PJ Media

Thanks Jack Dunphy for an excellent post. Let me add a few notes from here on the ground in Phoenix.

It seems like ages ago but it was only little more than a month that we had a very contentious racial issue arise between a phoenix police officer and a black phoenix councilman (who was also a former officer). It took place when a friend of the councilman’s home burnt down. For some silly reason the councilman was trying to get access to the burning home – and not to save a person or a pet.

This officers ‘crime’ was very much a’ ‘la the Gates affair; verbal confrontation escalated to physical pushing – with the councilman ending up not only pinned on the ground but – in cuffs – and eventually booked.

This officer – starting with Mayor Gordon – was viciously tried and convicted by the self-appointed black preachers/Tavis Smiley set in typical Kabuki Media circus fashion. Very nasty, very public.

The good news is that once the media storm settled down the officer, following a brief suspension, was back on the job. There was little commentary, and of course no appology, from those black clergy and fellow council members who went off in their hysteria – nor the media types who facilitated it.

I share Mr Dunphy’s concern that this may end badly with such a kabuki dance.
But we had a similar storm after passing the Employer Sanctions law here – even if it wasn’t nearly as dramatic on a national scale. After the initial reaction – the legislature defanged the law so as to make it almost entirely symbolic – stripping county Attorny Andrew Thomas of prosecutorial authority.

How many people outside of the state knew as much? Few if any since the press never bothered to report it.

To date – there has been 2 employers who’ve faced the full brunt of the law from my recollection. Yet – it’s signifigant that most employers felt compelled to try and comply. A big part of that was using E-varify – despite it’s flaws (particularly not distinguishing those that use fake/stolen SSN).

Should this law make it through the first round of court challenges, which from my view is much in doubt, (if for no other reason than it will rapidly come before the 9th circuit – hardly a court that’s coy about issuing a horrendous verdict in a controversial case), Arizona’s police forces will face the difficult task of enforcment in a bubble.

I believe they are every bit up to the task, no matter how unfair the assignment. Like with officer Brian Authement in March, eventually the whole story does finds its way out for the public to decide, even the ugly displays.

The rumor of Arizona’s racism has been greatly exaggerated at this early point. Much like the myth of Latino solidarity on the immigration issue. So Shakira sold a few CD’s and Telemundo got a ratings boost – and of course Mayor Gordon made a knucklehead of himself yet again.

The real mustard is gonna get cut in the ‘november sweeps’ if you will.