Alaskan Reps Weigh In on Syrian Refugees
Even though state and local officials have no actual power over preventing or allowing refugees to be placed in their state – nearly all of them have decided to weigh in on the issue. The 10,000 or so refugees that were originally planned on being brought to the US for temporary placement would go through “13 separate security screenings – at the international, federal and state level – before they are considered for resettlement,” but that doesn’t seem to be enough for some members of the Alaskan delegation.
While not a single one of the terrorists that attacked Paris last week has been actually connected to Syria (all were European) there still seems to be some frightened children representing us in DC and Juneau. Their responses range from careful politicking to straight up stupidity (I’m looking at you Senator Dunleavy.) I’ve posted screen shots of their comments when I can but you can click on the representatives names to go through to their full comment.
Make sure that you read the comments on the posts on facebook, that is if you have a good glass of liquor next to you. Let’s just say that for a nation that continually claims that it was founded by Christianity – their words are very far from what I remember Jesus saying in the Bible.
Example from Dan Sullivan’s Facebook page: “Thank you Senator, and yes, our greatest weakness is our compassion.”
Alaska Governor Bill Walker
US Senator Dan Sullivan
US Senator Lisa Murkowski [posted on facebook, but too long too screenshot]
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski issued the following statement in response to concerns over whether or not to allow Syrian refugees into the United States:
“I urge the President to agree to an immediate moratorium on granting asylum to Syrian refugees. A moratorium is necessary for the Congress and the American people to better understand the adequacy of our existing refugee vetting process and whether meaningful additional steps need to be taken when considering the applications of Syrian refugees. My view is that the security of Alaskans and all Americans must come first.
“Over the past 24 hours I have heard from Alaskans who are fearful that the United States intends to imminently admit thousands of Syrian refugees, without adequate vetting, at the risk of our national security. This does not appear to be the case. Asylum applications can take up to two years to process; sometimes longer.
“I have also heard from leaders of our faith communities who argue the moral dimensions of the issue. They are deeply troubled that the U.S. is about to turn away innocent families, fleeing war and persecution, due to a misunderstanding about the rigorous process that has historically been used to determine which of a fortunate few will be given refugee status in the United States.
“After initially proposing to admit up to 10,000 Syrian refugees in 2016, the administration did a poor job at explaining how the refugee resettlement process works and addressing concerns that the U.S. will not have access to sufficient information to determine the security risks associated with admitting a particular person or family. The administration has done little to remedy this lack of clarity in the wake of the events in Paris. The events last weekend in Paris give rise to legitimate concerns that terrorists will enter the United States posing as refugees.
“It is not surprising that the first instinct of Governors and their citizens would be ‘too risky.’ People are legitimately skeptical that the United States will not have adequate information about this group of asylum seekers to make an informed decision. Syria has long been a closed society and the destructive civil war has done little to ensure that necessary records will be available.
“The difficult national conversation that has been taking place over the past 72 hours may leave some of those who have been resettled in Alaska with the misimpression that the American people are no longer sympathetic or welcoming. Nothing could be further than the truth. Alaska takes great pride in its diverse population. I am personally proud of the work of Catholic Social Services of Alaska, and their dedicated volunteers, in administering our state’s refugee resettlement program and wish those who have benefited from the refugee resettlement program well in establishing their new lives in America.”
US Congressman Don Young
And finally Alaska STATE Senator Mike Dunleavy [at least he recognizes that he has no authority over anything]
“While I recognize that the Alaska Legislature is without the explicit authority to protect its citizens from a wave of immigrants from regions well known to harbor anti-American hatred, I respectfully request that our executive officers, be that President Obama or Governor Walker, to the extent possible, implement an immediate freeze on all applicants for citizenship/residency into our country/state until a failsafe system is in place to ascertain the nature of such immigrants or refugees.
Here’s one of my favorite meme’s making its rounds right now.
http://juanitajean.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Screen-Shot-2015-11-19-at-1.37.41-PM.png
Texas AG Commisioner on refugees.
feckin Pffffttt!
http://www.rcusa.org/uploads/pdfs/Refugee%20resettlement%20-%20step%20by%20step%20USCRI.pdf
13 stages and they all take time. As a friend of mine suggests,by the time these young kids get refugee status they will be angry teenagers.
Today on NPR I listened to a story about the five agencies that interrogate each and every one of the people attempting to enter our country,in addition to a rigorous face to face interview by experienced interviewers. It certainly didn’t square with Dan’s “no system exists” observation. As to the toxic poster who believes everyone entering this country is a kook, count me among the kooks, only I didn’t get one single thing for free. Sixty years later, I’m still waiting for my handout. I am more than tired of these faux patriots who continually preach about the virtues of our country, yet when it comes to truth, well, that’s pliable.
amen
but for the grace of more capable shitheads goes Shane A Holt.
The list of applicants for the Permanent Fund Dividend is public information. And searchable.
HOLT SHANE ALLEN applied for the 2015 dividend.
Complaining about giving people free everything, Shane?
Good catch. You da man,Slip..
epo@TWMDBS.
I note that Piper, Sarah, Todd, Trig and Willow Palin also applied. No sign of Bristol which struck me as odd. I thought she worked full-time in that doctor’s office? Nor is Tripp Johnston noted, but wouldn’t he qualify if his mother were a resident, or if he had more than 50% of his time with his father?
Shane is there on 2014, too. Only Willow Palin showed up for the Sarah/Todd Palin representation in 2014.
Bristol, Piper, Todd, Track and Trig show up in 2013. But not Tripp Johnston.
In the recent photos featuring Bristol with Tripp and Trig (I think it was this past summer), I’m pretty astonished to see that Trig still isn’t wearing his hearing aids. I thought they were important for his development.
http://juanitajean.com/the-benghazi-committee-was-a-victim-of-oh-dear-god/
Wingnuts blame HRC for forcing them to appear cruel in their 11 hour interrogation of her.Yup,it is all Hill’s fault. They could have waterboarded her in private,but she wanted a public execution. Dang woman. Now wingnuts have to travel to Germany and other places to investigate Benghazi some more.
Be interesting to see all the security screenings when the link is fixed. I find it hilarious wingnuts in Texas who have an “A” rating from the NRA are afraid terrorists will enter Texas and be able to buy weapons and use them on TYexans because wingnuts allow the NRA to write 2nd amendment laws to allow nearly everyone to ourchase weapons. Good work,team.
Zach- I’m seeing Governor Walker as cautious ,not stupid like the rest of em.
And Senator Sullivan sure has gotten good at that ignoring important facts dealie fast, ennit?
LM just gets worse by the day and Mr Young has been a doof for decades. Egads, Alaska .
psst- the 13 screening link dealie doesn’t work at present…
Yesterday it was nearly 60,foggy and rain. Today it is in the low 40s,foggy and rain has changed to snow.Supposed to snow again Friday. Have had 6+ inches of rain this week, god loves you sister. No offense.
oh dear- we are sharing the same crazy sky.
We have over a foot of fresh snow which is due to turn into 3-5 inches of rain with wind by tomorrow
Snowing. Winter storm warning. Sidewalk is white. Visible<quarter mile. All is lost. gurgle,glub scroosh.
Apparently Senator Sullivan has never heard of that statue by the harbor in New York City, with the inscription
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
What should we do with that statue, Danny boy? Ship it back to France?