I thought Robinson said to support the troops. I did not know he said support the Iraq war. I know he said that nash and a couple of the Mavs were ignorant or something to that effect.
The devil is always in the details. The law means any police officer can detain anyone who isn't carrying a passport or other proof of US citizenship. In Germany (yes, I'm going there), a similar formula was followed: pick on the lowest of the low, and move up the scale until only the favored classes were safe. Of course, minorities lose the most here, but even blond, blue-eyed folk are losing their civil liberties here.
Same reason the Spurs aren't "Las Espuelas." "Suns" is a proper name, so no translation is required. Same for "El Heat."
I live in AZ, and the bill that has everyone up in arms only makes breaking the federal law a state crime as well, and gives state (& county & city) law enforcement the power to enforce the law. The passage of the law didn't change one thing here except for LE to be able to skip the step of calling ICE if there are 20 guys in the back of a u-haul 5 minutes north of the border.
Is it a good law? Not really, for a lot of reasons. We've got a governor here who was an appointee since our former gov is now the Sec of Homeland Security. There's a lot of politics in play here, and sadly, there are a lot of people here caught in the middle of it. AZ didn't pass the law to have it on the books as it stands, IMO, but rather to press the issue on the federal immigration problem. I think the backlash was a calculated risk. Either the feds send the border states some cash and people to help with the problem while ignoring it, or they solve the problem with a comprehensive solution. Just my .02. Yours may differ.
There's actually a lot of white illegals from places in Eastern Europe and such, although I doubt many reside in Arizona.
I support the general premise of the law because we need to do something about the millions of illegals that come into this country every year, but I'm not sure if this is the way to go about doing it.
I think this law is more symbolic than anything, though. I'm not sure if it will ever be enforced.
The problem is that you can't just give cops carte blanch to stop and search anyone they want because they "look like an illegal." We all know how that's going to go down.
Phoenix to wear Los Suns jerseys, bringing politics to court
By Art Garcia, NBA.com
The basketball court is rarely, if ever, the site of a political statement, much less during an NBA playoff game. Politics are going to be center court Wednesday night.
The Suns are taking aim at Arizona's controversial new immigration law during the Western Conference semifinals. Phoenix owner Robert Sarver is outfitting his team in "Los Suns" uniforms for Game 2 against San Antonio. The game also happens to fall on Cinco de Mayo, a traditional holiday celebrating Mexican heritage and culture.
Sarver is also using the high-profile platform to voice the organization's frustration with the nation's toughest law on immigration. The act, signed into law in late April, is designed to identify, prosecute and deport illegal immigrants.
"We think it's appropriate what the Suns are doing," NBA commisioner David Stern told NBA.com.
Critics contend that the Arizona act will lead to racial profiling. A number of boycotts and protests in Arizona are in the works.
"Our players and organization felt that wearing our 'Los Suns' jerseys on Cinco de Mayo was a way for our team and our organization to honor our Latino community and the diversity of our league, the State of Arizona, and our nation," Sarver said in a statement released by the team. "We are proud that 400 players from 36 countries compete in the NBA, and the league and the Suns have always considered that to be a great strength of the NBA.
"The frustration with the federal government's failure to deal with the issue of illegal immigration resulted in passage of a flawed state law. However intended, the result of passing this law is that our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law are being called into question, and Arizona's already struggling economy will suffer even further setbacks at a time when the state can ill afford them."
Phoenix players backed Sarver's decision to wear the alternate jerseys. So did the Spurs organization. The NBA signed also signed off on the Suns' move.
The NBA Players Association released a statement criticizing the law and praising the Suns for the move.
"The recent passage of the new immigration law in Arizona is disappointing and disturbing," said Billy Hunter, executive director of the NBAPA. "The National Basketball Players Association strongly supports the repeal or immediate modification of this legislation. Any attempt to encourage, tolerate or legalize racial profiling is offensive and incompatible with basic notions of fairness and equal protection. A law that unfairly targets one group is ultimately a threat to all.
"We applaud the actions of Phoenix Suns players and management and join them in taking a stand against the misguided efforts of Arizona lawmakers. We are consulting with our members and our player leadership to determine the most effective way for our union to continue to voice our opposition to this legislation."
The Suns and Spurs are among several teams that wore "Los" jerseys during the league's Noche Latina initiative during March.
The meaning Wednesday goes much deeper.
