Will D'backs feel boycott?

Fine tuning Arizona's immigration law

by Michael Graham
DNN Staff - EXCLUSIVE!
Monday, May 17, 2010

Well there goes Boston’s chance to host the next MENSA convention.

Last week’s political marquee was dominated by dim bulbs. First was Mayor Tom Menino’s listing of “ionic” moments in local sports, including “Varitek splitting the uprights.” (Just be thankful nobody asked him about Matsuzaka.)

Then Boston City Council President Michael Ross told Fox 25 that Arizona’s immigration crackdown - the crackdown that inspired city councilors to unanimously support a boycott of that state - “is certainly not an issue for Boston City Council . . . It’s not a Boston issue.”

I hate to think what the council would have done if the Arizona law had been “a Boston issue.” A declaration of war? Firing on flights from Phoenix?

“It’s not a City Council issue, but we voted on it anyway.” This is the level of intellectual discourse the left’s obsession with open borders and amnesty has brought us.

One bright spot: In Worcester Tuesday, opponents of a boycott resolution forced a vote on whether the topic was even germane to the City Council. They beat down the boycott nonsense 7-4.

In Illinois, the news is not as good. PC administrators canceled the Highland Park High girls’ basketball team’s trip to an Arizona tournament. School officials invoked both security concerns and liberal principles in shooting down the long-planned, student-funded event.

Security? Maybe. After all, criminal immigration has driven crime rates through the roof in Arizona, and Phoenix is now the kidnapping capital of America.

But that’s not what administrators meant. “We would want to ensure that all of our students had the opportunity to be included and be safe,” said Assistant Superintendent Suzan Hebson. The school is reportedly concerned that someone on the team might be rousted by the Arizona authorities and asked for ID.

But, Hebson added, going to Arizona at this time “would not be aligned with our beliefs and values.”

This from a school that has sent students to China. You know - the home of Tiananmen Square, forced abortions and Internet censorship? But they won’t let the kids go to Arizona?

Hey liberals! How ’bout if all the girls agree to wear “Free Tibet” logos on their game jerseys?

OK, so these school administrators look stupid. But not any more stupid than our own City Council. And at least the high school can claim the courage of their convictions. They’re doing a boycott that matters.

Boston? Not so much. If they were serious, June 15 would be a red letter day. That’s when the Red Sox are scheduled to host the Diamondbacks at Fenway. The Arizona Diamondbacks.

The D’backs will be here to play ball and pick up a sack of money. And because of the bizarre tax laws affecting professional athletes, many of the Arizona players will pay income taxes to Massachusetts.

So how serious are you about this boycott, Councilor Ross? Will the city forbid cops to work Fenway at the D’backs games? Will Arizona’s team be denied city water and sewer services? Will the City Council urge Massachusetts to reject any tax revenues from the team? Or maybe even stop the team bus at Logan?

Or will Ross - who represents the Fenway area - treat his principles like his parking tickets - an inconvenience to be ignored.

How ’bout it, Michael - a real boycott of Arizona? Oh, that’s right. This “isn’t an issue for City Council.”

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, left, shakes the
hand of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer while speaking
at a news conference about border security at the
JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix on Saturday.
(DNN Staff photo)

Boston O'Reilly Graham Carr Siciliano