Illegal Immigration, "The View" and Ladies Night

Dear Mark: U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton placed an injunction on major provisions of the Arizona immigration law basically rendering it toothless. How can a judge in her right mind strike down something so similar to federal law? — Legally Lost in Lewisville

Dear Lost: Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer summed up my thoughts perfectly when she said, "Today the federal government got relief from the courts to not do their job." I disagree with the judge's decision, but the setback was not totally unexpected, as many laws are routinely and frustratingly struck down by activist judges.

The response from the Barack Obama administration was politically calculated and wishy-washy, yet spoke volumes about the federal government's lack of action when it comes to border security. Department of Justice spokesperson Hanna August stated, "While we understand the frustration of Arizonans with the broken immigration system, a patchwork of state and local policies would seriously disrupt federal immigration enforcement."

The problem with the administration's statement is that the federal government has little enforcement to actually disrupt. For years, our government has obfuscated its responsibility to properly secure the borders while at the same time ignoring the illegal actions of sanctuary cities. That is the primary reason why Arizonans, along with millions of other Americans, are frustrated with Washington's attitude about illegal immigration.

The "patchwork" defense by opponents of the Arizona law is basically another straw man argument. The Arizona law would actually help the federal government by giving local and state authorities the ability to arrest illegal immigrants and turn them in to federal authorities. The question remains why the federal government would not want the help; and unfortunately the answer as always — is politics.

Dear Mark: I am a diehard conservative manly man, and I am embarrassed that President Obama appeared on "The View" this week. I know he is a Washington politician and is trying to woo the female vote, but does Obama have no shame? — Macho Matt in Mississippi

Dear Macho: Of course he has no shame — he's a politician who has witnessed his approval ratings go down faster than Al Gore's pants during a massage session. The president's staff has acknowledged that appearing on "The View" is an opportunity to reach women voters, which coincidently is another group with which the president's popularity has swooned since January of this year.

The maddening part is that President Obama chose "The View" over speaking to 45,000 Boy Scouts at their jamboree celebrating the 100-year anniversary of that great American organization. The administration claims a scheduling conflict. The best I can tell, "The View" is on five days a week, 52 weeks a year, while the Boy Scout Jamboree happens once every four years and the 100-year anniversary, of course, only occurs once every 100 years. Strange priorities, Mr. President.

Call me a Neanderthal, but I believe that our president should have a toughness reminiscent of America's rugged frontier spirit — and appearing on a daytime girly show is not exactly Teddy Roosevelt and the Roughriders.

Dear Mark: What is this garbage about no more ladies' nights in restaurants and bars in Minnesota? I don't want that junk spreading across the country. Do you? — Girls, Girls, Girls

Dear Girls: First Minnesota gives us Al Franken, and now they want to ruin the country's night life. Human Rights Commissioner James Kirkpatrick wrote, "Gender-based pricing violates the Human Rights Act." Huh? Now this guy should go on "The View."

Dear Mark is a public platform for your enrichment and entertainment. E-mail your questions to marklevy92@aol.com. To find out more about Mark Levy, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.

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