My solution is to set up a sheltered zone in Syria protected by a multinational force. I'm sure Syria has enough land to establish refugee camps. It would involve ground troops but if the major world powers cannot do this what type of military do we really have? It would be a defensive operation only. A lot better than having a mass migration as has been occurring.
1
there must be political solution that is a ceasefire negotiated peace agrrementin Syria and Yemen now the world can not allow this humanitarian catastrophe continue for a long tme peace everywhere the Middle East
Another alternative:
UN world power assistance to nations for the complete destruction of murderous extremists and allow people to live their lives in their own country in security.
UN world power assistance to nations for the complete destruction of murderous extremists and allow people to live their lives in their own country in security.
2
The New York Times can help by publishing an editorial asking the rich Arab Gulf countries to accept these refugees.
11
Read elsewhere today in the Times about the imminent fall of the city of Ramadi in Iraq and how it is creating a new refugee crisis. Read about the destruction of whatever kind of nation Yemen is or was.
And know this. We caused it all by our abject stupid, ignorant invasion of Iraq.
All of this is on the heads of every single American but especially and above all on the heads of the benighted Geroge W. Bush and the raving lunatic who was his vice president, Richard Cheney.
Nothing that is happening in Iraq, in Syria or Yemen would have happened but for them and but for the unpardonable ignorance of an American citizenry that cheered a war against a tin pot dictator who, terrible as he was, never did the damage to his people that we did and have been the cause of since.
And that ignorance goes on and on and on seated in a congress that does not understand what lies beyond failing to enter a nuclear arms limitation agreement with Iran. Why would or could the world expect anything different from a United States in thrall to the Yahoos in the American congress? The question is rhetorical.
And know this. We caused it all by our abject stupid, ignorant invasion of Iraq.
All of this is on the heads of every single American but especially and above all on the heads of the benighted Geroge W. Bush and the raving lunatic who was his vice president, Richard Cheney.
Nothing that is happening in Iraq, in Syria or Yemen would have happened but for them and but for the unpardonable ignorance of an American citizenry that cheered a war against a tin pot dictator who, terrible as he was, never did the damage to his people that we did and have been the cause of since.
And that ignorance goes on and on and on seated in a congress that does not understand what lies beyond failing to enter a nuclear arms limitation agreement with Iran. Why would or could the world expect anything different from a United States in thrall to the Yahoos in the American congress? The question is rhetorical.
2
I live in the middle east and can assure you that the invasion of Iraq has nothing to do with Syria and Yemen.
6
We should not close our doors as long as we have the statue of liberty in our harbor. If we can only go out and kill people we should say so or let some of these people in to be in keeping with our history.
2
America,Canada and Australia gave shelters in their countries for million on jews who were escaping Nazi atrocities.
Why not the Syrians and Iraqis.
It is time to help those victims too
Why not the Syrians and Iraqis.
It is time to help those victims too
3
Jews had no where else to go. Syrians have dozens of countries that share their religious and ethnic backgrounds.
8
Actually there were strict limits on immigration for undesirable Eastern European immigrants at that time, as many Americans had become afraid of what would happen to our national character if we continued to let in so many non WASPs. Those limits, which were not lifted even as the Nazi Party rose to power and Jews sought to escape, contributed greatly to the Holocaust. There is nothing that anyone is saying here about Muslims that was not also said about Catholics and Jews.
Europe is not the United States or Canada and if Muslims are going to continue to develop a peaceful, liberal, rational, type of Islam, it will happen here, not in Europe. If the posters above actually knew any American Muslims, they would know that this is exactly how Islam is practiced here and there is no reason that Muslims or any other religious group cannot become fully American. We have Left Behind evangelicals who believe in a violent, vengeful God who will destroy most of humanity running for Presudent right now. No one questions their ability to be rational, peaceful citizens despite their church teachings, although perhaps we should.
Europe is not the United States or Canada and if Muslims are going to continue to develop a peaceful, liberal, rational, type of Islam, it will happen here, not in Europe. If the posters above actually knew any American Muslims, they would know that this is exactly how Islam is practiced here and there is no reason that Muslims or any other religious group cannot become fully American. We have Left Behind evangelicals who believe in a violent, vengeful God who will destroy most of humanity running for Presudent right now. No one questions their ability to be rational, peaceful citizens despite their church teachings, although perhaps we should.
1
Why aren't the wealthy middle eastern countries taking in these refugees. They share the same culture and religion. Oh, guess that depends if you are a Sunni or Shiite Muslim.
NO REFUGEES FROM MUSLIM COUNTRIES; we've got plenty and they preach hate Americans, hate American culture, and zero tolerance to those that believe differently. The Mosques and clerics in this country are at the root of the problem. Sad, as I do believe most Muslims would be more tolerant without their 'leadership.'
And while I feel badly for Syrian refugees, I also feel badly for the poor people in Mexico and South America who live under corrupt governments where gangs rule. I feel badly for India - too many people, and corrupt governments. I feel badly for the Chinese, at least those that are not blessed to be in the Communist party. I feel badly for Afganistans, Lebanese, Egyptians, etc. etc. etc. Heck, I feel badly for the Brits who are overwhelmed with refugees and Muslims that attack churches and synagogs, but whose government is so politically correct as to not even denounce these actions.
I feel bad for the refugees in France who cannot get work, but keep having kids.... After a while, I guess I don't feel so bad for the Syrians. I feel bad for us all, but am not willing to continue to tear this country apart by admitting more refugees and immigrants that want only to make money, but not assimilate. Stay home!
NO REFUGEES FROM MUSLIM COUNTRIES; we've got plenty and they preach hate Americans, hate American culture, and zero tolerance to those that believe differently. The Mosques and clerics in this country are at the root of the problem. Sad, as I do believe most Muslims would be more tolerant without their 'leadership.'
And while I feel badly for Syrian refugees, I also feel badly for the poor people in Mexico and South America who live under corrupt governments where gangs rule. I feel badly for India - too many people, and corrupt governments. I feel badly for the Chinese, at least those that are not blessed to be in the Communist party. I feel badly for Afganistans, Lebanese, Egyptians, etc. etc. etc. Heck, I feel badly for the Brits who are overwhelmed with refugees and Muslims that attack churches and synagogs, but whose government is so politically correct as to not even denounce these actions.
I feel bad for the refugees in France who cannot get work, but keep having kids.... After a while, I guess I don't feel so bad for the Syrians. I feel bad for us all, but am not willing to continue to tear this country apart by admitting more refugees and immigrants that want only to make money, but not assimilate. Stay home!
8
"NO REFUGEES FROM MUSLIM COUNTRIES; we've got plenty and they preach hate Americans, hate American culture, and zero tolerance to those that believe differently."
The only refugees from muslim countries that we should admit into the US should be non-muslims. Muslims will not assimilate into western culture and try to breed their way into the majority.
The only refugees from muslim countries that we should admit into the US should be non-muslims. Muslims will not assimilate into western culture and try to breed their way into the majority.
7
Well said
Re: U. N. Calls on Western Nations to Shelter Syrian Refugees." news story, April 17, 2015.
Currently, the U. S. is far behind European countries in accepting Syrian refugees, with just 2,000 a year. Compare that figure with Germany's willingness to take in 30,000. The UN-recommended number for America is a reasonable 65,000. We're a generous and compassionate people; let's not turn away from our doors Syrian men and women of all ages, who have done nothing wrong, looking desperately for a place of refuge.
As we embrace the hapless Syrians with compassion, let us demand that
world leaders bring pressure on all fighting sects in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen to
lay aside their weapons and to initiate negotiations for peace. Peace is always possible if the creators of strife listen to their own God-given conscience. Durable peace will stem the flow of the uprooted and dispossessed into foreign lands. More than 14 million innocent Syrians and Iraqis have already fled their homes, and more than 200,000 innocent people have lost their lives. Stop the mindless carnage of fellow-human beings in the name of sectarian revenge.
Currently, the U. S. is far behind European countries in accepting Syrian refugees, with just 2,000 a year. Compare that figure with Germany's willingness to take in 30,000. The UN-recommended number for America is a reasonable 65,000. We're a generous and compassionate people; let's not turn away from our doors Syrian men and women of all ages, who have done nothing wrong, looking desperately for a place of refuge.
As we embrace the hapless Syrians with compassion, let us demand that
world leaders bring pressure on all fighting sects in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen to
lay aside their weapons and to initiate negotiations for peace. Peace is always possible if the creators of strife listen to their own God-given conscience. Durable peace will stem the flow of the uprooted and dispossessed into foreign lands. More than 14 million innocent Syrians and Iraqis have already fled their homes, and more than 200,000 innocent people have lost their lives. Stop the mindless carnage of fellow-human beings in the name of sectarian revenge.
Well. If they are Muslim refugees, surely they would be much happier as refugees in Muslim countries. Wouldn't they??
Jordan does a great deal for Syrian refugees. Turkey too. Much as I have great distaste for Erdogan, he does his country proud by hosting so many Syrian refugees.
Europe and the US can certainly provide financial assistance through the UN though. The richer Arab states should finance the refugees too. After all, the refugees, for the most part, are their 'brothers'. Aren't they?
Jordan does a great deal for Syrian refugees. Turkey too. Much as I have great distaste for Erdogan, he does his country proud by hosting so many Syrian refugees.
Europe and the US can certainly provide financial assistance through the UN though. The richer Arab states should finance the refugees too. After all, the refugees, for the most part, are their 'brothers'. Aren't they?
11
A Sad Chapter in American Refugee History Repeats Itself
This article mentions that Republicans don't want to increase the US quota of Syrians because terrorists might be interspersed with terrorists. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, the United States State Department made the same arguments in denying access to German Jews. They feared that spies and saboteurs might be among the Jewish refugees. Many innocent people died because our government made a weak excuse instead of acting on the principles etched into the Statue of Liberty.
This article mentions that Republicans don't want to increase the US quota of Syrians because terrorists might be interspersed with terrorists. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, the United States State Department made the same arguments in denying access to German Jews. They feared that spies and saboteurs might be among the Jewish refugees. Many innocent people died because our government made a weak excuse instead of acting on the principles etched into the Statue of Liberty.
3
Hard to see beyond this crisis but the root of it is that Assad remains in Syria and he would not be there now but for the continued support of Russia. But of course who in his or her right mind would choose Russia as a sanctuary (oh excepting Edward Snowden).
That Syria today is probably beyond redemption as a nation state, destroyed by its own government to save the regime, shattered politically by intra-Islamic hatreds and fears and all the rest of the unsolvable puzzle it has become, means there is no place to go home to even if they could go home.
It is the world's problem and just as the world turned its face to the fate of the Jews in Germany and beyond in 1939 it will do so again, including the U.S., driven as we are by Republican Xenophobia and fear and hatred of "the other".
You know who should lead a demand that we admit more of these refugees?
Cuban Americans, Vietnamese Americans, the children and grandchildren of survivors -- those among us whose communities know what it means to need a new country and to find one here in the United States.
That Syria today is probably beyond redemption as a nation state, destroyed by its own government to save the regime, shattered politically by intra-Islamic hatreds and fears and all the rest of the unsolvable puzzle it has become, means there is no place to go home to even if they could go home.
It is the world's problem and just as the world turned its face to the fate of the Jews in Germany and beyond in 1939 it will do so again, including the U.S., driven as we are by Republican Xenophobia and fear and hatred of "the other".
You know who should lead a demand that we admit more of these refugees?
Cuban Americans, Vietnamese Americans, the children and grandchildren of survivors -- those among us whose communities know what it means to need a new country and to find one here in the United States.
4
Syria and the people of the world calls for world peace and sustainable development members of the security council of the United Nations take political solutions that is brokered ceasefire in Syria
What happens to Syria when it is emptied of all its people? Just wondering.
2
Then there will be "peace".
1
We could take them in if they and their children had to go home once the war was over. And if their children born here were not US citizens, but I'm not sure if that is constitutional. Would they want to go back to the Middle East after coming here? Of course not.
The US is not the model for the world but rather a relatively calm area in a world that is mostly a hellhole. Bringing more people here is not the answer.
The US is not the model for the world but rather a relatively calm area in a world that is mostly a hellhole. Bringing more people here is not the answer.
5
I was very surprised reading the tendency of the majority of comments here (in the haven of left of centre, liberal American journalism) basically saying the US should not take Syrian refugees as there is a high risk of importing terrorism, refugees will have a hard time to integrate, rich middle Eastern sunni countries like Saudi Arabia are better suited to receive them and look at what’s happening in Europe, there are bursting at their seams and social unrest is increasing.
Not that there is a big grain of truth in all these arguments, but the key question is how to solve the immediate refugee issue and humanitarian crisis. You can demand that Saudi Arabia is taking in refugees but it’s not going to happen. Do you want to leave the burden to Europe while at the same time denouncing citizen movements happening there as xenophobe and rightwing, e.g. like Pegida in Germany, that merely reflect all the things you said in your comments in this forum? How hypocritical.
The U.S. and its allies destabilized Iraq and Syria in turn, creating safe havens for extremists that previously did not exist. You have a responsibility to deal with your share of human consequences of your foreign policy adventures of the last decade. Just because you (and Canada) sit on a continent far away from the action you partially caused doesn’t exclude you from responsibility.
Not that there is a big grain of truth in all these arguments, but the key question is how to solve the immediate refugee issue and humanitarian crisis. You can demand that Saudi Arabia is taking in refugees but it’s not going to happen. Do you want to leave the burden to Europe while at the same time denouncing citizen movements happening there as xenophobe and rightwing, e.g. like Pegida in Germany, that merely reflect all the things you said in your comments in this forum? How hypocritical.
The U.S. and its allies destabilized Iraq and Syria in turn, creating safe havens for extremists that previously did not exist. You have a responsibility to deal with your share of human consequences of your foreign policy adventures of the last decade. Just because you (and Canada) sit on a continent far away from the action you partially caused doesn’t exclude you from responsibility.
2
Claude
I do believe that the west should help the Middle east crisis. Thing is, this crisis did not even started yet. Siria is merely the beginning. If you investigate a bit more you will find there are milions of kids bellow the age of 14 that are illiterate. So they will probably join one the militias out there and the war would spread to other states ( http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Columnist/2015/Apr-18/294861-the-per... ) .
Obama knows that. This is why the US administration is dumping all allies in the middle east. They just do not want to be involved and they have no need for oil any more. This is why there is a sudden love between US and IRAN. The U.S does not want to mess with the Shia as well as the Suna.
The only way to make peace is to come and create a democracy .But no westernise civilization wants that - would you ?
There are 350 million people in the middle east. At some point you - the west , will not be able to absorb so many refugees.
The middle east wars would be fricking' channel on your TV.
I do believe that the west should help the Middle east crisis. Thing is, this crisis did not even started yet. Siria is merely the beginning. If you investigate a bit more you will find there are milions of kids bellow the age of 14 that are illiterate. So they will probably join one the militias out there and the war would spread to other states ( http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Opinion/Columnist/2015/Apr-18/294861-the-per... ) .
Obama knows that. This is why the US administration is dumping all allies in the middle east. They just do not want to be involved and they have no need for oil any more. This is why there is a sudden love between US and IRAN. The U.S does not want to mess with the Shia as well as the Suna.
The only way to make peace is to come and create a democracy .But no westernise civilization wants that - would you ?
There are 350 million people in the middle east. At some point you - the west , will not be able to absorb so many refugees.
The middle east wars would be fricking' channel on your TV.
Iraq was already unstable under Saddam. As for Syria I think the US used it to pressure Iran while realizing all along that Assad will not be defeated easily.
1
And this is how it starts. The Syrians bent on destruction will have an open door to sneak in with refugees seeking safe harbor. Italy is experiencing the onset of so many immigrants as we speak, they're feckless to handle it, along with the many hundreds that drown trying to escape their country's despots and tyrants. Italian authorities are faced with not only an economic disaster by accepting thousands of immigrants they can't support, but are targets for those Syrians that claim The Vatican is their next target in efforts to destroy Rome. Aid groups pushing for the U.S. to increase the numbers of admissions, along with Germany and Canada who have alread pledged, will allow Middle Eastern terrorists and the Muslim Brotherhood to move in to establish their goals to have the world submit to Islam, and embrace the Qu'ran. Get your prayer rugs ready, folks.
9
“In the case of Syrian refugees, our intelligence on the ground is alarmingly slim, making it harder to identify extremists,”
Can Representative Michael McCaul really be so afraid? Is there really a terrorist behind every shrub?
Mr McCaul - in the parable of the good Samaritan, in which role do you imagine yourself?
Can Representative Michael McCaul really be so afraid? Is there really a terrorist behind every shrub?
Mr McCaul - in the parable of the good Samaritan, in which role do you imagine yourself?
1
I heard that part of the deal the western nations are making with Iran is that Iran has agreed to stop supporting Assad's murderous regimen in Syria and instead use the billions of dollars it's pouring into Syria to prop up the regime, use those dollars for 'plowshares'.
"Accepting refugees is an American tradition....." . It is a tradition that needs to change. The USA has 45 million people on food stamps, hundreds of thousands of homeless, and a 20% or so un and underemployment rate. Further the addition of about 150 million people to the US population over the last 60 years has produced a severe degradation of the American environment. The American people are under no obligation to degrade the quality of their lives to the low and falling global standard.
12
Agree. Plus regardless of whatever "screening" is done, count on it to be the usual incompetence but worse, done by people with an agenda. I've read some asylum petitions and followed a few cases re: Central American applicants and the process is effectively ex parte with "boilerplate" affidavits in support (they read exactly the same) and no effective vetting or opposition.
Regardless of the bona fides of any particular "mother and children" count on a certain percentage of the next generation to become "disaffected" and a problem we can't afford.
