New Prove-You're-A-Citizen law

[JimmyLyding]

When Governor Brewer signs this into law, can anyone see some unintended consequences? For those who don't know, this law will allow law enforcement officials to require anyone they come into contact with to prove that they are legally allowed to be in this country whether as a citizen or guest. For the record a valid driver's license is NOT considered proof-of-citizenship. Does this mean that those of us who appear as if we might be foreign have to carry around our birth certificates?
I'm not that worried about myself because I'm a 6'4" white dude, but then I remember reading about 80-year-old nuns being strip-searched by airport security.
As for hiking, I always carry my wallet with me because I'd rather risk losing it on the trail than having it stolen out of my car. But I'm not about to carry my birth certificate around. Anyhoo, this law will probably be struck down by the courts.

[azbackpackr]

Yeah, but probably Robert is right. I assume the government of Mexico is as corrupt as ever.

Legalizing at least marijuana would take away some incentive for that market. I don't agree with legalizing it the way California has, where it is very, very expensive to buy--prices for medical marijuana are outrageous. It is relatively easy to grow in the backyard, therefore it should not have much more value than broccoli! If after legalization it is still remains very expensive, there will still remain a black market for it, and cartels will still be involved in it.

As for the other drugs, I am not sure why there is such a demand for cocaine and meth, since I have never understood why someone would want to use anything that harmful. I just can't relate to people who do not care about harming themselves like that. Hard for me to understand them. But cracking down on them isn't working. Got to be another solution.

[Jim]

NAFTA. We did it legally. We F----em' legally, and now everyone complains legally about the people who lost their livelihood to cheap US Ag imports and come to the US to do work that very few native US citizens want to do, and yes at lower wages or what everyone thinks should be lower wages. Frankly, I'm just glad they're not Irish! Sure, it was a failure of the Mexican government to enact policy that could have prevented the exodus, but they seem to see it as a problem only for us, not them. If you really stop to think about who benefits from what has happened over the last 15 to 20 years since the massive Latino/Mexican migration got going, it becomes clear it is the same group that holds massive sway in our government (you might say runs it), and can now be considered to have the same legal rights as an individual. Oh, except they really don't exist like you or I. Big business, corporations, organizations that want to profit off of low wages from employees that know they have virtually no legal rights since they aren't in the country legally anyway. Who generally complains about the immigration? I find them to be generally xenophobic right wingers. This "law" satisfies a small group that loves to look over at what the left hand is doing and scream and yell, while the right hand is busy doing what it's always been doing.

If we really wanted change, it would happen. It's the same old thing. Better interior enforcement of labor and immigration laws. Extreme fines to companies that can be shown to have hired workers who did not get hired using the proper identification practices, and oh my god!- better labor practices and wages at jobs that natives don't want to work at because they are so horrible.

[azbackpackr]

I guess a lot of Mexicans have returned home, due to how much harder it is to work here now, and the bad economy. But what does that solve? We don't want millions of them starving down there, either. In addition to not wanting to see other humans suffer, then we'd have refugees to take care of... That is a crazy scenario, but it could happen, even though Mexico is a very rich country when it comes to natural resources.

As opposed to Japan, which has little land and few resources other than its people...

[JimmyLyding]

From what I've read the reason why Mexico's economy has never taken off since NAFTA was signed is because its manufacturing base has been hammered by Chinese competitors. Mexico decided to compete on price, and they lost.
Additionally, I've read that a few Mexican nationals have returned home, but the majority of them who used to live in Arizona have simply moved on to other parts of the U.S.

[PaleoRob]

Additionally, I've read that a few Mexican nationals have returned home, but the majority of them who used to live in Arizona have simply moved on to other parts of the U.S.

Yeah, our economy might be in the tank, but it is still way better than most of Mexico's economy at the moment.

[Jim]

NAFTA flooded Mexico with cheap corn from the us that was selling for less than they could grow it. Out of work farmers need to find work somewhere, and well, 1994 to 2010 is history.

[Jeffshadows]

I will now add senator Pierce, sheriff Arpiao, and the governor to my list of individuals who need to get this message: "Where do you think you are? We are 90 miles (200 in Phoenix) from an international border. If you hate Mexico, Mexicans, or feel that this place isn't white enough for you, go away!!"

I've been using this very line for over ten years. Not one bigot or hillbilly who came to me thinking that, since I'm white and male, I would agree with his rant about the subject has even taken me up on my advice. They stay and complain. Who's fault is that? ;)

[azbackpackr]

I complain about the bad roads in Arizona. Made the mistake of complaining to a state ADOT person. He told me to move back to California, if I like their roads so much better! I guess I deserved that!

[Jim]

I complain about the bad roads in Arizona. Made the mistake of complaining to a state ADOT person. He told me to move back to California, if I like their roads so much better! I guess I deserved that!

