Bud Selig, Phil Jackson get it right on immigration law
This man actually had a clear and rational thought.
Bud Selig is doing absolutely nothing again. Only this time he should be commended for it.
Many are pushing Selig to pull the baseball All-Star Game out of Phoenix next season because of Arizona’s new immigration law. Hey, it was bad enough when Selig mandated that the All-Star winner would get home field advantage in the World Series. But now some want an exhibition with a .190-hitter on the ballot (Ken Griffey Jr.) gets elevated to a major political platform?
Sorry. I understand sports and politics often mix. But if it says Braves-Phillies on the
Phil Jackson's take wasn't popular with protesters.
marquee, I don’t want to walk through the turnstiles and get Red State-Blue State.
Athletics and politics often intersect. It’s unavoidable in the Olympics. It’s inevitable in professional sports when a high-profile athlete who wants to push his or her own agenda. But there’s a big difference between a league or team taking a public stand on something and an individual doing it. I don’t care where Major League Baseball stands on Arizona’s immigration law any more than I do where the New York Yankees stand on abortion.
The Phoenix Suns chose to wear commemorative “Los Suns” jerseys at a recent playoff game to protest for the immigration law. The NBA supported the Suns’ decision. No shock there. It was one more jersey the league could license and sell. Hardly the first time David
Just one more product for the NBA.
Stern sold out.
A sports columnist in Detroit attempted to draw a parallel between the NFL once stripping a Super Bowl from Arizona for not recognizing Martin Luther King’s birthday and the situation facing baseball. OK. Big difference. No.1, the last time I checked, Martin Luther King was actually an American citizen. He was the heart and soul of the civil rights movement. His birthday was a national holiday and observed in every state other than Arizona. How does that compare with the debate over whether to tighten immigration laws?
This issue came up again Monday. Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson released a statement that read, “I have respect for those who oppose the new Arizona immigration law, but I am wary of putting entire sports organizations in the middle of political controversies.”
This followed his previous comments: “I don’t think teams should get involved in the political stuff. … Where we stand as basketball teams, we should let that kind of play out and let the political end of that go where it’s going to go.”
He’s got it right. So does the baseball commissioner. Bud Selig: visionary.
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and on Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
175 comments Add your comment
yeah c'mon
May 18th, 2010
8:50 am
the all star game in phoenix is over a year away. everyone will be complaining about something else by then and it won’t matter whether the game was moved or not.
Los Halcones
May 18th, 2010
8:51 am
Why no Noche Latina in Atlanta? Ironically, “Halcon” means both Hawk and Falcon
KennyP
May 18th, 2010
8:52 am
Thank you Jeff. Sports is an escape from the real world for alot of us, there is nothing worse when they try to make it into something more than a game to enjoy.
daggum
May 18th, 2010
8:53 am
i figure, for the most part, illegal folks don’t pay taxes. therefore they shouldn’t be able to use things taxes pay for. like roads, etc.
Alphare
May 18th, 2010
8:55 am
I am not sure the percentage of Georgians have Irish heritage. But I bet it’s big because Irish is considered the most common blood line.
Back in the 1700’s and 1800’s, who were most discriminated like today’s Mexicans? The Irish! The rich would post signs back then saying Irish not welcome.
So, your ancestors were among the most discriminated, now you turn your back and approve a law saying Mexicans not welcome.
The last time I read about Jeff, he was talking about his mother coming to America, the freedom land. Now he agrees the freedom land should fend off Mexicans.
How ironic.
Jeff, I still love you.
gdawginkalamazoo
May 18th, 2010
9:00 am
Hispanic Americans? I thought we were all AMERICANS since we are citizens of The UNITED STATES of AMERICA.
When did it change to the UNITED HISPANIC STATES of AMERICA?
Bill
May 18th, 2010
9:01 am
If you don’t support the US and its laws, LEAVE!
Rich Ball Players come over here make millions and take your money back home with you. You don’t fight in military, don’t support the US but get rich and try to boycott the Laws. You damn won’t get my vote for all-star. You could go on and on. Its time Citizens stand up for the US.
Go ahead and BOYCOTT, I’d rather see players that want to play anyway.
Michael Jordan
May 18th, 2010
9:02 am
Illegal immigrants buy shoes too.
Michael Jordan
May 18th, 2010
9:03 am
Illegal immigrants buy shoes too…
Jeff Schultz
May 18th, 2010
9:04 am
Titus — It became a sports story. As I’m sure others will tell you, I don’t avoid stories just because they’re controversial or may stir debate.
Jeff Schultz
May 18th, 2010
9:05 am
Birddawgone — Thanks. Actually have to say that overall people are being pretty responsible in the commenting. Nice to see.
