MLB Pressured to Pull All-Star Game from Phoenix...
 

Will Immigration Law Cost Arizona All-Star Game?

Groups Are Trying to Boycott Arizona Over Its Controversial New Immigration Law

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By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
April 29, 2010

Arizona's passage of a controversial anti-immigration lawcould cost the state Major League Baseball's All-Star Game, potentially depriving an already battered economy of millions of dollars.

A New York congressman who called for the league to move the 2011 game from Phoenix is the latest person to push for an economic boycott against the state in protest of the new law. Companies have been pulling conferences out of Arizona resorts while others have suggested consumers shun companies, such as US Airways, that are based in the state and have yet to condemn the the law.

"I think that when people, states, localities make decisions this monumental, they should know the full consequence of that decision," Rep. José E. Serrano, D-N.Y., said. "I think Major League Baseball, with 40 percent Latino ballplayers at all levels, should make a statement that it will not hold its All-Star Game in a state that discriminates against 40 percent of their people."

The 40 percent figure could not be independently confirmed and a spokesman for Major League Baseball said the league had no comment at this time.

The 2009 game generated an estimated $60 million for St. Louis, according to the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association. New York's economy generated an estimated $150 million the year before, according to New York City's Economic Development Corp.

The law, signed by Gov. Jan Brewer last week, makes it a misdemeanor to fail to prove lawful U.S. residence when asked to provide such documentation.

When Arizona stopped recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1987, various groups organized boycotts of the state. Pressure eventually fell on the NFL, which in 1991 pulled the 1993 Super Bowl from Phoenix. Voters approved the holiday in 1992 and Tempe, Ariz., was awarded the 1996 Super Bowl.

Serrano called that boycott "monumental" in getting the state to reverse its position.

"The NFL and the players and the union were smart enough and committed enough to know that this was important," he said.


I think I might be through with major League Baseball if they cave it to this.
I'm thinking of taking a vacation there in support of the Governor!

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Hmmmm...im kinda torn here...

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Yeah well MLB has been going down the tube for awhile now. The game desperately needs a salary cap. It also needs a shorter season and I could point out a number of other ideas. It is sad to see such a great game being run by morons that don't know how to market it and keep it competitive. Sad indeed.

As for the AllStar game, there isn't much of a following for that anyway. Move it to Mexico City. I don't care. I give MLB 10 years before all of the owners, except for the obvious handful, will pull out of it.

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Pretty much the way I feel, too.

I don't watch MLB much anymore for a few reasons, and two of them are 1) I don't like the way most people treated this guy, and 2) I don't get to see this anymore...

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The "new" state law is an extension of the existing federal law. You know the one that's NOT being enforced often enough...

Why are some media trying to scare people into thinking this is a racially-fueled round up?

Sounds to me like AZ is fed up with waiting around for Washington to help.

You're called "illegal" for a reason.

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Damn skippy

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Well said!

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http://www.foxnews.com/images/368638...608_layup4.jpg

I should think the people in Arizona have just about had enough of having to clean up scenes like this. They're on the front lines. Walk a mile through that crap in THEIR shoes before you stone them for trying to do something about a VERY REAL problem.

Groups Struggle to Clean Up Mess Illegal Immigrants Leave Behind - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

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Now that crazy.

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This picture is a perfect metaphor for what is being left of our SS and Tax systems by the strain that illegals are adding.

And am I the only person who thought that how Mexico's President and our President represented the law was ABSURD!!???

How dare both of those heads of state take the time to ignorantly condemn AZ's law while fueling racial tensions by suggesting that law enforcement is 'profiling' their ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

**** off!!!!
:brood:

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Can't say it any better. Now we need foreign leaders to tell us how to run this country? Please.... What a joke. Go back to your country and solve your own problems. You have plenty. And Mr. US President, pleaese grow some ***s and stand with AZ on protecting their innocent CITIZENS! Or move to AZ and sleep with a shotgun under your pillow every night. Either way.

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I hope you can speak spanish...lol..and i seen **** like that right here in H-Town ..and its the locals doing it..i dont think littering is confined to mexicans..

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I have many mexican friends, and have dated mexican girls, and even partied with their families on holidays and such. Great people, and very hard working. I love all of them dearly. Now with that said, most of them agree that the illegals in this country, are giving them a bad rep, and making life harder for them here. They all went through proper channels to become U.S. citizens, and believe that everyone else should do the same thing. This is not about race, or discrimination, it's about the law, and that's it. Saying it's about anything else besides that, is an act of idiocy.

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Exactly. I have lots of Mexican friends too - you get a good dose of culture growing up on a military base. My best friend in school was a mexican - his mom didn't speak english at home. His dad was a sergeant in the 5th infantry and he used to go off, even back then (1987) about how the illegals gave his family and his culture a bad name.

