a personal opinion. That's all.

  Before I begin this post, let me just say that I usually don't voice too many of my opinions. My reason for this is because they are, simply MY opinions, and while some of them might hold some weight, I never want to enforce them on anyone.


Also, this IS NOT my foray into the politic arena. Oh no. I will never get involved with politics, other than voting, because,

1. I tend to become slightly confrontational with people that act like idiots and it affects me or my family,

2. I don't take too well to people, who say one thing and then do another,

And,

3. I personally DON'T think it's a talent to be able to talk about a subject while not really talking about it.



With that being said, I would like to bring up the recent legislation that was passed here in Arizona.



Since moving here about 4 years ago, my eyes and those of my family have been ripped wide opened to things such as gang violence, drug and human trafficking, drive by shootings and hit and runs.



It happens here in Tucson every.single.day. And this is just to name a few of the things the citizens of Tucson deal with.



This recent legislation (senate bill 1070) will essentially criminalize the presence of illegal immigrants and give police officers the right to enforce this law.



There is outrage that there will be police profiling.



However, police officers cannot inquire as to a person’s immigration status without reasonable suspicion. The big question is....What constitutes reasonable suspicion??



Before I go on, LET ME BE PERFECTLY CLEAR. I do not hold any ill will to the legal citizens of this state and country that are of the Hispanic heritage.



I have issues with the people who choose to be in this country illegally, and bring with them drugs, weapons, gang/mafia violence, and live off of a country to which they do not contribute to. (i.e. the payment of taxes)



In order to illustrate a point, and to further explain my position, I would like to share a personal situation.



My mother is a citizen of Australia. She married my dad who is a citizen of the United States of America.



Mom (Aussie) + Dad (American) = me (1/2 Aussie, 1/2 American)



If I flew to Australia today with my Australian mother, and I couldn't provide the proper documentation that I was there legally, there is NO WAY I could get into the country.

NO WAY.

Even with all my aunts, uncles and cousins there cheering for me, vouching for me, saying that they would find me a job, feed me, house me, etc. etc.

NOPE.

It just wouldn't happen.

I know that and so I wouldn't even try.



The nice customs official would turn me around and give me swift kick in the behind back to the country of my citizenship.

Just take a wild guess at what would happen if I tried to enter Australia without the proper documentation AND a small handgun and 2 lbs. of Mary Jane.

Yep. Now I would be in jail.




WE ARE THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD THAT LET PEOPLE LIVE HERE ILLEGALLY.

And not only that, we feed them, clothe them and educate them.



The state of Arizona is in an enormous economic crisis. It is about to go bankrupt. No exaggeration there, folks. If you don't believe me, just Google Tucson AZ and you will find out all you want and more concerning the subjects discussed here.



The indigenous people of our community are up in arms.



I understand they are hurt by all of this. I can only say to them, "BE here. STAY here, but do it legally. Pay taxes. Learn enough of the language that you can effectively communicate. Continue to appreciate and honor your heritage, but assimilate into America."





Let's revisit again, the question of”reasonable suspicion".



Like I mentioned earlier, a law enforcement officer can now inquire about a person’s immigration status if they have "reasonable suspicion" to do so.





It is my belief and hope that the police officers will take the offered training to ensure that there will be no gray area here.





But again, I would like to offer a personal experience that might explain my thoughts on "reasonable suspicion".



Let's say a 20 yr. old girl without a driver’s license is driving an uninsured car. The car is registered to her mother. She runs a stop sign.

A man, (licensed and insured, driving a car that he bought and paid for) is driving to work and hits this young woman as she runs the stop sign.

Both cars are totaled.

This young woman cannot speak English and has to have the police officer explain to her (in Spanish) why she is getting a ticket and having her car impounded.







To me, this is reasonable suspicion to check someone’s immigration status.



Again, I would like to reiterate. I do not discriminate people of other countries, races, creeds, religious beliefs or color. The differences that we have here are what make our country so great. I appreciate my Australian heritage. I appreciate my Dutch heritage and my ancestors that learned English so that they could support themselves in this great country of opportunity. I appreciate all the indigenous people of Arizona. The Hispanic and Native American cultures that are so prevalent her are wonderful to see, learn about and experience.



I think this new legislation is just what this country needs right now. If not this country than the state of Arizona needs this right now. I also hope that other states with problems such as ours will follow in Jan Brewers precedent setting footsteps.

And, by the way, I can really get behind a politician such a Jan Brewer, regardless of her political affiliation, when she stated on national television that she "Prayed for strength to do what was right for the state of Arizona." You GO GIRL!

Alright, so I will get down from my little soap box now.
Tomorrow there will be more about quilting and thrifting.
 
 
I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings about this too.
But remember, if you can't say anything nice....
You know the rest.
 
***If you DO have something mean to say, don't say it here. Feel free to send it to the post office located at;
1234 south, Don'twannahearit Ave
Stickitinyourear, USA
00000
Thank you. ;)