TROTTINGHOME
May 18th, 2010
9:05 am
That iMMIGRATION Law violates several aspects of the Constitution…last time I looked …NBA and MLB both play under The Constitution…in fact if not for this very Constitution America would not be enjoying the brand of ball they are…the owners wouldn’t be enjoying the profits they GET either…or the tax write offs…or the luxury stadiums…while children are being deprived of a meaningful education.
Oh and no one should ever say politics should not be discussed on any of theses blogs…SPORTS IS POLITICAL.
Jeff Schultz
May 18th, 2010
9:05 am
Jake – We are the world.
Jeff Schultz
May 18th, 2010
9:07 am
The Real Fan — Was that meant for me? To the contrary, I contrasted Super Bowl thing with All-Star Game. I had no problem with Super Bowl being pulled out.
Jeff Schultz
May 18th, 2010
9:07 am
Walker, Texas Ranger — Interesting. I wonder if any Phoenix player felt that way and didn’t say anything.
Jeff Schultz
May 18th, 2010
9:08 am
Shug — Thanks. If you can’t make it the full month, I understand.
Jeff Schultz
May 18th, 2010
9:10 am
Seriously, Jeff — The law is not aimed at sweeping American citizens off the streets. You do know that, right?
Jeff Schultz
May 18th, 2010
9:10 am
Alphare — Don’t go there. My mother was not an illegal alien. She came through Ellis Island and became an American citizen. I have no problem whatsoever with people coming here from Mexico and become citizens.
TROTTINGHOME
May 18th, 2010
9:11 am
BILL…find another argument my friend…I been here 300 years I ain’t going no where.
In case your wondering my real age…DNA replicates itself…always has and always will…That means…BILL…you been around a while too.
Hawks Fan
May 18th, 2010
9:18 am
Seriously Jeff, I can tell you have not read the “LAW”and going by what you heard from media. Read the LAW before running your mouth please! The law doesn’t have anything to do with the citizens period. If you are not a citizen and break the law…then it applies to them. ONLY IF YOU BREAK THE LAW….Its time the laws were inforced.
The Law is only 10 pages, read it and open your eyes.
james g
May 18th, 2010
9:20 am
What does Jeff Shultz, Bud Selig and Phil Jackson have in common? They are white males who just don’t get it.
We are a nation of immigrants, built on the backs of some who were immorally brought to this country legally.
If pulling the Allstar game will bring attention to the racist, knee-jerk reaction of Arizona lawmakers, then perhaps it will move our bought and paid for congress to legislate true immigration reform./
TROTTINGHOME
May 18th, 2010
9:28 am
HAWK FAN
iSN’T THE APPEARANCE OF PEOPLE used to create probable cause and then a questioning session or a more profound statement would be…detain individuals based on appearance…THERE ARE LAWS AGAINST THAT…ITS THE CONSTITUTION AND ITS ONLY 6 PAGES.
S Hawk Fan
May 18th, 2010
9:33 am
Jeff…. Thanks for putting this out here. Yes it does involve sports and a lot of other areas of our life. I have very strong feelings about this but because I tend to get too personal I will simply say this… If you are legally here then you have nothing to worry about! I try real hard to abide by the laws of the land and typically I am able to. But if I don’t then I should have to pay the price for what I do.
Thanks Jeff for bringing this out..
Hillbilly Deluxe
May 18th, 2010
9:37 am
Never thought I’d live to see Selig do anything right. He’s still not worth $18 million, though.
And speaking of “Los Suns”, shouldn’t it have been “Los Sols”?
usnavyvolfaninva
May 18th, 2010
9:38 am
Seriously, Jeff
REALLY? There are Hispanic Americans??? Whoda thunk? Your brilliance is amazing!! Of course, since racial profiling under the AZ law is illegal, and EVERYONE driving a car HAS to have a license, your point is utterly meaningless!
You propose crippling an entire state’s economy b/c they want to protect themselves. Honestly, i think the only people who should have an opinion on this are the people that live there and have to endure people jumping across and killing their neighbors, and then scurrying back to the slimehole from which they came.
TommyJack
May 18th, 2010
9:41 am
I praise AZ. This law is NOTHING about hate, and everything about saving their state. Knee-jerk lefties AUTOMATICALLY jump on the race card; it’s in their DNA. And it’s total BS.
I'm Legal
May 18th, 2010
9:45 am
james g, 3 white males, Oh thats your problem right. Nation of “legal” Immigrants=US Citizens, not illegal aliens.
racist,knee jerk Arizona Lawmakers. Your Opinion.
Bought and paid for congress. What party is that? = Vote them all out if your are a citizen.
Man we need more citizens like you, so informed.
