ebrown_p wrote:There are two separate issues here.
First (the primary issue raised by the thread) are the rights of the people of Hispanic descent who are targeted by these sweeps.. many of whom are US citizens. Without question, the rights of American citizens are being violated as they are searched without probable caused, denied equal protection and are presumed guilty until proven innocent.
Even Hawkeye, who says he supports the Bill of Rights will understand how this is a violation of the 4th, 5th (and 14th) amendments.
There are many cases where American citizens have spent time in jail for immigration charges, and a several US citizens have been deported.
Innocent until proven guilty is a concept that doesn't seem to apply if you are a Hispanic American citizen.
The second issue is whether people who have broken the law are still human beings. I agree with those who say yes... American can and should have compassion and understanding-- especially since Americans have a long history of breaking all sorts of laws, and yet we have still done pretty well.
But the issue of law-enforcement breaking the law is the major issue here. The illegal actions of this sheriff are indefensible.
I concur.
Furthermore, this County Sheriff stated, "...who are these people telling me what my priorities are? I tell them what their priorities are. "
Of course it is law enforcement that is moving beyond the law to exercise its own priorities; and doing so by conducting sweep searches and check-points (reminiscent of something
) irregardless of the protections given by the American Bill of Rights.
