Bring the All Star Game to Queens and Times Square Scare

We faced an apparent act of domestic terrorism this past weekend. Let us hope that the terrorists will be brought to justice.

Also, as we think about the racist and misguided efforts of the Arizona Legislature and Arizona's Governor, we must demand that the leadership of Major League Baseball should immediately move the 2011 All Star Game from Phoenix, Arizona to Citi Field in Queens.

Times Square Scare

The past weekend's attempted car bombing in Times Square was amateurish but nonetheless frightening. The fertilizer chosen by the terrorist(s) in this case was not combustible and would not have been able to be used in the manner that a different type of fertilizer was used in the 1995 attack Oklahoma City. Authorities are suggesting that they are seeking a white male in his 40's in connection with the case, but they are also pointing out that the white male they are seeking might be completely innocent. Let us hope that the attempted car bombing doesn't create copy-cats, and let us hope that the terrorist(s) in this case is quickly captured and faces severe punishment.

Arizona vs. America

Arizona has enacted legislation allowing local law enforcement to take on the role traditionally undertaken by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Local law enforcement in Arizona has been authorized, starting 90 days from the date of the signing of the legislation, to demand proof of immigration status from anyone they encounter whom they suspect might be in the United States illegally. Anyone who cannot show proof of citizenship or legal immigration status will be arrested.

The new Arizona law is a bold-face anti-immigrant effort, and it has a decidedly anti-Latino tone. All Latinos in Arizona will be treated as suspects, and all Americans should be outraged by the new Arizona law.

Anyone who has lived in the United States knows that it is highly unnatural for a US citizen to carry proof of his or her citizenship or to be prepared to defend himself or herself against accusations of illegal immigration.

Anyone who has lived in the United States knows that a meaningful number of illegal immigrants in the US are non-Hispanic white people. But, it is only illegal immigration from Latin America that is the focus of the elected officials in Arizona and across the US.

With Arizona's declaration of war against Latinos, the rest of us must take action to oppose Arizona's attacks.

Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball has an opportunity to stand against the anti-Latino stance of Arizona.

The 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star game is scheduled to be played in Phoenix. The Mets have been seeking an opportunity to show off their new baseball stadium by hosting an All Star Game. The perfect solution is for the 2011 All Star Game to be moved to Citi Field in Queens, the home of the New York Mets.

By taking this action, Major League Baseball would show that it refuses to promote discrimination based on race or ethnicity. Major League Baseball would embrace the progressive image it promotes each April when it celebrates the first Major League game played by Jackie Robinson.

The change of venue for the 2011 All Star Game would only allow Major League Baseball to match what has already occurred in the National Football League. The NFL moved the Super Bowl out of Arizona to California when Arizona stubbornly refused to adopt the Martin Luther King holiday that had been embraced all over the United States. Surely, Major League Baseball is not less progressive or less committed to opposing discrimination than the NFL.

The decision to move the 2011 All Star Game should be made immediately. Fans and news outlets reserve hotel rooms and airline tickets well in advance, and New York City and the New York Mets need time to prepare. Arizona had plenty of opportunities to choose to walk away from the disgusting route they've chosen. Now, the loss of the Mid-Summer Classic should be one of the first consequences of Arizona's move toward a Jim Crow society.