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Inspite of what Obama had to say as recently as a few days before the bombings in Paris ISIS is not contained – that is at least unless he’s attempting to create a “new regime” when it comes to word definitions just as he did when it comes to the law.
Accepting Syrian refugees is the hot topic button now as it should be for a variety of reasons.
Among those reasons is the potential for terrorists to gain entry. I can’t say how likely that is but it seems an avenue to me while conservatives will play it up and liberals will play it down.
I’m completely in favor of any humanitarian effort to assist Syrian or any other refugees form the Middle East and with the number of states proclaiming they will not accept any it will become an exercise in state’s rights versus those of the federal government.
This is a tailor made issue for conservatives at what can only viewed as an opportune time for them with upcoming elections – and they’re going to make the most of it.
Realities will be sacrificed in the upcoming related discussion, both sides will go to extremes to justify their positions.
This president is so intent on finishing his term without a major event as to appear completely inept – it was only a few months ago he characterized ISIS as the jv squad, now just days ago he announced they were contained.
Contained? Far from it with a growing number of people joining their ranks and a global expansion of their ability to strike.
An ability that emboldens them to announce the U.S. will be targeted.
No ones wants more “boots on the ground” but if ISIS does strike the U.S. the outcry will be no different than it was after 911 and ground troops will be sent.
It seems to me a pre emptive effort is what is needed as America’s allies look to the U.S. to take a more active role – something more than funneling millions of dollars to programs to train and arm a countries population to fight and then announce the sum total was an active force of five and yes it wasn’t working.
A true multinational force has to be a part of that strategy – a force that will strike, strike hard with a devastating effect and not quit until it is over.
Obama can tap dance around in the hopes of not tainting the legacy he
is attempting to create as his presidency winds down but increasingly
events are going to demand something more.
Obama may be the so called Commander in Chief but he isn’t a military
strategists by any stretch of the imagination, and if he seeks the advice
of the military he may be well advised to actually listen to them and put
political considerations aside. He needs to listen to the voice of allies
as well.
A hard look is necessary when it comes to immigration – it hasn’t gone
well in Germany with the rival factions in refugee camps, rapes, various
crimes, and the political upheaval it’s caused.
There needs to be an comprehensive scrutiny of applicants and the immediate deportation of those who are involved in such activities.
Deportation? This country has never hesitated to deport Mafia members
or other law breakers so why should it be any different for other non
resident criminals?
If we are as a nation to take in refugees we need to do so in such a way that they don’t encounter the same violence they are fleeing from.
We need to assure they can make a decent living and lead a decent life,
not stack them in human warehousing complexes and consign them to a second rate life of public assistance and dependency.
Anything less is a feel good farce and a balance must be struck between
attending to the needs of refugees and those of this country who are
warehoused, marginalized, embedded in poverty, dependency, and struggle to overcome a lack of opportunity.
If money is an issue related to that then get real about making corporations and one percenters pony up rather than legislating tax laws and policies that offer loop hole after loop hole.
I don’t believe an entire nation of people can be condemned across the board due to the actions of religious extremists, those who argue that point if they are Christians must then condemn all Christians for the same reasons as Christianity has it’s own history of terrorism.
People have a reasonable expectation of and right to excellence in leadership, something that’s far from the case and will remain so until such a time they will no longer accept anything less…. a nation in dire need of being saved from the drones and trolls of blind party allegiance, from cults of personality, and the unrelenting grasp of corporations.
As individuals we are held to account at our place of work, with credit finances, any form of debt, and general behavior – if a reason exists why it shouldn’t be the same for politicians and government then I’d like someone to enumerate them.
What is often overlooked when it comes to immigration is that it increases competition for jobs and effectively maintains a starvation level minimum wage.
The more people there are competing for available jobs the more it becomes an employers market – corporations love that.
A solution I believe is to redirect the “nation building” in other countries to this one – to create good paying jobs by bringing back manufacturing with an equitable minimum wage and public works projects under the aegis of reinstituted programs like the WPA and CCC of the Depression era.
The creation of good paying jobs would reduce welfare roles, increase consumer demand which would then be met by increased production, and directly impact the economy in a positive way – not to mention empowering people.
Every time the issue of increasing the minimum wage arises conservatives fall all over themselves claiming it reduces jobs – that’s an outright lie that fails to be substantiated by any credible study or statistics and clearly demonstrates the only thing they give a damn about is serving their corporate one percenter sugar daddys.
On the other hand when it comes to immigration I don’t believe the liberal talking points are exactly completely above board, I believe there exists an understanding that it will increase their base and pay dividends during elections and they’ve got their own corporate interests who love low wages and a lack of benefits.
In the final analysis these things are the face of politics, balance and a
middle ground that addresses issues in a sane an equitable manner in as much as they can be doesn’t seem to be part of the equation and the result is the divisive mess this country finds itself it.
I believe major issues facing any nation should be put to a national referendum allowing the people access and a voice in the decision making process, if not then at least in my opinion it cannot be said to be truly representative of the will of the people.
If the repeal of Glass Steagall, NAFTA, or even recent Supreme Court decisions had been put to that test I seriously doubt the country wouldn’t be better off than it is.
The majority of Syrian refugees are women, children, and the elderly, whether this country or any country will turn their back on them will be a defining moment, but the needs of the impoverished and disenfranchised of a countries own cannot be overlooked if the word humanitarian is to be any part of the narrative.