The State Innovation Exchange has released a letter signed by legislators from 31 states reminding Americans that we can keep our country safe and welcome immigrants and refugees to share the blessings of liberty and prosperity:
Just over a week ago, the attacks in Paris reminded us, once again, that we must remain incredibly vigilant in fighting terrorism around the world, as well as protecting our citizens here at home. As state legislators, protecting the residents of our communities is one of our most basic responsibilities and we take it very seriously.
At the same time, we must be careful not to let politics divide us during these difficult times or to exploit fear in a way that paints those who are desperately fleeing violence as potential enemies. We were troubled to see the response of so many governors in recent days, announcing intentions to close off many of our states to Syrian refugees, despite the fact that the US handpicks those who settle here and they go through a rigorous process with multiple levels of screening and security checks. In fact, many of these refugees are fleeing the same terror that unfolded in France, after years of facing violence at home.
It’s easy, and maybe even popular, to give into fears at a time like this, but we must check the facts and rely on our deepest held values to find a balanced approach to the threats facing our country and the world. We thank the handful of governors who have stood against the fear-mongering and proclaimed their states open and ready to welcome refugee families in need.
As we prepare to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday this week, we are reminded of the values of freedom and generosity that are traced back to earliest days of our history. We are thankful for the democracy we live in that allows people from different backgrounds and religions to live here and become Americans.
We are committed to ensuring we keep our families safe and we also support the Administration’s decision to continue receiving refugees, regardless of religion or country of origin. We pledge to work within our legislatures in the coming months to find policy solutions that will ensure security in our states, while we also foster communities who warmly welcome those families who are seeking refuge in the United States [numerous legislators, open letter, State Innovation Exchange, 2015.11.24].
I see five legislators from Minnesota, two from Iowa, two from North Dakota, and one from Montana. No legislators from South Dakota, Nebraska, or Wyoming have signed. But the State Innovation Exchange is still taking signers.
South Dakota legislators, before you start mashing the potatoes, contact Patty Kupfer at State Innovation Exchange and sign your name to this declaration of courage and humanitarianism. Declare that you are thankful for America’s bounty and are willing to share that bounty with all who seek refuge on our shores.
p.s.: France is still taking 30,000 Syrian refugees.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/readers/2015/11/22/refugee-vetting-long-thorough-process/76058938/
Marti Anderson,D,iowa wrote this letter to the Des Moines Register. She is a social worker by trade, She and Joe Bolkcom don’t appreciate ALEC’s influence in iowa politics,either.
It seems that the Christians are not happy with Daugaard and his cohorts for being such cowards. They seem to be saying that they do not approve of their politics, which is exactly why this crap was done so they could further their political advantages. Fear is their motivator. Once again though, their stupidity rules the day as an embarrassment to us all. Daugaard, put your big boy pants on and do the right thing, man up.
http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/11/18/religious-groups-counter-gop-on-syrian-refugees.html?utm_campaign=wklynewsletter112515&utm_medium=email&utm_source=editorialnewsletter
Lady Liberty is Muslim, yup. Game on Daugaard, you twit.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/statue-liberty-was-originally-muslim-woman-180957377/?utm_source=facebook.com&no-ist
The constant state of anxiety in the populace will be excellent for rates of gun ownership, but very bad for ticket sales.
Careful, Jerry.
http://www.snopes.com/history/american/statueofliberty.asp
Ticket sales are booming, Bree. The pharmies are doing fine….no anxiety in America.
I think that I will give trust to the Smithsonian for their research. In ancient Egyptian times, there was a time when Nubian pharaohs ruled, so it would make sense for the French designer to incorporate a dark skinned model for the harbor in Egypt. Here is from the National Geographic before the Fox News hack bought it. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/02/black-pharaohs/robert-draper-text.html So there you go, the more you know, the more you know.
Btw, did I tell you my 2 year old grandson is making $86 dollars an hour on the Internet, Jer? Pm me for details.
The Republican Party has absolutely zero credibility making political opinions on USA safety. NONE!!! Many examples, given. When is Obama coming for my guns? It’s been nearly two terms and they’re all still locked up where they live. When is the economy going to collapse as predicted? Gas is under two bucks, for Heaven’s sake and businesses are offering two thousand dollar sign on bonuses. When is my Doctor going to quit because of the onerous restrictions of Obamacare. He was still there for my yearly physical, last month . (It’s no deductible now, because preventatives are fully covered). When are the hoards of Mexicans going to come streaming over our shared border carrying nukes and Ebola? There are more Mexicans returning to our neighbor country than arriving.
USA citizens are on to your fear and hate gimmic, Republicans. Put it away and show the world why we lead. At least we used to until FoxNews gave you an avenue of deceit and a feigned sense of legitimacy. NO MORE FROM YOUR SIDE.
Boy, I wonder why there is a constant state of anxiety in ‘murrica. Could it have something to do with wingnuts desire to overthrow the two time,legally elected black guy in their White House? The very same guy they said hadn’t better rule as a Muslim while trying to replace him with a fauxknee kristian theocracy?
Too bad wingnuts never learned to read and/or comprehend stuff for theirownselves. Instead they get fed pablum from Fake Noise and Rust Limpaw’s radio black hole and that is all the learning they ever get and all they ever need to know.
