It’s probably just political expediency for many of these folks, but it’s still encouraging to see them stand up to the president’s obstinate blindness ➡ 16 26 (as of 12:30 am) governors want Syrian resettlement suspended due to security concerns.
Michigan (Thank-you Rick!) and Alabama led the way on Sunday, announcing that they were not willing to accept Syrian refuges into their respective states – at least until security issues are resolved.
Here’s the current list of governors (which I’m happy to report, is growing by the hour) who are showing true leadership and putting the safety of their own state citizens ahead of the accommodation of the refujihadis ~
• Michigan ~ Gov. Rick Snyder
• Alabama ~ Gov. Robert Bentley
• Texas ~ Gov. Greg Abbott
• Louisiana ~ Gov. Bobby Jindal
• Arkansas ~ Gov. Asa Hutchinson
• Indiana ~ Gov. Mike Pence
• Mississippi ~ Gov. Phil Bryant
• Illinois ~ Gov. Bruce Rauner
• Massachusetts ~ Gov. Charlie Baker
• Florida ~ Gov. Rick Scott
• North Carolina ~ Gov. Pat McCrory
• Ohio ~ Gov. John Kasich
• Arizona ~ Gov. Doug Ducey
• Wisconsin ~ Gov. Scott Walker
• Maine ~ Gov. Paul LePage
• New Hampshire ~ Gov. Maggie Hassan
• Georgia ~ Gov. Nathan Deal
• Idaho ~ C. L. “Butch” Otter
• Iowa ~ Gov. Terry Branstad
• Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback
• Nebraska ~ Gov. Pete Ricketts
• New Jersey ~ Gov. Chris Christie
• New Mexico ~ Susana Martinez
• Oklahoma ~ Gov. Mary Fallin
• South Carolina ~ Gov. Nikki Haley
• Tennessee ~ Gov. Bill Haslam
That’s more than half the states now, but meanwhile…
… several Democratic governors said they would continue accepting Syrian refugees, including Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin.
A top aide to Obama said Sunday that the Obama administration still plans to allow 10,000 Syrian refugees into the U.S. over the next year despite the Paris attacks.Source: The Hill
Barack Obama’s primary responsibility just so happens to be protecting the nation from all enemies foreign and domestic – not welcoming foreigners into America.
It’s “shameful” that our feckless president can’t step up and behave like a responsible executive – like Governor Sam Brownback (Kansas) ~
“It is imperative that we take action where the White House has not.
“I have therefore directed all state agencies, departments, boards or commissions not to participate or assist in the relocation of Syrian refugees to Kansas. It is unfortunate that we must take this step to protect the safety of Kansans, but the federal government cannot guarantee that Syrian refugees coming to America would not be part of a terrorist organization seeking to harm our citizens.
“America has always provided a refuge for the oppressed and those who seek freedom. However, we must be sure that we are not admitting terrorists as we try to help the innocents who desire the opportunity for a better life and the basic liberty of religious freedom. Most people seeking refugee status are peaceful individuals looking for a better life. But we cannot allow an influx of Syrian refugees, without any meaningful security checks, while ISIS is promising to infiltrate the refugee process.
“Our resources can be better used to help persecuted Syrians. We must consider whether refugees fleeing the persecution of their home country may be better served by resettlement in a friendly nation closer to their homes. Though America will continue to be a country that defends the oppressed, our allies in the region must also step up to stem the tide of this humanitarian crisis.”
That’s what responsible leadership sounds like!
PLEASE – go sign this White House Petition which demands that an indefinite moratorium be placed on all refugee resettlement from Middle Eastern nations.
Related:
Paris Attacks Intensify Debate Over How Many Syrian Refugees to Allow Into the U.S. ~ NYT article includes a very enlightening map showing where the 1,854 Syrian refugees already in the U.S. have been placed.
