Padres Baseball Players Trash Talk Arizona Law
Some baseball players are adding their own dimension to America’s favorite pastime of baseball. They are using their high public profile to trash talk Arizona for finally 
doing something about the problems of illegal immigration.
Two time all-star San Diego Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez told Tom Krasovich of AOL Fan House that he “probably will not attend the 2011 All Star game in Phoenix if the Law is still in effect,” adding “because it’s a discriminatory law.”
Gonzalez’ team mate Yorvit Torrealba called the Arizona law “racist’s stuff.” Heath Bell, Padres closer and player union representative, said the law’s passage was “mind boggling.” They are suggesting that spring training sites should be moved outside of Arizona in protest.
Here is what Gonzalez, Torrealba, and Bell neglected to acknowledge.
Uncontrolled migration into America presents a host of problems to the United States, and border states bear the brunt of illegal immigration for obvious reasons. 9-11 did happen, and it is dangerously neglectful to ignore who enters America illegally.
Beyond increasing our exposure to terrorism, the surge of illegal immigrants represents other criminal, social, and financial problems for border states. A 2003 report indicated there were 267,000 illegal immigrants in our prison systems, 49 percent for felony crimes. A 2006 INS-FBI report indicated most of the outstanding murder warrants in Phoenix were for illegal immigrants. The effects of crime is devastating, both to victims and to the state, leaving a huge financial burden to deal with associated costs.
The educational, health, and welfare costs also burden the system and the taxpaying citizens of border states have been left holding the bag. It is estimated that wages are suppressed as much as 200 billion dollars. There are the drug smuggling related problems as well. Ignoring illegal immigration has never been a compassionate or workable solution.
What the baseball players, along with the violent protesters, contribute in real solutions is…nothing. They acknowledge none of the truths about illegal immigration and tackle none of the financial challenges. I could offer a similar one-sided view of their criticisms and be closer to reality in saying: Baseball players spoke out today in support of violent protest against American laws. The players took a position against sympathy for the victims of crimes committed by unlawful aliens and were in favor of suppressing legal immigration. They joined in with dissenters who believe border states should pass all criminal and social costs associated with illegals to taxpaying and law abiding citizens.
That’s the practical effect of doing nothing positive.
On the same day the baseball players were trash talking lawful attempts to protect Arizonians, a sheriff of Pinal County was shot during a ten minute battle with suspected drug smugglers, 14 of whom were illegal aliens. Perhaps the Padres players might spend a moment reflecting if the shooting of the law enforcement officer was “racist 
stuff.” Is it unreasonable to consider the Sheriff was probably “profiled” as a law enforcement officer? Or maybe they might think it was unfair when Arizona rancher Robert Krentz was shot to death March 28 at his Arizona ranch by an illegal alien when he went outside to investigate noises. Might Heath Bell find it “mind boggling” that Mexican drug cartels in Texas are reportedly offering a bounty of $250,000.00 to kill border patrolling officers?
It would be ridiculous to assess blame for crime in Arizona to Latin Americans when assaults occur on citizens or on police officers. That would be dangerously reckless to paint a one-sided view when millions of Latin Americans contribute daily to the greatness of America and Arizona. But it is equally as narrow minded and subjectively reckless to suggest that the state of Arizona is initiating laws acting out mindless racism and not because they have an obligation to deal with a giant problem.
If the MLBPA wants to consider boycotting Arizona, as Director Michael Weiner is suggesting, it is time for hard working Americans to consider boycotting baseball. When cushy baseball players offer nothing but subjective and baseless criticisms of Arizonians trying to protect their citizens, which includes the 30 percent who are Latin Americans, it’s time to change the channel and the rhetoric.
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3 Responses to Padres Baseball Players Trash Talk Arizona Law
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I would like to hear Adrian Gonzalez speak up against the illegal immigrants that come and kidnap American citizens. It’s always like that. America provides opportunity to those that want to make their dreams come true in America, but then bash Americans when they are only trying to enforce the law and keep our country what makes it so great. Why not speak out for the people that work and provide for illegals that don’t pay taxes? Do you have compassion for their sweat and tears? Why not speak out for his fellow Americans who are pushed into drugs and sex crimes b/c of illegal immigration from Mexico. For someone who is benefited from coming to America he sure stabs his country in the back. If you spoke out against the drug dealers and pimps at the same time it would give his argument more credit.
Why not show the picture of Heath Bell and only show those of the hispanic players who spoke up?
Ultimately, at the end of the day, they’re just exercising their right to free speech. We can’t fault them for that, even if we don’t agree with what they say.