Brewer Finger Pointing At President Obama Is Deeply Disturbing And Offensive

Gov. Jan Brewer, of Arizona, confronts President Obama and points her
finger right in his face as a show of disrespect to the president of the
United States of America.

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer took political disrespect to a new level (a level far beyond mere politics) with her finger-pointing confrontation with President Barack Obama.

If you can't see the racial angle here, then you're blind.

Anyway, the now infamous photo of Gov. Brewer pointing toward the president of the United States with her finger has created some deep and troubling feelings about how some people view Barack Obama (and how some people will always view him as Barack Obama and never accept him as President Obama ... to some degree for racial reasons).

Gov. Brewer's blatant disrespect of President Obama could (and should) bring together all who support the president and minorities who have been treated in a condescending manner or in a manner that is highly disrespectful by people who do not see them as on their level.

This is a lessons that no matter how much status you may have or think you have ... there are still some who will see you as beneath them because of what you are to them and not what you made of yourself.

The message is a relative of people like some on the far right referring to him as a food stamp president. The idea is to make Barack Obama seem more black than ever and not on the same level as others. The food stamp issue seems to be a way of reminding the lowest common denominator that President Obama is as black as he ever was ... and especially now that it is an election year.

This diss of President Obama will not be soon forgotten.

Powerful Words From Keith Olbermann

This is strong stuff in an increasingly toxic environment in our country.

Sarah Palin's Interest In Barack Obama's Balls

Former half-term Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, currently working with her public relations firm (Fox News), had some interesting comments directed at President Obama.

This is from an article posted at Huffington Post in which Palin expresses opinions about the president's balls:

Sarah Palin says President Obama doesn't have "the cojones" to effectively address the issue of illegal immigration.

The ex-Alaska Governor fired the shot by drawing a comparison between the president and Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) in an appearance on "Fox News Sunday" over the weekend.

"Jan Brewer has the cojones that our President does not have," Palin said. "If our own president will not enforce a federal law, more power to Jan Brewer."

She likes Brewer's balls more than Obama's balls.

Gov. Palin, with all due respect, get off his jock.

If Gov. Palin, a tea bagger hero, spent as much time studying up on her facts (instead of writing down notes and writing on her hand) as she does worrying about the president's balls, perhaps she would be better respected.

Interestingly enough, Palin and the Rev. Jesse Jackson have something in common. At one point, both had comments about the president's balls.

Losing Their Heads: Fearmongering Republicans Damage Arizona On Their Own

Conservatives have been whining about the protests taking place in Arizona as a result of the ill-conceived SB-1070 (in essence a license to racially profile people of Latin American descent disguised as a method for combating "illegal immigration" in the state).

But, for as much as those on the right complain about the protests, some right wingers within the state of Arizona are doing more damage to hurt their state.

This is a small piece of what Republican Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer had to say as she was quoted in the Arizona Guardian.

Appearing on a local television show Sunday morning, Gov. Jan Brewer described how bad Arizona's illegal immigration problem has gotten.

"Our law enforcement agencies have found bodies in the desert either buried or just lying out there that have been beheaded," she said.

Doesn't that make you want to visit Arizona (as a note: Gov. Brewer's assertions have been strongly disputed by law enforcement officials)?

People who defend Jan Brewer generally will condemn liberals (who oppose this law) for demonizing Arizona. It seems Gov. Brewer is doing more to demonize Arizona than anyone else ever could if it was their sole objective in life.

The governor is talking about dead bodies buried or lying out and bodies that have been beheaded. With friends like this Arizona hardly needs protesters.

This is from Republican Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl as quoted by Think Progress:

Today, when pressed by guest anchor Harry Smith on CBS’ Face the Nation, SB-1070 supporter Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) called the reports a “gross generalization”:

SMITH: One of the things that’s come to light over the past last couple weeks is that in some of these border towns that were thought to be susceptible to lawbreaking of illegal immigrants. Crime is actually down. Crime in Phoenix for instance is down significantly over the past couple of years.

KYL: Well, that’s a gross generalization. Property crimes are up, certain violent crimes on certain parts of the citizenry are up. Phoenix is a very large source of kidnapping. It’s called the kidnapping capital of the United States…So there’s a great deal of violence and crime associated with illegal immigrants.

Sen . Kyl seems a little overly excited to talk about crime being up and hailing Phoenix as the "kidnapping capital of the United States." Is this going to be a promotional tactic of a convention and visitor bureau in Phoenix ... Come to Phoenix and you too can be kidnapped? (Note: Sen. Kyl's assertions are strongly disputed).

Gov. Brewer and Sen. Kyl are going out of their way to make Arizona look like a frightening place with beheadings, dead bodies lying around, drugs, property crimes going up and violent crimes going up, Phoenix being the kidnapping capital of the United States, etc.