The islamic practioners have no democratic traditions and have no intention of assimilating. Why do we keep doing this? Does the government not care about our children?
Regardless of the bona fides of any particular "mother and children" count on a certain percentage of the next generation to become "disaffected" and a problem we can't afford.
The islamic practioners have no democratic traditions and have no intention of assimilating. Why do we keep doing this? Does the government not care about our children?
8
Its a quiet bipolar thinking of some of the even most "recommended" comments: that the neighbor countries like Saudi Arabia and others should take on the problem.
First: why ever should the Saudis suddenly start doing good? They are Sunnis and by far most refugees are Shiites (which the Saudis try to erase) or Christians.
Thats a fact and would by the way a quite easy filter for possible terrorists - a test which should not take years of background checks... So far all extraterritorial terrorists including 9/11 have been Sunnis. No Shiit is member of IS or Al Qaida.
Second: I wonder why all the people with 19th century Irish, Italian, German origin are living now in the US? Could it be that their grandgrandgrand parents had been refugees? Could it be that they didn't chose the next neighboring country ?
Simply put: America is made of people exactly like those who are now starving and suffering in Syria and try to desperately to emigrate. So please remember that and think about what if congress in early 19th century would have only allowed 2000 refugees/aka imigrants? America would be empty today.
First: why ever should the Saudis suddenly start doing good? They are Sunnis and by far most refugees are Shiites (which the Saudis try to erase) or Christians.
Thats a fact and would by the way a quite easy filter for possible terrorists - a test which should not take years of background checks... So far all extraterritorial terrorists including 9/11 have been Sunnis. No Shiit is member of IS or Al Qaida.
Second: I wonder why all the people with 19th century Irish, Italian, German origin are living now in the US? Could it be that their grandgrandgrand parents had been refugees? Could it be that they didn't chose the next neighboring country ?
Simply put: America is made of people exactly like those who are now starving and suffering in Syria and try to desperately to emigrate. So please remember that and think about what if congress in early 19th century would have only allowed 2000 refugees/aka imigrants? America would be empty today.
3
Why not ask Asians also? Forget what Republicans want.
2
Why not ask Barack Obama why he did not do what any other president would have and maintained a continuing level of force security in the region. Nobel notwithstanding, his pullout on public schedule was a disgrace to the office. Nobel notw
2
Like the protestor sign in the NYT article photo on Obama's immigration reform read before it was changed.
MIGRATION IS BEAUTIFUL
MIGRATION IS BEAUTIFUL
Share the burden? How about the mediterranean invasion the EU has to deal with?
2
If we can send our young men to serve as mercenaries for Kuwaiti and Saudi "Princes" in the Gulf War to die in the their desert, the least these civic-minded "Princes" can do is welcome fellow Muslims into their countries, for they have both the means, wealth, and the territory to make this happen--and let's not forget, the money, in the beginning, behind Al Qaeda.
Penance can be hell, but it must done to atone for past sins. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia cannot begin too soon.
Penance can be hell, but it must done to atone for past sins. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia cannot begin too soon.
15
I am beyond saddened and outraged by several responses which seem to dominate these comments. They are:
1) These people are too needy - they might want/need our stuff (medical care, housing, food, counseling) and we cannot/should not afford it.
2) Muslims (apparently all of them) are dangerous and should be kept out
3) if other countries, especially other ME countries don't care, why should we (no evidence that other ME countries don't care and, in fact, many of them are drowning in refugees as we speak)
4) (I love this one) we cannot afford to take in any refugees, we should spend our money on ourselves.
To those who said these and similar things: You all make me sick.
It is no wonder that this country which used to pride itself on being the country welcoming "the huddled masses yearning to breathe free" is fast loosing its leadership place on the world stage. Now we are selfish and fearful. Timothy McVey, who grew up a Christian, all American kid killed far more than the Boston bombers 20 years ago tomorrow. Most Muslims are not terrorist; some Christians are.
1) These people are too needy - they might want/need our stuff (medical care, housing, food, counseling) and we cannot/should not afford it.
2) Muslims (apparently all of them) are dangerous and should be kept out
3) if other countries, especially other ME countries don't care, why should we (no evidence that other ME countries don't care and, in fact, many of them are drowning in refugees as we speak)
4) (I love this one) we cannot afford to take in any refugees, we should spend our money on ourselves.
To those who said these and similar things: You all make me sick.
It is no wonder that this country which used to pride itself on being the country welcoming "the huddled masses yearning to breathe free" is fast loosing its leadership place on the world stage. Now we are selfish and fearful. Timothy McVey, who grew up a Christian, all American kid killed far more than the Boston bombers 20 years ago tomorrow. Most Muslims are not terrorist; some Christians are.
3
You need to look at this from a more global perspective. We are fixated in the middle east because of Israel and oil. The problem with the human condition is virtually limitless. The US could take in 50 million destitute people tomorrow and another 50 million would just spring up. Why don't we work on stopping the war and helping the people resettle in their homeland. That is a real solution that no one wants to work on.
4
That would be the test of West's seriousness on humanitarian concerns, specially on the Syrian Civil war victims.
Perhaps India can take a few million refugees then?
8
Or at least help the refugees get settled in Pakistan. India wants to be a world power? Step right up! Help us out with these millions of refugees.
We accepted the Tsarnyev brothers because they refugees from a war-torn Muslim region. You can see what that got us.
12
@ Bob Acker in Oakland: yes, and Timothy McVey, who killed far more, was the American Christian child of American Christian parents as was his accomplice. Ditto for Dillon and Klebold at Columbine...
1
What a bad idea. Why bring in people who have nothing in common with your culture and who will not assimilate but would rather keep their own set of beliefs. One can already see how much 'fun' the Europeans are having with those Muslims that they have allowed in. See the rising tide of anti-semitism in France for an example.
12
The great migration of the early 20th century was mostly people who wanted to become Americans, in the serious and committed way. That cannot be said about these Middle Eastern refugees. Help them, if we can, but do not bring them here. That would be a social and cultural disaster.
6
(sorry) ...MOST serious and committed way.
The NYT and most other Syrian 'observers' always fail to mention one critical point: that there were NO Syrian refugees before the US started working with the Muslim Brotherhood, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar to overthrow the quite popular and legitimate president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad. In fact, just like the NYT reported about the NBC news team that was abducted by 'rebels' who framed Assad militias, this entire war has been one frame job after another. Take the Houla massacre for example, the victims were Assad SUPPORTERS - the killing done by 'rebels'. Take the Ghouta 'attack' a rather juvenile - no infantile - attempt to fake a sarin attack (which the 'rebels' are fully capable of) just as the UN team that Assad and Ja'afari had worked on getting into Syria were unpacking their bags in Damascus in order to bring the US in militarily. Then the chlorine attacks - Lord help us - in EVERY OTHER 'news' report around the world, Chlorine attacks are called a 'calling card of ISIS' - except in Syria where they are still the calling card of terrorists but the government is accused anyway. This is disgusting and must end. 10 million Syrians voted for Assad in June - the line was 2 miles long in Lebanon for expats to vote for him. The Syrian army is 90% Muslim - 70% are Sunnis - and 10% Christian. The Christians have always supported Assad. The Syrian government also reflects the population of Syria. The cries of 'lack of freedom and democracy' is from the rabid Muslim Brotherhood.
5
The refugee topic is overwhelming us here now. The summer will likely bring well over 200,000 refugees to Europe. In our small village, the ethnic mixture has clearly changed since 2012.
We are rather torn as liberals. We do not know what the new immigrants - having passed through 2 to 5 safe haven countries to get here, actually "bring to the party" in terms of skills, education and commitment to maintaining the order and values of OUR society. In Germany, such expressions might be considered racist. But are they? Refugee is one thing, but once over the line, one is safe. Why is there a desperate need to travel thousands of miles more ? Norway? Sweden? Germany? Really?
Talent, determination and commitment are valued and we need the people. But presently, we don't know where new immigrants are even from, let alone the details.
We see the thousands of refugees straining resources as governments spend like mad ensuring no one starves or freezes or dies from lack of medical care --- basic European values developed over decades of struggle.
But we understand entirely we are paying for it with 40% effective tax rates and 20% sales taxes.
This isn't the same as Central Americans slipping over the line in the US who never collect a dime in government largess. Here --- touch toe on EU soil, claim refugee, and watch the work / residence visas and assistance flow like water.
It will necessarily come unglued soon. And this from a "severely liberal " liberal.
We are rather torn as liberals. We do not know what the new immigrants - having passed through 2 to 5 safe haven countries to get here, actually "bring to the party" in terms of skills, education and commitment to maintaining the order and values of OUR society. In Germany, such expressions might be considered racist. But are they? Refugee is one thing, but once over the line, one is safe. Why is there a desperate need to travel thousands of miles more ? Norway? Sweden? Germany? Really?
Talent, determination and commitment are valued and we need the people. But presently, we don't know where new immigrants are even from, let alone the details.
We see the thousands of refugees straining resources as governments spend like mad ensuring no one starves or freezes or dies from lack of medical care --- basic European values developed over decades of struggle.
But we understand entirely we are paying for it with 40% effective tax rates and 20% sales taxes.
This isn't the same as Central Americans slipping over the line in the US who never collect a dime in government largess. Here --- touch toe on EU soil, claim refugee, and watch the work / residence visas and assistance flow like water.
It will necessarily come unglued soon. And this from a "severely liberal " liberal.
14
I feel your pain. I have always thought if you want to live in a western society you must adapt to western culture. Particularly with women as equals and learning the language and social mores.
One huge problem is many from the Middle East will not adapt. It makes no sense to send them to Western Europe of the U.S. If they do not want to live and breather western culture.
I am also a liberal democrat and agree wholeheartedly!
One huge problem is many from the Middle East will not adapt. It makes no sense to send them to Western Europe of the U.S. If they do not want to live and breather western culture.
I am also a liberal democrat and agree wholeheartedly!
12
'...This isn't the same as Central Americans slipping over the line in the US who never collect a dime in government largess. Here --- touch toe on EU soil, claim refugee, and watch the work / residence visas and assistance flow like water...'
It is the same in the US. As soon as a person has refugee status, they qualify for social services.
It is the same in the US. As soon as a person has refugee status, they qualify for social services.
2
The U.N. should be looking at the Arab countries closely to aid in this human tragedy.Turkey,Jordan and Lebanon are overburdened.There are Twenty Two Arab countries in the middle east and north Africa.Lets say,because of the terrorists and general instability in these countries like Yemen,Iraq and Syria of course,refugees cannot be sent from the frying pan into the fire,this still leaves,give or take one or two,Fifteen Arab countries,to absorb these refugees.
When you break it all down,no Syrian refugees need to make a perilous journey across the Mediterranean or change their cultural identity.As usual ,the U.N. is not commanding the right forces to approach this crisis,more like deflection and deception.
When you break it all down,no Syrian refugees need to make a perilous journey across the Mediterranean or change their cultural identity.As usual ,the U.N. is not commanding the right forces to approach this crisis,more like deflection and deception.
8
Do you really think the depraved, despotic, fanatical, violent, intolerant, medieval, women-enslaving, foreign worker-enslaving, Christian killing absolute monarchies of the Persian Gulf would EVER take in a refugee from their private Islamist revolution in Syria??? The Gulf states governments are the ones responsible for this mess (with the help of the US/UK/France/Turkey) and they have no concept of compassion for their victims any more than they have 'freedom and democracy' which according to the United States, they are helping to 'bring to Syria'.
3
Just read the top 10 Readers' Picks. Unanimous that these refugees are on their own.
Shibley Telhami of Brookings did a recent survey in which he found those who most identify as human rights supporters least support military intervention in the Middle East. He saw this to mean those who most support human rights are the least bellicose.
But as I read daily comments from NYT readers bemoaning their alliances with others, especially in the Middle East, who do not share their "values" I believe Telhami has it all wrong.
These "human righters" are not pacifists. They are frauds. They just don't care, even a little. Their moralizing is the rant of those who need to overcompensate for a quality they have not a little. It is why their criticism lacks nuance and sympathy for the different situations and cultures of those they berate as not up to their perfectionist "standards".
It is why I find the need to respond to these comments but I also find them so upsetting.
Shibley Telhami of Brookings did a recent survey in which he found those who most identify as human rights supporters least support military intervention in the Middle East. He saw this to mean those who most support human rights are the least bellicose.
But as I read daily comments from NYT readers bemoaning their alliances with others, especially in the Middle East, who do not share their "values" I believe Telhami has it all wrong.
These "human righters" are not pacifists. They are frauds. They just don't care, even a little. Their moralizing is the rant of those who need to overcompensate for a quality they have not a little. It is why their criticism lacks nuance and sympathy for the different situations and cultures of those they berate as not up to their perfectionist "standards".
It is why I find the need to respond to these comments but I also find them so upsetting.
2
I think if the US could take in 50,000 people and the problem would be solved people would be for it. However the problem is limitless, there are probably already 10 million refugees and maybe there will be 30 million. Things aren't all that good in the US, people with college degrees sometimes have trouble getting a job at McDonald's. The responsibilities of citizenship in western societies is large...you have to pay taxes, have multiple types of insurance, have a dwelling, etc. So the idea that people don't want to take in an unlimited size refugee population who will take decades to ever be able to assume the responsibilities of western society isn't so perplexing or terrible.
What do you propose?
What do you propose?
3
Canada is more than welcome to volunteer to take in millions of refugees and support them for life.
2
The United States does not have a sound immigration policy, so taking in more refugees is practically impossible. How does the UN propose this be done?
2
More importantly, why does the UN have a say?
1
Michael McCaul, (R), Texas said: “We need to put our foot on the brakes until we have more certainty that terrorist won’t slip through our fingers.”
This fear is justifiable! Yet many terrorists were not refugees, but native - born and raised in the West!
After the fall of the Gaddafi regime, Libya has become the hub for human trafficking.
The Quilliam Foundation, a British anti-extremist think tank reported in February that ISIS may use Libya as a gateway to Europe, sending their fighter disguised as refugees. They are being urged to flood into Libya from Syria and Iraq, then head for Italy and elsewhere in Europe. Quilliam had translated and analysed a document written by an ISIS propagandist who used the alias Abu Arhim al-Libim.
This fear is justifiable! Yet many terrorists were not refugees, but native - born and raised in the West!
After the fall of the Gaddafi regime, Libya has become the hub for human trafficking.
The Quilliam Foundation, a British anti-extremist think tank reported in February that ISIS may use Libya as a gateway to Europe, sending their fighter disguised as refugees. They are being urged to flood into Libya from Syria and Iraq, then head for Italy and elsewhere in Europe. Quilliam had translated and analysed a document written by an ISIS propagandist who used the alias Abu Arhim al-Libim.
2
People have been commenting on how we should accept refugees and house them and care for them. I say NO. The reason I say NO is because we need to take care of our own homeless population first. We have Americans sleeping in vacant lots, atop sewer grates, lying in filth in alleys. This is wrong. We are a superpower and we cannot find housing for our downtrodden, our needy, our brothers and sisters? Until our elected officials address this chronic problem and resolve it, we should not accept a single refugee from any country for any reason. Charity begins at home. Let's take care of our own first, shall we?
God bless AMERICA.
God bless AMERICA.
11
The two -- taking care of our own and aiding the displaced abroad -- do not have to be mutually exclusive. This "us" vs. "them" mentality is largely responsible for conflicts like the one in Syria in the first place.
4
If only most Moslem societies were that conscious! Can you name one?
1
As I read these posts I am amazed. Hard hearted is the only phrase I can muster.
Everyone seems to want to play the blame game. OK. I don't see where the refugees are to blame.
Secondly, there are many ways to help the refugees without immigration to America. I am not suggeting immigration.
Lastly, if America is truly a world leader, this is as good a time as any to step up and prove it.
Everyone seems to want to play the blame game. OK. I don't see where the refugees are to blame.
Secondly, there are many ways to help the refugees without immigration to America. I am not suggeting immigration.
Lastly, if America is truly a world leader, this is as good a time as any to step up and prove it.
2
Syrian refugees could join their comrades in the Gaza Strip.
1
Awesome...open up your home. Talk to the church leaders in your community and start a campaign to bring them into your hometown.
3
Why should the West take in more refugees who reject our norms and mores? Why not send them to Saudi Arabia, Gulf States, etc? Muslim refugees should go to countries where their cultural views are shared. Plus these countries have the wealth to care for them, the West does not. We need to care for our own people. It is always the West that comes to the rescue and it is the West which is always spat upon by the ingrates.
20
Assuming individual refugees share nothing of our "norms" and "mores" is an awfully big leap. The sweeping generalization that all Americans are exactly alike is no less idiotic.
2
Preserving western culture is actually important and an issue in both Europe and the U.S.
Personally I am not interested in allowing refugees into the US who do not recognize women as equals, who have no interest in our language or culture and resent the U.S. government.
Are there refugees who would embrace living in the West? of course
But how are we to,screen those who would lie to simply enter the U.S. For deviant purposes.
Personally I am not interested in allowing refugees into the US who do not recognize women as equals, who have no interest in our language or culture and resent the U.S. government.
Are there refugees who would embrace living in the West? of course
But how are we to,screen those who would lie to simply enter the U.S. For deviant purposes.
4
Say no to Syrian refugees. When Germany invaded France, did the French abandon their nation and ran? When Japan invaded China, did the Chinese ran? When the US was fighting the Civil War, did the American run to Canada and Mexico? No. The French, the Chinese and the American stayed and fought for their nations. Men, Women, children, the elderly, everyone fought because they have a sense of duty and loyalty to their nation and they are willing to see it through and rebuild their home.
