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My request for help has to do with mounting pressures on daily living that are being felt by those of us who have chosen to move to the previously tranquil community of Tubac, Ariz.
At first we were just being stopped by the Border Patrol every time we decided to drive to Green Valley. Then, we were asked if we were U.S. citizens - here in our own country.
As I recall, this is how it started with the Nazi takeover of Germany in the late 1930s. As time progressed, we accepted it as a way of life, but our visiting friends and relatives felt inclined to visit us less. They were intimidated by the infringement of being asked if they were U.S. citizens.
This expanded to the weekenders who frequented our art studios and craft shops, and now many of the businesses are being forced to consider closing their doors. They just can't make enough to pay the bills anymore.
More recently, the drug runners have begun to frequent our local roads and the trails that were outdoor attractions for hikers. We don't dare use these anymore without some armament, and of course, we wouldn't take along our grandkids who used to enjoy the outdoors in and around Tubac when they'd come to visit. We don't dare allow them to go outside anymore without being carefully guarded and having outlined in advance a quick escape route back behind locked doors.
Perhaps you've read about the shootings that have occurred in our neighborhood as the drug-runners skulk through our yards and walking paths to avoid that checkpoint along Interstate 19. It's common now to have helicopters hovering over our home as the Border Patrol extends its searches into our once private domains.
I've often wondered how logical it would be to concentrate all of this Border Patrol manpower at the border rather than have them living among us and invading our private lives. We residents are one step away from living in a military state not much different from the internment camps we constructed and herded private citizens into during the early days of World War II.
What's different, I guess, is that we moved into our interment camp voluntarily when it was a part of the United States, and the interment camp came to encompass us as the Border Patrol encircled, and Arizona effectively ceded part of the Gadsden Purchase back to Mexico. To be more correct, I can only assume that we will soon be recognized as Tubac, Mexico.
Should you be trying to reach me in Tubac, you'll find I'm in Phoenix for the next few days for some R&R.
On Sunday, we will make our way back through our 2007 version of the Berlin Corridor to the once desirable community of Tubac.
We all hope that you will not forget us and use whatever influence you may have to reclaim Tubac for the great state of Arizona.
(Editor's Note: Smith of Tubac, is retired.)
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ajhcb wrote on Jun 13, 2008 4:12 PM:
C B Black wrote on Aug 25, 2007 11:19 AM:
Tina Totty wrote on Aug 14, 2007 9:58 PM:
Randy wrote on Aug 14, 2007 9:03 PM: