The Arizona situation

[allisnow]

I have to admit, I literally do not understand the rabid opposition to Arizona's SB1070. I can't decide if the most fervent opposition is spurred by concerns that the law will be abused by police or if it's a knee-jerk reaction to something seen as targeting a certain ethniity (i.e. would the Jesse Jacksons of the world be so up in arms if we had Canadians pouring across the border instead?)

Anyway, I found a really good piece on the whole issue over at PJM.

As I understand the opposition to the recent Arizona law, it boils down to something like the following: the federal government’s past decision not to enforce its own law should always trump the state’s right to honor it. That raises interesting questions: Does the state contravene federal authority by exercising it? If the federal government does not protect the borders of a state, does the state have a right to do it itself?

Read the whole thing. This isn't about race.

ETA: What a headline: Illegal immigrants plan to leave over Ariz. law

Of course, not so great news for those of us in neighboring states.

Comments

[madjm.livejournal.com]

Ironically, one of the few times we don't have to show proof of ID is when we vote.

Actually, I do have to show ID here in Kentucky. And I didn't realize until other states were trying to do that, what a horrible imposition it was on me to pull out my driver's license before I could vote! I totally didn't understand how much they hated minorities and poor people in my state! I just thought they were, you know, trying to prevent voter fraud. Silly me.

[allisnow.livejournal.com]

Well we enlightened Californians knew you were all racist bigoted nativists down there in Kentucky.