FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
What is up with Arizona? Within a matter of days, state lawmakers have passed two controversial measures that are sparking a national debate.
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/04/22/art.mccain.jpg caption="Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)"]
First - there's the so-called birther bill, which passed the Arizona house. It's meant to clarify the birthplace of a potential president - and would require Pres. Obama to show his birth certificate in order to be on Arizona's ballot if he runs for re-election in 2012. The same would go for any candidate who hopes to be on the state's ballot.
This all goes back to the "birther" movement... and those conspiracy theories about the Hawaiian-born Mr. Obama. There were also questions during the 2008 presidential campaign about Arizona's own Sen. John McCain - he was born in the Panama Canal Zone, which was considered a U.S. territory in 1936, at the time of his birth.
Democrats in Arizona are blasting the birther bill... along with a tough immigration measure that's now sitting on the governor's desk - and is likely to wind up in court if she signs it into law.
As we reported in the Cafferty File - the Arizona Senate passed the immigration bill earlier this week. It would allow police to arrest people who can't prove they're in the country legally. Police in this country traditionally don't stop people for no reason and ask "to see their papers."
Critics say these two measures taken together are turning Arizona into "the laughingstock of the nation." It's a title that used to belong to Florida.
Even a former Bush press secretary is critical... Dana Perino says although stronger enforcement is needed when it comes to illegal immigration, this measure goes too far... and she says the so-called birther measure should be rescinded.
Here’s my question to you: What is Arizona thinking?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Earl writes:
Arizona politicians are bending over backward to satisfy the fringe. John McCain has been a leader in this, if nothing else.
Perry in Iowa writes:
It seems that they are tired of the federal government not protecting our borders and allowing illegals to run this nation into the poor house.
Cammie writes:
What are they thinking? The same thing when they thought that Arizona should not honor Martin Luther King Day as a Federal National Holiday. You do the math.
Aughra in Phoenix writes:
Please don't paint us all with this brush. This is the work of a few (rabid) representatives from the most conservative communities in the state. And apparently everyone else has gone on vacation, because my representative is strangely silent. Immigration must be a federal priority…. Heaven only knows what desert rat spawned the birther bill.
John writes:
They're simply losers who can't stand to have a black president, and also are really angry with the increasing Hispanic population, which tends to vote Democratic.
Cynthia writes:
We've never had this bad a situation in our country before. Let Arizona take a stand.
John writes:
Come on, Jack. Haven't you seen the bumper sticker: "Vote Republican. It's easier than thinking." To answer your question: They weren't thinking at all; they seldom do.
Ed in California writes:
Arizona is thinking of its legal and law-abiding citizens.
Gord in New Jersey writes:
I didn't think it was possible to make Texas look sophisticated.
Evian in Austin writes:
What is Arizona thinking? That if Portland wins tonight, the Suns are toast.