It’s a question that has consumed a great many of us in the days since the tragic attacks that took place recently in France. It’s also a question that I have struggled with during this time of reflection.
I try not to discuss my personal beliefs or ideology too much here in the office at The Reflector Newspaper. It just isn’t appropriate. Ironically, I do much more often here in this space than I do anywhere else. Plus, just like with this Opinion page in our newspaper, I want everyone here at work and elsewhere to feel free to have their own viewpoints. While I am often of a particular opinion on most matters, it’s usually not my desire to persuade others to feel the same as I do. Instead, I would just like to encourage others to take the time to engage in an exploration of an issue so they can make up their own mind. As long as their position is an informed one, then I am comfortable with that.
I did have a very brief discussion here in the office about the Syrian refugee issue with reporters Joanna Michaud and JC Cortez. It was because I appreciated a clever posting JC had made on his Facebook page. JC and I quite often view issues differently. We have vastly different backgrounds and experiences – me a lifelong Washington resident and he, until less than a year ago, a lifelong resident of Texas. But, as I quickly deflected our conversation away from anything controversial, JC astutely said a conversation is exactly what is needed on the subject of the Syrian refugees, not to mention many other issues as well.
So, thanks in part to JC and some of our other loyal readers who have shared thoughts on the topic with me recently, I’m engaging in this conversation about the current hot button issue in our country.
I likely will disappoint many of you, who have strong stances on both sides of the issue, for I am quite conflicted. You see, I love the principles that our country was built on. I believe our forefathers were brilliant in their wisdom and foresight. If you can accept the fact that the stories and teachings of the Bible are the inspired word of God, I contend that it doesn’t seem like such a stretch for me to believe the Constitution and Bill of Rights weren’t also the result of some unique inspiration, which doesn’t necessarily have to be of a divine nature but my point is these men knew what they were doing and it had to come from somewhere.
It’s been said many times that we’re all essentially from somewhere else. Whether you subscribe to the premise of eternity or just want to consider it historically or scientifically, the United States hasn’t been around for all that long. And our history is flooded with the arrival of immigrants and refugees and aren’t we all descendants of those who came here from somewhere else
So, I want our arms to be open and welcoming. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free …’’ Facebook friends have posted the most horrific photos of the life that many of these refugees are fleeing from. It sickens me. I can’t look at it. So, how can I suggest we stand at our borders and send them back to that horror?
But, there is a practical reality involved as well, that just can’t be ignored. We have a lot of problems in this country that aren’t being solved. Our national debt is increasing by the second. Homelessness and unemployment are serious problems that we have no real solutions for. And yes, homeland security and the threats from our enemies abroad are real, not imagined. Terrorism is real, 9/11 taught us that.
But fear of attacks by terrorists doesn’t drive my thoughts about the current refugee crisis in our country – 9/11 also taught us that we are vulnerable no matter what we do. There are seemingly daily reports of terrorist activity either thwarted in the United States or present in our country. Sure, I don’t want the Syrian refugees entering our country to include terrorists who wish to do us harm, but somehow I don’t view that as the main issue in this conversation. I can appreciate it if you’re thinking one more threat is too many.
I don’t have answers for the complicated problems that exist in the United States, but I don’t believe flooding our country with thousands of, essentially indigent, refugees is going to help matters. Obviously there is a price tag for the kindness and compassion we are showing to those we are opening our arms to. And, don’t we have an abundance of problems and issues we could use those resources for? Am I wrong to want to take care of our own in need before moving on to take care of others?
It’s for that reason I was privately hoping Washington would join the growing list of states refusing to accept Syrian refugees. That did not happen. I’m not surprised. We are often among the most liberal states in our country. But, I’m not standing on my desk professing to have the answers. As I said, I’m largely conflicted on this issue. How do you feel?
Ken Vance
Editor
