Mexicans Out Whine Muslims

For years the Mexican political and media establishments have caviled mightily over the immigration policies of the US. There has not been a single "migrant" (to use the preferred and totally inaccurate Mexican formulation) law which has met the approval of the easily bruised hyper-nationalistic egos of the politicians and pundits of Mexico.

Since Arizona passed its now infamous law which did little more than make an already extant federal crime--being present in the US absent legal authorization--a state offense as well, Mexicans of all ranks have closed ranks in a wall of wailing and whining which surpasses even the waves of tears shed by Muslims over what they perceive as insults to their religion (including quotes from the Koran and other sacred writings.) To read the Mexican press, to listen to the words of Mexican politicians one would be forgiven the impression that the Fascist Racists of Arizona with the approval of many, many equally bigoted and dark-hearted Americans generally had launched a campaign of extermination against any and all people of swarthy complexion, accented English, or a last name other than Smith or Jones.

The vitriol poured in metric ton quantities by the President of Mexico during his state visit to the US, which included the signal honor of addressing a joint session of Congress, would have done the thundering denunciations of Hitler by Winston Churchill proud--if only they had been true and accurate. With the American president standing by complete with approving smile, Sr Calderon accused the citizens of Arizona (and by implication all other Americans who approved the new law) of being racist, xenophobic, and generally blotches on the face of humanity.

It is passingly strange that the Mexicans who are so free with their exaggerated or totally fabricated charges about the American hatred of Mexicans and other Latinos do so without once mentioning the portions of the Mexican Constitution which deal with "migrant" issues. A brief glance at these articles shows an attitude far more contemptuous of "migrants" than any contained in any American law, state or federal. Articles 11, 27, 32, and 33 limit the rights of "migrants" to a degree unthinkable anywhere in the US, including Arizona. And, mark this well, these are not mere laws but part and parcel of the Mexican Constitution.

Nor are other countries filled with critics of the Arizona law immune. Guatemala has constitutional restrictions which surpass any legal disabilities placed on legal "migrants" in the US. So does Costa Rica, generally considered a liberal beacon in Central America. Even El Salvador, in which place American treasure was expended in wholesale lots during its long counterinsurgency, does not take as kindly to "migrants" as does the US.

It is a hallmark of the basic human propensity for hypocrisy that politicians and pundits can heap abuse on the democratic process and its result in Arizona while being remarkably indifferent to what is going on in their own countries. Even this pinnacle is surpassed by the insufferably arrogant demands by Calderon and other Latino statesmen that the US effectively give up all semblance of control over its own borders and admit all comers while insisting on their own sovereign right to deny admittance to those coming from abroad.

Worse than any and all these self-serving words and efforts by Mexican elites and their ilk elsewhere south of the Rio Grande are the totally ridiculous postures adopted by American "progressives" including the President and Attorney General of the US. Several features are quite evident in the repeated diatribes by politicians and journalists of the American "progressive" shade.

Many have not even read the Arizona enactment as was finally admitted under questioning by, among others, Eric Holder. Then there are those who may have read the law but willfully sought to misinterpret it. Finally there are the legions who deplore the reality that the US is a federal republic with intentionally divided sovereignty so that states have a duty to act when threatened, if the federal government is unable or, more likely, unwilling to act.

The Arizonans saw a threat in their midst. They saw a lack of effective federal action. So they acted, quickly and directly. Far from being a group of Fascist vigilantes, the people and legislature of Arizona have acted in prudent self-interest.

We should be willing to see and admit this fundamental truth. Even a small handful of Mexican commentators have done so.

Unfortunately, as Muslims have shown, it is far easier and more emotionally satisfying to whine, moan, bitch, and carp. And, playing the victim game also absolves one from having to be truthful, honest, or courageous.