How Dare We!

Arizona has come under a lot of scrutiny lately. Ever since this immigration bill was passed, you'd think we are trying to start World War 3. We have people from all aspects of the nation chiming in with their opinions and it's quickly spiraling out of control. Most of the news has been around the "How dare AZ do this!" crowd. I initially promised myself in my 28 years on earth that I would not get in a politically charged debate, but I guess everyone has their breaking point. I am already tired of hearing the people that are against this bill, but can't state what the bill even says.

Let's start with some AZ residents. Plenty of people oppose this bill, but if you don't live in AZ, do you really know what might happen if this bill were in effect? I'll start with the "in crowd" in AZ. Since the NBA Playoffs are in the front of most Suns fans, let's talk about the Suns' principal owner Robert Sarver. He said that Arizona’s harsh new illegal immigration law calls into question “our basic principles of equal rights and protection.” To show his support the Suns wore their famous, or infamous, "Los Suns" jerseys on Cinco de Mayo. Ok Mr. Sarver, I always had an inkling you were about the Suns being a business instead of a sport, and this just solidifies it for me.

First of all, sports and politics should never mix. Are you kidding me Sarver? Equal rights and protection? So you're telling me that the person sneaking across the border ILLEGALLY, and my large 6'6" frame born in the fabulous city of Seattle, WA deserve equal rights and protection? You just stated out loud that someone breaking the law of the United States of America is equal to a loyal, upstanding citizen as myself. What do you think is going to happen here exactly Mr. Sarver? Are police going to just start walking down sidewalks & streets in AZ looking for anyone that is of Hispanic descent and demanding to see their paperwork and checking to see that they are legal immigrants? If that's the case, then maybe they should set up some sort of "checkpoints" all over the state and make all races show some sort of proof of residency. But let's get real, I believe officers of the city/county/state have plenty of better things to do than stop every Hispanic in their way asking for proof of residency.

I think the outspoken people who are against this don't even realize all of the costs that are incurred by these illegals sneaking across the border. Steve Nash, I think you are the greatest point guard the Suns have ever had. You are probably in the top 3 of best point guards of all time, but why are you against this? Because you're liberal? Seriously, let's hear a reason. Oh wait here's what he has to say:

"I think it's fantastic," Nash said after Tuesday's practice. "I think the law is very misguided. I think it's, unfortunately, to the detriment of our society and our civil liberties. I think it's very important for us to stand up for things we believe in. As a team and as an organization, we have a lot of love and support for all of our fans. The league is very multicultural. We have players from all over the world, and our Latino community here is very strong and important to us."

The league is very multicultural? Let me ask you this Nash: How many Hispanic players are there in the league? Name more than 5 players. After you do that, name those who are here illegally. To the second half of his statement, are you worried that there aren't going to be enough Suns fans if every illegal Mexican was deported? Don't worry Steve, US Airways Arena will have no trouble filling up for a great NBA game, and we'll save some money in the process. Jerseys will still probably sell, unless you keep wearing the "Los Suns" jerseys.

For the next quote I found, as far as sports icons go, Alvin Gentry I think said it best when asked about it: "I'm not trying to duck it," Gentry said. "I don't know enough about it to really comment on it. I would think that if it had anything to do with racial profiling, then obviously as an African-American I would not be for anything that had any hint of racial profiling."

Amen, brother. I think most of us as Americans can agree we aren't for racial profiling. That doesn't do anyone any good. Does SB1070 state anywhere that the state of Arizona is going to do any racial profiling? I think not. Do I want officers in this great city/county/state to spot all Hispanics and pull them over on a sidewalk/street/freeway/trail/whatever and make sure they're legit? Of course not. I just want justice where justice is due like any good upstanding citizen should.

What do you think happens when an illegal sneaks into the country and tries to start his/her new life? Do you think they go and find a full time job with benefits? Do you think they try to legally purchase a vehicle and get themselves transportation to their new full time job with benefits? Do you think they purchase automotive insurance to protect themselves in case of a problem? Do you think they apply for and get a Social Security Card so they can be in the system and have to pay taxes like you and I do? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you and I probably never got along to begin with. They don't do any of the above. What does that mean for us upstanding LEGAL citizens of the united states? In as few words as possible: higher health insurance, higher auto insurance, higher taxes. Again, if you are for any of the 3 previously mentioned items, you and I probably never got along to begin with.