These Syrian refugees have no sense of duty to the land they grew upon and will not have a sense of duty to their adapted home. They are in fact, economic migrants taking advantage of other nation's largesse. The people standing with Assad, risking their life fighting ISIS/ISIL and Al-Qaeda are the true Syrian and they are the one that needs our help.
These Syrian refugees have no sense of duty to the land they grew upon and will not have a sense of duty to their adapted home. They are in fact, economic migrants taking advantage of other nation's largesse. The people standing with Assad, risking their life fighting ISIS/ISIL and Al-Qaeda are the true Syrian and they are the one that needs our help.
18
That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. The biggest migrations that built America, Brazil, Canada and Argentina were during war periods. Most Germans who came to Brazil and the US came during the unification wars 1871, and after the first and Second World Wars. A million Italians came to Sao Paulo in Brazil from 1935-1955. Two million Japanese came to Brazil and Peru in the WWII period. Italians also fled in droves during their unification wars 1870, and the Ilirian war after 1930. Europeans, like any people, also bleed.
7
@weaver
So well me, is any of the countries you mentioned: Brazil, Peru, Argentina as well off as those immigrants' country of origin: Germany, Italy and Japan? And you don't see the logic of denying entry of flaky migrants.
So well me, is any of the countries you mentioned: Brazil, Peru, Argentina as well off as those immigrants' country of origin: Germany, Italy and Japan? And you don't see the logic of denying entry of flaky migrants.
Part and parcel of what is sure to be Obama's foreign policy legacy. Take a hard line against your allies while showing servile deference to your enemies. Had this administration been more proactive much earlier regarding this specific situation, there's a good chance they wouldn't need to be this reactive now.
8
The United States and its allies have created the problem by organizing, supporting and funding the jihadists in Syria, so now it's time to pony up. Plenty of room in Saudi Arabia.
12
Russia complains that it is not treated as a super power. It's population is actually declining. Let's see them step up to the plate and show the world how its superior system helps those in need.
By the way, just how many refugees does China, Russia and India take in each year?
By the way, just how many refugees does China, Russia and India take in each year?
8
India has taken in 198,665 refugees. To Quote UNHCR
'India, Nepal and Sri Lanka offer asylum to a considerable number of refugees, although they are not signatories of the 1951 Refugee Convention.
The main populations of concern to UNHCR in the subregion include more than 200,000 refugees and asylum-seekers of various origins living in India (of whom some 30,000 are registered with UNHCR);'
'India, Nepal and Sri Lanka offer asylum to a considerable number of refugees, although they are not signatories of the 1951 Refugee Convention.
The main populations of concern to UNHCR in the subregion include more than 200,000 refugees and asylum-seekers of various origins living in India (of whom some 30,000 are registered with UNHCR);'
3
Russia already took in tens of thousands of Syrian with Russian spouses at the beginning of the war. Russia and China has also supported Assad against ISIS/ISIL and Al-Qaeda from the very beginning when the U.S. was still living in the illusion there is such a thing as moderate Islamist and McCain was screaming in the Senate about sending Stinger and TOW missiles to ISIS/ISIL and Al-Qaeda. Some TOW was eventually delivered along with small arms to ISIS/ISIL to fight against government tanks. By that point most American finally caught up to what the rest of the world has been saying for a year and half about the "moderate Islamist".
2
The United States is scheduled to take in its largest tranche of Syrian refugees to date — up to 2,000 by the fall of this year,
----------------------
Odd I don't recall any vote in Congress over this.
----------------------
Odd I don't recall any vote in Congress over this.
8
When it comes to controversial issues Congress has nothing intelligent to say. Its members prevaricate or simply duck. Or, they say what in-depth polling leads them to believe you want to hear.
2
You must have missed the messiah's changed stance on gay marriage or do you think that was an "evolution"
1
They just wait for stuff to happen, then criticize the President, without taking any particular stand.
2
Why waste money and time resettling Syrian in the US or Europe? Do it the Norwegian way. Pay money to settle the refugees in the area they are now. It is one tenth the cost of resettlement and they can readily return when the situation improved. They also speak the local language, know the culture and eat the food.
What we should do it tell the million of refugees to return to government controlled area and do their best to support the government's fight against ISIS/ISIL and Al-Qaeda. Meanwhile western governments will provide Assad humanitarian aids such as food, medicine and tents to help the refugees. Once the war against terror is won, the refugees can return home to rebuild and be proud they fought for their nation against terrorism.
What we should do it tell the million of refugees to return to government controlled area and do their best to support the government's fight against ISIS/ISIL and Al-Qaeda. Meanwhile western governments will provide Assad humanitarian aids such as food, medicine and tents to help the refugees. Once the war against terror is won, the refugees can return home to rebuild and be proud they fought for their nation against terrorism.
19
How idiotic. You really demand that single women and children "return to government-controlled areas and do their best to support the government's fight"? Particularly when said government -- that of Assad -- is largely responsible for much of the carnage in its own right? I have a hunch that if a similar scenario unfolded in your backyard here in the US, you would do anything within your power to get your loved ones to safety, as would most any reasonable human being.
5
Am I mistaken in believing that the U.S. is one of the few nations to actually honor its pledges to the UN? Are the nations who favor this proposal some of those who haven't paid their UN pledges? Also, how many times do we hear that UN supplies, and volunteers, are stopped by combatants from delivering supplies? In fact, those supplies are actually hijacked by the combatants? How much sense does that make? I'd like to see us help to improve refugee camps where they already are.
Unfortunately, the area they are now is completely unsafe! The whole region is apparently unraveling. The countries next door to Syria - Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, are becoming overwhelmed. Iraq is in crisis too.
So - where exactly are these refugees supposed to go? If you expand the circle further, you see Libya, Yemen, the Sinai, Sudan, all fragile and experiencing everything from sporadic terror and violence to full fledged civil war.
This is a really bad situation.
I understand people's reluctance but I also remember how few Jews were rescued during the Shoah and it gives me pause. On purely humanitarian grounds shouldn't we at least try to help? I think if we don't it may be on our conscience long into the future.
So - where exactly are these refugees supposed to go? If you expand the circle further, you see Libya, Yemen, the Sinai, Sudan, all fragile and experiencing everything from sporadic terror and violence to full fledged civil war.
This is a really bad situation.
I understand people's reluctance but I also remember how few Jews were rescued during the Shoah and it gives me pause. On purely humanitarian grounds shouldn't we at least try to help? I think if we don't it may be on our conscience long into the future.
13
I remember when Castro caused a similar problem. Sad how time diminishes the quilt of an opposer.
1
Sorry. That should read ' oppressor .'
1
Where is the Secretary General of the UN on this subject ? Amazing how he says nothing
1
Sorry, for reasons unknown this country has not shown much of an interest in protecting our borders so we are awash in illegal immigrants here and we have no more room. May I suggest Canada.
9
I agree with you. Saudi Arabia has a lot of open space, too, and it's closer.
2
If we do take in Syrians into our country, I hope they are more grateful than the one I met recently at a party. He had nothing but criticisms and was one of the most negative people I have ever met. He was lucky to have found employment in a nice firm but still was not satisfied. I nearly told him to go back to Syria if he is so unhappy here. I had to grit my teeth and walk away from him fast. I detest people who are lucky to be admitted into our country and do not appreciate our hospitality. We have too many Americans who are unemployed and underemployed to have to put up with immigrants that only complain and are unthankful.
15
If war and poverty are the symptoms of an overpopulated nation I expect to see a lot of the above in the future.
Countries that have a relatively good quality of life for it's citizens and low population growth or none should not be ruined by the countries that have exploding populations.
Egypt for example is horribly overpopulated. Does it make sense for the West to become a safety valve for Egypt's excessive poverty stricken numbers?
We could just absorb the excess population and the country could continue it's irresponsible practices.
The most responsible way to deal with problems that are contained within boarders is to keep the problems contained and deal with them on site or in the case of these war-torn Middle East nations at least in the same region.
There are very wealthy nations in that area, they share the same religions, and they should be taking in these folks until the strife subsides.
If there is an outbreak of disease in a country nobody would recommend exporting the sickly around the world to lower the incidence of the disease in the originating country. The problem has to be solved, not exported.
Countries that have a relatively good quality of life for it's citizens and low population growth or none should not be ruined by the countries that have exploding populations.
Egypt for example is horribly overpopulated. Does it make sense for the West to become a safety valve for Egypt's excessive poverty stricken numbers?
We could just absorb the excess population and the country could continue it's irresponsible practices.
The most responsible way to deal with problems that are contained within boarders is to keep the problems contained and deal with them on site or in the case of these war-torn Middle East nations at least in the same region.
There are very wealthy nations in that area, they share the same religions, and they should be taking in these folks until the strife subsides.
If there is an outbreak of disease in a country nobody would recommend exporting the sickly around the world to lower the incidence of the disease in the originating country. The problem has to be solved, not exported.
14
Assad/Syria alone took in more than 1 million Iraqis fleeing the fighting in Iraq during a pre-emptive war that began in 2003 in Iraq. As to the current crisis in Syria, I would suggest that the Sunni rebel uprising would have been over in around 6 months if we had not been involved saying Assad must go and supporting the rebels in Syria for regime change. So, yes, we have a responsibility to find a way to help some of these displaced innocent people.
12
There is no question that America should do more to offer sanctuary to Syrian refugees. Only allowing in 700 over the four years of fighting is shameful.
Fears of allowing a terrorist into our borders are overblown, if anything, providing access to the American way of life will lure them away from the passions that lead young people to become terrorists. There is no system to appropriately scrutinize all the people of Syria. The military certainly has lists, as well as other government agencies, but it is doubtful that these are comprehensive, and even if we had a full list, how could anything be appropriately verified while the country has been reduced to rubble. We housed Nazi prisoners in the US during WWII, and even paid them to work. In short, America could and should offer more refugees sanctuary.
The other half of the argument I see here is that people keep saying “end the war” but offer no realistic prescription. Negotiations have been ongoing with no success for three years. The deal with Russia on chemical weapons has clearly been ineffective (search diplomats at the UN after witnessing a Syria documentary of the last chemical horrors).
This war will continue until both sides are exhausted, or until one side defeats the other. Sad but true. It is politically untenable for the US to get further involved and all other support is for the regime, but there are few other options.
"It is well that was is so terrible, lest we should grow too fond of it."
Fears of allowing a terrorist into our borders are overblown, if anything, providing access to the American way of life will lure them away from the passions that lead young people to become terrorists. There is no system to appropriately scrutinize all the people of Syria. The military certainly has lists, as well as other government agencies, but it is doubtful that these are comprehensive, and even if we had a full list, how could anything be appropriately verified while the country has been reduced to rubble. We housed Nazi prisoners in the US during WWII, and even paid them to work. In short, America could and should offer more refugees sanctuary.
The other half of the argument I see here is that people keep saying “end the war” but offer no realistic prescription. Negotiations have been ongoing with no success for three years. The deal with Russia on chemical weapons has clearly been ineffective (search diplomats at the UN after witnessing a Syria documentary of the last chemical horrors).
This war will continue until both sides are exhausted, or until one side defeats the other. Sad but true. It is politically untenable for the US to get further involved and all other support is for the regime, but there are few other options.
"It is well that was is so terrible, lest we should grow too fond of it."
2
It is an Arab problem, settle these people in Arab lands or in Turkey. Time for weathly gulf states to step up, maybe it's time to even sell the London townhouse or the mansion on the lake outside Geneva to cover the cost. My American kids and I shouldn't pay for this one.
13
While sympathy for the desperate plight of the Syrian refugees is warranted pragmatic foreign policy not overly emotional humanitarian responses are in the best interest of the Syrian people and the West. Western nations need to force Arabs to resolve their destructive religious sectarianism and provide reasonable security for groups in the area.
The United States could admit all the Syrian refugees, but that wouldn't resolve the civil war raging in Syria and the resulting civilian displacement. If the western nations had some approximation of the leadership and commitment to democratic principles the solution wouldn't be resettlement of thousands of Syrian refugees, but large safe zones within Sryia guarded and supported by multinational military forces.
The United States could admit all the Syrian refugees, but that wouldn't resolve the civil war raging in Syria and the resulting civilian displacement. If the western nations had some approximation of the leadership and commitment to democratic principles the solution wouldn't be resettlement of thousands of Syrian refugees, but large safe zones within Sryia guarded and supported by multinational military forces.
7
These are civilians. Families who would not have thought of settling here. Of course we have a responsibility. Of course, as the richest, most powerful nation in the world we have a responsibility. These wars are our wars, or grow out of our wars. We must develop a system for housing these people, through communities of those people who have already settled here and people who have room to spare and could support a family living with them for a time.
4
We need to develop a system for housing our homeless population first before accepting a single refugee from anywhere. We have a large homeless population problem in the U.S., and affordable housing is a real issue as well. Once these issues have been addressed and SOLVED by our beloved elected officials, THEN we can think about accepting the downtrodden from other countries.
Besides, isn't there any room in Saudi Arabia? They have gobs of money, too.
Besides, isn't there any room in Saudi Arabia? They have gobs of money, too.
2
I do not agree with you Pooja,
In the first place USA, NATO , SAUDI ARABIA, Qatar etc . should not go around providing weapons and training to terrorists. Without their support the rebellion would have been squashed long back. the only reason there refugees population from SYria is increasing is because of the support provided to the terrorists against a legitimate Government recognized by UN. since it is Actions of the US and its allies that are creating refugees , they should give them refuge and not any other country.
In the first place USA, NATO , SAUDI ARABIA, Qatar etc . should not go around providing weapons and training to terrorists. Without their support the rebellion would have been squashed long back. the only reason there refugees population from SYria is increasing is because of the support provided to the terrorists against a legitimate Government recognized by UN. since it is Actions of the US and its allies that are creating refugees , they should give them refuge and not any other country.
3
The article says: 'The plan to step up Syrian refugee resettlement in the United States has stirred up protests from Republican lawmakers in Congress.' There is no mention at all of any protests from Democratic lawmakers in Congress. So one assumes the Democratic party is in favor of the U.N. call for even larger tranches of Syrian refugees being allowed in. Good to know.
5
The more that are taken in, the more unstable the country becomes. Jobs? Healthcare? Education? Housing? We as already overburdened taxpayers will pay that price. Then there is the cultural difference. These people don't assimilate. They wish to change US. Sharia Law? That is a recipe for long term disaster. You will have Civil war in America. The Middle East cannot continue to roil, casting off it's people for others to deal with. Would like nothing more than to just wall off the entire region, and let them work it out.
7
Too bad the Bush administration lied us into the disastrous war in Iraq that destabilized the entire Middle East. Now the neo-cons. with an assist from the Republican's chief adviser in the Middle East, Bibi Netanyahu, are planning another War, this time with Iran. Unfortunately, the Republicans who will seek the Whitehouse in 2016 are singing their tune. If one of them gets elected, things will get much worse in the Middle East and elsewhere.
4
Oh yes, the ancient Shia-Sunni rivalry never existed before the
U.S. invasion and the Assads really didn't kills tens of thousands of Syrians over the course of several decades and the Saudi Arabians are perfectly happy with a judicial system that chops off body parts and wraps women from face to foot. But as good progressive know, everything is the fault of the U.S. government. If you're part of the team writing the Democratic platform for 2016, the Republicans will have a field day.
U.S. invasion and the Assads really didn't kills tens of thousands of Syrians over the course of several decades and the Saudi Arabians are perfectly happy with a judicial system that chops off body parts and wraps women from face to foot. But as good progressive know, everything is the fault of the U.S. government. If you're part of the team writing the Democratic platform for 2016, the Republicans will have a field day.
2
Oh the Sunni-Shia divide existed long before the invasion. The problem was that George W. Bush did not know that it did before he sent us into a war in Iraq that blew up the Middle East. http://www.gunbodhi.com/unforgivable-george-w-bush-know-difference-shiit...
Bush wasn't the only one that didn't appreciate the Sunni-Shia had a "rivalry." Bill Kristol, the right-wing mouthpiece who has seldom or ever been right about anything, said before the invasion, "There's been a certain amount of pop sociology in America ... that the Shia can't get along with the Sunni and the Shia in Iraq just want to establish some kind of Islamic fundamentalist regime. There's almost no evidence of that at all. Iraq's always been very secular." I'm sure Bill will have a part in writing the Republcian platform, along with Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, John Bolton, Elliott Abrams, Richard Perle, Paul Bremer, and the rest of the idiot Bush advisers who perpetuated the lies they used to talk us into war and make things worse in the occupation.
Bush wasn't the only one that didn't appreciate the Sunni-Shia had a "rivalry." Bill Kristol, the right-wing mouthpiece who has seldom or ever been right about anything, said before the invasion, "There's been a certain amount of pop sociology in America ... that the Shia can't get along with the Sunni and the Shia in Iraq just want to establish some kind of Islamic fundamentalist regime. There's almost no evidence of that at all. Iraq's always been very secular." I'm sure Bill will have a part in writing the Republcian platform, along with Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, John Bolton, Elliott Abrams, Richard Perle, Paul Bremer, and the rest of the idiot Bush advisers who perpetuated the lies they used to talk us into war and make things worse in the occupation.
1
Who had a major hand in creating the Syrian refugee crisis. If one remembers the pressures from Israel to fire cruise missiles in to Syria (which fortunately Mr. Obama resisted) one cannot avoid Israel's responsibility for much of the refugee problems that have resulted. Instead of its illegal occupation of Palestine and its eagerness to start a war with Iran, it might be more responsible and intelligent for Israel to take in its share of the refugees and to show the international nations that there is some mercy hidden (deeply) in its belligerent arrogance.
7
So Israel is responsible for the crisis because it threatened to fire a cruise missile into Syria? It must have also put Assad into power, created sectarian divisions among the people of Syria, and Arabs at large, and shipped millions of guns there. With so much power over the world it's amazing so many people still hate Israel.