Nice post Porter! Happy Thanksgiving to you, Cory and all the DFP bloggers.
Atta boy Porter, a good day to all.
Here is Italy’s answer to the ISIS problems, defeat them on the ground and defeat them with culture. In our new found isolationism regarding the caring for those that are suffering from the heartbreak of climate change mixed with war, we should be doing the same thing. Be thankful you like in a world that is not a bunch of corrupt political cowards like what we are seeing here. It should give us all hope. http://i100.independent.co.uk/article/italy-wants-to-spend-1billion-on-culture-to-fight-isis–ZJGmXGgKCFg
Gotta love those Italians, Jer.
http://i100.independent.co.uk/article/this-italian-council-actually-wants-local-prostitutes-to-become-more-visible–Zym5ZWB1aNe
Be thankful indeed Les, in some European countries, prostitutes are considered employees and qualify for social security benefits with their trade.
By the way, I am thankful that Bernie has a legitimate and sane immigration plan. https://berniesanders.com/issues/a-fair-and-humane-immigration-policy/
Porter lists all the things the GOP told us we had to be afraid of that aren’t coming true. Now the GOP has to fan other false fears. Voters, I hope you’ve learned your lesson!
Jerry’s link on Italy is brilliant. “Spend a euro on culture for every euro we spend on security.” Wow! These ISIS thugs are just like the Taliban, blowing up monuments and historical treasures that prove the vibrance and greatness achieved without hewing to fundamentalism and theocracy. We need to remind all those young people who might be radicalized into such nihilism that yes, really, humanity creates wonderful things. Paintings, sculptures, music, theater—that’s not decadence, but your human birthright, the collective and growing genius of thousands of years of humanity loving life and loving each other enough to create and preserve things of beauty. Send young people to theaters, museums, concerts, and other activities. Teach them to appreciate all the bounty of civilization, and they will stand with us to build civilization even higher, not tear it down on the nihilistic, apocalyptic delusions of terrorists playing to despair.
(Les, I’m surprised those 15,000 additional hookers in Milan aren’t already wearing clothing that makes them stand out along the road. Advertising, ladies, advertising….)
And building on Italy’s example, the United States of America can say to Syrian refugees, “Come to America. Be safe here. Experience our culture. Live, work, learn, play, and love here. See that the Great Satan is ISIS, the monsters who have driven you from your homes and turned your homeland to chaos and death and who now murder innocents overseas.”
Come to America. We have over a billion guns and we’ll protect you from ISIS and the international venture capitalists destroying our world.
Oh and btw, we also have ballet and art.
Btw, Jer, why don’t hookers deserve a system of security benefits like the rest of us. They did an honorable and dangerous job with oldest profession from sea to shining sea and K street in between.
The question that came to my mind does SD have the resources to assist not only Syrian refuges but also other refuges, to help the individuals find housing, food, adapt to American English (including slang), and etc.
A re schools prepared to receive the children?
There seems to be some hostile feelings and opinions regarding immigrants, would the Syrian refuges be safe fro harm?
JeniW, the Legislature has adjusted the K-12 funding formula to include a boost for schools with lots of ESL students, largely to address the needs of communities hosting the Governor’s economic development priorities, like Huron, which hosts Jeff Sveen’s EB-5 turkey plant and which hires lots of Karen refugees. If we kind find the money for Sveen’s refugee workforce, we can find the resources to support Syrian refugee kids.
As for anti-refugee sentiments aimed specifically at Syrians… whew, that’s a sticky question. I think we’d need to call on our better Midwestern Lutheran selves and hope that, face to face with real live people grateful to escape theocracy and death, our decency would overwhelm the fears that our ideologues are trying to fan.
Donald Trump speaks about seeing Muslims cheering the fall of the towers but there are news organizations like ABC that found something quite different. They may have been from the Mideast, but there were Israeli’s not Muslims. http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=123885&page=1
I have seen several comments on the web that argue we need to take care of our own vets and needy folks instead of helping Syrian refugees. This seems to be a classic false dichotomy. This is not an either or situation. Our nation has sufficient resources to care for both groups. And if we run a bit short we can make up the difference by eliminating a single military jet.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/11/military-jet-spending_n_5575045.html
President Obama has done more for vets than any other president has done. We got an education bill that finally addressed the high costs of today’s world. We got more funding for the VA that is still not full funding like what is needed. The VA needs to be fully funded to keep what happened in some of the locations from every happening again and by doing so, will address the incredible high rates of suicide suffered by veterans. All of these were done with a fight with the republicans, including of all people, John McCain, to get passed. Republicans love soldiers when they fight, they hate us when we have the audacity to survive getting blown up or mentally damaged and need medical care or a friggin place off the streets.
around 270,000,000 guns les-rolls eyes and crosses them, takes a swig of dr. pepper:)wiki
Why when we have this holiday on January 16th, it brings special attention to how we are dishonoring the words of Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson would have called these republican governors exactly what the are, cowards. http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Virginia_Statute_for_Establishing_Religious_Freedom_1786#start_entry
Our founding fathers would be saddened to see that we are turning our backs on a different religion. Should we go back to the Anglican Church of England?