Detailed Abstractions

As you might have noticed, I’ve stayed away from writing about the Arizona immigration bill.  I’ve done so because I have little understanding on what it means to live close to a border where millions of immigrants cross illegally each year.  I don’t know the pain experienced by this massive influx, nor do I really know what has and hasn’t been tried to resolve those pains.

Lastly, I’m honestly not in the habit of arguing against a specific state law, unless it’s clearly anti-freedom.  For instance, when an idiotic Senator proposes a complete ban on a specific crib because of 32 infant deaths since 2000 – I rightfully call her out (here).   Meaning that generally speaking, I don’t see the Arizona law as anything immoral or anti-freedom and my lack of real world understanding has kept me out of this debate.

That was until I learned, thanks to the unprecedented outpouring from world leaders, that this Arizona thing…. well, apparently it has far reaching consequences.

To start with – I think this is the very first time an American president has come out so strongly against a state law based solely on premonition (here via Raw Story).  According to our new pre-crime way of thinking, this law has got to be stopped by any means necessary, because as President Obama states:

I think the Arizona law has the potential of being applied in a discriminatory fashion. Now, after it was initially passed, the Arizona legislature amended it and said that this should not be carried out in a discriminatory way. But I think a fair reading of the language of the statute indicates that it gives the possibility of individuals who are deemed suspicious of being illegal immigrants from being harassed or arrested. And the judgments that are going to be made in applying this law are troublesome….

To translate, this roughly means – “it (the law) might be used for discriminatory purposes, therefore it’s wrong”.    Which would be a very valid argument for a law which say…. kept blacks out of school, but for a law only meant and written to enforce the current immigration laws, he’s basically trying to block a state law because it might be abused.

Additionally, the legal system itself is and has been open for discriminatory abuse by those in appropriate positions who are willing to use their authority towards discriminatory ends.  You see, where there are so many laws on the books that necessitate selective enforcement, then you automatically end up leaving the selection process to those on the ground.

To clarify:  I don’t believe law enforcement professionals are racists or tend to abuse their power en mass & I don’t believe this AZ law will necessarily be used in such a way.  My only point is when every single car on the highway is driving at least 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, those with the power to enforce the law can do so selectively.  This by its very nature allows for discriminatory practices.

It would be interesting to hear  President Obama make such a case, but that’s not the main thrust of his argument.  His argument is guilty until proven innocent.

Lastly, Mr. Obama, don’t we have other things to worry about?  Like two active conflicts?  Continuing terror threats at home?  Economic & health care “crises”?

But what really has me perplexed is the president from our southern neighbor, Mexico.  Apparently, the Arizona law is so horribly wrong, he had to take lots of time, to address international press both here @ a home and to address Congress as part of an active & aggressive PR campaign against the AZ law (here via The Arizona Republic):

WASHINGTON – Mexican President Felipe Calderón harshly criticized a new Arizona immigration law in an address to Congress on Thursday, saying it “ignores a reality that cannot be erased by decree.”…

Now to be fair I agree with that quoted portion; which is our current immigration policy stance by default, ignores the reality on the ground.  With all due disrespect to Mr. Calderón however, I don’t think he gets the reality either.

He is, not only a world leader (very tenuous use), but specifically the leader of Mexico.  A country with a higher murder rate than some active war zones have deaths.  A country whose police force and justice system is either completely corrupt or completely unable to deal with organized crime.  A country whose citizenry, run as fast as possible, by any means possible to the closest possible safe haven, even knowing they will actively face many additional hardships through their actions.   A quick skim through reports (here via Stratfor or here via the Economist) will give you ample reason why this is so.

Yet, Mr.  Calderón’s worries are about an AZ law and our freedom to arm ourselves:

…his request that Congress do something about the availability of high-powered weapons along the border….

Maybe he’s completely unaware that it is illegal in the US to buy the weapons many organized criminals use in Mexico such as hand grenades, rocket propelled grenades, and automatic weapons.

Irregardless of Mr.  Calderón’s understanding of US gun laws, the citizens of Mexico would be better served if their leader spent time repairing his country, instead of  throwing boulders from a glass house.

Given the current urgent competing priorities for both countries, combined with both presidents having a laser like focus on this issue, I think there really remains one question:

What is their (Obama, Calderon, etc) fear?