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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Obama springs trap in immigration reform battle

Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 12:43 AM
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President Barack Obama's decision to launch a slashing attack on Arizona's draconian immigration law has framed the debate for immigration reform.

The words had hardly left his mouth when the Republican governor Jan Brewer passed the law in Arizona, in direct defiance of his wishes.

By so doing she and the GOP may have fallen into a well laid trap.

The measure is so extreme, stopping and searching people on sight and demanding identification, that most Americans will see it as deeply unfair and in direct contrast to our cherished freedoms.

It will also drive almost every Latino in America into the hands of the Democratic Party.

By framing the issue with such an extreme law, President Obama has ensured that the Arizona legislation becomes ground zero for the great debate ahead.

Republicans will know that it loses them the Hispanic vote, not just in Arizona but all over the country.

They have painted a target on their own back by allowing such draconian legislation to pass.

President Obama has played a trump card by using the power of the bully pulpit and ensuring that Americans far and wide hear about the legislation just passed.

While Americans are uneasy about illegal immigration, they cherish their own freedoms even more. Stop and search tactics will strike them as a far too extreme a response to the problem.

And Democrats stand to gain as a result -- they may even get a reform bill through Congress.



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44 Comments

15 - 44 | See all comments

IrishAndProud | May 12, 2010, 07:03 PM EDT
Boycotts of Arizona are irrelevant, and are falling apart. The groups behind them are abandoning the efforts...and just today a new poll came out showing 70 PERCENT SUPPORT for tougher immigration measures...in MASSACHUSSETTS. We've got 'em on the run. The pro-illegal minority is disintegrating.

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Monsoonman | Apr 30, 2010, 10:30 AM EDT
I suppose the boycotters will still be able to sneak in over the border during the dead of night, lol! and and visit Sedona (stay at the skyranch lodge), Flagstaff, Bizby and walk the edge of the GC.

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Monsoonman | Apr 30, 2010, 10:27 AM EDT
Funny thing though, I think the Grand Canyon will remain in place no matter how much Arizona is boycotted....Ah yes standing on the cliff edge of the GC, what a rush!

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DennisQ | Apr 30, 2010, 02:53 AM EDT
Republicans can't help themselves, can they? Given an opportunity to pass a bigoted law, they couldn't hold back! The state depends on tourism, but this law ruins the state's image. Were you planning to watch the re-enactment of Wyatt Earp's shootout at the OK Corral in Tombstone? Maybe you'll go to Kansas instead.

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irishwxman | Apr 27, 2010, 06:19 PM EDT
Thank you clonmel. At least SOMEONE read the bill. These liberal democrats seem to take an isse with readiing bills. they just assume.

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clonmel21 | Apr 27, 2010, 05:17 PM EDT
Where on earth do you get your information? You say "The measure is so extreme, stopping and searching people on sight and demanding identification". Stopping people "on sight"? You are so off base with this. This law as with any requires some "REASONABLE SUSPICION" to stop. Get it straight and stop your bias.

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allentown | Apr 26, 2010, 08:36 PM EDT
>>They are just taking back what is theirs to begin with and doing it peacefully << Since when is violating federal law and identity theft doing it peacefully?

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irishwxman | Apr 26, 2010, 06:44 PM EDT
Obama couldn't even conceive of what a trap is, much less spring one. He is such a dolt. Jim and rpmschevy are SPOT on! Good posts lads.

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JimThompson | Apr 26, 2010, 04:15 PM EDT
It is simply impossible to believe that the sheep citizens of the U. S. will accept any ideas of letting any illeal person decide that he is going to gain all the rights and privileges that Americans have fought for for centuries. It is a shame that politicians can play tricks with such an issue and use any ideas of restricting illegal aliens from entering or staying in the U. S.as a ploy to gain votes from Latinos.

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rpmschevy | Apr 26, 2010, 04:07 PM EDT
"Americans are uneasy about illegal immigration". What? No we our mad. Fed up that the Feds will do nothing to protect us. Arizona rancher killed. Something needs to be done, it is the Fed's job to protect us citizens from invaders, if not we end up with militia's, which is worse.

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borefield | Apr 26, 2010, 03:24 PM EDT
Obama lays so many sneaky traps one day he may very well get caught in one of his own. Illegal is illegal. Keep within the law of the land, enter the country legeally,you will not have to worry when asked for ID. Any foreign country I have ever visited I had to produce ID.and produce the necessary papers required to enter. Why is it wrong for the USA to require what other countries do. Why promote lawless behavior.

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rcrdskpr@aol.com | Apr 26, 2010, 02:01 PM EDT
any legal immigrant should be outraged at allowing illegals in this country. they worked hard to become citizens, and now the village indiot inthe white house and his cronies want to legalize these thieves that broke into our country and are stealing our childrens birthright. if someone breaks into your house, you call the cops. well, the usa is my house. send the illegals back, wherever you find them.

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FastEddy | Apr 26, 2010, 01:05 PM EDT
beachline: " Arizona's law does NOT allow "stopping and searching" on sight. It clearly states there must be probable cause. ..." Absolutely Correct. Further, "probable cause" can not simply be "they look strange" or "they fit the profile" ... but must consist of suspicious acts that may precipitate the breakage of the law ... like driving around in a gangster-mobile with guns locked and loaded.

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FastEddy | Apr 26, 2010, 12:59 PM EDT
Joanhugh: " ... Remember Mexico owned most of the southwest in this country and we stole it from them in the Mexican War ..." Duh? Wrong! Make that "we bought it and paid for it in full!" (Gadsden Purchase, 1853) It was only after Mexicans troops crossed over the Arizona border to raid and pillage that the "Mexican War(s)" came about. FYI: Spanish Conquistadors and Mexican armies have killed more Native American's than all others combined. It may now be time to drive them back again.

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FastEddy | Apr 26, 2010, 12:51 PM EDT
" ... a slashing attack on Arizona's draconian immigration law ..." Arizona law is not nearly as "draconian" as Mexico's own re: Mexico's neighbors further south ... same with Canada's immigration laws re: USA, Mexico and points south ... same with Italy (recently), Switzerland, Germany (recently) ... Australia & 'Zland, too. >>> Try a legal approach and welcome to you, brother, need a job? <<< Try to sneak in and break the law? Forget about it!

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