2
Bill M, Israel has nothing to do with the refugee problem that is the subject of the article. Commenting without knowing the facts or even the subject, reveals only your personal prejudices.
When in doubt, blame Israel. Much of the Muslim world is in turmoil, but please don't ascribe any responsibility to 1.6 billion Muslims. It must be tiny Israel's fault.
There is no question that America should do more to offer sanctuary to Syrian refugees. Only allowing in 700 over the four years of fighting is shameful.
Fears of allowing a terrorist into our borders are overblown, if anything, providing access to the American way of life will lure them away from the passions that lead young people to become terrorists. There is no system to appropriately scrutinize all the people of Syria. The military certainly has lists, as well as other government agencies, but it is doubtful that these are comprehensive, and even if we had a full list, how could anything be appropriately verified while the country has been reduced to rubble. We housed Nazi prisoners in the US during WWII, and even paid them to work. In short, America could and should offer more refugees sanctuary.
The other half of the argument I see here is that people keep saying “end the war” but offer no realistic prescription. Negotiations have been ongoing with no success for three years. The deal with Russia on chemical weapons has clearly been ineffective (search diplomats at the UN after witnessing a Syria documentary of the last chemical horrors).
This war will continue until both sides are exhausted, or until one side defeats the other. Sad but true. It is politically untenable for the US to get further involved and all other support is for the regime, but there are few other options.
"It is well that was is so terrible, lest we should grow too fond of it."
Fears of allowing a terrorist into our borders are overblown, if anything, providing access to the American way of life will lure them away from the passions that lead young people to become terrorists. There is no system to appropriately scrutinize all the people of Syria. The military certainly has lists, as well as other government agencies, but it is doubtful that these are comprehensive, and even if we had a full list, how could anything be appropriately verified while the country has been reduced to rubble. We housed Nazi prisoners in the US during WWII, and even paid them to work. In short, America could and should offer more refugees sanctuary.
The other half of the argument I see here is that people keep saying “end the war” but offer no realistic prescription. Negotiations have been ongoing with no success for three years. The deal with Russia on chemical weapons has clearly been ineffective (search diplomats at the UN after witnessing a Syria documentary of the last chemical horrors).
This war will continue until both sides are exhausted, or until one side defeats the other. Sad but true. It is politically untenable for the US to get further involved and all other support is for the regime, but there are few other options.
"It is well that was is so terrible, lest we should grow too fond of it."
2
Settle them in your neighborhood then. Have your neighbors all sign a petition and sent it to congress, State Department to request them settle a few hundred Syrian in your area. You will all contribute to their wellbeing by open your houses, schools and pay for their social service.
2
Too bad for Syria. They created their civil war mess and they can clean it up themselves. We tried to help these people and all we got was a trillion dollar bill and more hatred toward the USA. Tell the UN and all the high dollar ivory tower diplomats, that there is no use in helping people who have such hatred amongst themselves (Sunni vs Shia) that they would rather live in their religious idealogical squalor than find a peaceful way to live together.
Let all refugees land in Saudia Arabia and Iran, two special countries!
Let all refugees land in Saudia Arabia and Iran, two special countries!
8
Where do I sign up? No, I mean really? What is a responsible fairly safe way of taking in a Syrian refugee?
2
While I have sympathy, the US and other western countries should not accept these refugees. They can to to neighboring countries. The Syrian civil war is not our fight. We took in Vietnamese refugees because we had been involved long term and deep in the SE Asian war. Something else to note is the refugee crisis offers an opportunity for ISIS and other groups to slip operatives into other countries. Yes 99% of the refugees are average people trying to escape a brutal war but how can you tell who is who? Is that worth the risk?
11
Why no call for China, India and South America to take in any of these refugees?
11
Because China, India and south america are not providing weapons and training to so called rebels. The providing weapons and training to rebels are being done by USA, NATO countries and the american allies in Middle east. So the countries that is causing the problem by providing weapons to the rebels should also bear the responsibility for the refugees that was caused due to their actions.
4
The U.S. doesn't CAUSE the problems by providing weapons. The problems are there ALREADY. We've aggravated things by taking sides in conflicts where the only common denominator is hatred of the West, and especially of the U.S.
1
These comments are hard to read, to say the least. What ever happened to "give me you tired, your poor, your huddled masses?" There truly is something wrong with this country.
7
"What ever happened to 'give me you tired, your poor, your huddled masses'?"
We have lots of tired and poor immigrants who are in the country already who need assistance and jobs. More are crossing the southern border every day. Which Americans are you going to displace from jobs to give jobs to Syrians?
We have lots of tired and poor immigrants who are in the country already who need assistance and jobs. More are crossing the southern border every day. Which Americans are you going to displace from jobs to give jobs to Syrians?
5
With so many people from the Middle East who hate America how can we decipher which refugees would assimilate and which refugees would end up as jihadist. The Christians who were thrown off the refugee boat yesterday by their Muslim countrymen probably thought they were safe,
6
Nothing wrong. We have just gotten a bit smarter and more aware of the limitations of our resources. More importantly, we recognize the value of assimilation into our own culture.
8
This is some great legacy that President Obama is accomplishing for himself. Drawing invisible red lines in Syria and now the Iran nuclear deal.
9
Yeah, let's bring back the neo-cons. We haven't had a good dose of "shock and awe" in a while. Talk about a legacy!
'Not since the wave of people who fled Southeast Asia after the war in Vietnam have the world’s industrialized countries been under such intense pressure to share the burden of taking in refugees'
The Vietnam war ended in the mid-70s, a war in which we lost more than 50 thousands of our young people and more than about 3 million (!) Vietnamese lost their lives too. And yet, in all these years, I do not recall ever hearing Vietnamese leaders exhorting its people who have settled abroad to wreck havoc in the countries where they have settled as refugees.
But, alas, the refugees from the budding 'caliphate' are called to take up arms against the countries where they might have taken refuge and it appears that there is a significant amount of resonance in those communities, or at the least, not much vocal opposition to such calls.
Given that, it is hard to imagine how any country worried about terrorism in its midst can welcome these refugees from the 'caliphates'. And it is hard to see how one can blame them.
Even Saudi Arabia, which has sponsored much of the unrest in that region, has opened its purse to welcome these refugees on its territory, not that many of these desperate people would possibly choose to go settle there.
The Vietnam war ended in the mid-70s, a war in which we lost more than 50 thousands of our young people and more than about 3 million (!) Vietnamese lost their lives too. And yet, in all these years, I do not recall ever hearing Vietnamese leaders exhorting its people who have settled abroad to wreck havoc in the countries where they have settled as refugees.
But, alas, the refugees from the budding 'caliphate' are called to take up arms against the countries where they might have taken refuge and it appears that there is a significant amount of resonance in those communities, or at the least, not much vocal opposition to such calls.
Given that, it is hard to imagine how any country worried about terrorism in its midst can welcome these refugees from the 'caliphates'. And it is hard to see how one can blame them.
Even Saudi Arabia, which has sponsored much of the unrest in that region, has opened its purse to welcome these refugees on its territory, not that many of these desperate people would possibly choose to go settle there.
6
Looking to the West? Why? Charity begins at home. The Middle East offers kinship (cultural and lingual) and proximity. Looking for funds? Saudis alone spend billions, yes billons, on pleasure jaunts to the West. Surely there are funds and access to resources to, for example, build not just camps, but villages in their huge backyard. Why send refugees so far from the world they know when help can be so close at hand? The United Nations call to shelter refugees should focus on their most prosperous neighbors and kin.
21
@Bruce Rosenblit
At some point, the chorus blaming the United States for the Mideast's problems needs to learn a few new notes. The U.S. government did not put the Ba'ath party of the Assads in power in either Syria or Iraq. That was done by Arabs. The civil war that has torn Syria apart was begun by Arabs and is being suppressed by Arabs. At some point, their very affluent fellow-Arabs in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and the U.A.E. can step forward and take up a burden they can well afford.
At some point, the chorus blaming the United States for the Mideast's problems needs to learn a few new notes. The U.S. government did not put the Ba'ath party of the Assads in power in either Syria or Iraq. That was done by Arabs. The civil war that has torn Syria apart was begun by Arabs and is being suppressed by Arabs. At some point, their very affluent fellow-Arabs in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and the U.A.E. can step forward and take up a burden they can well afford.
14
Not to be hard-hearted or anything like that, but should not the UN call on the MIDDLE EASTERN nations to provide shelter for refugees? Why is it always "the West" which must do this? Most Western nations already have refugee and immigration problems, and I have seen no effort on the part of Middle Eastern nations to help in those situations, now or in the past..........
14
Xenophobia is a good thing sometimes. Please, no more refugees from the middle east or other Muslim countries. We cannot afford them (in light of the incoming 10+ million illegals about to be legitimized), we cannot afford the culture (none of these people will assimilate - see the refugees in Detroit and Minneapolis), and will eventually want the rest of us to tolerate their adherence (and ours) to Muslim law. For those people who advocate their coming into this country - how about each of you agree to sponsor, out of your own money, some of these people and pay for their upkeep and expenses. Spare the rest of us, please.
19
Russia and Iran should be taking care of this since they are the main sponsors of keeping Assad in power or the Gulf States and Turkey who are right there. The West is the last place that needs to get it together to take them in. The direct neighbors like Gulf Oil States with plenty of money and ability should fix their back yard not expect the West to magically fix their direct issue.
17
Dance: Thank goodness Assad is still in power otherwise we would have ISIS in power in Syria. ISIS already controls 1/3 of Syria and they are closing in on Damascus.
2
The Real hypocrisy is the fact that USA, NATO and American allies im Middle east are providing weapons to the terrorists thus ensuring that the terrorists are able to continue their fight. so the countries that are enabling the terrorists should also bear the burden of refugees it creates.
2
Considering that Killer Assad has murdered as many as 150,000 of his own people while receiving military and financial support from Putin's Russia, his largest supporter by far, it's time for Putin to pay for some of the damage he has helped create.
13
But that will never happen. Putin can't afford it, and nor does he care, as long as he has his ally holding power.
In response to the overwhelmingly xenophobic attitude I'm seeing in so many comments, I just want to give another view. One of my closest friends is a war refugee from Liberia. He fled Liberia when older family members were being killed, and moved with a portion of his family to Ivory Coast, before coming to Rhode Island, where there is a large Liberian population that's just a part of RI.
He does work that most people who write these comments wouldn't want to do. He takes out the trash for people living in fancy apartments and fixes their heat when it goes out. He's on call 24-7, and has spent days shoveling snow so people could walk to their overpriced cars without touching snow. I know him well because I tutored him, and when he realized what that's worth and knew I was moving, he and some friends did the move and wouldn't accept a dime of my money. But we had pizza and beer.
It's been years now that we've been friends. He comes by and reads my New Yorkers, he reads to my daughter, there's the perpetual back and forth of help unencumbered by economic costs. If all my relationships were so easy, life would be grand.
He does work that most people who write these comments wouldn't want to do. He takes out the trash for people living in fancy apartments and fixes their heat when it goes out. He's on call 24-7, and has spent days shoveling snow so people could walk to their overpriced cars without touching snow. I know him well because I tutored him, and when he realized what that's worth and knew I was moving, he and some friends did the move and wouldn't accept a dime of my money. But we had pizza and beer.
It's been years now that we've been friends. He comes by and reads my New Yorkers, he reads to my daughter, there's the perpetual back and forth of help unencumbered by economic costs. If all my relationships were so easy, life would be grand.
8
2,000 is a rather pitiful number compared to the scale of the problem. Make it 200,000 and set an example for the rest of the developed world to see. If we have the billions needed to bomb Iraq and Syria back to the stone age at least we can spend the millions it would take to alleviate the humanitarian crisis we've left behind.
7
Just say No! We've got enough immigrants coming across our southern border. We took in Muslims from Somalia, and some of them have already left to commit jihad.
18
Did you know the number of immigrants coming across from Mexico is decreasing? I say deport all illegal; immigrants, retroactive 1000 years. If you can prove you had an ancestor here (USA) in say 800CE you can stay. Where will Europe put all the returning White people?
5
The people coming across our Southern borders are ot immigrants, they are ILLEGAL ALIENS and need to be sent back as soon as they arrive if not sooner.
2
“In the case of Syrian refugees, our intelligence on the ground is alarmingly slim, making it harder to identify extremists,”
OF COURSE it is! With an "Intel Community" composed almost entirely of cowards who would not get out from behind a desk unless they can torture a helpless captive or are too busy monitoring "Grandmothers Knitting for World Peace", what do you expect?! The FBI is FAR too busy deploying Informants who are paying the mentally ill to declare themselves "terrorists" to bother with actual, verifiable threats. Besides, their theory is that an attack on America every now and again keeps the Intel Budget flush and the Peepuls fearful. America: Land of the Squeee, Home of the Craven.
OF COURSE it is! With an "Intel Community" composed almost entirely of cowards who would not get out from behind a desk unless they can torture a helpless captive or are too busy monitoring "Grandmothers Knitting for World Peace", what do you expect?! The FBI is FAR too busy deploying Informants who are paying the mentally ill to declare themselves "terrorists" to bother with actual, verifiable threats. Besides, their theory is that an attack on America every now and again keeps the Intel Budget flush and the Peepuls fearful. America: Land of the Squeee, Home of the Craven.
3
Carter destroyed the Intel community ability to have boots on the ground as he thought it was not ethical to work with souces tat worked against their own countries and considered them crimial elements.
Let the Russians, who are propping up the Assad regime and enabling the Syrian disaster, step up and take a few hundred thousand refugees.
Or China.
Or China.
16
If Assad falls, then ISIS will carry out a bloodbath as they execute all Alawites. The refugee crisis then will make today's problem look insignificant. We need to support Assad against ISIS.
2
No. Not these refugees. Those from past wars presented no physical or ideological threat to the U.S. But these do. Or their sullen unassimilating children will. Best we resist the urge to admit a Trojan Horse.
26
As I read these replies, I am ashamed that so many Americans have forgotten that they were not the original tenants of this land. Their ancestors, past and not so past, have enriched this country. Is there no compassion left for these people who have gone through so much?
Why doesn't the UN send them to Russia and China. It seems all the liberals believe socialism and communism are so much more humane when it comes to human rights, entitlements and wealth distribution. I would think the Times and its fans here would be screaming for it.
11
Is there a reason why the word "tranche", a borrwing from French meaning "slice", is used here to refer to group of people? IS not the there a good and ordinarily colored English word ?
Somini Sengupta is a wonderful reporter but the word "tranch", or "tranche" as it is spelled here, is a borrowed word which many people in the world of finance may be familiar with and use frequently, but it is not an ordinary word used in conversation around the family breakfast table. It seems to be mostly used to refer to "tranch"s of money, as in the "latest tranch" of an international loan guaranty, often in reference to some similar, often difficult to understand, linguistic gymnastics used to hide intellectual sleight of hand, and other mumbo-jumbo from the world of international finance.
This is the first time I have seen it in use about something as sad and affecting as a refugee crisis. I know no one ever referred to the latest influx of Vietnamese boat people as a tranche of refugees.
It has a cold and distancing effect. Reading an article about the suffering and disaster of fleeing refugees from what amounts to a primitive religious war, one ought not to need to consult a dictionary , only to discover a reporter is referring to groups of people.
Besides, as my teachers would have reminded me, "Never say with a five dollar French or Latin word what can be communicated with 50 cents worth of common English"
Somini Sengupta is a wonderful reporter but the word "tranch", or "tranche" as it is spelled here, is a borrowed word which many people in the world of finance may be familiar with and use frequently, but it is not an ordinary word used in conversation around the family breakfast table. It seems to be mostly used to refer to "tranch"s of money, as in the "latest tranch" of an international loan guaranty, often in reference to some similar, often difficult to understand, linguistic gymnastics used to hide intellectual sleight of hand, and other mumbo-jumbo from the world of international finance.
This is the first time I have seen it in use about something as sad and affecting as a refugee crisis. I know no one ever referred to the latest influx of Vietnamese boat people as a tranche of refugees.
It has a cold and distancing effect. Reading an article about the suffering and disaster of fleeing refugees from what amounts to a primitive religious war, one ought not to need to consult a dictionary , only to discover a reporter is referring to groups of people.
Besides, as my teachers would have reminded me, "Never say with a five dollar French or Latin word what can be communicated with 50 cents worth of common English"
1
Take the women and children who have nothing to do with this endless cycle of violence. Let the men stay and blow themselves into oblivion, as they do everywhere around the world. Here, the women and children can become well educated and prosper.
6
Women and chilren are also known to be bombers. Let them sta in their own corner of the world, They have nothing lost here.
2
Bring them over by the boatload!! It will be our gain and their loss.
2
No surprise such ignorance as yours exists in the world today.
2
OK so long as the boat is sunk half way here
1
My question is why is it up to the west to look after these displaced people?What is the matter with their oil rich neighbors and fellow Muslims? The Saudi's have one of the highest GDP's in the world with all their oil revenue.
19
"My question is why is it up to the west to look after these displaced people? What is the matter with their oil-rich neighbors and fellow Muslims? The Saudis have one of the highest GDPs in the world with all their oil revenue."
You forget that the Arab world has made displaced Palestinians live in so-called "refugee camps" for seventy years. These are actually small cities, ghettoes. The Arabs prefer keeping their brethren as political pawns. Only Jordan tried to integrate the Palestinians, and that was a dicey move.
Whereas when Jews had to flee from the Middle Eastern countries their families had lived in for hundreds and hundreds of years, Israel absorbed all who wanted to live there. Other Sephardim made their lives elsewhere.
Don't expect much from Muslims in the Middle East. They don't seem to like one another.
