Immigration law

So Arizona has passed an illegal immigration law, which is apparently similar to a federal law that has been on the books for several years. So if the federal law has been in existence for several years, why the uproar and boycotts now? Because there's finally a chance of it being enforced? I still have some reservations about the law as far as police abusing their power. But that is not because of a law, but rather the character of the police officer. If someone in the position of authority wants to abuse their power, they will do it regardless of whether or not they have a law in place to excuse their behavior. And I guess I'm still not sure why the Hispanic/Mexican community is so upset about being required to carry their documentation. The first thing the cops ask me for when they pull me over is my license. I'm required to carry it. So what's the big deal?

Now this morning I heard that the Seattle City Council wants to ban any travel by a city employee to Arizona as a part of the boycott. So does that mean that if a city employee wants to go see the Grand Canyon, or an NBA playoff game on their vacation that they can't do it? How is that any less of a civil rights violation than cops asking someone for proof that they are in this country legally?

I was talking to a friend of mine about my last post about the kids that got sent home because they were wearing T shirts depicting the American flag on Cinco de Mayo. Her comment was that they do ban wearing hats and bandannas and certain colors if it can incite violence. She also stated that she could understand why the Hispanics would feel like it was a slap in the face for the students to wear the American flag on that particular day. So I asked her if she saw someone wearing a Cinco de Mayo T shirt or a Mexican flag T shirt on the 4th of July, if she would feel offended. She said no. I asked her what the difference is. She couldn't tell me.

Why is it that so many people seem to feel that if I don't agree with your views, or share the same religion that it means that I'm somehow trying to take something away from you, or that I'm trying to offend you? Is it insecurity? Is it some need to fit in somewhere? Now most of you know that especially since 9/11, I feel uneasy when I see someone wearing Muslim garb. But while it makes me uneasy, and it's not a religion that I totally understand (and maybe if I did, my unease would lessen) I would never assume that I had the right to try to make them not wear it. They are entitled to their religious views, just like I'm allowed to mine. Is pride for one's country any different? And I still have no idea how anyone could justify using violence to get their point of view across, or rationalize that hurting or killing someone with a different outlook is in any way acceptable.

It's a huge world full of diverse people. We will never (I hope)all see things in the exact same way. That's part of what makes the world and people interesting. I guess my hope would be that we would be able to look past our differences and see everything that makes us all human.