ChippersLoveChild
May 18th, 2010
9:47 am
Agreed on all points, nice article Schultzie.
.
May 18th, 2010
9:55 am
Trottinghome, Probable cause has been around 300 years. Nothing has changed. Enforce the 6 pages and shut up. Thats all Arizona wanted all along. Close the Border, stop the killing and drugs.
Seriously, Jeff
May 18th, 2010
9:56 am
usnavyvolfaninva:
“You propose crippling an entire state’s economy b/c they want to protect themselves.”
Over-dramatic, much? If Arizona’s “entire state economy” will be “crippled” because it doesn’t host an all-star game, the state has problems that go way beyond this immigration issue.
However, I am completely for keeping extra millions away from a state that would allow its own citizens to be persecuted under its laws. It’s a terribly written law that goes far beyond the state “protecting itself.”
Bill
May 18th, 2010
9:56 am
Great job Mark.
Seriously, Jeff
May 18th, 2010
10:02 am
Jeff, you should probably stick to writing about sports (you do a very good with that)
Here is the statute:
“…where reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States, a reasonable attempt shall be made, when practicable, to determine the immigration status of the person…”
It gives police the ability to stop any Hispanic American and check their ID at any time. This law goes well beyond simply removing illegal immigrants from Arizona. It subjects a group of their own citizens, American citizens, to persecution.
The law certainly says that racial profiling is not permitted. However, I challenge anyone to determine any method for police to search for illegal immigrants in Arizona without racial profiling. It’s simply not possible.
Unreal
May 18th, 2010
10:03 am
I didn’t realize we had so many native americans that read the AJC sports page. So quick to forget that most of your ancestors were from somewhere else.
Native American
May 18th, 2010
10:12 am
I didn’t realize we had so many native americans that read the AJC sports page.
I was born in a major Atlanta area hospital, so I believe that makes me a Native American.
Ted Striker
May 18th, 2010
10:16 am
The Arizona law is wack. But there are hot chicks at Arizona State and so I’m not going to boycott the entire state.
Dave
May 18th, 2010
10:17 am
Just curious what does Mexico do when they find someone who is in their country illegally?
What are Mexico’s rules for any non-citizens regarding land ownership, taxes, support learning their language?
Do they offer illegals free health care? Free public schools? Free Social Security type benefits when they have not contributed a dime into it?
If my wife and I are in Mexico illegal and our baby is born there, is our baby granted Mexican citizenship?
The list goes on and on….
Arizona should be the Role Model for every other state in the USA to follow! If you come here legally and adjust to our american culture, do not expect us to adjust to the culture of the place you wanted to leave so badly! Use our language which is english, obey our laws, work hard, enjoy life and freedoms America has to offer, pay taxes, use and pay a fair wage for public services (medical, school, etc…) instead of “working the system to get something for nothing, do all of the things a responsible adult should do to be a productive contributing member of America, I say welcome friend…
If you come here illegally you just broke the law get out!
Unreal
May 18th, 2010
10:19 am
Hey Native….is that as far back as you can trace your roots? What about your parents? Great grandparents?
Seriously, Jeff
May 18th, 2010
10:21 am
HAWKS FAN:
If you can figure out a way that police can have a “…reasonable suspicion that the person is an alien who is unlawfully present in the United States…” that doesn’t consider race, well… you can’t, because that’s the only way you can do it.
As far as the “breaking the law” comment, that’s incorrect as well. (I’m sure Hannity just misspoke when he spoon-fed it to you.)
ttuman4702
May 18th, 2010
10:22 am
Democrats want illegals here so they will vote. Republicans want them here so they have cheap labor. I am just confused about one thing. Am I supposed to be afraid of them because they are taking our jobs, or because they won’t work and are getting a free ride? I think we should all read the poem at the base of the Statue of Liberty. It changed my thinking on this issue when I did.
Native American
May 18th, 2010
10:22 am
Unreal
They all got here by 1750. I’ve spent 30+ years tracing my roots. They were all here before there was a United States.
BSIATL
May 18th, 2010
10:24 am
I think everyone agrees that undocumented aliens should be able to come to America just like our ancestors did and seek a path to citizenship. The unfortunate part is that the “path to citizenship” isn’t as simple as most of you native Americans make it out to be. The problem with the Arizona bill that has people in an uproar is the part where police can use racial profiling to arrest folks that are undocumented at that time even though they are doing all they can to become a citizen and work, go to school, pay taxes, and more or less be productive mebers of society. I have a friend from Eastern Europe that finally completed his citizenship requirements this year after 16 years of being in the process. Remember…over 50% of undocumented aliens in this country have white collar jobs! Yes…change the federal laws to make the path more clear cut and organized…heck put U.S. Immigration kiosks along the border if you want too…but using racial profiling is not what america is supposed to be all about. The more folks we have come to this great country and be productive tax-paying members of society, the better it is for ALL of us!