The roads around Flagstaff and the western Mogollon Rim area are pretty bad, and I-40 and 17 above 4000 to 5000 feet are just horrible. The stretch from Flag to nearly US 93 on I-40 has to be the worst long distance stretch of road in the state. The solution, and it's been for years so it isn't a "budget crisis" issue even though interstates are federally funded, is to have signs that read "Rough Road" every so often. I love it!

[nonot]

Anyone who complains about the quality Arizona roads have never driven in another state which has freeze/thaw cycles.

Also, Arizona will get screwed again in the 2010 census because none of the illegals will be counted, here's to hoping that both the quality of schools and state budget get to the 50th state ranking out of the 50 states! Aim for the bottom, baby!

[big_load]

Anyone who complains about the quality Arizona roads have never driven in another state which has freeze/thaw cycles.

Amen! I was tempted to respond earlier, but the areas jhodlof mentioned are subject to that also and are indeed somewhat below par. My neck of the woods has about 4 1/2 months of daily freeze/thaw cycles, whose effects are compounded by extensive use of salt on concrete bridge decks. I'll take AZ roads any day; although I'll be careful to stay in the big rig grooves on I-40 and I-10.

[azbackpackr]

Up here on the mountain we do have some of that--potholes, rough repaired areas, etc. But that wasn't what I was referring to at all. I was referring to the design and engineering of the roads. Arizona roads are poorly designed and unsafe in many places. In many places they also use really cheap paint for the striping which can't be seen when it rains. California roads are designed better--turn lanes, bike lanes, stop lights, green arrows, NO turning left if arrow is not green, wider shoulders, paint that doesn't wash off the first time it rains, the widespread use of bumps in the striping, which can be seen in the rain, etc. They just have a lot of elements of design which are superior. They also have a HUGE tax base, and it sometimes seems the main function of government over there is to build roads.

The person I was telling this to happened to be a highway engineer in Tucson I used to know...not a good thing to say to him, I guess!

So, in case you were ready to say it: I AM thinking of moving back there...but not because of the roads! After 31 years in two foreign countries (Hawaii and Arizona) I sometimes get homesick. I realize I would probably regret leaving AZ for good, so we may try for winter only. I also want to go to Yuma, but hubby does not like Minnesotans! ;)

[chumley]

...a highway engineer in Tucson....

That's the funniest thing I've ever read. Just yesterday I was driving through the old pueblo wondering to myself if the city had ever employed a traffic engineer that understands the concept of coordinating/timing/syncing traffic signals with speed limits. Cause I've never seen any evidence to support that!

[Jeffshadows]

The light timing down here is a real issue. I've heard a rumor that our trauma guys are researching how many accidents are caused rather than prevented by the unpredictable and completely ill-conceived nature of the lights on Campbell-Kino, for example...

[azbackpackr]

Yeah, Tucson traffic is a disaster. Phoenix is easier to negotiate in many ways. My sister lives in Oro Valley and she doesn't think Tucson is bad, though! Maybe because she lived in the LA area for 40 years...

[Jeffshadows]

The biggest trouble spots are near the UA and near the malls. No one has put any real effort or creativity into solving either issue...

[big_load]

The light timing down here is a real issue. I've heard a rumor that our trauma guys are researching how many accidents are caused rather than prevented by the unpredictable and completely ill-conceived nature of the lights on Campbell-Kino, for example...

That's nice to know. I thought maybe I just had profoundly bad luck.

[chumley]

No one has put any real effort or creativity into solving either issue...

I think making drivers prove citizenship is a very creative effort...
(where's the "full-circle" smiley?)

[chumley]

Well, this is definitely an unintended byproduct of the new law.

Pop star Shakira is expected to lend her celebrity to the fight against Arizona's new immigration law.

Sources said Tuesday the Latina entertainer, perhaps best known for her hit song "Hips Don't Lie," is scheduled to meet with Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and other city officials at 3 p.m. Thursday at City Hall to discuss the law.

Vice Mayor Michael Nowakowski, the council's only Hispanic, said he will then escort Shakira to various sites around Phoenix to meet with children and families who could be impacted by the law, which makes it a state crime to be in the country illegally.

Finally, Shakira, a Colombia native, will visit the state Capitol, where protesters have been camped out since Gov. Jan Brewer signed the legislation into law on Friday.

"Shakira supports the mayor and likes his message about the bill," said Gordon Chief of Staff Debra Stark, who has been arranging the visit.

For the first time in my life, I wish I was Phil Gordon...

[The_Eagle]

I heard on Sports Radio this morning, that they are expecting protesters at the Diamondbacks game in Colorado tonight. Because they are the "Arizona" Diamondbacks.