You forget that the Arab world has made displaced Palestinians live in so-called "refugee camps" for seventy years. These are actually small cities, ghettoes. The Arabs prefer keeping their brethren as political pawns. Only Jordan tried to integrate the Palestinians, and that was a dicey move.
Whereas when Jews had to flee from the Middle Eastern countries their families had lived in for hundreds and hundreds of years, Israel absorbed all who wanted to live there. Other Sephardim made their lives elsewhere.
Don't expect much from Muslims in the Middle East. They don't seem to like one another.
4
"You forget that the Arab world has made displaced Palestinians live in so-called "refugee camps" for seventy years."
Why don't their Muslim friends take them in and absorb them into their societies?
Why don't their Muslim friends take them in and absorb them into their societies?
2
Reading so many of these posters' comments against taking in any of these refugees, I am unsurprised the Holocaust occurred.
Turn a blind eye to helping these victims is shameful and inexcusable. Have we fallen so far as to devolve into a society that eschews doing what is humane and right?
Turn a blind eye to helping these victims is shameful and inexcusable. Have we fallen so far as to devolve into a society that eschews doing what is humane and right?
2
There is a difference between limiting the number of immigrants a country can absorb and systematically executing 6 million Jews.
3
America destabilized the region with the Iraq War, giving rise to Al Qaeda in Iraq and its eventual offshoot ISIS. America stood by while Assad used chemical weapons on his people. America is bombing Syria as we speak.
America exists for the immigrants of the world, not just it's citizenry. It always has and it always will. Bring them in, give them a warm welcome and the same shot at the American dream as your ancestors. These people aren't extremists! These are refugees FLEEING extremism, through no fault of there own. They are fleeing extremism America had a hand in creating... and has a responsibility in solving.
Look at at the shame South Africa is bringing on itself right now. Do the opposite. Take the moral path and open the borders. It's the humane thing to do!
America exists for the immigrants of the world, not just it's citizenry. It always has and it always will. Bring them in, give them a warm welcome and the same shot at the American dream as your ancestors. These people aren't extremists! These are refugees FLEEING extremism, through no fault of there own. They are fleeing extremism America had a hand in creating... and has a responsibility in solving.
Look at at the shame South Africa is bringing on itself right now. Do the opposite. Take the moral path and open the borders. It's the humane thing to do!
3
The United Nation is (sadly) irrelevant.
9
The U.S. will take in the refugees on one condition: they must be housed in the high-priced apartments of UN delegates in New York.
6
No thanks.
Let their Arab brothers help them and pay the tab.
Aren't Muslims supposed to take care of each other?
Let their Arab brothers help them and pay the tab.
Aren't Muslims supposed to take care of each other?
26
Irish Immigration to America during 1800s
Historian Kevin Kenny:
“The Irish immigrants were mostly unskilled, worked for low wages . . . Native-born workers worried that their own wages would decline . . . Many Americans also feared that the Irish would never advance socially but would instead become the first permanent working class in the United States, threatening the central principle of 19th-century American life: upward social mobility through hard work.”
The Advertiser newspaper in Boston wrote of the Irish as “import[ing] their vile propensities and habits from across the water” and referred to children of immigrants (“anchor babies,” if you will) as “wretched offspring.”
The Chicago Post editorialized:
“The Irish fill our prisons, our poor houses . . . Scratch a convict or a pauper, and the chances are that you tickle the skin of an Irish Catholic. Putting them on a boat and sending them home would end crime in this country.”
Norwegians segregated themselves in farming communities to spare themselves of direct prejudice experience by the Irish. Norwegian immigrants were deemed as inferior and unwelcome "guests" in their new homeland, the United States, by "old-stock" Americans.
Welcome to the real "Christian" America!
Historian Kevin Kenny:
“The Irish immigrants were mostly unskilled, worked for low wages . . . Native-born workers worried that their own wages would decline . . . Many Americans also feared that the Irish would never advance socially but would instead become the first permanent working class in the United States, threatening the central principle of 19th-century American life: upward social mobility through hard work.”
The Advertiser newspaper in Boston wrote of the Irish as “import[ing] their vile propensities and habits from across the water” and referred to children of immigrants (“anchor babies,” if you will) as “wretched offspring.”
The Chicago Post editorialized:
“The Irish fill our prisons, our poor houses . . . Scratch a convict or a pauper, and the chances are that you tickle the skin of an Irish Catholic. Putting them on a boat and sending them home would end crime in this country.”
Norwegians segregated themselves in farming communities to spare themselves of direct prejudice experience by the Irish. Norwegian immigrants were deemed as inferior and unwelcome "guests" in their new homeland, the United States, by "old-stock" Americans.
Welcome to the real "Christian" America!
2
The west should cut a deal with Assad to end the civil war, re stop supporting the rebels and start supporting his regime, it is the legitimate government of Syria and he is the lessor of all evils with a track record of governing re women's rights, minority rights.
Regarding refugees, we need to practice cultural and religious sensitivities and resettle within Muslim countries, like neighbors and Indonesia.
Resettling in the West has not worked out for the refugees and their host countries. Look at Somalian example in U S.
Regarding refugees, we need to practice cultural and religious sensitivities and resettle within Muslim countries, like neighbors and Indonesia.
Resettling in the West has not worked out for the refugees and their host countries. Look at Somalian example in U S.
12
"The west should cut a deal with Assad to end the civil war, re stop supporting the rebels and start supporting his regime, it is the legitimate government of Syria and he is the lessor of all evils with a track record of governing re women's rights, minority rights."
You're right about Assad. However, the rebels we're supporting are an insignificant part of this war. it is ISIS, Nusra Front and other jihadists who are the problem, and we can't "cut a deal" to stop them.
You're right about Assad. However, the rebels we're supporting are an insignificant part of this war. it is ISIS, Nusra Front and other jihadists who are the problem, and we can't "cut a deal" to stop them.
1
After September 11th, multiple wars against radicle Islam, and the right's latent xenobia... I can't really see this country rolling out the welcome mat for hundreds of thousands of Muslim refugees from a religious war, when we aren't even letting in completely benign Guatemalan Children who already made it here on their own, fleeing horrors we actually helped create... In fact, we are deporting them back home.
In short, It's just not going to happen... at least not here and certainly not now. The Syrian refugees certainly deserve a better life, but it's probably not going to be in this country.
In short, It's just not going to happen... at least not here and certainly not now. The Syrian refugees certainly deserve a better life, but it's probably not going to be in this country.
2
"Xenophobia" is a necessary mechanism of self-protection. We have no objections to other peoples who live peaceably in their own countries and we are happy to visit and engage in friendly trade and cultural exchange with them. We do, however, have a problem when they swarm to our country to the point where we feel like foreigners in our own homeland.
7
"multiple wars against radical Islam"
You've got it backward: It is radical Islam that is starting multiple wars and carrying out atrocities on multiple continents.
You've got it backward: It is radical Islam that is starting multiple wars and carrying out atrocities on multiple continents.
3
Yes! Dharma101... You hit the nail on the head. We in the strongest most powerful country ever to arise on this planet in history must protect ourselves from little children from Guatamala who want to come here and steal our precious bodily fluids.
If you feel like a foreigner in your own country, (a country founded, predicated, and strenghtened by welcoming diverse new comers) then maybe you should find a place you feel more at home... Most a pity, no other country would probably take you in (I can't exactly blame them). The fact that we still welcome the poor and huddled masses yearning to breathe free is what makes me most proud to be an American. And with the (democratic) demographic tilt in presidential elections, you and your ilk will be the last holdouts of a smaller weaker America.
This country isn't yours, it never was. We just let you borrow it for a while. My country has never been perfect but it always strives to do better. To be more generous, more open, more free.
If you feel like a foreigner in your own country, (a country founded, predicated, and strenghtened by welcoming diverse new comers) then maybe you should find a place you feel more at home... Most a pity, no other country would probably take you in (I can't exactly blame them). The fact that we still welcome the poor and huddled masses yearning to breathe free is what makes me most proud to be an American. And with the (democratic) demographic tilt in presidential elections, you and your ilk will be the last holdouts of a smaller weaker America.
This country isn't yours, it never was. We just let you borrow it for a while. My country has never been perfect but it always strives to do better. To be more generous, more open, more free.
1
Every refugee or asylum seeker that the US federal government brings into the US is supported with US taxpayers' social security money. Elderly immigrants and refugees get, for the rest of their lives, the money you have been paying to the perfidious US federal government for your own retirement. The US government's immoral meddling abroad and its continual betrayal of the American People must end (the current pursuit of the treasonous and secretive TPP trade agreement being yet another example of this) == either through conscience or through pitchforks.
10
There are wealthy Muslim countries in the region that are doing little for the Syrians. We have already imported the problems of the Middle East into this country. What next, should we import the population of Yemen, Libya? These people are not integrating, They are retaining their culture once here and continuing the fight. Every day we here of another second or even third generation young person who has returned to fight with ISIS. We should supply humanitarian aid within the region, not import it here. The United Nations with it's bloated budget and bureaucracy wags it's finger at us and lectures Italy. And the people keep on coming. Sadly, we cannot take in all of the world's poor.
13
Ever been to a St Patrick's day parade in NYC? These people are not assimilating. Euro descended Americans who are proud of their country of origin should lumped in with those who 'fail to assimilate' The USA, uniquely because of our history, needs to take in more refugees. I guess the tired hungry masses only applies to Europeans
There are tens of thousands of children whose lives have been disrupted by the civil war in Syria. They are living in refugee camps and not likely going to school or getting any education. This will be the low lying fruit for the extremists. Is there a way to get them out of the refugee camps and provide them with a life with a degree of normalcy until the conflict is resolved?
1
This article is perfectly understandable. Just look who sits in UN.
3
Ideally if not naively speaking, the Syrians (including Russia and Iran) who support Assad should rebel and remove him from power. In that way the world could then spend its sheltering resources helping rebuild Syria so these poor souls seeking refuge could remain home. But as usual in similar disputes and atrocities there are too many narcissistic hidden agendas, greed, corruption and blind power grabs (and too little heart, soul, or compassion) to replace Assad and set in motion the only humanitarian process that makes any sense. There is also ISIS waiting in the wings like a deadly virus waiting to infect and take control at any sign of a vacuum. Therefore, as we in the West try to take care of our own, those in the East capable of doing so should step up and do the same.
8
The United Nations has consistently turned a blind eye on the atrocities of Arab failed states and dictatorships, and once again demands that the west absorbs the Islamic refugees who demand to live under Shari Law within a western nation.
When Islamic refugees throw a dozen Christian refugees off an illegal boat heading for Italy, it is time to allow the failed Islamic nations to sort out matters for themselves without money from the west.
When Islamic refugees throw a dozen Christian refugees off an illegal boat heading for Italy, it is time to allow the failed Islamic nations to sort out matters for themselves without money from the west.
33
The actions of a few DO NOT REPRESENT one billion and half Muslims around the World.
That time has long passed.
When was the last lynching that occurred in Charleston, SC? Is it time to allow the failed Southern states to sort out matters for themselves without intervention money from the the Federal Government?.
Why don't we support Assad, give him the resources to squelch the civil war and give him money to handle the humanitarian crisis?
This would be by far the easiest, cheapest, and probably the only feasible solution.
This would be by far the easiest, cheapest, and probably the only feasible solution.
18
i agree. Assad isn't a good guy, but he is 1000 times better than the alternative. Putin has been right to warn the West that removing Assad would leave a vacuum that will be filled by ISIS or other terrorists organizations.
3
We need to make friends with everybody in the middle east and help them, not play favorite. Sure there are many thugs over there, but they think the US is the biggest thug of all. Playing favorites is a never ending war. Of course , we won't have any luck with anything as long as we continue to give Israel total freedom to take as much land as they want.
1
This is absolutely ridiculous. I guess people in war torn countries have to wait 2+ years for excessive background checks. Where is the "Christian" love from the GOP when their fellow man - excuse me - women and children, i.e. potential terrorists, are dying to survive? How is it 11,000 people are waiting to be screened and only 700 have made it in 4 years? This is absolute madness. We love going into other countries and tearing stuff up and then when the civilians who have nothing to do with the government suffer, we turn our noses up at helping them in the mess we helped create. None of this would have happened if we had've stayed out of Libya. . .
5
Perhaps Obama should make the free and open admission / immigration of any Syrian refugee one of his primary causes?
1
So now we're to blame for the humanitarian crisis in Syria? I didn't know we had troops there...
1
Where is the Christian Love? Well its like Mark Twain said "If Jesus came to heart today he wouldn't be a Christian.
Since Turkey's borders are so porous for the fighters, maybe the refugees they are creating can come back the other way.
10
So easy to bomb the world to pieces, impossible to bomb the world into peace.
7
Personally, I think Russia and China can help as much if not more than any western country. I also would like to see some oil rich middle east nations pick up the tab and accept refugees where they have much stronger cultural ties to any western culture. Or, how about adding that to Iran's Nuke deal? many are Shite or a sect of shite.
19
Not realistically. As for China, the US government cares greatly about the human right situation in China's province of Xinjiang, and is concerned with China's anti-terrorism actions there (most Chinese Muslims live in that province). The situation is already bad enough. China is very unlikely to take more refuges there: It may worsen the situation and draw even more criticism from the US.
Let the oil rich Arab states pay the price of the never ending conflict among various religious sects and states in their own region. America is broke and has contributed enough taxpayer dollars trying to help nations who hate us. Enough is enough.
46
Perhaps if we in the West and our Arab allies in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the GCC stop arming the "rebels", this cancer in our midst can see some remission. Society can solve problems without resorting to killings.
The insatiable appetite for solving all problems with force of arms must give way to a more humane ending. Do we have those leaders that can lead us out of this morass? I am just not so sure..
The insatiable appetite for solving all problems with force of arms must give way to a more humane ending. Do we have those leaders that can lead us out of this morass? I am just not so sure..
10
Saudi Arabia and Qatar should support these people for the rest of their lives. By allying itself with the likes of Saudi Arabia, the US government has made common cause with evil and one of the countries that perpetrated 911.
9
Israel and Saudi Arabia should also be pressed to accept thousands of refugees from Syria. Why should those two countries be immune from even being asked?
19
Randy Freeman,
You speak for everyone with a soul. Nobody wants to take in these desperate people. You are very right. This tragedy is on the scale of the Holocaust. But back then America had outstretched welcoming arms. True the rich countries in the Middle East must shoulder most of the burden. And the countries which have taken in these refugees are the ones not rich so that their economies are bursting at the seams. The logic was to topple Assad's (an Alawite, subsect of Shia ) cruel regime. Much as we dislike the man, one must admit Syria was stable and SECULAR ( than most countries in the region, like Iraq under Saddam ) with women having more rights. But we and Europe decided to unseat the guy by arming the insurgents resulting in utter misery for the people. Unlike Saddam, Assad was more resilient much to our dismay becoming more vicious. Make no mistake, I am not an apologist for this cruel Despot. But we are guilty in great part for our actions and inaction. We armed the Sunni insurgents on the advice of our great Ally - Saudi Arabia practicing Wahabism,an extreme form of Islam nonchalantly violates human rights, cruelly suppresses all dissent and intolerant of any other religion. Although accepting a few refugees ( which is a drop in the ocean ) the only real solution would be to stop the war abruptly or whisk Assad away a.s.a.p. like Osama. Assad is an easier target in his palace in Damascus. But we cannot turn a blind eye to this colossal humanitarian crisis.
You speak for everyone with a soul. Nobody wants to take in these desperate people. You are very right. This tragedy is on the scale of the Holocaust. But back then America had outstretched welcoming arms. True the rich countries in the Middle East must shoulder most of the burden. And the countries which have taken in these refugees are the ones not rich so that their economies are bursting at the seams. The logic was to topple Assad's (an Alawite, subsect of Shia ) cruel regime. Much as we dislike the man, one must admit Syria was stable and SECULAR ( than most countries in the region, like Iraq under Saddam ) with women having more rights. But we and Europe decided to unseat the guy by arming the insurgents resulting in utter misery for the people. Unlike Saddam, Assad was more resilient much to our dismay becoming more vicious. Make no mistake, I am not an apologist for this cruel Despot. But we are guilty in great part for our actions and inaction. We armed the Sunni insurgents on the advice of our great Ally - Saudi Arabia practicing Wahabism,an extreme form of Islam nonchalantly violates human rights, cruelly suppresses all dissent and intolerant of any other religion. Although accepting a few refugees ( which is a drop in the ocean ) the only real solution would be to stop the war abruptly or whisk Assad away a.s.a.p. like Osama. Assad is an easier target in his palace in Damascus. But we cannot turn a blind eye to this colossal humanitarian crisis.
3
Assad is not the instigator of this war that has done so much harm. Saudi Arabia, Israel, Qatar and the US government are the instigators. This is the new Axis of Evil.
2
"Assad is not the instigator of this war that has done so much harm."
I agree with that part of your comment.
"Saudi Arabia, Israel, Qatar and the US government are the instigators. This is the new Axis of Evil."
Wrong! The Axis of Evil consists of Islamic terrorists such as ISIS, Nusra Front, Boko Haram and other like-minded jihadist groups.
I agree with that part of your comment.
"Saudi Arabia, Israel, Qatar and the US government are the instigators. This is the new Axis of Evil."
Wrong! The Axis of Evil consists of Islamic terrorists such as ISIS, Nusra Front, Boko Haram and other like-minded jihadist groups.
1
Fair point. Yet I always, always feel that the "West" (i.e., the United States) will be blamed regardless of our choices. If we hadn't gotten involved, we would be blamed for turning a blind eye to Assad's regime. We gave other factions the ability to fight for themselves, and they turned into monsters. Now some people want us to wipe Assad out. Other commenters here want us to prop Assad up (for the sake of stability, regardless of other shortcomings). If we put aside our security concerns and allow refugees to stream in, we'll be blamed as soon as the inevitable wolf amongst the sheep does something awful. If we stick to our policy of heavily screening the refugees, we'll be blamed for moving to slowly.
