After reading the Aug. 31 editorial, "The immigration follies," I am wondering just how intelligent and deep thinking was done prior to writing this editorial by those who I have always considered fairly intelligent. It seems the paper is on the band wagon with those who are screaming about racial profiling. At least Mr. Sandstrom is putting out some ideas that will help the immigration problem.
These illegal immigrants are breaking the law! Is there something about his that the paper doesn't understand?
I applaud Arizona for its efforts, primarily because it took action, even if some think it was a little extreme. I'm not sure it is extreme since the people in Mexico have yet to get the message. That message is "Get here the legal way." It is very easy for people to sit behind a desk and criticize those who are trying to get some kind of program in the works to make the illegals realize they cannot live here unless they get here through the proper channenels, period!
I do not care if a police officer stops me for a traffic violation and wants me to verify my citizenship or anything else. Why? Because I'm legal.
During my Navy career, I was once arrested in Mexico for a traffic violation, and detained for six hours while they confirmed my credentials. They had every right to do so. I was not a Mexican citizen.
If a person is stopped by any law enforcement officer and cannot speak English, he could be an illegal. What would any normal person suspect? And if the officer asks him for something to prove he is a U.S. citizen, is that racial profiling?
If that person somehow proves he is living here legally, then what has it cost him but a few minutes of his time? Normally, if a person gets stopped, has a driving license and cannot speak English, he is more disturbing to me is that those living in the U.s.illegally are not paying any taxes and they are receiving free services that I am paying for in addition to paying for my own.
Clell Buchanan
Sunset
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