Yesterday I was listening to CSPAN on my way to the office.  Donald Kerwan of the National Migration Institute was on discussing the Arizona Immigration Law and why it sucks.  (The program isn’t actually loaded on the page yet, and to be honest, I didn’t hear all of the program so I am reporting only a small portion) Okay, he wasn’t saying it sucks.  In fact, he was being really professional and never once used the words ‘stupid’ or ‘sucks’ or even ‘racist’ during the entire broadcast.  Instead, he focused on the issues with the law such as venturing into territory already covered by federal law and in some cases increasing restrictions in contravention of already established federal law; problems with implementation of the law by local law enforcement; and why just fashioning a law after one that doesn’t work is not the answer. (Hey Mr. Kerwan, I want credit.   I already said that.)  I listened and was impressed with his ability to not call people morons.

So, CSPAN has three lines you can call in on, Democrat, independent and republican.  If they hadn’t announced which line was being answered, I would have no idea who was what since they all sounded the same.  Contrary to my desire to believe otherwise, most of the callers I heard agreed with the law and had varying opinions on how it could be strengthened with even more restrictions on immigration.

Hint: Before you go on national radio and say dumb things, check your facts.  I am assuming you have access to google.  Look it up.  If you don’t have a computer, then you probably still have Encyclopedia’s.  Open them.

Everyone in this country truly believes they are entitled to not only have an opinion, but to espouse it whenever there is an opportunity.  This is a country where you can’t piss on your own front lawn, but you can say whatever idiotic thing comes to mind and call it an ‘opinion’ and everyone nods their head and says “right, you are entittled to that.”  It is this belief that has contributed to the dumbing down of America.  An opinion doesn’t have to be based on fact or logic, just on how you feel at the time.  It can be based on nothing at all.  If you start a sentence with “I think. . . ” then no one can argue with you, right? Here’s my opinion – when you say “I think. . .” and follow it up with just pure nonesense, you forever forfeit your right to have an opinion.

Television shows, radio, blogs, twitter.  Folks have an endless variety of options for getting their views out there.  I, myself, have used this blog for years to just say whatever I wanted whenever I want.  You don’t have to read it if you don’t like it (but how can you not like me, I’m so sweet?) and I could change the channel if I wanted.  It’s part of living in an ostensibly free country that gives people all sorts of leeway in some stuff they say.

I, personally, try to avoid taking up subjects about which I have nary a clue, like tax law, or the price of tea in China.  If I don’t know something, and it interests me, I’ll look it up, try to find out what I can about it, but probably would not engage in debate, at least not publicly.  I don’t analyze the law on this blog, nor do I tell people how to try cases although I am probably qualified to do both.  Perhaps I play it bit safe here, but I’d rather not open myself up to public ridicule if I am truly out of my depth.

I wish more people felt that way.  It’s like hearing the voice of God —  a talk show on the Arizona immigration law?  Well, I have an opinion about that!  It’s not based on anything that applies in reality, but in my head I have all sorts of thoughts.  And, you know, they are asking for them so I have a duty to provide them with the thoughts that are in my head.

So, CSPAN.  Right.  A woman calls in (on the democratic line) and says “If someone is here illegally, then I think that person’s children who are born in the United States should not be citizens. Why are they allowed to be citizens?”  Dear, sweet white person, presumably born to United States Citizen parents, or at least lawful residents, it is a shame you ask such a question.  If a person is born here they are a citizen because our constitution says so.  You are a most likely a citizen for the same reason that the illegal immigrant’s child is.  The 14th Amendment to our constitution.  You know, that document that is the foundation of our country.  Thank God you are a citizen by birth because you would fail the civics test if you had to take it.

Why should this woman not have called in?  Let’s analyze:  First, we can agree this is her opinion.  We can agree that the opinion is just a feeling she has about people born to undocumented immigrants.  It clearly doesn’t mean anything unless she is calling for the country to repeal the 14th amendment.  She might as well have said “slippery gibbets grow purple rain grass.”  It means nothing.  It is a total waste of time.  Because she isn’t calling for the repeal.  She doesn’t even know about the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  Why did she get on the air?  What value does her opinion give to the world?  None.  But others who hold this same opinion feel validated.   And that’s all it is, just a way to let people know hey there are others who feel the same way you do.  You aren’t alone in your dumb thoughts!

The immigration debate wages on.  The real answer, Comprehensive Immigration Reform, if viewed as distasteful because it gives ‘amnesty’ to those who have broken the law and entered or stayed here without any lawful status.  In the meantime, the folks who have stupid stuff to say need to understand that all anyone wants is the ability to come here, get on the radio, and say stupid stuff too.  Truth, justice, and the stupid American way.