That’ll Show ‘Um: A Misguided War Against the Diamondbacks

Boy, the world is upset with Arizona right now.  The “Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act” the state has introduced makes it okay for immigrants (or suspected immigrants) to be stopped on the street to show authorities their papers.  This is, of course, disgusting.

And then there’s the response to such laws, which can go from Mike Freeman’s “This means that Albert Pujols will be deported if he steps foot in Arizona in this scenario I just made up,” to Dave Zirin’s announcement that when the Snakes come through DC, he will not be tuning in.  […]

And the world will never be the same.

"One Democratic lawmaker has said that [the legislation] has made Arizona a “laughingstock” but it’s difficult to find an ounce of humor in this kind of venal legislation."

It does, however, inspire you to start spouting Public Enemy lyrics.  Life’s just so tough, bloggin’ from this computer chair.  They never told us it would get so tough.

"This is not merely because they happen to be the team from Arizona. The D-backs organization is a primary funder of the state Republican Party, which has been driving the measure through the legislature."

Ooooh, see, Dave Zirin was fighting for immigrants’ rights since before it was cool.  That explains it.  So don’t just make some rushed, hateful assumptions about how he’s joining a fight, as long as the most he has to do for it is “not turn on a television.”

This is what happens when you fall asleep watching a particularly fervent “West Wing” rerun:  You wake up feeling political and righteous, and it sort of bleeds into your day in this sideways, half-ass way.  The Season One finale had me looking for a spot in the Peace Corps.  I wasn’t sure I wanted to live in a country that didn’t have Jed Bartlett as its leader, but then he pulled through the gunshot wound, and made a speech about life or something, and it was all cool.

Whew.

"A boycott is also an expression of solidarity with Diamondback players such as Juan Guitterez, Gerardo Parra, and Rodrigo Lopez."

Hey Juan, Gerardo, and Rodrigo.  Dave Z here.  Listen, I know this is a tough time for you guys, as you are in constant danger of being lassoed and deported by racist cowboys, but I just wanted to be sure you knew that I started a message of solidarity for you.  Together, I hope we can inspirationally raise our fists in the air and sing Public Enemy lyrics.  We can make sure everybody knows that I can make a big deal out of something in a misguided attempt to lead a revolution.

History will remember us as heroes,

Dave Z

Takin’ it to the ownership of the Arizona Diamondbacks by not going to Diamondbacks games is like trying to kill a spider by eating all the flies yourself.  I know, I know, they support the Republicans (Diamondbacks owners, not spiders) and this bill is seriously troubling , but stop trying to live out your college fantasies for a second and listen.

The idea is that skipping Dbacks games will send a large enough message to the red state, “Don’t tread on me” brigade to not back such legislation.  Even if this made a big enough sound for aftershocks to hit the executive offices, there’s still other supporters of the Republican Party out there.  They have names like “AT&T,” “Las Vegas Sands,” “Citigroup,” and “Pfizer Inc.”  Boycotts can be an effective grassroots strategy, but… not this time.

Believe it or not, the Diamondbacks aren’t run by a giant snake behind a desk wearing a suit, hissing into the phone and making inappropriate “serpent” puns to his secretary.  They’re run by a truckload of people, and while they are severely wrong-headed in their advocation of the political party waving this legislation, do you really think a Dbacks boycott is going to be a dent in their fender?  No.  It’s just going to hurt the players, who will be forced to play in front of rows and rows of empty bleachers like the last place team in a league for middle-aged single men.

That’ll show ‘um!

Believe what you believe, and challenge what you think is inherently wrong.  Fight and struggle.  Take it to the man.  But don’t sit in your chair and think you’re an activist because you’re swilling buzzwords and dramatic situations around and around until they’re just a big, colorful, blurry mess that everyone tries to understand by stubbornly positioning themselves on one side or the other.

Oakland Athletic Brad Zeigler tells us, “You can make your opinions known in lots of ways, but ultimately, boycotting games affects the players more than the owners.  Just remember, to most owners, having a baseball team is a hobby on the side. They all made their money elsewhere before buying the team.”

WHAT?  BRAD, I CAN’T HEAR YOUR LOGIC OVER THE SOUND OF MY IMPASSIONED, FIERY BELIEFS.  YOU’LL HAVE TO CALL BACK LATER WHEN SPARKING A REVOLUTION ISN’T WHAT I FEEL LIKE DOING ANYMORE.

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