Major League Baseball Must Take Lead Against Dangerous Arizona Immigration Law

San Diego Padres star Adrian Gonzalez and Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen have been among the most outspoken Major League Baseball critics of Arizona's draconian anti-immigration law that opens the door to legalized racial profiling against people of Latin American descent. It is a good start to have high-profile baseball people such as Gonzalez and Guillen taking strong stands against this reckless legislation, but that is all it is - a good start. In the time since Republican Gov. Jan Brewer signed this garbage into law (April 23), and it was adjusted (though not nearly enough), an increasing number of people have expressed outrage and disappointment.

It also is heartening to hear that the MLB Players Association also has come out and strongly condemned this law in the state of Arizona that is xenophobia at its worst.

New York, NY, Friday, April 30, 2010 … The following statement was issued today by Major League Baseball Players Association Executive Director Michael Weiner regarding the immigration law recently passed by the state of Arizona.

“The recent passage by Arizona of a new immigration law could have a negative impact on hundreds of Major League players who are citizens of countries other than the United States. These international players are very much a part of our national pastime and are important members of our Association. Their contributions to our sport have been invaluable, and their exploits have been witnessed, enjoyed and applauded by millions of Americans. All of them, as well as the Clubs for whom they play, have gone to great lengths to ensure full compliance with federal immigration law.

“The impact of the bill signed into law in Arizona last Friday is not limited to the players on one team. The international players on the Diamondbacks work and, with their families, reside in Arizona from April through September or October. In addition, during the season, hundreds of international players on opposing Major League teams travel to Arizona to play the Diamondbacks. And, the spring training homes of half of the 30 Major League teams are now in Arizona. All of these players, as well as their families, could be adversely affected, even though their presence in the United States is legal. Each of them must be ready to prove, at any time, his identity and the legality of his being in Arizona to any state or local official with suspicion of his immigration status. This law also may affect players who are U.S. citizens but are suspected by law enforcement of being of foreign descent.

“The Major League Baseball Players Association opposes this law as written. We hope that the law is repealed or modified promptly. If the current law goes into effect, the MLBPA will consider additional steps necessary to protect the rights and interests of our members.

“My statement reflects the institutional position of the Union. It was arrived at after consultation with our members and after consideration of their various views on this controversial subject.”

First, a brief snapshot of the law from AllGov.com:

Count professional baseball players and their union among the growing chorus speaking out against Arizona’s new immigration law. The law, which will require anyone stopped by law enforcement on suspicion of being an illegal immigrant to show proof of legal status or citizenship, has been criticized by numerous Major League Baseball (MLB) players of Hispanic origin, who make up nearly 28% of the players on MLB teams.

This is an unjust law that people must stand up against. Here is what Gonzalez had to say to MLB FanHouse:

"I'll support the Players Association 100 percent," said Gonzalez, who grew up in both Tijuana and a suburb south of San Diego. "If they leave it up to the players and the law is still there, I'll probably not play in the All-Star Game. Because it's a discriminating law.

"I know it can't be done, but they should take spring training out of (Arizona) if it's possible."

Gonzalez is to be commended for his courage and leadership in standing up to this unjust law Arizona is trying to impose in what is fast becoming a police state that is hostile to people of Latin American descent. He could easily stay quiet, count his money and not rock the boat. The same can be said for Guillen, who insists he will not participate in the 2011 MLB All-Star Game that is scheduled to be played in Arizona.

Guillen said this as quoted by the New York Post:

"I’m not going. I have to support my people, people I believe in. If those people were bad people, hell no I wouldn’t support them; but they’re good people," Guillen said. "I’m very proud to be a [U.S.] citizen, but meanwhile I ask, "Wow, why did this happen?’ We didn’t do anything wrong here. We support this county and this country supports us. That’s why I’m confused about this thing.

"As a coach, no [I won’t go]. As a player it’s a different thing. If the commissioner wants to play the All-Star game in Arizona, we have to show up. As a coach, I’m not going. They don’t need me. The show’s going on without me."

Here is what Guillen added (rather strongly) in the New York Daily News:

"Most (immigrants) are workaholics," Guillen said. "This country can't survive without (them). I'm sorry but a lot of people from this country are very lazy. We aren't. A lot of people from this country want to be on the computer and sending e-mail to people. We do the hard work. We're the ones who have to go out and work in the sun all day long."

This law is foul and targets a specific group of people. It is unjust and immoral and people must speak out against it.

MLB can make a huge difference that extends well beyond the baseball field. Those who are involved in MLB can take another big step toward disproving the myth that athletes are dispassionate people who only care about sports and making money. This is an important cause and our professional athletes and those involved in professional sports can lead the fight for justice on an issue that is far too crucial to be ignored.