Posted by AzBlueMeanie:
Michael Steele, Chairman
Republican National Committee
310 First Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
Dear Chairman Steele:
Recently, the Republican National Committee announced its three finalist cities to host the party's 2012 presidential nominating convention: Tampa, FL; Salt Lake City. UT; and Phoenix, AZ. The 12 members of the RNC's site selection committee will take a final vote at the RNC's annual summer meeting in July, with the winner recommended to the party leaders.
On Friday, April 23, 2010, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signed into law an extreme anti-immigrant measure that is unconstitutional (it violates the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution which gives the federal government jurisdiction over immigration) and gives state and local law enforcement agencies the discretionary authority to stop and question anyone they have "reasonable suspicion" to believe may be in the state of Arizona illegally.
The law further provides that anyone who cannot produce documentation of U.S. citizenship may be arrested and is subject to fine and imprisonment. This is true even if such person arrested for lack of documentation of U.S. citizenship later produces such documentation. In other words, it is a crime simply not to carry documentation of U.S. citizenship on one's person at all times.
Further, what constitutes "reasonable suspicion" is left to the discretion of law enforcement officers. One cannot presume that all law enforcement officers will act in good faith and within the bounds of the law. This law is an open invitation to racial profiling and racial discrimination. As you may be aware, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio already is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice for unlawful racial profiling in conducting immigration sweeps.
In light of this recent development in the state of Arizona, Mr. Chairman, I call upon you and the Republican National Committee site selection committee to take a public stand against this unconstitutional law that encourages unlawful racial profiling and racial discrimination by eliminating the City of Phoenix from the list of finalists under consideration for the party's 2012 presidential nominating convention. To do otherwise is to condone and affirm by consent to this unconstitutional and discriminatory law. Is this really in the best interests of the Republican National Committee? I am confident you will agree with me that it is not.
I look forward to your timely response.
Sincerely,
AzBlueMeanie
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If we give the land back to the Indians from whom we stole it, we won’t have to worry about all these issues!
D. Turner, read the legislation closely. This isn’t about picking up illegals because their tail light is busted and drop-kicking them across the border. This is about stopping someone with a busted tail light who IS here legally OR just on the SUSPICION that they are here illegally and demanding proof of citizenship. And if someone who is here LEGALLY appears to be a bit TOO “ethnic” happens to foolishly leave their home without their birth certificate, then they are detained or deported.
I think every Arizonan understands and appreciates that we have a crisis on the border. It’s been an epic failure of prior presidential administrations. But this bill is without basic human dignity we have come to expect and on our better days exemplify as Americans. And I say that on behalf of those who ARE here legally, who are at risk by this very legislation of being undeserving recipients of the consequences of our federal government’s inaction.
And I would argue that this bill is about politics. Bottom line. It is NOT a prudent approach to providing the state safety, while protecting and safeguarding the dignity and rights of those who are here LEGALLY.
D. Turner your points are well taken. Your comment reminded me that when “we” came to this country, we took it away from the Indian tribes who lived here. We took their children away from them so the children would be indoctrinated into the ways, philosophy and religion of “the white man”. Carrying your comment to its logical conclusion, I suggest a bill be introduced in the legislature immediately which returns Arizona to the Indian tribes, whose land we took (stole sounds so tacky).
NO MATTER what you write about the passing of this bill, NO MATTER what any of those in opposition to Gov. Brewer’s signing of the bill have to say, THE POINT IS this bill wouldn’t even be on the table if it weren’t for people breaking the law, coming into the U.S. ILLEGALLY. Why do you people insist on ignoring the word ILLEGAL? THEY are breaking the law. Did you notice the protestors?
Most were against the bill and most were HISPANIC. They’re worried because NOW there’s a chance they’ll get busted (FOR BREAKING THE LAW). Those who favor this bill were WORKING during the day.
Working at jobs they have legally. These illegal aliens broke into the U.S. and now we PAY for them. How about I come and break into your house and you feed me, educate me, pay for my medical expenses…how about that? That’s what’s been going on. We don’t want to support people who break into America. Got it? If they’re picked up and sent home, so be it. They deserve it. If they’re pulled over for a broken tail light and they’re illegal and sent home, they deserve it. What the hell don’t you get? Again, let me break into your home and live there….I doubt you’d be OK with that. Oh, and let me bring my entire family in too. How about that? Focus on the word ILLEGAl. They broke the law first and Gov. Brewer did the right thing. Every other country on this planet picks people up and sends them home if they can’t show proof of citizenship or a VISA…the U.S. has been a doormat but no more. We’ve had it. And for you to say this bill is unconstitutional shows your ignorance. If you break the law, you pay the price!