Turbo, I am not trying to hurt AZ, just warn people about an unconstitutional political power grab at the state level that hurts all Americans. This may help explain the protest:

"The danger posed by laws such as Arizona's is not really that it will be used as a bludgeon against Arizona's Hispanic residents, whether citizens, legal immigrants, or illegal aliens. We can all recognize the issue there: aggressive harassment of non-white Arizonians. Some people find this unpleasant, some are enthusiastic about it. Some of the enthusiasts are racists and xenophobes, others honestly believe that illegal immigration is such a problem that the ends justify the means.

What is more alarming is the concept that in the name of fighting illegal immigration, a law like Arizona's is passed which infringes on the rights of every American. A law that provides law enforcement with a pretext to pull over anyone they find suspicious, and to detain them in the name of verifying their identity.

The Arizona law, for example, provides that law enforcement will verify the detainee's immigration status with federal authorities. However, it does not specify a time frame in which this verification process must take place. The seeming protection of rights actually becomes a mechanism of oppression itself.

Imagine this scenario: You are a 2nd generation German-American living outside Tucson. You moved there recently and don't know your neighbors particularly well. Your father immigrated to the United States about 30 years ago and, after years as a lawful permanent resident, became a citizen a few years ago. Your cousins from Frankfurt are visiting and they've been chatting loudly in your yard. A cruiser pulls up, lights flashing. The cop is friendly but stern. Apparently someone called in to report possible illegals. Your cousins produce their passports. When your father comes out of the house, the cop asks to see his id. In his still accented English, your father explains that his documents are still enroute from Texas, where you previously lived. More police cars arrive. The neighbors are staring. You wonder which one of them called the police. After a hasty huddle, the cops ask your father to come down to the station so they can verify his identity.

What happens next? Maybe your father remembers his social security number. Maybe that's not good enough. (Remember, the Arizona law doesn't specify how you can prove your identity.) Maybe the cops need a passport. Maybe they keep him in a holding cell for two days. Maybe he misses an important meeting. Maybe he gets out right away..."

It's up to us to keep America great, and the land of the free... Joe

...more:

"Within Arizona, opponents of the bill are making their voices heard. The sheriff of Pima, Az. has said he will refuse to enforce a law he calls "irresponsible." U.S. Representative Raul Grijalva of Arizona called for an economic boycott of his own state. The city councils of Tucson, Flagstaff, and San Luis voted to sue the state over the law; the mayor of Phoenix would like to do the same, but is being blocked by the city council. Police officers from Phoenix and Tucson have also filed suit, requesting that local police be exempt from enforcing what they consider an unconstitutional law."

...and from President Obama:

Pima651,

Early criticism of the S.B 1070 brought about last minute changes that made it less vague before Gov. Brewer signed it. A perfect example of how protest, political and public outcry can all help to inform our government. My hope is that this boycott will be brief, serving to more fully focus the details of the bill, or, perhaps re-write it before it gets implemented.

I have read the bill many times, here it is for all to see:

http://www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/2r/bills/sb1070s.pdf

I would like to see the Fed do its job and respond to the needs of the border states immediately, as its neglect created the need for Gov. Brewer to act on S.B. 1070 in the first place.

This is an open forum and I respect and consider all opinions posted here. Cheers to all who have displayed the courage to speak their minds.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

wvalentine,

For the record, I do not support illegal immigration or illegal immigrants.

President Obama and the US Attorney's office is challenging AZ and S.B.1070 precisely because it infringes on OUR civil rights, the rights of you and me and all citizens of the USA. AZ's own attorney general is against the bill. This boycott is a symbolic gesture to help focus people on the problem when local police are forced to get into the immigration business and how that infringes our basic rights as Americans. We want the Fed to help the border states with this serious problem right now.

Please read this few times so you fully understand my position.

Joe

Thanks to all for the Birthday wishes! I'd also like to wish the following 7/15/56 birthday boys and girls a Happy one too:

Actor Alex Karras (Webster) is 75. Actor Ken Kercheval (Dallas) is 75. Actor Patrick Wayne is 71. Actor Jan-Michael Vincent is 66. R&B singer Millie Jackson is 66. Guitarist-singer Peter Lewis of Moby Grape is 65. Singer Linda Ronstadt is 64. Drummer Artimus Pyle (Lynyrd Skynyrd) is 62. Drummer Marky Ramone (The Ramones) is 54. Actor Willie Aames is 50. Model Kim Alexis is 50. Actress Lolita Davidovich is 49. Actor-director Forest Whitaker is 49. Actress Brigitte Nielsen is 47. Drummer Jason Bonham is 44. Actor Kristoff St. John (The Young and the Restless) is 44. Singer Stokley of Mint Condition is 43. Actor-comedian Eddie Griffin (Malcolm and Eddie) is 42. Bassist Chi Cheng of Deftones is 40. Drummer John Dolmayan of System of a Down and of Scars on Broadway is 38. Actor Scott Foley is 38. Rapper Jim Jones is 34. Actress Lana Parrilla (Swingtown) is 33. Guitarist Ray Toro of My Chemical Romance is 33. Singer Kia Thornton of Divine is 29.

I took a look at the set list requests from all of you, and found some surprises in there. The list starts with the most requested:

ALWAYS WITH ME, ALWAYS WITH YOU

FLYING IN A BLUE DREAM

SATCH BOOGIE

SURFING WITH THE ALIEN

SUMMER SONG

COOL #9

CRYSTAL PLANET

CIRCLES

BORG SEX

FRIENDS

ICE 9

CRUSHING DAY

CEREMONY

DEVIL'S SLIDE

BIG BAD MOON

UNTIL WE SAY GOODBYE

LOVE THING

THE CRUSH OF LOVE

CRYIN'

WAR

RUBINA

It's a beautiful day in Mexico City. The last two shows here were amazing, we love the fans here in Mexico! It was a great way to end this leg of the Wormhole Tour. Love and thanks to all our fans around the world for making this a fantastic tour. We couldn't have done it without you, our great crew and production friends. Special thanks to Raquel and family for the on-stage space-alien invasion last night... I'll keep the mask in a safe place...

After a few days to recover, I will hit the studio with my Chickenfoot buddies and get going on the second record. Wish us luck!