How about we ask some immigrants who actually did it the right way? Do you know someone who came to the U.S. from a foreign country legally? If so, ask them how sympathetic they are about people sneaking across the border illegally who get caught and deported. It doesn't matter if you're Hispanic, German, Irish, Scottish, or Canadian, because I know Canadians are trying to sneak across the border daily due to harsh weather conditions up north. That's a joke. A recent report from Glenn Beck interviewing immigrants who came here legally shows that they show no sympathy towards illegal immigrants getting deported. People doing it right have to go through a long, rigorous process that may take months or even years to complete so they don't have to worry about being "caught" and sent back to where they came from.

Imagine working 4+ years for your college degree and spending thousands of dollars to earn that degree, then hearing that the guy you sat next to at an Applebee's one night was telling his buddies how he hacked the computer systems at the local university and instantly made himself a graduate and printed himself off a diploma to put in a frame. Shoot, we don't want to rock the boat! That guy deserves everything the person spending 4+ years and an absurd amount of money deserves! He hacked the system, he must be a genius! He didn't need 4+ years and a ton of money! B.S. I say....

Obama, your health care plan speaks for itself. Not to mention your popularity rating. When was the last time you were in AZ? Have you ever been a resident here? I don't think you know what's best for this state, let alone for this country. I can't wait to see what your popularity rating is after year 2. I don't care who you are, if you're not a resident of AZ, you shouldn't even be allowed to voice your opinion via the media. Why do I pay twice the amount of auto insurance for Maricopa County than anywhere else in the state? Yes, because there's more claims per capita than anywhere else. Why would that be?

Back to sports for a bit. A few days ago, the Arizona Diamondbacks were in Chicago for a series against the Cubs. This one I didn't suspect, but it happened. Some witty fan said: Outside Wrigley, Connie Andersen, dressed in Cubs gear, said of the Arizona law, “This is a speedy path to Nazi Germany fascism.” Signs were also present comparing Arizona's new law to the Nazi's back in the day. Wait, are we putting illegal immigrants in concentration camps? Are we putting them in gas chambers? Are we executing them whenever and wherever we feel it is necessary. Oh wait, we're trying to secretly take over Mexico, I forgot. WRONG!

I saw a news cast just last evening showing what happens to illegal immigrants. The section just happened to be on illegal Guatemalans that were being deported back to Guatemala. The news channel I was watching happened to get on the plane that sends deported Guatemalans back to their country. The news reporter got permission to board the flight, that's right the flight, back to Guatemala City. They had a camera on the flight and it appeared to be a U.S. Airways flight from Phoenix to New York City. There was a stewardess and everything. The reporter was interviewing individuals being deported. The one they focused on happened to be a business owner in New York City who became involved in a fight at a bar one evening and got arrested for the altercation. Upon further review, they found out this person was here illegally. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Back to the motherland! By the way, they said the flight cost over $600 per passenger on a plane that's equivalent to a 737 that was full. This flight also ran to Guatemala 4 times a week. How much is that? I have no idea how many seats are on a 737. Please, someone get that number for me. Then multiply it by 4. Then multiply it by $600. Then multiply that by 52 to see how much it costs us to deport one small section of illegal immigrants each year. Who do you think pays for this? Guatemala? Hardly... But we don't want to upset rights here in the wonderful state of AZ in the country of opportunity!

Not to get too off track, let's take it to the next level. During game 2 of the Phoenix Suns' infamous "Los Suns" jerseys, the amazing Al Sharpton decides to lead a march against the new AZ law. Al Sharpton? What has this guy done? Watch this. Let's let an African American tell us what Hispanics that are here illegally should be entitled too. Come on, man! Lead your march right on out of town. Tell me you're not in this for TV time. Get real Sharpton.

My point is this, read the immigration law that has been passed by the state of Arizona. If you have ever lived in AZ or are living in AZ currently I would love to hear your thoughts. If you haven't, I don't care if you're from Chicago or live in the White House, don't tell me, an AZ resident, that this law is wrong. Don't tell me I'm a Nazi for believing that this bill is the right thing. You have no idea. If you think we're going to start racial profiling, then get a grip. We have better things to worry about then Hispanics walking down the sidewalk and wondering if they are legal or not. Stay tuned for Part 2 if this gets any better or worse...