Lenny Curry on Syrian Refugees

[Adam White]

You guys are missing the larger point, this issue is not about Syrians, its about American borders, period. Syrians are just one group, what about those who are fleeing terror in Beruit? What about the killings in Nigeria, a bomb blast kills 31 in Yola. Human rights issues in China and North Korea.

Everyone wants to leave their crappy old country and come to the US, when the US cannot even take care of its own people. At some point, someone with Grande Huevos is going to have to take a stand and fight for the people inside the United States and say, he, we're sorry, we got to take care of our own people first.

Just like American cannot be the world's policeman, it cannot be the savior of last resort.

If America doesn't take care of its own people, it's not because it doesn't have the ability to - it's because it lacks the political will or desire to.

[The_Choose_1]

You guys are missing the larger point, this issue is not about Syrians, its about American borders, period. Syrians are just one group, what about those who are fleeing terror in Beruit? What about the killings in Nigeria, a bomb blast kills 31 in Yola. Human rights issues in China and North Korea.

Everyone wants to leave their crappy old country and come to the US, when the US cannot even take care of its own people. At some point, someone with Grande Huevos is going to have to take a stand and fight for the people inside the United States and say, he, we're sorry, we got to take care of our own people first.

Just like American cannot be the world's policeman, it cannot be the savior of last resort.

If America doesn't take care of its own people, it's not because it doesn't have the ability to - it's because it lacks the political will or desire to.

Some people in America don't want help. Out of a lot of the people that are homeless have mental health issues. But you can't remove them off the streets and lock them away without them being harmful to themselves or others. I see a black man walking down the street with a bed sheet he looks like Superman. I see a blond hair lady that walks with her suit case etc etc etc. Is America taking care of these people. Do you remember old John the ex sheriff of Jax/Fl how much time was wasted on removing the homeless from downtown. And old John wanted to bus the homeless to a shelter outside of Downtown. So it would make it hard for them to get back to the downtown area. I'm glad this never happen for the homeless have the same rights as we all do. I find other Americans stupid and uncaring when they say "first take care of our people before we take care of any Refugees." God what a copout.

[Tacachale]

Curry walked back his statements from the Senate letter a bit:

Jacksonville, FL — A day after Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry sends letters to the regional Congressional delegation saying he supports calls from Governor Rick Scott to halt Syrian refugee admissions, he wants to make it clear that his stance is not about the people.
"I love Syrian refugees- those that are here, welcome to our City," he says.

Curry says his concern is the process by which refugees are admitted to the US, then Florida and ultimately Jacksonville.
"Terrorists will use that process, if it's not tight, to get in to our country and our city," he says.

I asked Curry whether he's comfortable with the amount of vetting that's taken place on the Syrian refugees who are already in the City. After a pause, he didn't answer directly.

"Look, I'm addressing where we are right now, and we're a welcoming and a caring city. I just want to make sure that the federal government can give us some assurances that the process and the vetting procedures work," Curry says.

...

http://www.wokv.com/news/news/local/jax-mayor-loves-syrian-refugees-not-admissions-pro/npQgt/

...

"I love Syrian refugees," Curry says. "Those that are here, welcome to our city. We want to be helpful. My statement on the Syrian refugees yesterday was about a process. The facts are someone used that process to work their way into Paris and commit an act of terrorism."

Curry is referring to reports that a Syrian passport was found next to the body of one of the Paris attackers. But the validity of that document is questionable. The Guardian reported Serbian and Grecian officials have found evidence the passport may have been fake.

Curry and other opponents of resettlement say the process lacks security and Congress passed a measure putting resettlement on pause with a veto-proof majority, although Democratic senators say they'll vote the bill down.

...

http://news.wjct.org/post/aftermath-paris-attacks-jacksonville-syrians-speak-out

[The_Choose_1]

Curry walked back his statements from the Senate letter a bit:

Jacksonville, FL — A day after Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry sends letters to the regional Congressional delegation saying he supports calls from Governor Rick Scott to halt Syrian refugee admissions, he wants to make it clear that his stance is not about the people.
"I love Syrian refugees- those that are here, welcome to our City," he says.

Curry says his concern is the process by which refugees are admitted to the US, then Florida and ultimately Jacksonville.
"Terrorists will use that process, if it's not tight, to get in to our country and our city," he says.

