'Undocumented' Spectators

Imagine thousands of people were sneaking into Phoenix Suns games without tickets.

The management would quickly crack down on the "undocumented spectators."

Security personnel would engage in "profiling" - singling out younger male fans wandering around without obvious seats. They would want to see some "papers" - ticket stubs. Those lacking documentation would be deported out of the arena, or, in some cases, arrested.

The Phoenix Suns, an NBA franchise, made a statement in Game 2 of their playoff series on Wednesday by donning jerseys that read "Los Suns" in support of Hispanic (illegal) immigrants and in opposition to the new Arizona immigration law. They wore the jerseys twice during the regular season. (Are there really that many Hispanics in the NBA?)

Suns owner Robert Sarver says the law calls into question "our basic principles of equal rights and protection under the law." General Manager Steve Kerr said the team wasn't after "a huge political statement" but wanted to "celebrate the diversity that exists here in Arizona." On the other hand, he said the law conjures up "images of Nazi Germany."

The team could have at least made an effort to get the Spanish right. A literal translation would be "Los Soles." Furthermore, they might want to rethink the wisdom of alienating their fan base, given that 70 percent of Arizonans support the law.

Adding insult to injury, The Phoenix News Times reports, "The greatest example of government bailout excess may just be Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, whose banks have taken $140 million in Troubled Asset Relief Program funds." Apparently, he still had money for the basketball team, though.

So what to do? The Washington Times suggests a solution:

"[W]hile millionaire athletes become walking billboards for a political cause, the state of Arizona might want to review the terms of its relationship with the Suns. If Mr. Sarver wants to use his team to push a political agenda, perhaps citizens can push back. Imagine Phoenix residents channeling the spirits of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. by turning up en masse to Suns games, sneaking in without tickets, demanding special services like free food and access to box seats, overtaxing arena security and ruining the game for the people with tickets. They can call it a celebration of diversity."

We might add that if you give birth at a game, you get lifetime season tickets for the anchor baby. Or maybe the Suns should stick to basketball. Just a thought.

The Patriot Post