Zeigen Sie mir Ihre Papiere

At the end of August, in Arizona, the words “show me your papers” coming from a law enforcement officer will give one pause.

Pause, because that is not the first time that the words have been uttered by officers who are part of a despotic repressive regime.

Something that Arizona became yesterday when its governor Jan Brewer signed into law their SB 1070, the law that gives Arizona police broad powers to ask anyone to prove their US citizenship right then and there. Something I couldn’t do right now if my life depended on it.

Here is the operative text from the bill:

“FOR ANY LAWFUL CONTACT MADE BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL OR AGENCY OF THIS STATE OR A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN OR OTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THIS STATE 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.”

Legalizing racial profiling.

Despotic. Tyranical. Fascist.

I find it absolutely disgusting that for over a year now we have been treated to images of President Barack Obama doctored with a “Hitler Moustache” suggesting he is a Nazi tyrant and at the same time calling him a socialist and a communist.

Presenting one with doubt that Teabaggers are actually aware of how the arrangement of the political spectrum would preclude that combination.

But now, I think we have a new standard of tyranny to put on display, and a new face to put to that tyranny. And guess what, it’s not a Democratic office holder.

Behold the new face of despotic tyranny in America:

Governor Jan Brewer.