Advertisement

No thanks for ACLU advisory

Share

Did you hear that the American Civil Liberties Union issued a “travel advisory” last week? Yep, ACLU offices in two dozen states felt it necessary to warn those traveling to Arizona that they may be subject to racial profiling.

This warning is no doubt in response to Arizona’s new law slated to take effect later this month. This is the one specifying that if you’re stopped there for another offense, and fail to come up with the requisite documentation proving you’re there legally, you know, like a drivers’ license or passport, they can check your immigration status so long as they don’t racially profile? By the way, this new rule mirrors federal law on the subject, but is far less rigid (the Feds can stop you anywhere, anytime and for any reason, or no reason, to ask for your “papers”).

So the ACLU worries that Arizona authorities might, and I stress might, use this law to unfairly racially profile. So they’re providing those planning to visit the Grand Canyon State with a warning, and pamphlets telling them what they’ll need to know if and when it happens.

Advertisement

Now, I don’t know about you, but I think this is a really good idea. The ACLU has moved far beyond such general warnings as “don’t run with scissors,” and “be sure to wear clean underwear, you might be in an accident.” In fact, I think the ACLU should expand its travel advisories to include those destinations where we absolutely know from past experience that you face danger if you proceed.

How about a travel advisory from the ACLU to those planning to visit Santa Ana? We know there’s a bunch of gnarly gang members there, and robberies, muggings and shootings are an everyday occurrence. Why not extend this advisory to include Watts and Compton and Inglewood and other L. A. cities where crime stemming from illegal immigration runs rampant? How about a sign on the 105 Freeway warning motorists that driving west on it to LAX might result in tragedy if a breakdown occurs near the corner of Florence and Normandie?

It appears that the ACLU has come to believe that it is now a part of the U.S. State Department. I wonder how many other warnings about events that might occur will be forthcoming from this organization. I personally can’t wait.

And in that same vein, I think it might be helpful for Jan Brewer, Arizona’s governor, to issue a response to the ACLU with a travel advisory of her own to those contemplating a visit to California. Something like, “Travel there at your peril: rampant unemployment, onerous taxation, delirious overspending, class warfare, redistribution of wealth, bureaucratic meddling, egregious lawsuit abuse and dysfunctional government awaits you. The weather’s nice, however,” might well do. What do you think?

Advertisement