The point of the picture, by the way, is to show the damage being done by illegal people entering this country and to help explain why the people in Arizona feel the way they feel. It has nothing to do with general litter obviously, but that disposition is part of the problem. Why do we (some) want to water it down. I don't understand the point in that. Someone please explain...

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Never defended littering strato. Nor did I accuse any race of littering. As I said, the picture was a metaphor for what's wrong. People consuming and dumping and leaving nothing left but a mess.

And I can get by with the Spanish I know. I actually enjoy speaking Spanish and enjoy the Latin culture. It's the ILLEGAL part that we should all hope to see resolved.

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Agreed on all points.

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Naw 76..its all good..Peace Hombre..no need for all this we will share ..what belongs to all...

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Not mad atcha bruh.

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I don't think it's a case of Obama needing to grow balls. In many ways, and in particular on this topic, he is doing precisely what he said he would do - and politically speaking that isn't exactly common.

I disagree with his methods, but it is the people in America that need balls. Our country needs to elect a president with balls, not one who's actions indicate he might need to grow a pair.

If just half the people that voted for Obama because they hate Bush have become enlightened we can push back the 'politically correct' and get started undoing some of this insanity.

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Me and a friend of mine, were discussing this last night. What other kind of people live in Mexico, besides Mexicans, for the most part? It's not like there is a large population of Chinese people living down there, running across the border everyday. So this whole "profiling" argument is ridiculous. If India was located where Mexico is, then I'm sure border patrol, would be taking a much harder look at Eastern Indians! But it's not. Mexico is there, therefore Mexicans, legal, and illegal, are going to suffer the consequences of the law. If I were a legal Mexican resident, I would be mad as hell, not at the law, or the Arizona government, but the illegals, that WON'T get legal citizenship, therefore in turn, making my life a living hell. Makes sense doesn't it?

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Why aren't the Mexicans and the Mexican leaders mad at the FEDERAL LAW which actually gives immigration authorities authority to stop people and ask their status for no other reason, which the Arizona law does not provide for? Well it's because the Feds don't enforce it, and the head of ICE says he probably wouldn't do anything to anyone brought to his agency via the Arizona law anyway. What in the HELL has this country come to? When did we become so politically correct and smug that we implode from within?

And is it REALLY cheap labor that has all these businesses against the Arizona Law? By the time we pay medical, ESL schools (Title 1 schools where breakfast and lunch are provided for FREE) and EIC every April because Mr Immigrant doesn't make enough to support his wife and kids to the tune of 3k or more? Cheap labor my beehind. It's a politically correct joke.

Alright. LOL. Who wants to argue with me about this? I'm all worked up now. :mrgreen:

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I agree for the most part saintfan. The American people are slowly growing balls. Stand strong Arizona!!! It is amazing to me that the tragedies of Arizona are being ignored in a country such as this. All because we don't want to enforce our laws.

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Standing up for what you believe in these days gets you called a racist.

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Don't I know it. Happens to me all the time. I'm sure there are many here that are in complete shock to hear that. LOL

But seriously, you're right. I blame it on the 60's. :mrgreen:

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I would rather live with immagrants than racist...But some things will never change...

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I completely agree with you Strat. The things is, this isn't about racism. Its about the law, and people breaking it. Nothing else.

Although, here's a funny fact of history. California used to belong to the Mexicans. The residents were called Californio's. White settlers started coming West to Cali, before it was ever even paid for by the U.S. government.... So, in retrospect, wouldn't that mean that white people were crossing the border into a land that didn't belong to them? Kind of like the pilgrims did to the American Indians? I guess our own kharma is coming back to bite us on the butt.....

As much as I support the law now, I must say, that as a race, white people have really no room to talk, about people "invading" land that doesn't belong to them......

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You can't fart any more without someone calling you a racist. You are spot on man - no matter what the President (of either country in this case) wants to say, this is about the law and those that are breaking it - and IMO those that want to dilute the real problem with talk of racism. Our country is being invaded, literally, and we're worried about what exactly? Racism? Please...

I'm glad our grandparents weren't so concerned about 'racism' when they beat Hitler back and nearly sank the island of Japan. And yes, for those politically correct among us...I know it's not the same, but it's not entirely different either.

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Good piont S.P..my quote was covering all spectrums...Racisim exist and i know for a fact that my father was subjected to it..but you dont ever hear him whine about it..He is a self made man and never wanted more than he could earn..And his family were illegal immagrants..Im all for people having a better life man..maybe im wrong..but if that werent allowed to happen this... country, and i ..u and everyone else here wouldnt have the right to post ..like im doing right now...Now im a Yellow Dog..but hey..im a proud american and really want to help peope we have to figure a way out of this mess...Remember the old saying ..This land is your land ..this land is my land...well that rings true to me..Im a homeownwer and will inherit many more..I pay taxes and i obey the law and i want others to as well...i just want people to care about eachother and not about some distorted ideals they may have...We need to before its too late...Ok im off my soapbox..S.P..but you brought it out of me..lol...

