Arizona looking to joins ranks of crazy states

[madbrian]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 4:09pm

Look out Texas. Look out Oklahoma. You too, South Carolina. Arizona is making great strides to join the ranks of states with crazy politicians. They've recently passed legislation that would give the police the authority to stop anyone and ask them to prove that they are in this country legally. They've also passed a law that requires presidential candidates to provide a birth certificate in order to enter their primary. Plus, McCain is being challenged in the primary by a true wing nut, and he's running even further right than he did to get the presidential nom.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 4:24pm

What's wrong with proving who you are?

Unless they have something to hide...

[Kristie-K2]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 4:45pm

I agree with the "Diva"...When I took Amtrak last year across country to Manhattan, the train stopped somewhere in Upper New York and Federal Agents ran on to the train and asked some of the passengers if they were Americans...At first I was scared, but they just passed me by and went on to someone else. It was a very weird situation but I did feel safe after they left the train. They questioned a man for about 10 minutes and left...

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 7:50pm

The problem is that police are only going to pull over Latinos. This is encouraging racism. I would see nothing wrong if it was something like "every 200 cars will be pulled over" but it is not, and that is bad.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 8:12pm

Jacob,

This isn't about the immigration law...

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 8:24pm

But it is going to be used for that purpose. They are asking to prove that they are legally in the country, if they are not they are illegal, so they ARE looking for people who are here illegally.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 8:28pm

Whoops, I was so focused on the part about future presidential candidates!

But, it's the same for both:

What's wrong with proving who you are?

Unless they have something to hide...

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 8:52pm

Are you being serious, Diva?

Am I missing something or is this legislation blatantly and completely disregarding the Fourth Amendment?

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 8:55pm

Really, do you think it is ok if every Latino is pulled over by the cops? Of course, those who are here legally will just show their identification, but what if the cop says "I don't believe you you (insert racist remark)"

Will Latinos have to carry their passports everywhere? Is that even enough? This is legalizing racism, especially among those who are asked to enforce the law, in an area where racism is already rampant, and it is scary.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 8:55pm

Nothing wrong with proving who you are, except this law is intended to target someone who HAS proved, repeatedly, and the nutcases refuse to believe it.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 9:09pm

“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”


I don’t see how it violates the 4th amendment.


“but upon probable cause”.

They can make up probable cause about anything, now, so what’s the difference?

And, I’m sorry if this makes me a bad guy, but the only folks who are worried are the ones who are here illegally.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 9:28pm

"the only folks who are worried are the ones who are here illegally."

Not true. I have Latino friends who live in and around Arizona. They are already upset at the racism among law enforcers, and they are afraid this will make it even worse. No American should have to feel the need to carry their birth certificate or passport with them at all times (and honestly, I don't think it would help).

That said, I do agree that they will give probable cause (probably made up) for each indecent, and because it is affecting a minority no one will really care, which is truly sad.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 9:32pm

If they have a vaild ID, then there should be no problem.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 9:34pm

What if they forgot their wallet? This opens up a nasty can of worms.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 9:35pm

Really? The problem is that they are going to be questioned simply because of their race, and that this is being ENCOURAGED by the state. No white person is going to be asked to show proof until there are complaints, and then they will start asking a few whites for every hundred Latinos.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 4/21/10 at 9:43pm

They can only question someone with just cause.

But then, the cops can pull you over for anything now, anyway, so, again, I don't really see how this is any different from what any state has now.

And if you don't have your wallet, then I guess you'll spend some time at the police station until they can verify your identity, which is, again, pretty much what can happen to any one now.