First they came...

[sjoes006]

During this holiday season with warm hearts I again turn my attention to the migrants from Syria now having surpassed the numbers even of WWII.

I can't help but be reminded of a poem from that era that has always stayed with me as it truly reminds me that we are one.

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—

Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Catholics and I did my speak out-

Because I wasn't Catholic

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me." -Martin Niemöller

Please keep this in your mind and in your heart when dealing with the displaced this season.

[Ginnyweasley97]

when i first heard about trump's idea to deport mexicans, this was the first thing i thought of. People told me i was crazy for thinking this because (apparently) no one is this radical. Glad other people are catching on.

[sjoes006]

Thank you for your response. These were my thoughts as well after hearing Trump target several groups of people as, "they have to go". I don't want this to be about Trump though because it's not. It's about certain demographics of the U. S. Being okay with the idea of deporting US citizens or worse.

[TheLuckyOne1]

#FreeSyria

[LiveFreeorDieHard]

Honestly, i live in the us and i have no problem taking in refugees because we have always been that country that does that. But euorpe belongs to euorpeans and they shouldvdo whatever they feel like doing. Imagine if argentina was forced to accept mexican or brazilian refugees, they would be pissed right. I dont blame euorpe for not wanting them, ots within their rights to accept or deny anyone into their country. But the us is acountry of immigrants and refugees. We should accept them. at least here they have a chance to live peacefully andhave a chance to aquire the American dream. Just my two cents though.

[sjoes006]

Actually no it's not within their rights as a UN member and flies directly in the face of the Geneva Conventions.

Now that said I'm not critising Any specific state in Europe's handling of the crisis. It is unprecedented and too much for any of the entry point countries to absorb. Angela Merkel has gone above and beyond her call of duty to try and give these people safe harbor against much domestic opposition.

But with a crisis such as this The West needs to work together within itself and allies to distribute the displaced. The U. S. Simply has to take much more than it is currently promising.

Ideally under international law they must seek asylum at their port of entry but no one is doing so as Greece and Italy simply can't take 1 million migrants in need of service in one year.

The U. S. Should take at least 50k just to start. This isn't about them chasing a dream it is about surviving.

[LiveFreeorDieHard]

True but in the same time, countries have a right to take or refuse any and all refugees.

[sjoes006]

Yes of course but in accordance with international law they must go through the asylum process once filing for asylum in their shores. Switzerland grants asylum to very few refugees but the whole process takes sometimes 18 months or more and they have to keep them while it is being decided.

A nation cannot blanketly discriminate against groups of migrants down religious, racial or other socioeconomic lines. A nation's best defense against slowing the flow of migrants is to keep them from reaching their soil but once they are there they have to "deal with them".

You accept each asylum application and give it a yes or a no. The US should be downright ashamed of its handling of the Central Americans and now Syria. This isn't what the U. S. Is about not even 50 years ago. The U. S. Took any Cuban that could reach it shores, any Jew.

Honestly my concern actually lies more for the American people than the immigrants they are turning away.

[sjoes006]

It is a sad harsh look in the mirror to see what we have become. How quickly we crumble into exactly the thing they wanted us to become.

[LiveFreeorDieHard]

Lol, and just how many countries ignore international law and not do what they are suppossed to do. For example the us signed an agreement not to use napalm or white phosperus, guess what we still do. Like i said, the us should ascept refugees but euorpean nations can refuse them.

[LiveFreeorDieHard]

I know. The us was suppossed to be that one country where your religion, race, enthnicity or anything should mean nothing. Its suppossed to be a country where you are judged based on charachter and talent. We were set up to accept any refugees and have a small govt that stays out of the peoples way. How far we have fallen.

[RonG96]

you never know who`s turn its next 5 years ago those people from Syria were living their lives as me and you now they are destitute
that poem really hit home

[KDA20]

"Fuck - Wow" that is so meaningful. Beautiful sentiment, lump in my throat time.

[Eugene]

Sounds like a prophecy what's going to happen when those muslim invaders (that for some reason are called "refugees") will start exterminating Europeans in their own lands lol.

[sjoes006]

yay Putin!!

[BelleGirl21]

Powerful. I love this.