I am not prone to respond to individual letters to the editor very often. But Mr. John Gibney’s, in the May 4 edition of the Star, requires a concerned response. While I do not attempt to change your point of view, Mr. Gibney, I would like to see reasoned and accurate discussion about the refugee situation.
First, I’d like to draw your attention to the book “Stranger to History,” by the reputable journalist Aatish Taseer. You will gain insight about the countries you so easily lump together (“Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Yemen, Indonesia, Kazakhstan”), and their individual responses to the plight of Muslim people at this time. You are apparently unable to access on-line information about these countries that are deeply involved in many aspects of the wars in the Middle East (see NY Times).
I believe a statement such as “total disregard for public sentiment” needs a citation. You may believe that local sentiment is “not wanting them,” but to pronounce that both the EU and US do not support allowing refugees to be resettled is far too large a generalization to make without reputable sources being cited. This same difficulty arises when you say a “recent survey of Muslims in the U.S.” indicates “large numbers” (what constitutes a large number?) “don’t assimilate,” etc. I have a number of Muslim acquaintances; none are aware of any such survey. (None happen to be on food stamps.) Your source? It appears you are creating an alarmist reality, ungrounded in fact.
How do you know refugees are “already entitled to bring spouses and children?” How could you, a lowly citizen in Montana, have discovered that the Center for Immigration Studies is publicizing an idea that may be a “secret” on President Obama’s part? And how does Senator Sessions know how many Muslim refugees are on food stamps or getting free medical aid? This kind of demographic data just doesn’t exist, Mr. Gibney, and you (and Senator Sessions, I presume) are irresponsible to suggest it does. You have perhaps misread the information.
Let us all remember that our presence in our state is fully due to the brave men and women who escaped persecution and made the treacherous trip to come to this country. That others might have the privilege of living under a stable government is our way of passing it forward. “Reality check” is defined by Merriam-Webster as “something which shows you that the real situation is different from what you believed or hoped.” You believe these troubled masses are bad. I don’t. In the future, please do cite your sources so readers can have a meaningful dialogue.
Star Jameson
Hamilton