Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Ain't that America, somethin' to see baby…


This is going to be one hell of a constitutional law week, y’all!

Shall we?

Yesterday the Supreme Court struck down most of Arizona’s infamous immigration law in a ruling that clarifies the already clear fact that immigration policy and enforcement is a federal responsibility.

What I find interesting is that the High Court let the most controversial portion of Arizona’s immigration law stand.

Yep, Arizona is now a “show your papers” state.

I wonder if they’ll incorporate that into tourism spots?

Arizona – Come for the sun. Stay for the racial profiling!

Lawd, have mercy.

Anyhoo, folk do need to know that police in Arizona can ask you for proof of citizenship after they stop you for some other shit.

They can’t arrest you or detain you or deport you for being unable to prove citizenship.

And it isn’t illegal to visit  or be in Arizona if you aren’t an American…yet.

But fuck it if police in Arizona can’t ask you to prove citizenship and then frown at you and probably mumble something about how you’d best get the fuck out of the country or they’ll [insert threat they can't back up legally but that most people probably aren’t aware they can not back of legally ‘cause your average individual doesn’t dig deep into constitutional law or ponder such things when pulled over on the side of the road by a cop].

Sigh.

Although I woke up this morning pondering how much documentation a bitch would need to visit Arizona – check out this post for a good break down of just how confusing that quizzical is – I am now wondering what this ruling means for the America.

I’m serious.

For all the rants from the right about state’s rights, I’ve never been comfortable with just how different rights are from state to state. We are becoming a union of little nations where you may or may not be able to do something in one state but you sure as shit can do it in another.  Sitting pretty in Illinois and asked to show papers in Arizona = bizarre.

That so many celebrate the ability to harass people based on their visual representation as “other” without the ability to enforce any legal ramifications says a lot about them…and, sadly, us.


Oh but ain't that America for you and me
Ain't that America somethin' to see baby
Ain't that America home of the free
Little pink houses for you and me!

Sing it, John.

Blink.

6 comments:

jsb16 said...

Meanwhile, the Supremes told Montana that they can't prevent rich folks from buying their state government.

Anonymous said...

The whole states rights thing is how the bad guys are now dividing and conquering. They are picking laws apart state by state that is why they are so insistent that states rights take precident over federal law. These people are up all night thinking about new ways to make life hard for folk. It is amazing how much venom they have within. They think this country they stole belongs to them alone.

kev2m6 said...

You really have no clue what SB 1070 actually says, do you?

Shark-Fu said...

***rolls eyes***

I've read it and that was no easy task given how poorly written that mess it is.

Sorry, son - this isn't a blog for your foolishness. You wanna debate, then offer up an opinion your didn't rip off from Town Hall and bring it.

Otherwise, get thee gone!

Shark-Fu said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Shark-Fu said...

Anonymous #2 who just tried to comment...

Had to reject the comment with the video link - I don't promote content.

As for freedom...well, I'd like the freedom to drive through a nation my Grandfather and Father fought for without being pulled over and asked to show papers, just like you do.

But hey, Gramps and Dad fought for your right to bullshit yourself too.

Happy 4th - toodles!

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