Oil Spills, Immigration, and other stuff

So, within the last three weeks, there has been possibly the worst environmental disaster the US has ever seen, and a new draconian law has been signed by Arizona's governor to try to stem the tide of illegal immigrants coming across their border with Mexico. That's why the Chinese think that the phrase "May you live in interesting times" is a curse.

I find it odd that not even a month after President Obama lifted the ban of off-shore drilling, a rig exploded. I don't think that he was in any way responsible, but after touting their advanced technology and safety, eleven people die and a ton of oil leaks out into the Gulf of Mexico. It sucks, but it goes without saying that getting non-renewable sources of energy has risks. BP, the company that was leasing the rig said that they would pay for the cleanup, but they haven't even contained the oil. People's lives are being put in jeopardy because of the inaction and inability of BP, let's just hope they don't try to spin the American people.

As for the immigration bill, I find it funny that lawmakers that are elected to the House and the Senate are quick to blame the federal government, which they are a part of of neglecting the responsibility that Federal officials have of securing the borders. That must mean that they are dropping the ball, and that political expediency would make you consider some reform. So, the bill basically says that a police officer is obliged to pull over anyone if the officer suspects them to be an illegal immigrant. Also, if a legal immigrant or a citizen is pulled over and not able to prove their status, they face six months in prison and a $1000 fine. I have read the bill, and it specifically says:

B. FOR ANY LAWFUL CONTACT MADE BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL OR AGENCY
OF THIS STATE OR A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS
21STATE WHERE REASONABLE SUSPICION EXISTS THAT THE PERSON IS AN ALIEN WHO IS
22 UNLAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES, A REASONABLE ATTEMPT SHALL BE MADE,
23 WHEN PRACTICABLE, TO DETERMINE THE IMMIGRATION STATUS OF THE PERSON. THE
24 PERSON'S IMMIGRATION STATUS SHALL BE VERIFIED WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
25 PURSUANT TO 8 UNITED STATES CODE SECTION 1373(c).
26 C. IF AN ALIEN WHO IS UNLAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES IS
27 CONVICTED OF A VIOLATION OF STATE OR LOCAL LAW, ON DISCHARGE FROM
28 IMPRISONMENT OR ASSESSMENT OF ANY FINE THAT IS IMPOSED, THE ALIEN SHALL BE
29 TRANSFERRED IMMEDIATELY TO THE CUSTODY OF THE UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION AND
30 CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT OR THE UNITED STATES CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION.

Apparently, facing the problems that border states are facing and offering greater federal assistance makes too much sense, and they're going to bitch about how this is a bad time because of one reason or another. Next time I go to Yuma, I will make sure to bring all of my pieces of identification because there is a chance that some police officer may pull me over because I look like an illegal immigrant.