Will PJ play Arizona in the current political climate?

Bentleyspop wrote:

2. who elected the thread police? were they empowered by the 10 club? by fellow fans? By the Arizona state govt? seriously...chill out and find something worthwhile to worry about

BF25394 wrote:

Powers20 wrote:You are right. Arizona shouldnt be allowed to deal with an illegal immigration problem that is crippling the state.

It's not crippling Arizona or any other state. Illegal immigration is a net positive economically. Illegal immigrants purchase goods and services, just like legal immigrants and citizens. Nor is illegal immigration a danger to public safety. Illegal immigrants commit crimes at a lower rate than citizens. (When contact with the police could lead to deportation, you tend to be circumspect about not violating the law.) Arizona's crime rate continues to decline, including in border counties, regardless of well-publicized examples to the contrary. For the record, illegal immigrants are not criminals simply by virtue of their presence. Being present in the U.S. illegally is a civil violation, not a criminal one. And it's the federal government's prerogative to enforce the immigration laws, not the state's-- and it's not like there isn't any enforcement. Hundreds of thousands of people are detained at the Arizona border every year by immigration authorities.

They should just deal with the people who enter the country illegally and not pay taxes.

Illegal immigrants pay taxes. They pay sales tax. They pay payroll tax. Many of them even pay income tax.

They are completely wrong for listening to the wishes of their citizens who have to deal with the thousands of illegals who are in their state.

A majority of citizens of Alabama and Mississippi had certain wishes with respect to the enforcement of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to protect the rights of blacks. I'm glad we didn't defer to their wishes. Equal protection is not contingent on majority rule.

The nerve of those people who actually go thru the legal process of entering the country legally, they should be ashamed of themselves.

You're being facetious, but no one has even remotely suggested or implied this sentiment.

I look at it this way. It's a good thing if people view America as a place of economic opportunity. Most of these people risked their lives to come here for that opportunity. Thousands have died trying. Most of those who tried did so because the situation in their home countries was absolutely desperate. They work hard at jobs that most Americans don't want. They make a positive contribution to American society, and they are being singled out and demonized in spite of it. There are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of illegal aliens in this country because they overstayed their visas, and there are countless others who sneaked in from Asian countries such as China and Korea, and even our neighbor to the north, Canada. None of these folks are the target of suspicion or hostility, even though they are every bit as illegal as the Mexicans whom the Arizona law clearly targets. Illegal immigration is a hot-button political issue, but it is not a serious problem.

MG79478 wrote:

BF25394 wrote:

Powers20 wrote:You are right. Arizona shouldnt be allowed to deal with an illegal immigration problem that is crippling the state.

It's not crippling Arizona or any other state. Illegal immigration is a net positive economically. Illegal immigrants purchase goods and services, just like legal immigrants and citizens. Nor is illegal immigration a danger to public safety. Illegal immigrants commit crimes at a lower rate than citizens. (When contact with the police could lead to deportation, you tend to be circumspect about not violating the law.) Arizona's crime rate continues to decline, including in border counties, regardless of well-publicized examples to the contrary. For the record, illegal immigrants are not criminals simply by virtue of their presence. Being present in the U.S. illegally is a civil violation, not a criminal one. And it's the federal government's prerogative to enforce the immigration laws, not the state's-- and it's not like there isn't any enforcement. Hundreds of thousands of people are detained at the Arizona border every year by immigration authorities.

Under Title 8 Section 1325 of the U.S. Code, "Improper Entry by Alien," any citizen of any country other than the United States who:

Enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers; or Eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers; or Attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact; has committed a federal crime.

MG79478 wrote:

Under Title 8 Section 1325 of the U.S. Code, "Improper Entry by Alien," any citizen of any country other than the United States who:

Enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers; or Eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers; or Attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact; has committed a federal crime.

Hey everyone, I have never used this avenue to get the word out about a social/political issue before, but I wanted to share an Op-Ed piece written by Charlie Levy at Stateside Presents regarding all of the misinformed bands that are boycotting us here in Arizona due to SB1070.

An Open Letter to All Artists Boycotting Arizona:
As a political activist and 15-year independent concert promoter in Arizona, I feel a deep obligation to speak out about the real world effects of artists boycotting the state in protest of SB 1070, the recent anti-immigration bill passed by the legislature and signed into law by our (unelected) Governor. While I respect the intentions of the artists protesting what they find to be an unjust law, the practical effect of the boycott is resulting in exactly the opposite of their good-willed intentions.

By not performing in Arizona, artists are harming the very people and places that foster free speech and the open exchange of ideas that serve to counter the closed-mindedness recently displayed by the new law. The people who will feel the negative effects of the boycott the deepest are local concert venues, including non-profit art house theatres, independent promoters, motivated fans, and the hundreds of people employed in the local music business. If the boycott continues, it is all but guaranteed that some of these venues will be forced to close their doors.

Think of it this way: What if otherwise outspoken and inspirational activists like Martin Luther King, Jr. had turned their backs on the State of Alabama and its citizens because they didn’t agree with the discriminatory practices of its government during the critical years of the civil rights movement? What would have happened if they had chosen to boycott Alabama rather than speak out, organize, and effect change?

We are faced with a similar situation in Arizona today. The legislators currently in office don’t care if outspoken artists boycott the state. The people responsible for SB 1070 don't want you here. They don't want your voices heard. And as a result of the boycott, they are the only ones who benefit. In effect, the decision to boycott is playing right into their hands.

As Curtis McCrary, the general manager of the non-profit Rialto Theatre in Tucson recently stated, “The individuals and organizations behind this bill are...more than likely delighted about the prospect of politically vocal artists canceling shows – silencing themselves rather than using the platform their status as artists gives them to speak out against SB 1070.”

The truth is, a boycott is an easy gesture that doesn’t require much more than a statement and removing a date from your tour schedule. However, if you truly care about the effects of the controversial immigration law that was passed, this is an opportunity to use your unique position as an artist with the ability to reach thousands of people to inspire, educate, and motivate your fans to actively be a part of the change.

I have felt and seen the effects of what artists can do to change peoples' lives individually and as a whole. In this important midterm election year, it is imperative that the voters are organized and prepared to express their views about the recent law at the voting booths in November. Every concert venue and promoter in the state would be happy to help coordinate voter registration drives and set up information booths in connection with concerts. Many of us are already planning specific events, including rallies and benefit concerts, designed to educate and encourage local music lovers to get involved at this crucial time.

This open letter is a call out to all artists to come take a stand and perform in Arizona. We need you now more than ever.

If you are interested in exploring ways to help us, including voter outreach and organizing with local non-profits, or you just want more information, please feel free to contact me at <!-- e --><a href="mailto:charlie@statesidepresents.com">charlie@statesidepresents.com</a><!-- e -->.

Charlie Levy
Stateside Presents

Bentleyspop wrote:

who would have thought there were so many conservatives who were also PJ fans

moe.ron wrote:

Bentleyspop wrote:

who would have thought there were so many conservatives who were also PJ fans

yeah, because as we all know, only liberals listen to music...right?