Makeithappen; I appreciate what you are saying about the constitution. However, I don't believe that the Arizona is infringing on any Citizen's constitutional rights. And because I don't consider illegals to be U.S. citizens, I most definitely don't give a crap about illegal's rights; outside of basic human rights.
And I'm not sure if you're posting on this forum as a parent of a military person or as someone who has served. But being this is a military related forum, you should consider the fact that many of us haven't been living where we currently are, for most of our lives. In other words, mentioning the population of Wyoming as part of your defense, sighting that we aren't anywhere near the border (a lot of talk from nowhere), as if my opinion is uneducated. That my friend is quite ignorant of you. Forget the fact that the I-80 corridor through Wyoming happens to be one of the busiest through-ways through the entire country, and we most definitely have our share of exposure to illegal immigrants. As a military person, I have spent more than enough time traveling and living outside of Wyoming. I am very familiar with the Tuscon Arizona area. (Davis Monthan AFB) and Del Rio Texas/Ciudad Acuna. (Laughlin AFB). As well as Phoenix (Luke AFB).Spent a lot of time living in many of these cities. (Including Austin when Bergstrom AFB was still there). Point is, don't be so ignorant to believe that because a person has a signature block that says Wyoming, Vermont, Idaho, or Ohio, that they have no direct understanding or education of immigration issues.
But most importantly, I do not find constitutional issues with having a law that allows authorities to check a person's identification. And the truth is, we are required to show identification many times a day already. When I charge something on my credit card, they ask to see my ID. If the police stop me for a traffic violation, they ask for my ID. If I go to vote/register, they ask me for my ID. Point is, we are required to show identification many times as it is. There is absolutely nothing unconstitutional or infringing on rights in requiring such things. The only difference her is, the "ADDED REASON" for requiring proof of identification, is because of the suspicion of a person being in this country illegally. And I have absolutely no problem with that. The overwhelming majority of "Citizens" have no problem with that. The overwhelming majority of "Legal Immigrants" have no problem with that. (They probably support such laws more than anyone). I have absolutely NO SYMPATHY for criminals. Whether they are rapists, child molesters, murderers, thieves, or illegal immigrants. However, a criminal legally in our country has constitutional rights. An criminal illegally in our country, such as an illegal immigrant, is not a citizen and thus has no constitutional rights.
And my total comment of tell your illegal friends/family to come over the texas border instead of the Arizona border, was simply being factitious to those who think the Arizona law is so inhumane. Personally, I like the proposed texas law, that never got passed, that said that being much of the texas/mexican border is private property, that the landowner had the right to "Shoot to kill" any trespassers. Unfortunately, they can't get that to pass. Anyway, you too are definitely allowed your opinion, and it's noted.
Personally, if I was the Arizona governor, the way I would have handled this would have been to declare to Obama and Washington D.C., that because they (The Federal Government) is not living up to their responsibilities for border security, that ALL Arizona guard members who happen to be deployed outside the state of arizona, would be immediately recalled. Then, as governor, I would have our guard used in a manner to protect the border of Arizona. And I would allow the senior officers in the guard to use deadly force if that's what it would take to not allow illegal entry into Arizona. That definitely would mean they wouldn't need worry about the new Arizona law. People would be caught prior to reach the cities. But of course, there are too many people that think this too is inhumane. Sorry if I have no sympathy. My appreciation of the constitution and individual rights go deep. I've developed an appreciation of our rights by living in places where such rights most definitely do not exist; and examples of limited rights are seen every day. As such, I not only want to protect our rights from the government, I also want to ensure that Non-Citizens do not jeopardize our rights by being here illegally. And they do jeopardize our rights. Oh well, to each their own.