extremus
May 18th, 2010
10:27 am
This isn’t so much a matter of politics as it is common sense, and I feel America is fast losing all touch with that. It amazes me when I pause to consider the audacity and sense of entitlement of a group of people who choose to cross illegally over into another country and then, because it’s happened for so long and there are so many of them around, they feel they should be taken care of and given political sway. This is an epidemic America should never have allowed to happen, and I’d feel the same way if it was from the north, so race is not the issue with me here. The issue is that we have a significant population of people in our nation now who aren’t even citizens who want us to incorporate THEIR language into our learning systems, live off of OUR tax dollars and OUR jobs, and feel they can and should actually be able to sway American politics and business. Apparently a lot of American bigwigs are willing to sell out rather than have the stink affect the old bottom line because they’re employing so many illegal immigrants; the city of Los Angeles didn’t “take a stand” at all in my view, they showed they have no spine whatsoever.
I personally am becoming more and more an advocate of states’ rights; I applaud Arizona for taking a difficult but necessary stand. It’s not just about clearing out all of the illegals sneaking over the border; it’s about the absolutely rampant influx of drugs and other crime from Mexico. Phoenix has been a literal battleground with the cops hamstrung by what they were or weren’t able to do for years; the law finally gave them the ability to more effectively deal with those situations.
My suggestion to solve the problem of illegal immigration would be twofold and initially very unpopular, but before you get angry over it please hear me out. First, with regard to the illegals already here, give them a set time limit to come forward and apply for US citizenship, under the strict stipulation that they will learn English as their primary language. Second, no government programs or financial assistance that would have been the case had they applied legally. Third, businesses caught knowingly employing illegals afterward would be subject to severe penalties, including stiff fines or even closing. With regard to the border, I would make a killing field on our side of the wall, with mines and sentries who have orders to shoot to kill. The point is not that I’m bloodthirsty or want to see anyone killed; the point is that if the risk exceeds the potential reward of getting into America, the border crossings will come to an abrupt halt because nobody will be willing to try it anymore.
That’s my two cents. I’m sick and tired of folks who have no business doing so crying foul and tearing our nation apart. Let’s put our feet DOWN.
gdawginkalamazoo
May 18th, 2010
10:30 am
Here’s my solution:
For all of you citizens that are offended by this law then let the illegals come live in your house. You feed them, pay for their healthcare, clothes, etc. YOU teach them to read, write and speak english. I think it is called sponsorship.
Go ahead start rounding them up and clear out your garage, put some tents up in the backyard, go buy food in bulk at Sam’s Club and get busy. The faster you do the less of an issue this will be.
BSIATL
May 18th, 2010
10:33 am
Extremus – Why don’t we do what you propose? Because this is America and we are the most civilized nation on the planet!
Dave – who cares what other countries like Mexico do to undocumented aliens? This is America and we’re better than they are!
heartofdarkness
May 18th, 2010
10:35 am
The most compelling reason for maintaining a separation between politics and sport, is that is the best way to keep complex historical, political and economic issues out of the sports pages. BTW, Jeff, do you think the odds of Commissioner Selig having a rational thought is greater than or less than hitting the green numbers in roulette?
BSIATL
May 18th, 2010
10:35 am
gdawginkalamazoo – Thanks for the suggestion, but I already do that. Why? Becasue I’m an American and one that cares about our country and ALL the humans in it and am glad to give back to a nation and a people that has provided me with so much.
I'm Legal
May 18th, 2010
10:45 am
racial profiling has happen since Adam & Eva. Arizona law doesn’t give police the right to racial profiling. Read the Law as someone has already said. police can stop anyone now for probable cause.
Hawks Fan
May 18th, 2010
10:49 am
BSIATL..we want be long if we don’t have a nation of laws and stop giving everything away.
extremus
May 18th, 2010
10:51 am
@BSIATL,
While I respectfully acknowledge your assisting those folks, please understand that most Americans right now are unable and/or unwilling to foot the bill for illegals. Our economy is reeling from a host of different issues, and having more illegals come over doesn’t create jobs, it creates more of a problem. The drug issue won’t go away until we deal with it much more harshly than we ever have before, plain and simple. I care about my country too, I pay taxes, and I vote. And I’m scared of what I see already happening when my elected government and the powers that be are already kowtowing to a group of people who do not have the legal right to vote, and my tax dollars going to help keep them up. We are slowly losing the very foundation for the civilization you spoke of, because the house is most certainly becoming more and more divided.
Jeff Schultz
May 18th, 2010
10:51 am
S. Hawk Fan — Thanks.