| Apparently Arizona's legislature didn't learn their | | | | reason. Sports are an escape from the negativity |
| lesson. For those that don't recall, Super Bowl | | | | that we all see in every-day news. Politics is the |
| XXVII was scheduled to be played in Arizona in | | | | worst. Politics by nature is divisive, is designed to |
| 1993 but the game was moved because of | | | | create argument and in action, creates animosity. |
| Arizona's controversial position on Martin Luther | | | | I watch and write about sports because I enjoy |
| King Junior's birthday. Every state in the union | | | | it. If something I believe or write about sports |
| besides Arizona and New Hampshire recognized | | | | creates friendly discussions with someone who |
| the slain civil rights leader's birthday as a holiday. | | | | has a different view than me then so be it. We |
| Arizona voters finally approved the holiday in 1992 | | | | can all agree to disagree and still be friendly about |
| but too late to stop the Super Bowl from being | | | | it. That isn't generally the case with politics. |
| moved and only after a tourist boycott crippled | | | | I won't even enter into my personal feelings on |
| the state's economy. | | | | this particular issue. I will say that I see the validity |
| Now Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has signed | | | | of both arguments. I also understand how this |
| into law an immigration bill which according to this | | | | particular issue has created so much controversy. |
| article on says: | | | | Living in California, I know first-hand that illegal |
| "Arizona's new law, slated to go into effect in July, | | | | immigration is a political hot-button issue right now. |
| requires immigrants to carry documents verifying | | | | I just don't think the debate should be broadcast |
| their immigration status. It also requires police | | | | or argued in the world of sports. |
| officers to question a person about his or her | | | | I get that baseball players, or athletes in general |
| immigration status after a "lawful stop" if there is | | | | and the people that represent them are also |
| "reasonable suspicion" that person may be illegally | | | | people with views, feelings and opinions. I don't |
| in the country." | | | | begrudge them for expressing those feelings.......on |
| Of course this has caused quite the stir nationally. | | | | the proper stage. Holding the fans hostage by |
| With the MLB All-Star game scheduled to be | | | | threatening to boycott the All-Star game in order |
| played in Phoenix next summer, calls for Major | | | | to illustrate their political platform is wrong. And |
| League Baseball to move the game out of | | | | yes, that is exactly what they would be doing. |
| Arizona have already been voiced. Senator Robert | | | | Think about it; I vote for Adrian Gonzalez, for |
| Menendez (D - New Jersey) has called for the | | | | example, to be the starting 1B in next year's |
| Major League Baseball Player's Union to officially | | | | All-Star game. If he wins but he boycotts the |
| boycott next year's game. The director of the | | | | game, how am I supposed to feel? As a fan, we |
| union, Michael Weiner, has already come out | | | | help pay the salaries of these players and when |
| publicly against the law. | | | | we make the effort to show our appreciation for |
| Chicago White Sox manager, Ozzie Guillen, has | | | | the player by voting for his All-Star candidacy, |
| said that he would decline an invitation to be part | | | | don't they owe us at least the courtesy of |
| of the AL coaching staff (though he probably | | | | appearing in the game health permitting? |
| wouldn't be chosen anyway given his squads start | | | | Save your protestations for later. March in a |
| this season). Players including Adrian Gonzalez of | | | | demonstration before or after the game. Sign as |
| the Padres, who is of Mexican descent, have | | | | many petitions or make as many public speeches |
| indicated they would at least consider not | | | | against the law as you want. That's all well and |
| participating in next summer's event unless this | | | | good with me. But let's keep sports separate |
| law is repealed. | | | | from politics. Just play the game, that's all I ask. |
| I try to keep my sports writing to sports for a | | | | |