So, I'm reading Arizona SB 1070, as amended (which makes me a minority among those discussing the bill). I'm actually kind of impressed at just how straightforward and clear-cut this is. It also makes me despair for the public discourse because of how much misinformation there is about it. Not only is this even more outrageous than normal political pandering, but it's actually far worse. It doesn't involve spin or political underwriting; instead, to argue against the provisions of AZ SB 1070, one has to be both disregard existing federal law (which is, in fact, more likely to result in ethnic profiling than AZ SB 1070), disregard a State's ability to enforce existing federal law AND be unwilling to represent facts. In short, to dismiss SB 1070 as fodder for racism and profiling is, if fact, to dismiss factual discourse.
Not only does the law REQUIRE that a CHARGE be present, but it is a violation of the enforcement clauses of the law for law enforcement officials who disregard that requirement. In other words, not only is it illegal for a cop to approach a group of individuals who are not BEING CHARGED with ANOTHER, PRIMARY OFFENSE for the purpose of verifying citizenship, but they will presumably be subject to fines and/or charges for violating the requirement. Perhaps the AZ legislature ought to enact a companion law that provides for a three-strike style reprimand system for officers who do not adhere to the enforcement clauses. This would surely resolve the national discussion, wouldn't it?
Of course the answer to that question is a resounding "no". It has become abundantly clear that the majority of the media, the political class and special interests whose interest pertains to illegal immigration (which is, even according to existing and active federal law, what it is, regardless of denial of deflection from current government officials) care little for the facts of the debate, and are entirely subdued by the emotional discussion, and the political capital they will gain by turning this discussion into something it has no business being. This is a discussion about the enforcement of existing federal law, expanding the existing federal law to include State-level penalties, and cleaning up an issue which has implications for our country that are entirely negative. How could anyone argue that AZ SB 1070 is anything but a good law?
The answer to that question is quite simple: it is politically expedient to deny the facts of the situation and ride the emotion to the public discourse. As Americans, we unfortunately have little desire to discover reality for ourselves, we get our information from those with an agenda that involves getting us to believe as they do, regardless of the cost. Listening to a politician for news is like listening to Phillip Morris for the health effects of smoking. It simply doesn't make sense, and will invariably leave the listener disillusioned. That is, undoubtedly, what is happening in this debate. President Obama is lying. Most opponents of the Arizona law are lying. They are either ignorant of the facts, or deliberately distorting them. Either way, they're wrong, and they oughtn't have the power they do. But, they do. And, unfortunately, they have a greater influence than their position demands. And, they are willingly misleading the public to disapprove of something that they not only know nothing about, but will actually cause us to both be safer AND enjoy greater freedom.
President Obama, please read the bill. Please instruct those in your Cabinet who desire to speak out regarding the bill to read it. Please cautiously consider the things you say to the public on all subjects, especially those about which you have no clue. Please stop putting our country in danger, and please stop attempting to allow hypocritical foreign leaders to attempt to influence domestic policy when their own countries' enforce their existing laws, which are significantly more strict, and lead explicitly to profiling (!!!).
For anyone else who desires to enter into a meaningful debate about any topic - especially something so emotionally charged as the immigration debate - PLEASE inform yourself before speaking out. You'll do yourself a great deal of good by allowing you to know what you're talking about and, most importantly, you'll avoid getting caught looking like a complete FOOL when you speak (unfortunately for most of our politicians, they've been unsuccessful at following this simple advice).
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