Perhaps (just PERHAPS), the people of the Middle East are not helpless and innocent pawns in the grip of omnipotent western instigators. Maybe, like many other countries, they have enough willpower to choose to overcome their sectarian differences instead of viewing each and every problem they face as coming from external interference. Is the U.S. completely blameless? Of course not. Are we completely to blame? Of course not.
Perhaps (just PERHAPS), the people of the Middle East are not helpless and innocent pawns in the grip of omnipotent western instigators. Maybe, like many other countries, they have enough willpower to choose to overcome their sectarian differences instead of viewing each and every problem they face as coming from external interference. Is the U.S. completely blameless? Of course not. Are we completely to blame? Of course not.
2
This needs to be done intelligently and with humanity. That means distinguishing those refugees who have a future in the Middle East and will have a place to go and a protector somewhere when the dust settles from those who have no future in the Middle East anywhere, whoever wins, except at best as third class citizens left in peace temporarily and at worst as slaves or actively oppressed minorities, and who will have no place to go that promises them some semblance of equality under the law. That means distinguishing Sunni and Shiite Muslims from Christians and Yazidis and other religious minorities who have little prospect of being treated as equals however Sunnis and Shiites, Turks and Arabs and Iranians and Kurds, settle this. Muslim refugees need humanitarian assistance now and need our help in eventual resettlement in the Middle East but religious minorities need out and need help resettling in the West.
4
Perhaps the U. N. could set up refugee camps with a Relief and Works Agency to run them (with Western funding). The refugees could live in those camps, never receiving citizenship, for generations, and the UNRWA could hand over administration of the camps to ISIS or a similar group.
It's been done before.
It's been done before.
5
I don't often agree with the Republicans but on this issue I do. Who knows if any of these refugees are terrorists or potential terrorists. I have sympathy for any people caught in a civil war and in Syria's case also a war with terrorists but Muslim dominated countries seem to be at war for ages with their religious sect and tribal conflicts and intolerance for other religions. The West cannot resolve this issue for them. We cannot build their democracies. We cannot afford to potentially import their problems as witnessed by the problems in France. Like the Republicans are advocating, we must go very slow and be very cautious.
19
Europe was at war for centuries. The Reformation cost thousands of lives. England and France alone were at war for much of the early modern period. Why everyone thinks violence or religious coercion is only a Muslim tendency show the profound historical ignorance of Americans
Our good friends the Russians and Chinese are largely responsible for this humanitarian crisis. I'm sure they would be more than willing to help the victims of their geopolitical hubris.
12
It would be good for us to be take in more of these refugees that are in large part the result of many of the disastrous seeds we have sown. Once we had them on our soil and forced to have to see their suffering, it would give us all a first hand look of what the consequences of those wars we started with seeming immunity from actually look and feel like.
1
"It would be good for us to be take in more of these refugees that are in large part the result of many of the disastrous seeds we have sown."
Are you willing to personally take some of them, provide housing and food, pay for their medicine and education for their children? We've already got enough immigrants in refugee camps who can't speak English and don't have jobs. Which Americans are you going to displace from jobs to give jobs to Syrians? Which budget are you going to raid to provide money to support them?
Are you willing to personally take some of them, provide housing and food, pay for their medicine and education for their children? We've already got enough immigrants in refugee camps who can't speak English and don't have jobs. Which Americans are you going to displace from jobs to give jobs to Syrians? Which budget are you going to raid to provide money to support them?
1
Accept religious minorities who are being executed or raped in the Caliphate. Muslims from the region must stay and fight for their own independence and for peace, as the Kurds have done.
10
It may not be politically correct, but in the long run, may be most pragmatic ---perhaps the refugees can be processed according to the compatibility of their religion with the host country. Thus, Sunnis go to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Qatar; Assyrian Christians and Syrian Yazidis resettle in the US and Europe.
17
What you're describing is exactly the way Europeans used to deal with immigration. By religion, language and level of education. I tend to agree because it makes integration very smooth and easy.
Other Arab countries have the responsibility to take these refugees in.
19
Is it so easy to forget the great number of Iraqi's who fled into Syria during our invasion of their country?
The much-read Baghdad blogger, 'Riverbend', after several unsuccessful attempts, was finally able to flee with her family into Syria before the war in
Syria. It is almost beyond comprehension to imagine what has happened to them. And no one seems to know.
Like many of her readers, I have tried without success to find out what has become of this young woman whose writings were so clear and beautiful.
Any country who took her in would be lucky to have her.
The much-read Baghdad blogger, 'Riverbend', after several unsuccessful attempts, was finally able to flee with her family into Syria before the war in
Syria. It is almost beyond comprehension to imagine what has happened to them. And no one seems to know.
Like many of her readers, I have tried without success to find out what has become of this young woman whose writings were so clear and beautiful.
Any country who took her in would be lucky to have her.
3
Funny how the UN always puts the West and especially the US as the problem. What are the countries who are funding the war in Syria doing about the refugees? Saudis Arabia and Iran? Have they taken in even 1 Syrian? Saudis Arabia has vast land and wealth. Oh, but they will only consider rich people of their religious group, and even at that would never grant citizenship. And where were these people who want to be in the west when Syria was having mass protests and threats against the West?
19
"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."
We are the United States of America. We shouldn't allow fear to prevent us from doing the right thing.
We are the United States of America. We shouldn't allow fear to prevent us from doing the right thing.
3
In case you haven't noticed, we already have a bunch of tired and poor immigrants in refugee centers who haven't been absorbed into your society yet, and more are coming across the border every day. What jobs are there for Syrians who can't speak English and who have a radically different cultural heritage than Americans? This is entirely different than absorbing Europeans or Mexicans who share our fundamental value system.
1
Why does it have to be only western and arab nation?
What are those rich contries like south korea china and japan doing for these displaced refuges?
They also have to share burden with west and arab!
What are those rich contries like south korea china and japan doing for these displaced refuges?
They also have to share burden with west and arab!
6
It's so easy to say oh send them here, send them there, but put yourself in these people's shoes, imagine if that was your life and that you were displaced from the only home you know. Yes, it is easy to place blame, but it is not so easy to reach out a lending hand. It takes compassion, something that is in short supply these days.
1
As an American, I hate to say "you broke it you bought it" as that would mean our tax money go toward useless things oversea again but this is exactly the case. If Obama, Hillary & co. did not try to overthrow Assad and funnel weapons to ISIS/Al-Qaeda, Syria would not be the mess it is now.
4
And if your friend GW did not go to a useless war in Iraq and lied about why he did-we wouldn't be in such a mess today
3
If we broke it we say sorry and walk away. It needed to be broken and utterly destroyed. And it's happening despite administration rhetoric.
1
I would like to remind you that the mess we're in, started with the Bush administration. It's going to take a long time and a lot more destruction, pain and misery before the Middle East gets its act together. I do agree with you that we shouldn't spend our tax money on countries that still live in the dark ages.
The United States of America - the most reviled country until our resources are needed and then the world expects, or rather demands, that we help out.
I'm perplexed as to exactly how relocating these poor souls to the US will improve their situation. Yes, they will be removed from daily warfare, torture and mayhem, but their economic situation won't improve. While wealthy Syrians speak English/American the refugees most likely do not. How will they find jobs? Are they to be given government stipends so that they can pay their bills and feed their families? I am not saying that they are disinclined to work, but the work just isn't available. US workers are protesting the lack of living wages. How will these refugees find economic stability here?
Let's look to our own struggling citizens and turn their lives around first.
I'm perplexed as to exactly how relocating these poor souls to the US will improve their situation. Yes, they will be removed from daily warfare, torture and mayhem, but their economic situation won't improve. While wealthy Syrians speak English/American the refugees most likely do not. How will they find jobs? Are they to be given government stipends so that they can pay their bills and feed their families? I am not saying that they are disinclined to work, but the work just isn't available. US workers are protesting the lack of living wages. How will these refugees find economic stability here?
Let's look to our own struggling citizens and turn their lives around first.
17
'...their economic situation won't improve...'
All refugees immediately qualify for social services, so they need not worry about having to find work.
All refugees immediately qualify for social services, so they need not worry about having to find work.
As long as Assad is backed by Iran and the Russian military, it will be very difficult to resolve this crisis. With all of the different warring parties on the ground, a political solution seems far off. My thoughts and prayers are with the displaced in Syria. The fact that much of the Middle East is engulfed in war also doesn't help.
3
Then have them take in the refugees. Why does the west always have to accept them?
It seems we already resolved the crisis in Libya and Iraq. is it? How is Yemen?.
2
Your thoughts and prayers may have no effect unless perhaps your peace of mind.
1
As a daughter of a Holocaust survivor, I empathize with the Syrian refugees. However, I feel strongly that Syria's Arab neighbors should be absorbing them because their language is the same and the culture is similar, so it would be easier for the Syrian refugees to adjust. Also, many of the Arab countries are rich. The U.S. certainly isn't anymore and it can't even take care of its own people.
81
By the same logic, survivors of German death camps should have been resettled in Western Europe, not Palestine.
But perhaps you are acknowledging what a mistake and disaster THAT has proved to be.
But perhaps you are acknowledging what a mistake and disaster THAT has proved to be.
We bicker and stall. We say that we don't want to get involved. We destabilize an entire region through invasion. We don't want to provide humanitarian assistance.
Over 220,000 dead bodies later, our denial ends up on our doorstep. Millions are suffering terribly in camps. Their homes have been flattened. Local economies have been ruined.
The instigators that waged this proxy war should bear the cost of relocation. Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia should shelter the refugees mess they created. They should pay for resettlement. Of course, its much cheaper for them to provide munitions that kill instead of homes to live in. Killing has no annual expenses tied to it.
If if the war stopped today, the costs to rebuild will reach into the tens of billions. The Times has run photo spreads that show the utter devastation. Who will pay for that?
As the leading power in the world, when crises of this magnitude occur, we can't sit back and watch. We can't do everything ourselves, but we can sure push the rest of the West to join us. We have not done so in Syria.
The number of refugees listed in the article are a drop in the bucket. There are over 3 million that have left Syria and another 6.5 million displaced inside Syria. We speak of bandaids. This crisis is unimaginable. It is a WWII scale crisis.
So let's bicker about what to do with 2000 people a year. What about the other 9 million?
Over 220,000 dead bodies later, our denial ends up on our doorstep. Millions are suffering terribly in camps. Their homes have been flattened. Local economies have been ruined.
The instigators that waged this proxy war should bear the cost of relocation. Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia should shelter the refugees mess they created. They should pay for resettlement. Of course, its much cheaper for them to provide munitions that kill instead of homes to live in. Killing has no annual expenses tied to it.
If if the war stopped today, the costs to rebuild will reach into the tens of billions. The Times has run photo spreads that show the utter devastation. Who will pay for that?
As the leading power in the world, when crises of this magnitude occur, we can't sit back and watch. We can't do everything ourselves, but we can sure push the rest of the West to join us. We have not done so in Syria.
The number of refugees listed in the article are a drop in the bucket. There are over 3 million that have left Syria and another 6.5 million displaced inside Syria. We speak of bandaids. This crisis is unimaginable. It is a WWII scale crisis.
So let's bicker about what to do with 2000 people a year. What about the other 9 million?
42
Who is the "we" who destabilized this region. Obviously the United States has no part in this. What a joker
The US invasion of Iraq destabilized the region.
Yet we watch the Duggar family....'19 Kids and Counting' on TV, and sensationalize them in the media.
What a messed up world. Sigh.
What a messed up world. Sigh.
2
We supported this thing and we need to take all the Syrian refugees.
4
My friends from Colorado have told me that Colorado has more surface area than Texas if you take the uplands and mountains into consideration. So perhaps you can start clearing up some space around Boulder.
2
Perhaps the citizens Kansas City and Boulder could volunteer to accept all the refugees?
Europe is already experiencing a huge influx of thousands and thousands of sub Sahara economical refugees.while it is still struggling with a stagnant economy. Europe is busting at the seam. It is causing social unrest and anxiety amongst the European countries. it is also straining their treasuries and social institutions. To allow more thousands of Syrians is the straw that is going to cause the camel's back to break.
In America we already have a massive invasion from Mexico and other Latin countries who are also economical opportunists.
As has been mentioned in some comments here, there are rich Muslim countries who could easily accommodate them but refused to do so. This is just the beginning of things to come. It is a Muslim problem caused by fascists Muslim theocratic and dictatorial governments. It is their problem this should resolve it.
In America we already have a massive invasion from Mexico and other Latin countries who are also economical opportunists.
As has been mentioned in some comments here, there are rich Muslim countries who could easily accommodate them but refused to do so. This is just the beginning of things to come. It is a Muslim problem caused by fascists Muslim theocratic and dictatorial governments. It is their problem this should resolve it.
58
Why does it have to be the West? What' wrong with other Arab countries? IN Syrian refugees you never know if you will be getting a jihadist. I am sorry the West should not be forced to take Syrian refugee. Other countries in the region should step up to the plate. I am sick and tired of refugee always being forced on the West. Try some other parts of the globe UN.
34
If we could go back 150 years and stop the European powers from their colonial pursuits, then perhaps Assad and countless other men would have never had the opportunity or means to brutalize other ethnic and religious groups and tribes
in their region.
In Syria, it's primarily because the French placed the Alawite subjects of Syria OVER other cohabitants that Assad and his father were able to massacre
thousand of men, women and children.
Heck yeah I blame Bush and Cheney for initiating this immediate chaos. The USA should have never stuck it's pointed nose into Iraq in 2003, or Iran in '52.
But now, Putin is the one who is blocking the UN from appropriately dealing with Assad. Russia wants to keep it's Mediterranean naval base. Period.
Sadly, Vlad will probably need to be challenged militarily before he'll ever change his stance in Syria, Chechnya or the Ukraine. Either that or he will need to be
replaced by someone not from the old KGB.
in their region.
In Syria, it's primarily because the French placed the Alawite subjects of Syria OVER other cohabitants that Assad and his father were able to massacre
thousand of men, women and children.
Heck yeah I blame Bush and Cheney for initiating this immediate chaos. The USA should have never stuck it's pointed nose into Iraq in 2003, or Iran in '52.
But now, Putin is the one who is blocking the UN from appropriately dealing with Assad. Russia wants to keep it's Mediterranean naval base. Period.
Sadly, Vlad will probably need to be challenged militarily before he'll ever change his stance in Syria, Chechnya or the Ukraine. Either that or he will need to be
replaced by someone not from the old KGB.
1
Where are Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states in all of this? Should they not bear responsibility for providing safe haven and refuge for some of these folks?
75
Tom Fl Retired Junk Man 8 minutes ago
Allow the local countries such as Israel and Saudi Arabia to extend a helping hand and welcome to these poor war torn asylum seekers seeking refuge. After all those are the two countries closest to the problem area.
Allow the local countries such as Israel and Saudi Arabia to extend a helping hand and welcome to these poor war torn asylum seekers seeking refuge. After all those are the two countries closest to the problem area.
3
The Saudis and the Gulf states are too busy hating the Shia.
1
Muslim countries don't necessarily want to help their fellow Muslims unless they are from the same tribes. The only time they were ever united was under the Ottoman Empire which was extremely barbaric and brutal. The West has been dealing with the leftovers of their legacy.
I am in favor of helping the refugees. I am also in favor of disappearing Assad.
7
Africa is a bigger continent than Europe. I am certain there is a space enough to let them resettle there instead.
43
You forget the huge blocks of poverty that make up parts of Africa.
1
Insist that Russia takes them all since they have been propping up the Assad regime, without which, Assad would not still be in power. Russia, as a member of the UN, and claiming themselves part of our civilized world community should be confronted with the reality of human suffering they created.
25
Neither Assad, Russia or Iran started the uprising in Syria.
Wealthy Sunni Arab States in the Gulf absorb relatively few of their brethren fleeing war and persecution. These nations have millions of nonArab "guest-workers" from South and Southeast Asia yet find they have little room for millions of Sunni Arab refugees. The Arab monarchies have spent at least a billion dollars spreading their totalitarian Wahabbi ideology throughout the Islamic world, leading to the rise of violent Islamic extremism, and billions more purchasing weapons and protection from Western powers. One has to wonder then why they regularly fail to allocate the resources necessary to shelter their Sunni Arab cousins.
87
These refugees would feel a lot more comfortable and find it much easier to adjust to life in neighboring Moslem countries especially the harrowing experience they've had in Syria, their home. Their wealthy fellow Muslims can easily absorb them and logically the responsibility is more theirs than ours. We already have an immigration problem and don't need another one, ditto the Europeans. But there's not much that makes sense in that part of the world and one wonders how much these co-religionist relatives really care about each other.
Iran and Russia should take them. They are supporting Assad.
15
Would someone please tell me why the U. N. doess not put pressure on wealthy Middle East countries to take these people?
87
This isn't about real estate and location, location, location. This is about people, and stability, stability, stability.
2
The United Nations does not put pressure on anyone because Ban Ki-moon has been an ineffective failure at the helm. His inability to lead has seriously damaged the organization and removed an important voice from international peace efforts.
1
It's a middle east problem. Let the middle east solve it by reforming islam and taking care of their neighboring countrymen/women. What about the wealthy arab countries that have stability? Shouldn't they accept neighbouring muslim refugees???? It would involve far less traveling for stability.
5
"fleeing war in Viet Nam" No, they were fleeing the oppressive North Vietnamese occupation. The exodus didn't begin until the South collapsed.
