Immigration & SB 1070

Brewer enlists puppet to answer criticism of immigration law

Posted May 22, 2010

Michael Truelsen
TucsonSentinel.com

A singing frog lends a hand, er flipper, to Gov. Jan Brewer in her public relations battle over Arizona's new immigration law.

A singing puppet is helping Gov. Jan Brewer respond to criticism of Arizona's new immigration law.

Brewer has been heavily criticized for signing SB 1070 last month that requires police to check the documents of anyone they stop or detain whom they suspect of being in the country illegally.

While supporters say the law will not lead to racial profiling because it's expressly forbidden in the language of the bill, critics say profiling is unavoidable.

So Brewer is fighting back.

In a video at at securetheborder.org, a site paid for by Brewer, a frog puppet asks viewers to sing along while it extols the virtues of reading.

"Reading helps you know what you're talking about," it sings.

Prominent critics of the law, including Attorney General Eric Holder and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, are then shown admitting they haven't read the legislation.

"Seriously?" says the frog.

The site also asks supporters to sign a petition supporting efforts to secure the border.

"(T)he state has come under attack by people who are misrepresenting Arizona’s laws and trying to hurt our efforts to support the rule of law. They include President Obama, Al Sharpton, the East Coast media, and political strategists who are trying to use the issue of illegal immigration for political gain," reads a statement on the site.

Watch the video below.