. Further
Why are discrimination concerns absent from his lawsuit?
2. Arizona cannot just say they are going to start processing people out of the country.
False statement. Per SB1070, law enforcement will turn over folks to ICE
3. So while drug runners are pushing methamphetamine to labs in Arizona and all through the southwest to provide dope to her constituents,
So, what is she to do, ignore the immigration problem. What does one have to do with the other?
4. it's a dumb idea, but at least it will get you re-elected.
As opposed to the Federal answer. If the Feds were doing there job, perhaps this would not be an issue.
5. "Gov. Brewer has always argued that illegal immigrants in Arizona are a terrible problem that the federal government has been cavalier about. So much so, that her state had no choice but to pass a law allowing their law enforcement to do the job she says the feds would not"
And the courts have back up her opinion. Five federal appeals courts have ruled, as long as the law mimics federal law, then states have the right to arrest illegal’s.
O don’t know if Arizona is right or wrong, I just hope the win, and many other states follow
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By: GateKeeper on 7/08/2010 8:26PM
The AZ law will interfere with the efforts to actually ignite a National Federal Immigration reform platform.
My last vision is the 14 year old mexican CHILD.. who was chased and was restrained by a border patrol officer ..and just because the 14 year old was able to break FREE from the officer's hands.. GOT away from the patrol OFFICER.. who shot him in the BACK of HEAD -WHICH is murder as far as I'm concerned..HE'S A 14 year old CHILD who didn't have any weapons..who was AFRAID and FLED and was murdered as result being shot in the head...by the border patrol officer.. this type of actions is what this AZ law will result too eventually- if other states take up their OWN immigration law- any which way they want..as result THIS CAN'T happen and will impede the efforts for FEDERAL intervention towards immigration reform legislation into federal law.
I just wonder If AZ..will follow LAW that states because of the law suit filed against AZ and the AZ Governor.. will (C & D)CEASE AND DESIST the implementation of the AZ law which is to take effect on July 29th. Both the GOP and DEMOCRACTS had plenty of time to put legislation effort on immigration reform and have NOT..they have ignored the issue..IMMIGRATION REFORM NOW..NOT AZ Law..
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By: cherie on 7/10/2010 5:30PM
This article on AZ SB 1070, is a clear piece of stupidity written by an idiot. First, this person only seems to care whether obama showed some balls, (which is debateable I am black, democrat, and live in AZ and I am tired of the lies. SB 1070 is not a witchhunt, nor is a political move by the government. Obama has managed, rather inaccurately to portray SB 1070 as racial-profiling, even before he read the bill. The president is not showing his balls, rather he using this as a blantant push to gain the mexican vote in the 2010 and 2012 elections. This is purely politics for Obama. He can't run on his record, however- he can state that he has helped hispanics by appointing a supreme court justice, and fighting sb 1070. Obama cares nothing about black people and he has no black agenda since he knows most blacks are following blindly. The president will most certainly sign an executive order granting amnesty to all illegals in the US in this year. How many blacks will get jobs after 20 million illegals get citizenship. Personally, I am sick of the drugs, and violence committed by illegals in my state. They shoot at law enforcement with AK-47s, bring tons of cocaine, and committ some of the most heinous crimes in our state. Our jails are filled to overflowing 20,000 illegals that committed crimes. ONe of the most notable is an illegal alien that raped many women in phoenix, ranging in age from 12 -19. However, no one talks about the fact that m-13 committs crimes against EVEN blacks in out state. OBama is happy to use black people to go against our own self interests, He needs black people to support his misguided lawsuit.I only wish OBAMA cared this much about his own people
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By: Judy on 7/09/2010 7:11AM
We all agree with the Az. govornor on this issue. America needs to protect our borders. We need to keep these mexicans out of America that are illegal. Obama is too weak on this issue and must start to do his job of protecting America and not just giving (reading)these crack pot grand speechs.
Lets hope he is just a one termer because he has done too much damage already. God bless America.
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By: Judy on 7/09/2010 7:15AM
We agree with the Az. govornor. America must protect our borders from these illegal aliean criminals. Obama is not doing his job on protecting America. God bless America.
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By: alie on 7/09/2010 7:59AM
Latest news illegals fleeing arizona and returning to mexico? or elesewhere in america, watch out they could be coming to a neighbourhood near you?
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By: bob on 7/11/2010 4:14PM
peabody I have been thinking the same thing for years! 15 years ago it was stated 25 million now it goes down every year, now its 11 million? this just shows how much our political leaders and media lie to us all!
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By: richard on 7/15/2010 5:31PM
USA should be for European Whites only. All others, Asians, Blacks, Jews, Hispanics, Latinos, and mixed races should be deported to their land of origin. Let's vote and donate to support SB 1070 and other similar laws. Vote for the Republican party. Support the White people's party, the Tea party. We ask you to join Aryan nation and make a point to visit or move to Arizona to help us mobilize our numbers to vote for White people's interest. Write and thank FAIR and the rizona Governor.
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