"We're all proud to wear our Los Suns uniforms tomorrow night for Cinco de Mayo," Suns guard Steve Nash said. "Obviously the passing of the recent bill and what that means to our state, to civil liberties, and the quality and precedent it's setting, and message it sends to our youngsters in the community, we have a problem with that. It's great that our owner took the initiative and our players are behind him."
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich would have gone with the "Los Spurs" jerseys if possible. The team only has one set of that uniform back in San Antonio, having sent the second back to the NBA. (Teams need two sets of uniforms for a game.) Popovich added that the Spurs had talked about addressing the immigration topic with Phoenix later in the series.
"It's a great idea," Popovich said. "I think that came from Mr. Sarver and it's a wonderful idea because it kind of shows what we all should be about. Sure there needs to be a lot of work done, obviously. A lot of administrations have done nothing about the immigration deal and now everybody is paying the price, especially a lot of people in Arizona.
"That's a bad thing, but the reaction is important, too. And this reaction, I agree with Mr. Sarver, is inappropriate. It's kind of like 9-11 comes and all of a sudden there's a Patriot Act, just a kneejerk sort of thing that changes our country and what we stand for. This law snaps of that to some degree, so I think what he's doing tomorrow night is very wise and very correct."
The Suns aren't the only one making a political statement Wednesday. Civil rights activist Al Sharpton is leading a protest march from the Pilgrim Rest Church in downtown Phoenix to the Arizona Capital building. The march will pass US Airways Arena. The choir from Pilgrim Rest sang the National Anthem on Monday night before Game 1, which Phoenix won.
Other states, including Texas, are studying the Arizona law and considering drafting their own versions.
"I hope they change [the law] back to what it was and give the workers the possibility to be legal and pay taxes as everyone else," Spurs guard Manu Ginobili said.
Glad we're not wearing Los Spurs. Not only do they look like , but we play like too while wearing them.
a ing men. I'm gonna be a Poly Sci major, so sports are going to be my getaway from it all, not a constant reminder of it.
Horse . There are provisions in the law that preclude law enforcement from profiling.
These people have broken and entered this country. They've been stealing ever since. They are criminals.
Go back to their own country and get in line just like everybody else that immigrates legally.
Pop already talked about doing it sometime in the series, maybe when they got home since they have the white Los Spurs jerseys.
But please, God, no. They always lose when they wear Los Spurs jerseys.
Let's make them "Lost Suns"...
It is a problem giving the police more power to detain people. Lots of SOB in the police force.
Gimmick jerseys leads to gimmick play. Bad move by the Suns.
Los Suns will lead to Los Loss.
Clever.......
Just the type of distraction the Suns dont need right now.
People say the Suns are cursed but they bring it on themselves.
I wouldn't take Pop's quote for much. The fact of the matter is that if he came out against the law, the media would eat him up, which is a shame, but it is what it is. Fact is, unless Pop wants to cause distractions and controversy, he said what he should have said if he wants the Spurs to keep winning ball games.
I prefer illegals that do work, that white/black trash that doesn't work and costs more to mantain to the rest of us. But in all honesty, I've not been in the US for a few years now, due to work.
I once saw a study which showed, that it would be make much more sense to get rid of the useless unemployed people (of all races) than illegals, on the basis no americans were going to accept the jobs the illegals were taking...
Last edited by Spur_Fanatic; 05-05-2010 at 12:07 PM.
Double edged sword for me personally. Illegals that work either lied about their status to pay taxes in the first place, or they are working under the table and sending a lot of that money back to Mexico to help support their families there.
That said, I still use suspected illegals for yard work and the like.
Had you hired americans you probably would have had to payed how many times more?
8 or 10 times more? And of course, all the pluses, and may God forbid someone trips on your yard while working.
Do you think they’d be OK w/ me sneaking into the arena & taking someone else’s seat. If somebody asks to see my ticket (papers!) I’ll just call them RACIST!
As for them sending their money back home... Well, I agree there. That I don't like. I would much prefer them for them to try to stay in the US for good, with their families. Get the green card, and live well.
Not any more. It seems as if even illegals are pricing themselves out of the market. To cut and edge my yard (averaged sized) they want $180. BS.Had you hired americans you probably would have had to payed how many times more?
8 or 10 times more? And of course, all the pluses, and may God forbid someone trips on your yard while working.
That's not too bad (in fact, it's pretty good depending on the yard, and the quality they work with). But yeah, above what I expected. Guess a few things did changed, lol. Anyway, let's not go political on this thread.
Los Racistas.
That's a good analogy. What if I really, really want to see the game, but can't afford a ticket. Why can't I just sneak in? I'll even take the seat nobody else wants!
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