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| It's DEJA VU, Again |
In Sunday's Arkansas Democrat/Gazette, John Brummett's column especially "ticked me off." Actually, it only angered me a bit more than it usually does. He framed the issue as a culture war in the U.S. between the "liberals" (his good guys) and the "scared" (us bad guy conservatives and Republicans).
Brummett belittles anyone's concerns (fears) about letting in 10,000 or more Syrian, mostly Muslim, refugees because "opening our arms to the huddled masses is one of our most treasured national ideals." He also writes that the vetting process will sufficiently protect us from infiltrating ISIS members.
In response to this and other similar arguments, I wish to express my thoughts:
Yes, America has taken in millions of immigrants over the last two centuries. But never have we intentionally taken in those who do not wish to assimilate into our culture but wish to bring their Middle East culture and Sharia law to our shores (surveys of these Muslims confirm their desire to keep their culture and many have expressed positive attitudes towards ISIS - remember, many are fleeing Syrian President Assad; not ISIS). Just look at the problems Europe has already experienced with the lack of Muslim assimilation.
Wouldn't it be better to put pressure on Middle Eastern Muslim countries to resettle their own Arab people in Arab countries where they have a shared culture? Countries that don't have any national financial debt but have money surpluses. Countries that are right there in the Middle East and the refugees wouldn't have to be transported tens of thousands of miles to an alien culture and climate. It's obvious these countries don't want their own because they know the problems associated with these refugees. So send them to the Europe and America. These countries must be laughing at us and astounded that Europe and the U.S. are willingly taking in those who should be their responsibility. And let's not forget, Russia, China and South America aren't taking any refugees. Are they uncaring or just plain smart?
Recently Chris Matthews, a left leaning liberal, questioned why we should take in these millions of refugees who want to flee to the West when they are not willing to fight for their own country. I fully agree with him.
The majority of Americans have great security concerns and worry about our national safety. I don't believe or trust our government when it says it will be able to adequately vet these refugees. Previously, the majority of Middle Eastern immigrants (not refugees) wanted the American way of life. There was sufficient time to slowly vet them to be sure of their past but now there is an overwhelming number to be vetted and with little time. And how do you vet people who come from areas where there are no records to analyze? How can you sure they are even who they say they are? Finally, we keep hearing how it takes 18-24 months to fully and adequately vet each person. So how can the President bring 10,000 refugees into America within the next year? How can 10,000 be adequately analyzed within 12 months if it takes 18-24 months minimum to vet each person? Logically, it can't be done.
The President wants us to believe we want to deny widows and orphan children the opportunity to come to America for safety. Well, the majority of refugees are able-bodied men of fighting age, not widows and orphans. Also, the implication is that widows (women) are perfectly safe. Haven't women been willing to be suicide bombers, wearing suicide bomb vests under their burkas and blow themselves up? Haven't we seen pictures of young Arab children being indoctrinated in jihad so as to behead and kill infidels?
Even if the vast majority of the refugees were safe, is it acceptable to take the chance of a few being jihadi ISIS terrorists? My wife heard the following analogy recently. What if you had a jar with 10,000 jellybeans and you knew 10 of the jellybeans were poisoned. Would you be willing to eat any of the jelly beans since so few were poison and the vast majority safe? What if only one was poisoned? Would you be willing to take a chance with your life? I doubt it. So why is it OK to take a chance when one terrorist could kill hundreds of Americans or train home grown American terrorists how to be more effective? Brummett states, "Yet being wrong only once in 10,000 can cause a lot of harm and heartache. But, that wouldn't mean we were wrong to help 9,999." I wonder if John would feel the same if that one (and who says it would only be one) blew up the Arkansas Democrat Gazette building with all the employees inside? Theory is so good until it meets reality.
Lastly and very significantly, let's discuss the financial cost to the United States and its citizens. We are a country with an almost $19 trillion dollar debt. What is the cost to fly each refugee to America? What about the immediate financial cost for the needs of each person and family arriving? How much is given to charitable organizations to care for these individuals? Did you know that unlike other legal immigrants, refugees are eligible for all welfare programs immediately on arrival? The Center For Immigration Studies estimated that on average, each Middle Eastern refugee resettled in the United States costs an estimated $64,370 in the first five years, or $257,481 per household. The Federal government doesn't have the money to pay for them. The individual States where they are to be relocated to surely don't have the money and resources to absorb these refugees. So where is the money coming from? It is coming from money that could be used to help our own poor and our own veterans and will now be spent of refugees?
Some may consider me a heartless Neanderthal after reading my concerns. But, maybe I am just like the ancient Neanderthal, who had to carry a big club to defend himself and his family from others wishing to take what he had. My first and primary goal and overwhelming motivation is for personal, family and my country's preservation and safety. The majority of Americans (67% according to the latest polls) presently agree with me.
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Jack Sternberg, MD, is a retired medical doctor and Chairman, Garland County TEA Party Patriots in Arkansas, and a contributor to the ARRA News Service.
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