Peace

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People say things like, "All people cannot, and will not get along, all the time." This is very true. But at the same time, if we can all agree, to disagree, and know that we all have different opinions on different things, and can discuss them, without trying to change the other person's mind, then getting along will become much easier. Respecting someone as a human, doesn't mean you have to accept their ideals, or moral views. Just means you can listen to another person's perspective, and form your own opinion, without going ballistic, and wanting to go to war with them over it.

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I agree,,just let folks alone ..we will all get ours...

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Given the recent drama between you and me, you may think I'm picking on you. This isn't that case - because I'd ask the same of anyone bringing race into this conversation. It's an honest question, and as has been mentioned here, everyone has their own opinion, and so I am interested to hear yours:

When you say your comment was covering all spectrums, what do you mean exactly - or more to the point, how does it relate to illegal immigration? You said you'd prefer immigrants over racists - a phrase I'm hearing a LOT out here in San Francisco by my liberal friends. How, or better why, does racism even get brought up in a conversation about ILLEGAL immigrants? Unless you are a native American you can trace your history back to an immigrant - one that probably came here legally.

So I would like to know why you would even bring race to the conversation. I'd like to know why the president of Mexico is doing that. I'd like to know why people are so offended by the Arizona law - in fact I'd like to know why this country isn't 110 percent in favor of the Arizona law and why it flatly refuses to enforce a Federal Law that goes far beyond the Arizona Law. I think these are valid questions, and I think if you bring race to the conversation you should very well be prepared to elaborate and define what you mean, exactly, when you say you were covering all spectrums, because I don't see where that has much to do at all with Illegal Immigration.

To be as specific as possible, can you tell me if you think the Arizona Law is racist? Yes or no?

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I agree to disagree...is that ok ..is that within my rights?...:doh:

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Saintpaul - I liked what you said. I wish we could all just talk things out and respect everyone's views, but unfortunately, I think racism has to die off with older generations. The civil rights movement wasn't that long ago. People still remember those tensions.

Racism is a language spoken by those less educated. It's too easy to call someone a name, single them out or be fearful just bc they are different.

Race was brought up bc of my comment. And let me be clear - my reference was meant as a broad statement bc you're right Saintfan - everyone loves to throw out the racism argument these days. It's more political than anything IMO.

I think certain people want racism to exist because they profit from it.

I like what you said about being free and loving everyone. So then everyone should be FAIR to each other. ..Right? Well, what's being given and taken by people who are in this country illegally is not fair. It's not healthy for the country and it's future and it's certainly not fair to citizens who work hard their whole lives to miss out on opportunities and rights that they have as AMERICANS.

I also think that Saintfan's comment to you deserved a better response. But that's just me... :???:

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Do you really want to get me started?...why cant i say my peace and be done..rip me if you want but i could really care a less what anybody here thinks..as well they probably would say the same about me..i dont owe Saintfan you or anybody else any more than i gave you...Why must you persist in bringin about an arguement?..Im half hispanic and i have the right to disagree...ive seen racisim first hand...so dont tell me i owe anybody anything... Peace..

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We can, and I'm not trying to start something with you Strato, but what are we agreeing to disagree on?

If we bordered with China, would the people in Arizona be any less interested in making sure the Chinese didn't sneak into their state? Doubtful. Would they be 'racists' then? I just don't see where Racism has anything to do with it.

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People being singled out for skin tone is not racial profiling?....i guess im just ****in confused here...let me tellyou ... My dad had to deal with frikin rednecks not wanting to serve him and he was born here.,..so dont tell me a damn thing about racism..pal...

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Sorry.. but i have a lot of history with this subject..i could tell you **** that would make your head spin...I should stay away from this thread...if i offended anyone im am truly sorry

Ray

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I've seen racism too, and I'm not half-hispanic. I swear on all that is holy I'm not trying to start WWII (and with you and I that's appropriate) with you Strato. I understand that racism exists, and I 'think' I understand how racism must make people feel - but even if I don't it doesn't change the Arizona law on bit.

The Arizona law isn't racist. It doesn't say "only Mexicans", and if it did I'd be screaming racism too. The fact that Mexicans make up 97% or more of the people immigrating into the United States through Arizona can't be helped, and trying to label their law 'racist' is unfounded. It is what it is. The Federal Law grants officials the right to stop any one, any where, at any time, and ask for proof of citizenship, unfortunately it isn't enforced. The Arizona law requires reasonable cause, and says nothing about a person's race being a pre-requisite.

You are right. You don't owe anyone here an explanation. It is your right to be of whatever opinion you choose, however if you're going to bring the "R" word to the table you should be interested in explaining why - or at least I think you should - to others interested in the topic, why you feel that way.

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Tell me then, who's being singled out?