We should be welcoming refugees.

[davidthegnome]

So, on Friday, ISIS proved it has the capability to attack a Western Nation. Many lives were suddenly cut short, many people who hadn't done anything to deserve it were either injured, or murdered. There really aren't any words. There aren't words that bring back the dead, there aren't words that bring a stop to the pain and suffering of loved ones.

I see a lot of words being used in the political arena - and I'm sure I'll hear them at my local watering hole. People are scared (for good reason) and don't want to allow more refugees into America, for fear that they might be terrorists intent on killing us. I can understand the honest fear of an honest person. What I also understand - is how political figures are playing to the crowd.

You think our Governors, Senators, or Presidential candidates are really threatened by desperate refugees? No - but they play upon the fear and anger of their people when they demand that... because some of them (the refugees) might be bad, we stop helping any refugees at all. They think these fear tactics - and fear mongering, will help them at the polls or at the voting booths - they are putting money on the xenophobia, racism... and fear of the American people - hoping to overcome both compassion and common sense.

It is one of the most despicable displays I have ever seen in American politics - and I have seen a lot.

I have to wonder... have these men and women read the words on the statue of liberty? Have these people honestly asked their supporters if they're okay with turning away families who are desperate, hungry, afraid... and have no where else to go? Have they asked if they really want to let a whole lot of people suffer, starve to death, or die, because there is no other help for them?

Whatever else we are in America, I believe we are a generous people, a people of compassion, of strong faith in humanity. I believe we are a courageous people - and should it ever come to an actual vote, I suspect the overwhelming majority of us would welcome refugees.

How many of us have families who once fled to America to escape desperate situations in other Nations? How many of us are willing to look into the eyes of refugees and their children - and say.. "You are not welcome here, because you might be a terrorist"?

Despite the fact that some of these refugees could very well be terrorists - we cannot allow our fear or our anger to blind us to reason or to compassion. Anyone - including any one of our own homegrown, American citizens - could very well be a terrorist. Regardless of where they come from, we must give everyone a chance - isn't that what America is all about?

Something to consider... what if it was us? There, but for the grace of God, go you or I. What if our families had to flee America and seek survival and sustenance somewhere else?

No matter how angry we are, or how worried about terrorists sneaking in... we cannot allow that to overcome our humanity. The struggle for the common good.

To stop aiding those in desperate need because we are angry or afraid... those are the actions of cowards - and we are not cowards. We should welcome refugees with open arms, offer them whatever help we can in their desperate plight.

When we find terrorists, or criminals, or murderers... then let them face the wrath of our military, our police, our justice system, of good and decent people. I expect that, if we are kinder, if we strive for peace and the common good - that others will too. Hate begets hate, but it is possible that compassion might beget the same, as well.

It is possible that by demonstrating our compassion and good will we might help save the minds and hearts of future terrorists. It is possible that kindness demonstrates our courage far more than anger. The best way to fight ISIS is through our humanity, through our compassion towards each other, wherever we might come from, whatever faith we follow, whatever we might look like.

We won't win hearts and minds by turning people away - what that would accomplish, I believe, is only to create more anger, more hatred. More young men ready to put on suicide vests. Our good will, in the end, is what will defeat ISIS. It can only thrive on rage, on hatred, on vengeance... and on fear. When we abandon these things, when we have the courage to overcome our own, then ISIS fails - and more than that, we demonstrate who we are to the world. Who we really are.

Paul, LePage, Trump... these assholes do NOT speak for the majority. We are the people who landed on the moon, who helped face down Hitler and bring about the end of the Nazi regime. We have helped to bring down walls, to rebuild Nations, to cure diseases - we are Americans - and we do not give in to fear. We are not now and have never been a cowardly people. So for the sake of all that is good and just, let's not allow this disease in our own politics to turn us into cowards.

[Orrex]

1. IMO we should consider it an honor and a privilege

It's pathetic that the most powerful nation in the history of the world will hide cowering under its bed at the mere suggestion that one refugee in 10,000 might harbor a less-than-rosy view of the US.


We should recognize this as an amazing opportunity to demonstrate the real strength and the real beauty of our country, instead of an excuse to broadcast our xenophobia worldwide.

[Bluenorthwest]

2. Where were all you open door advocates when they banned immigration by people with HIV for

22 years? It's crazy that you folks who did that to others now posture as if it never happened.

[davidthegnome]

3. Here, doing much what I am now.

Living, working, trying to make a difference where and how I can. I also... didn't do that to anyone. Never in a million years would I have supported that ban, what on earth makes you think that "you folks" (Me? Democrats? People who want to let the refugees in? The democratic underground? Who are you accusing, exactly?) did that to others? You want to see the responsible party? Go visit freeperville and let them know how you feel - the thing is, it's the same people, in both situations, that wanted to keep others out, out of fear and ignorance... and it's the same people, in both situations, that fought to let them in. I suspect that you know this.

I don't know about open door advocates in general, but I was right here, doing what I could to make a difference. It's not always enough, hell, it's not always even half as much as it should be, but I'm doing the best I can.

You know, it is entirely possible to have the best intentions, to fight for the right things - and to fail, to lose, over and over again. It is a long, disheartening process and it drains the hell out of you, it drained the hell out of me. I'm still here though, still fighting. For you to throw that accusation here, of all places, is out of line. You're talking to democrats, liberals, independents, most of us people who fought that ban and many other kinds of injustice and ignorance.

You want to see some posturing? Check out Fox news. You're barking up the wrong tree.

[Kber]

4. "You folks"

Do you know something about Davidthegnome and his opinions we don't?

The OP is a call to compassion and humanity. The fact that we haven't always hit the mark is no reason to deride such calls all together.

Failure to live up to our ideals is a reason to redouble our efforts, not abandoned them.

[gratuitous]

5. Our obligation to take these refugees has many dimensions

One, of course, is that we've created so many of them by our horrible foreign policy. Think of it as the Pottery Barn obligation: You broke their country, now take care of the citizens fleeing the mess you made.

Second, there is the moral obligation, enhanced by the popular notion of American exceptionalism: If we really are that shining city on a hill, like the Republicans are so fond of quoting St. Reagan about, then we need to demonstrate that.

Third is the heartlessness of turning people back to face the meat grinder they just escaped. Gov. Pence of Indiana, come on down. This is Stalinesque in its psychopathy.

Fourth is the propaganda boost it gives our good friends in Daesh: "See what we told you about the decadent West? They don't care about the mayhem and carnage and they don't care about you. You can either be our victim or be our ally; nobody's coming to save you, and if you escape, they'll just send you back to us."

[gratuitous]

6. A little kick for a little more exposure

Sometimes it's weird to see what stays up and what sinks down in a forum.