12
Why just "the West"? Certainly Japan and South Korea are wealthy enough to take on refugees, which, curiously, are non-existent in these nations. Israel, too, would seem a logical choice when taking geography into consideration.
When only majority-white nations accept all the refugees, it creates the misperception that only the West is capable of benevolence.
When only majority-white nations accept all the refugees, it creates the misperception that only the West is capable of benevolence.
24
Helvetico, If you take geography into consideration as you suggest, you would know that Israel is made up mostly of desert.
1
A friend visited the Syrian refugees in camps in February. There was one family - a widow and three daughters ages 3,5 and 7. They were wrapped in blankets sitting on a floor in a tent. It was very cold and they didn't have enough food. My friend had to tell this woman there was zero chance they'd be resettled in the US..but maybe some other country would take them in. When he asked her how she was going to be able to cope she said that if her circumstances didn't change soon she would kill her three daughters and then herself to prevent them from suffering. The photo was heartbreaking. I wonder if all our messing around in that part of the world is in some way responsible for this.
7
130,000 to the US? I'm sorry but that's crazy. No the countries in the immediate area should be the ones that provide refuge. They would allow for far better, cultural and language integration.
The west can't always be the default for these situations.
The west can't always be the default for these situations.
50
There needs to be a political solution (i.e., negotiated ceasefire/peace settlement) in Syria now. We cannot allow this humanitarian catastrophe to continue any longer. The UN (especially members of its Security Council) need to put all efforts into ending the horrible bloodshed there. And Syrian civilians need to be able to return to their country, instead of having to become displaced persons (i.e., powerless refugees).
24
Shouldn't the oil-rich Sunni states be taking care of this? It's their neighborhood after all. The tiny county of Lebanon has been literally flooded with Syrian refugees - how many are Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain helping?
43
Now imagine the political, logistical and humanitarian nightmare that will ensue as sea level rises in the coming decades. The human dislocation will dwarf anything humans have ever witnessed.
10
The only help they are providing is fomenting chaos. T
Syria and its problems were created by Syrians. They should stay where they are and accommodate to their new masters, whoever they turn out to be. That's what happens when you are conquered - by ISIS, or by Assad.
15
How about we help to end the conflict in Syria? Is there no Middle Eastern country to help their brothers and sisters?
10
How about asking Russia for some help. But of course not they are just there to create more problems.
7
It is ironic that after the Iraq war the UN did nothing to help rebuild yet now want the U.S. to take on refugees from a conflict the U.S. is not involved in. These refugees need to be screened rigoriously for terrorists. The UN being serious about stopping the civil war is the real solution; the are not fully helping people as a feel-good paper tiger.
6
Sadly your faith in the United Nations is misplaced. Does anyone remember the last time U.N. leadership spoke out forcefully against anything? The organization has become an expensive tea party for the wealthy and connected.
The pressure from the international aid groups for the U.S. to take in more refugees faster should be discounted if not ignored outright. These groups have no constituency to answer to in this, or any country. It's awfully easy to talk when you don't have to face voters and explain your actions.
11
If we admit Syrian refugees, even if every one that we admit is perfectly vetted so that we are certain that none are Muslim extremists, Islamic religious doctrine virtually guarantees that some of their children will BECOME terrorists, and they will then be in our midst.
We should certainly contribute to the economic aid of people in refugee camps displaced by the unending Middle Eastern sectarian strife but under no circumstances should we let any of them into our country (except for those to whom we are profoundly indebted.)
We must not duplicate in America the appalling danger that France, the Netherlands, and other European nations are threatened with as a result of their admirable (but misguided) humanitarianism.
We should certainly contribute to the economic aid of people in refugee camps displaced by the unending Middle Eastern sectarian strife but under no circumstances should we let any of them into our country (except for those to whom we are profoundly indebted.)
We must not duplicate in America the appalling danger that France, the Netherlands, and other European nations are threatened with as a result of their admirable (but misguided) humanitarianism.
12
The secular west has to decide if it is to act as a sponge to soak up the mess left by countries destabilised by islamism.
5
No thank you, after writing a massive tax check to cover the lavish early retirements and massive, six figure pensions of thousands of public employee unions, the two main drivers of this war and horrible situation are the ones who should pay for the aid and allow the millions of refugees into their countries - russia and iran.
Had those two dreadful, awful countries not pushed assad to murder 300K people and continue slaughtering to stay in power at all costs, so they would have a puppet leader in place - this civil war would have ended 4 years ago, with far less dead.
So the bottom line is, as a Westerner, NOT A CHANCE. The US already pays 22% of the UN budget, which is lunacy given the amount of cash other nations like China are holding, as much as TWO TRILLION US DOLLARS. Someone should explain why china should not pay far more, both to the UN, and for the syrian crisis.
Had those two dreadful, awful countries not pushed assad to murder 300K people and continue slaughtering to stay in power at all costs, so they would have a puppet leader in place - this civil war would have ended 4 years ago, with far less dead.
So the bottom line is, as a Westerner, NOT A CHANCE. The US already pays 22% of the UN budget, which is lunacy given the amount of cash other nations like China are holding, as much as TWO TRILLION US DOLLARS. Someone should explain why china should not pay far more, both to the UN, and for the syrian crisis.
8
I missed the part about the UN calling on Syria to stop state-sponsored terrorism.
8
Russia would veto the resolution.
It's terrible to say this, but sometimes one must examine the larger picture and results of charitable acts.
With Islam in its current state of fostering constant cycles of violence, jihad and retribution, taking Muslim refugees into Western countries simply seems deeply imprudent. It seems to me that the experience of resettling so many Somalis in the US, many of whose kids have become enamored of jihad bears this out.
With Islam in its current state of fostering constant cycles of violence, jihad and retribution, taking Muslim refugees into Western countries simply seems deeply imprudent. It seems to me that the experience of resettling so many Somalis in the US, many of whose kids have become enamored of jihad bears this out.
21
Stop the war in Syria and end the humanitarian crisis.
No one can afford to take in these Syrian refugees. After what they experienced in Syria, it is highly unlikely that some of these traumatized people will ever adjust to a 'normal' existence. Does anyone really expect an 8 year old who has witnessed executions and beheadings to remain unaffected? Chances are that he will grow up marked by violence and seeking extremes. Nobody wants these sorts of people in their midst.
The fighting in Syria will stop when foreigners cut their funding to the insurgents. After 5 years of fighting, it is clear that the disparate and increasing desperate rebels cannot win. But with the money that flows from the Arabs and the United States to these rebel groups, neither can the Syrian government. And so the war just drags on and on.
If you believe that the war in Syria is a moral travesty, then instead of humanitarian support, you should be speaking out against the funding and arming of rebel Syrian fighters by America and its Arab allies.
End the war.
End the refugee crisis.
No one can afford to take in these Syrian refugees. After what they experienced in Syria, it is highly unlikely that some of these traumatized people will ever adjust to a 'normal' existence. Does anyone really expect an 8 year old who has witnessed executions and beheadings to remain unaffected? Chances are that he will grow up marked by violence and seeking extremes. Nobody wants these sorts of people in their midst.
The fighting in Syria will stop when foreigners cut their funding to the insurgents. After 5 years of fighting, it is clear that the disparate and increasing desperate rebels cannot win. But with the money that flows from the Arabs and the United States to these rebel groups, neither can the Syrian government. And so the war just drags on and on.
If you believe that the war in Syria is a moral travesty, then instead of humanitarian support, you should be speaking out against the funding and arming of rebel Syrian fighters by America and its Arab allies.
End the war.
End the refugee crisis.
57
Why not both?
Stop American (and foreign) involvement in the Syrian War, but let the worse affected into America. A traumatized 8-year old needs psychiatric counseling, not to be shut-out from the West! That 8-year old stands the greatest chance of getting the help he needs in America.
End the war.
Give the refugees asylum in America.
Stop American (and foreign) involvement in the Syrian War, but let the worse affected into America. A traumatized 8-year old needs psychiatric counseling, not to be shut-out from the West! That 8-year old stands the greatest chance of getting the help he needs in America.
End the war.
Give the refugees asylum in America.
4
Agreed. Stop the war, stop the arms and oil merchants who are fuelling the war. That's number one.
But take in the refugees as well! "Does anyone really expect an 8 year old who has witnessed executions and beheadings to remain unaffected? Chances are that he will grow up marked by violence and seeking extremes. Nobody wants these sorts of people in their midst." That was a horrible statement. And so untrue. How many European 8-year-olds of 70 years ago saw their families blown up by bombs, crushed by tanks, gassed in Auschwitz? Yet we grew up to be the generation of peace and of the economic boom. Give Syrian kids a chance, instead of trashing them as subhuman, as you are doing.
But take in the refugees as well! "Does anyone really expect an 8 year old who has witnessed executions and beheadings to remain unaffected? Chances are that he will grow up marked by violence and seeking extremes. Nobody wants these sorts of people in their midst." That was a horrible statement. And so untrue. How many European 8-year-olds of 70 years ago saw their families blown up by bombs, crushed by tanks, gassed in Auschwitz? Yet we grew up to be the generation of peace and of the economic boom. Give Syrian kids a chance, instead of trashing them as subhuman, as you are doing.
40
The idea that Assad will just take back the populations he has been indiscriminately bombing is dubious, at best. And declaring, in effect, that you don't want traumatized people in our midst is not only depressingly inhumane, but amounts to a further threat on anyone who has already been traumatized, whether American or not. Shame!
3
Europe should take the vast majority. They are having problems with population decline unlike the US. I'd be ok with helping to pay or assist in resettlement elsewhere.
If Europe won't act in its own best interests then we need to accept more.
If Europe won't act in its own best interests then we need to accept more.
4
That's some sort of a joke, right? What is the real problem with a population decline? Possibly more resources available? Comparing to the real problem of population that does not assimilate with local cultures for many generations? Before you make statements check on immigration data towards Italy and Greece and South Europe in general.
1
Sure billy, as soon as you are willing to write them a check, by all means, take them into your home and clothe and feed them. I'll pass that bill onto the appropriate parties, iran and russia for being the primary catalysts of that 4 year mass slaughter/genocide of the syrian sunni population.
1
'...They are having problems with population decline...'
And yet do not need uneducated and unskilled immigrants who will never be anything but a burden to the country, which is what has already happened all over Europe and in many parts of the US.
And yet do not need uneducated and unskilled immigrants who will never be anything but a burden to the country, which is what has already happened all over Europe and in many parts of the US.
10
This must be a very new generation of DP Experts. Where were they less than a decade ago when four and one half million Iraqis were displaced by the American Invasion of Iraq? For more than a decade the United States had no interest in body counts in Iraq, and we wouldn't let anyone else count either. To attempt to assemble the numbers of dead resulting from Regime Change was practically considered to be giving aid and comfort to the enemy by the Bush/Cheney gang of Democracy Evangelists.
Does the US actually have any idea what it wants in the Middle East, besides the ability to substantially control the distribution of fossil fuel, even as it turns out that alternative fuels have finally rounded the home stretch in terms of price and availability.
We are increasingly like a dog who bites at himself because he can't catch his own tale! What exactly are we trying to accomplish?
We want to highlight Syria in order to publicly excoriate Assad because he is aligned with Iran. Then again we want to save Iraq from ISIS, but perversely Iraq is also allied with Iran. We have no real interest in who wins in the Centuries long Shia vs Sunni debate! So then why do we support the anti democratic forces of the Sunni Royals in a theological dust up with Persia, which is at least a Constitutional Democracy. There are actually people in Iran who are not hardliners. All of the Saudi Princes are hardliners, and Wahabi is their version of the legitimacy of their line in the eyes of God.
Does the US actually have any idea what it wants in the Middle East, besides the ability to substantially control the distribution of fossil fuel, even as it turns out that alternative fuels have finally rounded the home stretch in terms of price and availability.
We are increasingly like a dog who bites at himself because he can't catch his own tale! What exactly are we trying to accomplish?
We want to highlight Syria in order to publicly excoriate Assad because he is aligned with Iran. Then again we want to save Iraq from ISIS, but perversely Iraq is also allied with Iran. We have no real interest in who wins in the Centuries long Shia vs Sunni debate! So then why do we support the anti democratic forces of the Sunni Royals in a theological dust up with Persia, which is at least a Constitutional Democracy. There are actually people in Iran who are not hardliners. All of the Saudi Princes are hardliners, and Wahabi is their version of the legitimacy of their line in the eyes of God.
6
Thank you, Stephen. you understand the problem.
This is not about THEM and US. It´s always us.
Refugees from war zones, migration from poverty, and other threats to Western culture are the result of globalisation. Globalisation is not just a description of a global process but a strategy, which the West has devised to establish capitalism all over the world. In the wake of spreading Western culture across the world it collides with morals and rules of other cultures creating economic losers, fear and aggression. The consequences are refugees, migrants, and terrorists. We are co-creators of our own threats. We will not change the world but we may change ourselves. Capitalism needs a human face to the inside as well as to the outside. This little story explains it very simple: “Spoon Capitalism – political science for the simpler minded”.
http://www.english.kamus-quantum.com/15.html
Refugees from war zones, migration from poverty, and other threats to Western culture are the result of globalisation. Globalisation is not just a description of a global process but a strategy, which the West has devised to establish capitalism all over the world. In the wake of spreading Western culture across the world it collides with morals and rules of other cultures creating economic losers, fear and aggression. The consequences are refugees, migrants, and terrorists. We are co-creators of our own threats. We will not change the world but we may change ourselves. Capitalism needs a human face to the inside as well as to the outside. This little story explains it very simple: “Spoon Capitalism – political science for the simpler minded”.
http://www.english.kamus-quantum.com/15.html
7
While I agree with your instinct and thoughts about it, capitalism is never going to change itself quickly enough to solve this immediate crisis. Germany is acting and doing better than other any country to absorb these refugees.
Too bad the Americans won't do the same. After all, it was George W. Bush and countless preceding Presidents who most recently upset the disorderly order left
by European colonial powers. The ones who had learned their lesson about the Middle East a century ago.
Too bad the Americans won't do the same. After all, it was George W. Bush and countless preceding Presidents who most recently upset the disorderly order left
by European colonial powers. The ones who had learned their lesson about the Middle East a century ago.
1
NAFTA and the Pacific Rim agreement have, and will, exacerbate these problems. As long as greedy corporations run the US, there will never be peace abroad, nor contentment at home.
1
Absolutely not! Who is going to pay to import these impoverished people, some with medical needs? We have have enough to pay for already, thank you. It's time to put America first.
46
Cut funding to the military and use the funds for humanitarian purposes globally. Transporting Syrian refugees would probably cost the same as a week of American air strikes against Syria.
An F-16 costs ~$25,000 per HOUR. One JDAM bomb costs over $25,000. America is spending billions each day in the region already. You're telling me America doesn't have the money to move people?
An F-16 costs ~$25,000 per HOUR. One JDAM bomb costs over $25,000. America is spending billions each day in the region already. You're telling me America doesn't have the money to move people?
1
There is no rational reason to allow anyone to emigrate from the middle east to the US. Allowing muslim emigres into the US only creates further security risks. Proof of this problem exists in the Minneapolis, MN area which seems to grow terrorists and wannabe terrorists on a weekly basis. Consequently, allowing the muslim population in the US to continue to grow is at the risk of the rest of the American population. The world is a very big place. Syrian refugees should emigrate to Indonesia where they already have substantial muslim populations. Just say NO to any further muslim immigration into the USA.
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That's all we need , an unlimited supply of potential terrorists supplied by your friendly international NGO.
The one who are not terrorists will require immense support services.
Better we spend that money on poor Americans of which we have plenty.
The one who are not terrorists will require immense support services.
Better we spend that money on poor Americans of which we have plenty.
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Tell that to obama and his warm welcoming of the central/south american impoverished masses - even sending planes to collect them and save them from having to take a long journey up north.
'...The one who are not terrorists will require immense support services...'
Or rather both, as refugees immediately receive welfare, food stamps, free medical care and housing.
Or rather both, as refugees immediately receive welfare, food stamps, free medical care and housing.
Yes, there is no easy way out, but the Arabs will continue to have tremendous unrest. Asia is big enough surely for the Asians, as Europe for the Europeans. Let us not lust after someone else's garden. Stay in you own continent and make it a better place. Home is there.
47
Absolutely not! Please send them to the countries which are obstacles to a long-lasting solution in Syria. Furthermore, there are rich countries in the Middle East which should be able to use their massive oil wealth to support these refugees. Why should the US be responsible for them?
106
Obstacles to a long-lasting solution in Syria? OK, then let's divide up the refugees between the US, Israel, France/England (the Sykes-Picot agreement), and Russia. (I would say Turkey too, but it's already doing more than its share for Syrian refugees).
OK. If you want to go that far back in history, please include T.E. Lawrence, Hussein bin Ali the Sharif and Emir of Mecca from 1908-1917 and his sons. By the way, we should add Iran to the list, right? They support one side. Why not the Saudis and other Middle East countries today who are deeply involved in the conflict and support the other side? Please leave the US out of it.
“In the case of Syrian refugees, our intelligence on the ground is alarmingly slim, making it harder to identify extremists,” --- Recent reports in the media on CIA said that our plan is to cut more and more of traditional spying with agents in favor of digital surveillance. Is that wise?
4
I am Jewish of Eastern European heritage. My grandparents fled for their lives from pogroms perpetrated by the Russians. I know that after WWII there were refugees with no place to go. Among them were some extended family members. Generations later my family is integrated into American Society. We are almost all highly contributing members of American society and paying our taxes.
I read this story with such a heavy heart. It was not so long ago that my family was them. Just another religion. So, although I have fears as well about the newcomers becoming "home grown" terrorists, I believe that we must find a way to hasten the screening process.
