Harper's has a cover story this month that's really a treat, by the great Ken Silverstein: "Tea party in the Sonora: For the future of G.O.P. governance, look to Arizona". Worth picking up if this is your thing. Print only, but I think I can type out a choice passage:

"The general unsightliness of the capitol makes it a fitting home for today's legislature, which is composed almost entirely of dimwits, racists, and cranks."

Yeah, but it's legal to carry a gun in Arizona, so I'm all set.

I love the way the irrational right paints itself into an ever shrinking corner. Same as it's always been.

Or you could just avoid it because its a shitty place.

Yep, this is the precise justification for the bullshit law used by my Arizona-based Republican relatives. "It can't be racial profiling if they're all criminals!"

Gee the state law only mirrors pre-existing federal law. Fucken read it, it does not allow to check citizenship based on race, citizen ship can only be confirmed after being stopped for a crime.

Uh, while I think the law is not ok, a lot of border states have serious issues with gang violence coming up from the border. Have you -seen- mexico lately? It's like Mad Max in a sombrero. I can understand the need for more border security, even if this particular law goes too far.

Racism is surely a factor, yes. But just look at Laredo, Texas, and you can see why people are a bit skittish near the border.

Also, anyone who acts like a walking stereotype should be treated as such. I -do- approve of laws saying if you have visible gang tattoos, are decked out in gang colors, are throwing gang signs, etc, then the cops can stop and search you. Don't be a thug and you won't get treated like one, ya know?

@10: In certain "safe zones", usually around schools, representing or recruiting for a gang is illegal in some areas, I think.
Remember, if these laws are made too general, though, it'll turn into real and/or perceived harassment by the po-po.

Police in Arizona still have to have probable cause to make any stop before they can ask about immigration status.

Read the law, liberals!

The original law was that a police officer could stop anyone who 'looked illegal', but was changed soon after to what it is now because people across the country were foaming at the mouth. Ya'll don't have to be insulting in stating the facts.

I've always wanted to visit the Grand Canyon. I don't know if this law would stop me, but it makes me reconsider when comparing to other places I could go. I'd rather not reward racist attitudes, and it's apparent to me that the state is a little more coo coo for KKK than they'd like to admit.

took the kids to scottsdale a couple years ago. the lowell observatory. grand canyon. had a grand time. they'd be delighted to go back. i wont.

this year, we'll be going to palm springs and joshua tree instead.

The Unitarian Universalist Church is considering the boycott. I hope that they go along with it:

http://www.uuworld.org/news/articles/162…

Boycotts don't work as well when some folks do and some don't.

#12, probable cause, such as not using your turn signal while changing lanes combined while driving while not white. THAT is probable cause in my beautiful state these idiot asshole politicians are doing their very best to make lily white.

AZ government is a joke and has been for the the 25 years I've lived here. The pukes in Phoenix just aren't happy unless the late night comics can make all kinds of jokes about us.

Depressing as hell.

Republican recipe for success:
1 Spread fear and lies, cultivate theocracy and 'patriotism'
2 Increase volume and frequency of said lies
3 Go to step 1

@12: So? If there's a roadblock set up, for whatever reason, the police can pick out any drivers who pass who look like they might be an illegal immigrant. And if they do, they are forced to HOLD THEM IN PRISON until the Federal government verifies their status. That's allowing for warrantless searches in absence of probable cause. That's a violation of the Fourth Amendment. Don't try and pretend that this law is just or right.
TL;DR version: http://images.encyclopediadramatica.com/…

13, go to the grand canyon. you'll love it. northern arizona can't be beat. of course, most idiots still think that arizona is nothing but desert and cactus. nevermind that flagstaff gets 120 inches of snow a year.

I lived in Tempe, AZ, for 6 years (1997-2003). Moving there was like going back in time 20+ years re: human rights. There are only two things I miss from there: the fresh-picked fresh citrus February-April and the clear night skies, neither of which are worth the pervasive backward attitude.

BTW, without the Latinos, AZ's economy will fully collapse because the gringos are not going to do the yard work, trash collection, and roofing in summer. Speaking of the latter, I expect the cost of houses to sky-rocket since builders will have to begin paying a living wage when there are no illegals.

If you were considering n az this year, try Taos and the sangre de cristos instead. The rio grande gorge makes for a good day hike, and hot springs abound (try ojo caliente for a low-cost sulfur spring dip & mud wrap).

Come to Colorado!

Um... because... we have lots of mountains! And skiing!

And the weirdest airport in the world!

And UFOs too!

This whole thing is stupid from every angle;
conservative apologists, the reason that so many people are crying racism here is because white Arizonans are really fucking racist, not all of them, but enough that it's a problem. And I know that the law says probable clause, blah blah blah... but seriously, were you born yesterday? do you really think that racial profiling isn't a problem nationwide? Do you really believe that cops won't use any possible reason to justify pulling someone over? do you have any knowledge of past police/sheriff forays into immigration enforcement in Arizona? Have you ever even heard of Joe Arpaio? Is that the kind of shit you want to defend?
Liberals, so... that's great that you care and all but a boycott of Arizona is just fucking stupid. If you honestly care about the quality of life experience for Latinos here in America how is boycotting a state with one of the largest Latino populations going to help? fucking newsflash!: Latinos are real people just like white libs, although there are Latinos who do "yard work, trash collection, and roofing in summer" believe it or not there are Latinos who also own businesses, work in sales, work in the tourism industry, or have other, y'know, "people jobs" which are already kinda fucked and hanging by a string due to the recession. So yeah, go ahead, show your solidarity with Arizona's Latino population and support a blanket boycott of the state, you fucking geniuses.
But mostly you all should just shut the fuck up because you're all talkin' a bunch of shit about shit you don't know shit about.

Dan (and all of the NW SLOG readers/posters), I recommend that you spend a few months in Los Angeles, Tucson, Phoenix or El Paso. You will see the imminent future of the United States, and it is not pretty. Poverty, low educational levels, the unavailability of jobs/opportunities, the lack of basic health care and a modern urban youth culture that glorifies violence, apathy and drug use. This is not a latino-hispanic thing. It applies to whites, blacks, latinos and asians alike and it is creeping across the country.

Seattle residents have the drug use down pat. It's just a matter of time before you get the rest.

The quality of life index has been deteriorating over the last twenty years, so it is understandable why elderly white reactionaries are reacting. It is debatable whether their reactions are helpful or not.

Meanwhile, from one liberal white guy to another: sit snugly in your Seattle coffee shop and continue to rant.