This is more a less a comment on Ryn’s blog post about Senate Bill 1070.

This quote stood out to me:

“”That is an unprecedented expansion of police power,” the Detroit Free Press quoted.”

Actually Arizona is more or less reverting to how it was not too long ago – and I don’t think it was a police state back then. My dad was a Nogales police officer in the 70′s and it was part of his job. In fact, he says, the border patrol would give the police department a box of practice ammo every time they went to the station to pick up a group to be returned.

However, he admits things will be very different now. Back then it was very “Andy Griffith” like – at least the way he tells it. When they caught someone, it was a very peaceful affair, with no resistance or intimidation.

I think things will be very different today. So does he.

Are some of the problems we have now (or the extent) because we had taken this power from local law enforcement and things went out of balance? Is the solution of suddenly re-introducing an animal to the system with no research or a solid plan a good approach?

One blaring difference I see is that back then, the illegal aliens from Mexico were returned to Mexico in what seemed a pretty simple way.

However Senate Bill 1070 says it:

“Allows a law enforcement agency to securely transport an alien who is unlawfully present in the U.S. and who is in the agency’s custody to:
a) a federal facility in this state or
b) any other point of transfer into federal custody that is outside the jurisdiction of the law enforcement agency.”

Housing, court costs, attorneys….what is this going to cost? Aren’t our police officers and federal facilities spread pretty thin already?

I think this has the potential to go either way – good or bad. Hopefully there is a good plan. There is a plan right? And training? Or are we rolling some dice?

This bill, in and of itself does not worry me too much, however, combined with other recent changes (no more concealed weapon permits required) and desires (state-funded militias). Yes, I worry. The overall mentality worries me. The polarization worries me.

I try not to put myself into a box or on a “side.” I try to look at history, the individual situation, and what is needed for a good solution. So it’s hard for me to say I support this or not.

I’m wondering if our state government has the mental and monetary resources to make this a good thing. From my experience of how Arizona government entities work……

I guess we’ll just have to see.

Sonoran hot dog

The arena is ready!  The challengers have been chosen!

(Cue drum roll)

In one corner is El Guero Canelo.  The cinnamon blonde is ready and snapping his tongs.

In the other is BK Carne Asada and Hots Dogs, wielding a mesquite log.  He whispers something in Spanish to his sister and translator outside the ring.  She yells, “Bring it on!”

The fans go wild!

These two establishments are very similar.  They both have 12th Avenue restaurants on the south side that appear to have sprouted around humble hot-dog carts.  Each opened second restaurants on the north side about the same time.  Both serve Sonoran dogs.  You would think a Sonoran dog is a Sonoran dog.  However, many Tucsonans seem to have very strong opinions that one is better than the other.

And so, these restaurants have been in an epic hot dog battle since the early 90′s.  Tucson print and electronic publications usually list these as the top two, and they often take turns in the #1 spot year to year.

So, the debate may be settled once and for all next weekend when the Travel Channel comes to town to shoot an episode for a new series that will be visiting towns across the country and featuring their iconic food dishes.  The show will be a companion to their popular Man V Food series and will air in the spring.  They will pit food establishments against each other, interview fans, and choose Superfans.

So if you are one of those Tucsonans with a strong opinion in the Sonoran dog debate and consider yourself a big fan of either establishment, you are welcome to attend the shoot of your favorite (show your love), and have a chance to be crowned a Superfan.

They will be shooting at their 12th avenue locations:
January 28th (Thursday):  BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs
January 29th (Friday):  El Guero Canelo
January 30th (Saturday):  Both restaurants.

Exact times have yet to be announced but will be early afternoon or evening.  I will update this post with the times if I hear more.

If you think you qualify as a Superfan for either restaurant, email FoodFanCasting@gmail.com and let them know about your love.

Are you an El  Guero Canelo fan?  This is your chance to be crowned the ultimate Superfan and get featured on a Travel Channel TV show.

I wrote about  Sonoran dogs and El Guero Canelo in another post where I mentioned they had been highlighted on the Travel Channel’s Man V Food show.

There is now a new series in the works that will be a companion to Man V Food, and they are coming to Tucson to prove if El Guero Canelo really does have the best Sonoran dog in Tucson.

They are welcoming fans to the shoots where they will conduct interviews and then feature the ultimate Superfan on the show.  They will also be pitting El Guero Canelo Vs a challenger.

If you are a fan who would like to go to one of the shoots, send an email to foodfancasting@gmail.com.  There will be two shoots – January 29 (a Friday) when they shoot at the 12th Avenue location and January 30 when they pit El Guero Canelo Vs a challenger.