I wonder when the Arizona State legislature will change the state nickname from "The Grand Canyon State" to "The Orly Taitz State"?
The Arizona House on Monday voted for a provision that would require President Barack Obama to show his birth certificate if he hopes to be on the state’s ballot when he runs for reelection. The House voted 31-22 to add the provision to a separate bill. The measure still faces a formal vote.
It would require U.S. presidential candidates who want to appear on the ballot in Arizona to submit documents proving they meet the constitutional requirements to be president. Phoenix Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema said the bill is one of several measures that are making Arizona "the laughing stock of the nation." Mesa Republican Rep. Cecil Ash said he has no reason to doubt Obama’s citizenship but supports the measure because it could help end doubt.
thinkprogress.org
Seriously, how can America survive when the majority of entire State Legislatures are this stupid?
More FAIL below the fold
For even more mavericky Arizona FAIL check out alpolitics' diary McCain Hopes New Law Doesn't Lead to Racial Profiling - on this same subject, which Rachel Maddow tonight described as the most "retro-gressive, mean spirited" law in a looong time.
Did the Arizona State bird just become the Orly Owl or what?
Arizona legislature demands immigrants and President of the United States verify their status.
Just a few days after Arizona lawmakers passed an immigration law that will essentially require anyone who is or looks like an immigrant to carry their proof of residency at all times, the Arizona House voted for a provision that would require President Barack Obama to show his birth certificate and prove his own citizenship status.
thinkprogress.org
Yes, looking like an immigrant is about to become a potentially criminal act in Arizona, a state that ironically prides itself on it's libertarian streak that defends civil liberties, or something. I guess that only counts if you don't look wrong.
As upcoming Immigration reform reaches Congress we may have just been given a sneak peek at the GOP's stance on the issue, which sounds like "Deport everyone AND Obama"
And yes, the state that wishes to privatize its' prisons, where there is a profit motive to send people to jail, just found a new reason to do so. The sad thing is that the same idiots who are holding up Obama=Hitler signs just enacted a law similar to the kind Nazi Germany had, one where people must produce documentation on demand or face jail time.
Advocates are urging Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ) to veto the measure. On the Rachel Maddow Show last night, current Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary and former governor of Arizona, Janet Napolitano, provided insight into why she choose veto at least two similar bills during her term as governor:
MADDOW: Your home state of Arizona this week has passed a very very strong anti-immigration bill. I think of it as the papers please bill. It compels police officers to demand papers from anyone they reasonably suspect of being an illegal immigrant. It’s now a misdemeanor to not carry your immigration paperwork with you at all times in Arizona. Didn’t you veto something like that when you were governor there?
NAPOLITANO: I think I vetoed things like that at least twice. And I did because first of all, immigration is primarily federal — not exclusively, but primarily federal. But, secondly, it doesn’t allow law enforcement to focus on where law enforcement needs to focus and to prioritize the way law enforcement needs the ability to prioritize for the protection of the public safety. There were other reasons as well. But it was no surprise to me when I was governor of Arizona that by and large, law enforcement — the men and women who are in charge of protecting public safety — oppose legislation like that.
wonkroom.thinkprogress.org
Not only is this a stupid, discriminatory bill, it is very likely unconstitutional because it conflicts with law enforcement duties assigned to the Federal Government. You would think that at least one or two people in the entire Arizona state GOP would know basic stuff about the US Constitution, wouldn't you? But no, basic facts mean jack squat to these people, because facts do not count when you are a Republican. As Ronald Reagan once said, "Facts are stupid things", and we all know you don't become a Republican saint without being a blithering idiot. (Example. 1/2 term Gov. Sarah Palin)
Maybe we can come to a bipartisan deal where Obama shows his long form birth certificate, but in exchange every GOP politician in America has to take a high school civics test and show us their scores?
So congratulations, Arizona! You are now in the early running for the "Dumbest State of the Year" award! And considering your competition in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Alaska, that is quite an accomplishment.
The FAIL is strong in these ones.
If you REALLY want to have fun at Arizona's expense,donate to Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Rodney Glassman with ActBlue and help take down Wingnut Not a Maverick Senator John McCain.
You can follow me on Twitter @JesseLaGreca
Crossposted at ProgressiveElectorate.com
