Rep. Debbie Riddle of Tomball, Texas has announced that she will seek to introduce the Arizona immigration law in Texas. While criticized as unconstitutional by both conservatives and liberals alike, Riddle wants to see the law adopted in the Lone Star state. I will be discussing the constitutionality of the law on tonight’s Countdown.
Riddle insists that she is merely trying “to make sure that the safety and security of Texans.”
In the meantime, conservatives like Tom Tancredo are denouncing the law as unconstitutional.
For the full story, click here.
Queen Sheba,
You are so wrong. How ever you do have the gift of gabb
What the people of Texas are afraid that they will have to give back what they stole to begin with?
FFELO,
I’m not disagreeing that steps need to be taken but we need to be sure the first step in this dance isn’t a Constitutionally fatal faux pas. Our rights as citizens are under attack from enough fronts already. I’d rather not see any more abrogated in the name of fixing a problem that is actually based in Mexico’s failed government and economy. But tending our own house first is indeed the wise plan, because the alternative fix is to preemptively invade, er, annex Mexico and do some more nation building. We’ve all seen how well that strategy works.
I neglected to add the following to my previous post.
Buddha,
People on both sides of the new Arizona law–even the *immigration-rights* advocates who are strongly opposed to the law–see this as an opportunity to get equitable immigration reform that I also favor.
Mespo wrote of the “Court of Considered Public Opinion.” The new Law was the required catalyst to start real debate that would not otherwise have occurred. The democratic process—within the framework of our Republic–is working as planned. Eventually, the rule-of-law is what must prevail regardless of which side “wins” in the National debate.
Quote:
“Reform movement on immigration sees a flurry of activity
Advocates hope Ariz. law is catalyst
CHICAGO – Immigrant-rights activists hope Arizona’s controversial immigration law will spark enormous crowds of people to protest in rallies nationwide and add urgency to pleas for federal immigration reform.
Activists believe opposition to Arizona’s new law – which requires authorities to question people about immigration status if there’s reason to suspect they’re in the country illegally – could be the catalyst needed to draw record-breaking crowds similar to those four years ago.”
End Quote
http://azstarnet.com/news/local/border/article_e4753bf0-abfb-5216-aa4d-f96c847563dc.html?mode=story
FFLEO,
1) Your story points to an exacerbating factor to illegal immigration: the (failed) War on Drugs.
2) Illegal immigration is a problem, but it is a symptom, not the disease. The disease is the Mexican economy and a government as corrupt as any in the third world.
To fix the problem:
1) Mexico needs a more equitable economy. This would stop workers from coming here if they could make living wages there. This is ultimately their internal problem.
2) End the war on drugs. No profit motive, no traffickers.
3) Devise and implement a streamlined worker visa program to exert some control.
But what this new law leads to is trouble. I have to second mespo on this one. This in no way is meant to minimize the problem you describe. I too think immigrate legally or stay the Hell out. But setting up laws that can be so easily turned to abusive use against American citizens isn’t the solution.
Just to cover any skeptics or fringe theory folks, I doubt that this experienced officer shot himself superficially to pose as a ‘hero cop’ or to demonstrate the ‘need’ for the new Arizona ‘Immigration’ Law; however, I guess just about anything is possible in the illegal immigration debacle judging from comments throughout the Internet…
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Quote:
Suspected smugglers shoot deputy
Bob Christie The Associated Press | Posted: Saturday, May 1, 2010 12:00 am
After a frantic hourlong desert search southwest of Casa Grande, authorities found a Pinal County sheriff’s deputy wounded in a shooting Friday with suspected drug smugglers.
Deputy Louie Puroll, 53, was found with a superficial wound – a chunk of skin torn from just above his left kidney – after being shot with an AK-47 on Friday afternoon.
He was out on his routine daily patrol in the area when he encountered a load of marijuana out in the desert. He obviously confronted the individuals and took fire,” Villar said. “I was speaking with him just a bit ago, and he’s doing fantastic.”
The deputy, a 15-year department veteran, was alone about five miles from a rest stop along I-8. The area is a well-known drug and people smuggling corridor.”
End Quote
http://azstarnet.com/news/local/crime/article_ebe479c8-12e1-525c-ba4c-1ebf502e3d15.html
“I support the new modified Arizona law; at some juncture, it ‘might’ force the Federal government into action toward an equitable immigration policy.”
I fully support beating senseless on sight any investment banker so that their fear will induce Congress to do something…
And there is exactly what chance that your GOP Senators will have anything to do with anything other than fear mongering and tea baggery? You act as though your State isn’t one of the biggest enemies of actually doing something – what horseshit.
Mespo,
With all due respect to you and your well-reasoned opinions, I think that you cannot understand the extensive negative experiences those of us who have lived within the southwestern border communities for 30+ years regarding the drastic changes resulting from *illegal* immigration.
While I agree that xenophobes represent all walks-of-life, level of accomplishments, and pedigrees, I do not consider myself a xenophobe; however, I want the Federal government to halt the *illegal* immigration across our southern borders with Mexico without extending the existing border fence that destroys the habitats and movements of wildlife. The *illegal* immigrates and drug runners are responsible for a devastating impact on wildlife, wildlands, and wildernesses throughout the southwest while the Border Patrol operates its pursuit vehicles Helter-skelter over once-pristine habitat attempting to apprehend the crossers in vehicles or afoot. I know this firsthand because desert wildlife science and management is my field of expertise.
There are many unrecognized impacts that people back east do not consider regarding illegal immigration—some of the most critical damage is not anthropologic/ethnocentric, but environmental and it must cease. That is why I support the new modified Arizona law; at some juncture, it ‘might’ force the Federal government into action toward an equitable immigration policy.
FFLeo:
There are three court systems in this Country with the State and Federal systems being the most discussed on this blog. The third has already rendered its verdict here and the inscription on its lintel reads “The Court of Considered Public Opinion.” Not just a straw poll of the average Joe’s, but folks with decision-making power to book conventions, sell products, spend money, and guide the more pedantic versions of public opinion. We are seeing the tip of the wave against this anti-American “Let me zee your papers” law, and it looks like a tsunami. The crest may even swamp the learned — though hardly convincing — pleas for accommodation by the lily-white sage from Univ. of Missouri-Kansas City where he pontificates on all manner of immigration blocking as senior counsel for the IRLI, which describes itself thusly:
The Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI) is America’s only public interest law organization working exclusively to protect the legal rights, privileges, and property of U.S. citizens and their communities from injuries and damages caused by unlawful immigration.
xenophobes are xenophobes regardless of impeccable credentials or million dollar smiles.
From another fine blawg, ‘The Volokh Conspiracy’,
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Kobach on Arizona’s Immigration Law
Jonathan H. Adler • April 29, 2010 12:33 pm
UMKC law professor Kris Kobach, who helped author Arizona’s controversial immigration law, defends the law in today’s NYT. According to Professor Kobach, the law “prohibits the harboring of illegal aliens and makes it a state crime for an alien to commit certain federal immigration crimes. It also requires police officers who, in the course of a traffic stop or other law-enforcement action, come to a ‘reasonable suspicion’ that a person is an illegal alien verify the person’s immigration status with the federal government.”
http://volokh.com/2010/04/29/kobach-on-arizonas-immigration-law/
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