Most of the Vietnamese refugees we took in during or after the Vietnamese war have already integrated into our country. Although our refugees fly over the Statue of Liberty these days, I have a vision of my grandparents arriving into New York harbor and with lumps in their throats and tears in their eyes seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time. Let's get the process going.
I read this story with such a heavy heart. It was not so long ago that my family was them. Just another religion. So, although I have fears as well about the newcomers becoming "home grown" terrorists, I believe that we must find a way to hasten the screening process.
Most of the Vietnamese refugees we took in during or after the Vietnamese war have already integrated into our country. Although our refugees fly over the Statue of Liberty these days, I have a vision of my grandparents arriving into New York harbor and with lumps in their throats and tears in their eyes seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time. Let's get the process going.
67
From one Eastern European Jew to another, I thought the exact same thing when I saw the picture at the top. Who knows how many of our relatives were forced from their homes by Stalin and Hitler with nowhere to go? The US makes a big show out of supporting Israel but somehow turns its back to the obvious connection between this situation and the plight of the Jews. If human rights have any meaning to us we have to take these people seriously.
2
Well said, Mom.
I respect where you are coming from but this situation is not the same. When we took in Vietnamese refugees we did not have any major concerns about safety (terrorism) or inherent religious conflicts (disdain for all other religions). The Vietnamese, one of my best friends is a Vietnamese refugee, have generally integrated well into US society and culture. They didn't have an axe to grind with the West (jihads). They have a strong work ethic and value education and have worked hard to see that their children and grandchildren are fully integrated Americans and have enriched our culture with some of their culture and here in Seattle decidedly with their cuisine.
2
It's easy to understand Nick's comment, if you think of them as an ethnic group and not people.
1
The US should commit to taking as many refugees as Israel does. Israel could use to build some good will in the region.
6
Even if Israel wanted to take them, they would never go. If they have a stamp on the passport that shows they are coming from Israel they cannot go to any other ME country. They don't let Jews in and they don't want anyone from Israel in their countries.
21 percent of the current population of Israel is Arab. That doesn't seem to have gotten them a lot of goodwill in the region.
2
UN would do better to get Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE to take in the bulk of Muslim refugees, including those desperate souls trying to get across the Mediterranean. Those countries are much nearer. They are culturally closer in ever way. They are wealthy. And they already import workers from Asia.
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I hope, for the refugees' sake, that you aren't advocating the same treatment for them that said workers from Asia currently receive.
@ Maurice:
You fail to grasp the nature of the social order on the Arabian Peninsula. It's clan and tribal in the most traditional sense imaginable and has been since "time immemorial"; at least 3,500 years. Don't be fooled by map names like "Oman" or "U.A.E." Such designations are meaningless.
Take your "workers imported from Asia" formulation. These aren't "workers" in the Western sense -- skilled blue collar employees who belong to labor unions. They're like slaves. Slavery was only legally abolished in that region well after WW-2 and the slave-owner mentality lingers on. Your "imported workers" are poor Muslims from South Asia and Indonesia recruited for the construction trades and to perform household chores. Occasionally, news stories about their mistreatment -- terrible abuses -- surface. Consider it the tip of the iceberg.
The dominant religion on the peninsula is "Wahhabism", usually described as a "Sunni fundamentalist sect". That's wrong, in part because there's no Christian equivalent to compare it to. In Judaism some ultra-Orthodox might behave the same way in sheer nastiness, their social intolerance of others. But it stops there. Judaism grants no license to its Fundamentalists ("Salafi") to kill Jews in other denominations or non-Jews. Wahhabism does, one reason why ISIS' Salafi kill so often and so viciously.
Arabian tribal Salafi reject Levantine Sunnis because they are neither Arabian nor Salafi. They regard them as false Muslims. Why none are there.
You fail to grasp the nature of the social order on the Arabian Peninsula. It's clan and tribal in the most traditional sense imaginable and has been since "time immemorial"; at least 3,500 years. Don't be fooled by map names like "Oman" or "U.A.E." Such designations are meaningless.
Take your "workers imported from Asia" formulation. These aren't "workers" in the Western sense -- skilled blue collar employees who belong to labor unions. They're like slaves. Slavery was only legally abolished in that region well after WW-2 and the slave-owner mentality lingers on. Your "imported workers" are poor Muslims from South Asia and Indonesia recruited for the construction trades and to perform household chores. Occasionally, news stories about their mistreatment -- terrible abuses -- surface. Consider it the tip of the iceberg.
The dominant religion on the peninsula is "Wahhabism", usually described as a "Sunni fundamentalist sect". That's wrong, in part because there's no Christian equivalent to compare it to. In Judaism some ultra-Orthodox might behave the same way in sheer nastiness, their social intolerance of others. But it stops there. Judaism grants no license to its Fundamentalists ("Salafi") to kill Jews in other denominations or non-Jews. Wahhabism does, one reason why ISIS' Salafi kill so often and so viciously.
Arabian tribal Salafi reject Levantine Sunnis because they are neither Arabian nor Salafi. They regard them as false Muslims. Why none are there.
UN even don't have a good and ,equal voting system .A country with few millions population has same One vote as India with Billions populations . So foolish in voting and actions.
1. Syria should be embargoed world wide. This is equivalent to the Breakup of Yugoslavia, and Ban Kiy Moo should not be calling on the West to solve it, while he meets daily with the Syrian Rep.
2. Why is the West looked to as the banker/savior for the world, when the Arab Nations, and Asia, are busy buying Rolls Royce's and Mercedes?
3. If Arab countries do not care about the slaughter in Syria, the ISIS crimes against human rights, culture, and Arab history,why should WE?
2. Why is the West looked to as the banker/savior for the world, when the Arab Nations, and Asia, are busy buying Rolls Royce's and Mercedes?
3. If Arab countries do not care about the slaughter in Syria, the ISIS crimes against human rights, culture, and Arab history,why should WE?
76
Russia supports Syria. Obviously that hamstrings the UN's capability to respond as strongly as it would like to.
2. I am truly sorry but there is a thing called property rights and the few wealthy can indeed do whatever they want after paying their taxes. The vast majority of Asian countries are struggling with tackling poverty, except maybe South Korea and Japan. Both these nations are part of the economic and political West too. Unfortunately, they have left their doors shut to refugees.
Because, as an American, I would sincerely hope that we are not all as callous and hateful as you suggest. Regarding such cold-hearted disregard for innocent men, women and children from my fellow countrymen fills me with sadness and shame.
Isn't it time for Russia and China to step up and take in some refugees? The United States has already taken in millions of Russian and Chinese refugees. Maybe Russia and China could do some humanitarian good for a change.
28
As was mentioned in another post, Russia has already taken in around 1 million refugees fleeing the fighting in Eastern Ukraine.
No, I don't think China (or Russia) has the responsibility. Yes, there have been millions of Chinese students coming to the US for education. But most of them pay out-of-state tuition, which usually doubles the in-state tuition. They are subsiding the rising cost of higher education in the US. It seems unreasonable to ask them for more.
Some times we mortals figure out how easy it is to change things without realizing the unintended consequences of our actions would bring. Syria is just another example of these unintended consequences.
When there was a peaceful protest in Homs, we saw an opening to topple Assad, we instigated and helped the peaceful demonstrators and look what frankenstein we created, the Jubth Al Nusrah, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and who knows what else.
Umpteen countries each with its own agenda is now involved in Syria, no one really cares about the people of Syria. Is this what democracy is all about, each side pulling towards their point of view to justify the killings of innocent civilians.
Saudia has opened another front at the behest of Hezbollah and Iran in Yemen. Bombing to smithereens the poorest of the Arab countries to stone age, and for what? to put back a hand picked guy Hadi?
It is a shame for humanity when we look around so called intelligent men justifying all the killings in the name of Peace.
When there was a peaceful protest in Homs, we saw an opening to topple Assad, we instigated and helped the peaceful demonstrators and look what frankenstein we created, the Jubth Al Nusrah, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and who knows what else.
Umpteen countries each with its own agenda is now involved in Syria, no one really cares about the people of Syria. Is this what democracy is all about, each side pulling towards their point of view to justify the killings of innocent civilians.
Saudia has opened another front at the behest of Hezbollah and Iran in Yemen. Bombing to smithereens the poorest of the Arab countries to stone age, and for what? to put back a hand picked guy Hadi?
It is a shame for humanity when we look around so called intelligent men justifying all the killings in the name of Peace.
3
The humanitarian threads of this issue are many and strong but and I really hate to say this. There are many in Syria on both sides of the sectarian and civil war who are anti American and anti West. Bringing them here would not be a good thing for our own people. There seems to be a feeling in the world today that the US owes every country everything and that it is our responsibility to destroy ourselves to provide it. I say enough is enough. The UN has encouraged just the kind of violence and strife that is occurring in Syria and other countries in the ME by excusing the excesses of the fanatics and pandering to Islamic theocrats at every turn. Unfortunately the poor people of Syria are paying for it. The Great Satan should just sit this one out.
33
If I am not for myself, who am I , If I am only for myself, what am I, written by the great sage Rabbi Akiba.We must by all means help these people especially the children, & we must do this knowingly, there will be terrorists infiltrators mixed in with the refuges.However the risk, we cant as a people not reach out to those in need, for that is what America is all about.
1
I do not remember Rabbia Akiba, who annoited the leader of the revolt against Rome, advocating to give aid and comfort to your enemies.
1
We can help them without resettling them here.
2
Mike,
As the son of refuges that came to America to escape from religious persecution, I look at all refuges that are escaping from oppression & persecution as brothers & Sisters not enemies & neither would Rabbi Akiba.
As the son of refuges that came to America to escape from religious persecution, I look at all refuges that are escaping from oppression & persecution as brothers & Sisters not enemies & neither would Rabbi Akiba.
2
How come the U.N. does not call on Western Nations to open their doors to one million refugees from Donbass (Ukraine)?
35
Russia, rich in land and natural resources, could easily absorb their Russian brethren from Ukraine.
I believe Russia has already absorbed 1 million refugees from the war torn area in Eastern Ukraine.
Pair this with the other "story of the day" from Syria about chlorine bombs, and it's clear what needs to be done. While ISIS is a big problem, the bigger problem is the Assad regime's brutal attacks on it's own people...brutally so.
Russia blocks all attempts to reign Assad in via the security council...and Iran continues to provide support to their puppet state.
It's time to stop trying to make a comically weak nuclear deal with Iran and do something tangible to stop this madness.
Russia takes Crimea...Iran speeds toward the bomb...ISIS threatens the entire region...Syria uses chemical weapons on their own people...the list is long. Yet we twiddle our thumbs trying to use "reset" buttons and negotiate the situation away. Obama has failed the west with his foreign policy decisions time and again.
I'm not saying that war and bombing are the first or only option...they're the last. But when ruthless regimes KNOW that they can stall you at the bargaining table and that the bombs will NEVER fall, they are emboldened to do what they want, how they want, when they want.
Russia blocks all attempts to reign Assad in via the security council...and Iran continues to provide support to their puppet state.
It's time to stop trying to make a comically weak nuclear deal with Iran and do something tangible to stop this madness.
Russia takes Crimea...Iran speeds toward the bomb...ISIS threatens the entire region...Syria uses chemical weapons on their own people...the list is long. Yet we twiddle our thumbs trying to use "reset" buttons and negotiate the situation away. Obama has failed the west with his foreign policy decisions time and again.
I'm not saying that war and bombing are the first or only option...they're the last. But when ruthless regimes KNOW that they can stall you at the bargaining table and that the bombs will NEVER fall, they are emboldened to do what they want, how they want, when they want.
3
Back when Obama was waffling on the red line of using chemical weapons, he also should have been setting into motion humanitarian assistance for the hundreds of thousands of Syrians he wanted protected from attacks by chemical weapons.
The refugees will be turned into fodder for ISIS, and they will use their tactic of making families give up at least one child to their ranks. The world needs to get together on this yesterday.
The refugees will be turned into fodder for ISIS, and they will use their tactic of making families give up at least one child to their ranks. The world needs to get together on this yesterday.
2
Had obama any character or courage, after the chemical bombs were dropped, he would have told assad, er i mean putin, that they have a choice, either he bombs assad or there will be a humanitarian no-fly zone/corridor that will be created. He did nothing, which emboldened iran to continue its fake negotiations as it worked towards a nuclear bomb, russia to invade Ukraine, and assad the animal to continue his mass slaughter - all without any consequences.
Where is the leadership in the white house? And why does the leftist press, including this dreadful "publication" continue to protect obama and avoid any hard questions of him on these issues when they are so much tougher on republican presidents?
Where is the leadership in the white house? And why does the leftist press, including this dreadful "publication" continue to protect obama and avoid any hard questions of him on these issues when they are so much tougher on republican presidents?
How many refugees has Saudi Arabia - the biggest and richest country in the region - accepted?
146
Why would we want to send refugees to a country that supports Al Qaeda and practices public execution and corporal punishment?
Some number close to zero.
1
The Saudis don't have to accept anyone. They are in charge.
Everyone I knew was a child or grandchild of immigrants.They were screened before entering the US.They worked hard & treasured our values.More recently there were Russians who claimed they were Jewish to emigrate to Israel & the US. Immigration to European countries by people who oppose the freedoms & values of those countries, too many drug dealers & scam artists among the wonderful immigrants from Nigeria, etc. To protect our citizens & way of life, we need to screen those emigrating to our country.
1
Refugees are VERY carefully screened. There are multiple security checks for people arriving as refugees. Not all immigrants are refugees - some are regular immigrants, some are asylum seekers, some are undocumented..all different categories and all are screened except the undocumented..
1
Sorry, but this conflict was shaked, baked, and served by the powers in the middle east. It's their responsibility to deal with the outcome.
15
I have to reluctantly agree with the policy of pumping the brakes here...hard. In that particular area of the world, it's commonplace to see burning American flags, "death to America" chants, and cheering crowds when we get hit with an attack. I think it's safe to say that (aside from Israel), there aren't many in the region that we should feel comfortable letting enter in mass numbers.
Also, we've seen how various terrorist groups have been ingenious in getting their people "in the door". They're clearly not above taking advantage of this tragedy to further their goals.
If the U.N. is so concerned, maybe they should insert a task force to set up bigger/larger local refugee centers. Or better yet, the U.N. should lead a global coalition to actually solve the problem rather than ask individual nations to treat the symptoms.
Also, we've seen how various terrorist groups have been ingenious in getting their people "in the door". They're clearly not above taking advantage of this tragedy to further their goals.
If the U.N. is so concerned, maybe they should insert a task force to set up bigger/larger local refugee centers. Or better yet, the U.N. should lead a global coalition to actually solve the problem rather than ask individual nations to treat the symptoms.
9
The UNHCR has done a miraculous job with the refugee camps..but there are limits to how many of the nearby countries can shelter..there are too many of them for the neighboring countries to absorb. Have you actually gone to the UNHCR website and check out all that they are doing? They have done a fantastic job....and some of the camps are a lot better than others..
2
If it is a problem it was caused by the administration destabilizing the MidEast with its bombing of Liybia and creating the "Arab Spring" and by the Obama administration not strongly supporting the moderate rebels in Syria. Obama's red line was crossed and all he did was play golf and appear on TV comedy shows. If the refugees are to be served we should take back Syria and bring the refugee's home. Absent this they can go to Iran, Russia, China, etc.
4
There is no kind way of saying this. The US is already seeing "home grown" terrorists as it is; allowing Syrians to come here may also allow some of the ISIS element right into the country. This is a huge risk. Yes, the refugees need humanitarian aid, but the UN, or anyone else, cannot guarantee that sheltering Syrian refugees would spread ISIS, or other groups, terrorism to their nation.
I certainly expect a backlash here and just about everywhere else. The US absorbed Somalis several years ago and some home grown terrorists have come out this group. In Europe, they are dealing with porous borders and an influx of various peoples who want to do harm.
Then there is the cost of settlement, government aid, costs to taxpayers and the like that have to be considered. In the US, we cannot even take care of our own, let alone and influx of refugees.
The UN is easy to say "we need to do something", does it, and then hides in a corner when things go wrong. That is the history of the UN; make things go from bad to worse.
Yes, this is a cruel post, but we live in a world where even the ones we help are willing to do harm. This is the climate that has been created by the Us, Europe, the UN and dictators they supported in the middle east. ISIS is effectively the chickens coming home to roost; a backlash that started almost 100 years ago.
I certainly expect a backlash here and just about everywhere else. The US absorbed Somalis several years ago and some home grown terrorists have come out this group. In Europe, they are dealing with porous borders and an influx of various peoples who want to do harm.
Then there is the cost of settlement, government aid, costs to taxpayers and the like that have to be considered. In the US, we cannot even take care of our own, let alone and influx of refugees.
The UN is easy to say "we need to do something", does it, and then hides in a corner when things go wrong. That is the history of the UN; make things go from bad to worse.
Yes, this is a cruel post, but we live in a world where even the ones we help are willing to do harm. This is the climate that has been created by the Us, Europe, the UN and dictators they supported in the middle east. ISIS is effectively the chickens coming home to roost; a backlash that started almost 100 years ago.
123
I understand the concerns, but what is your alternative suggestion?
Precisely. It's hard not to think of the dozens of Somali refugees settled in the US who have streamed back to join Al Shabab or the Somali refugee girls from Colorado who went to the Islamic St.ate, or the migrants who threw 12 Christians overboard on a boat to Italy yesterday
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I looked at that first photo and was reminded of many pictures of Holocaust victims. The risk of extremism is definitely an important consideration to make, but we can't let our fear stop us from standing up for justice. These people are victims of far greater atrocities than have ever been witnessed in the US, and in all likelihood only a tiny minority of them are active in terrorist organizations. I encourage you to learn about the current (extremely selective) system for vetting refugees to see if you feel it's stringent enough.
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