I asked Curry whether he's comfortable with the amount of vetting that's taken place on the Syrian refugees who are already in the City. After a pause, he didn't answer directly.

"Look, I'm addressing where we are right now, and we're a welcoming and a caring city. I just want to make sure that the federal government can give us some assurances that the process and the vetting procedures work," Curry says.

...

http://www.wokv.com/news/news/local/jax-mayor-loves-syrian-refugees-not-admissions-pro/npQgt/

...

"I love Syrian refugees," Curry says. "Those that are here, welcome to our city. We want to be helpful. My statement on the Syrian refugees yesterday was about a process. The facts are someone used that process to work their way into Paris and commit an act of terrorism."

Curry is referring to reports that a Syrian passport was found next to the body of one of the Paris attackers. But the validity of that document is questionable. The Guardian reported Serbian and Grecian officials have found evidence the passport may have been fake.

Curry and other opponents of resettlement say the process lacks security and Congress passed a measure putting resettlement on pause with a veto-proof majority, although Democratic senators say they'll vote the bill down.

...

http://news.wjct.org/post/aftermath-paris-attacks-jacksonville-syrians-speak-out

Jesus Christ Curry you're the Mayor of Jacksonville Florida stop acting like your running for President of the Untied States of America.

[I-10east]

US Republicans- Generally love to engage in wars with other countries; The War of Terror, being the World's Police etc.

US Democrats- Hypocritically say that 'we should stay out of other countries business' (generally being anti-War) but are very quick to make the US the World's humanitarian dumping grounds to many people that have a totally differing outlook in life opposed to the American way. The Dems philosophy is the save everyone, and bring them over (because we have to show everyone how accepting we are) then when a terrorist attack happens, deal with it then.     

[JeffreyS]

Which refugee  terrorist attack  ever happened in the US? I'll deal with it if you can explain which one it was.

[coredumped]

Saying Democrats are against war is like saying Republicans are for small government.

[I-10east]

Saying Democrats are against war is like saying Republicans are for small government.

That's why I used the word 'generally', of course Democrats have been involved in wars. Just sway my comment the way that you want to, with the 'all people lumped in a group' crap, no questions asked...Do you think that someone like Bernie Sanders likes warfare?

[I-10east]

Which refugee  terrorist attack  ever happened in the US? I'll deal with it if you can explain which one it was.

Soi just throw 'refugee' as a title, and it automatically conveys "all innocent law abiding people that's looking for a better way of life" No pernicious Bronze Age ways of thinking within ALL of these people (ie stonings Sharia Law etc) okay, sure gotcha buddy....

[Cheshire Cat]

Curry walked back his statements from the Senate letter a bit:

Jacksonville, FL — A day after Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry sends letters to the regional Congressional delegation saying he supports calls from Governor Rick Scott to halt Syrian refugee admissions, he wants to make it clear that his stance is not about the people.
"I love Syrian refugees- those that are here, welcome to our City," he says.

Curry says his concern is the process by which refugees are admitted to the US, then Florida and ultimately Jacksonville.
"Terrorists will use that process, if it's not tight, to get in to our country and our city," he says.

I asked Curry whether he's comfortable with the amount of vetting that's taken place on the Syrian refugees who are already in the City. After a pause, he didn't answer directly.

"Look, I'm addressing where we are right now, and we're a welcoming and a caring city. I just want to make sure that the federal government can give us some assurances that the process and the vetting procedures work," Curry says.

...

http://www.wokv.com/news/news/local/jax-mayor-loves-syrian-refugees-not-admissions-pro/npQgt/

...

"I love Syrian refugees," Curry says. "Those that are here, welcome to our city. We want to be helpful. My statement on the Syrian refugees yesterday was about a process. The facts are someone used that process to work their way into Paris and commit an act of terrorism."

Curry is referring to reports that a Syrian passport was found next to the body of one of the Paris attackers. But the validity of that document is questionable. The Guardian reported Serbian and Grecian officials have found evidence the passport may have been fake.

Curry and other opponents of resettlement say the process lacks security and Congress passed a measure putting resettlement on pause with a veto-proof majority, although Democratic senators say they'll vote the bill down.

...

http://news.wjct.org/post/aftermath-paris-attacks-jacksonville-syrians-speak-out

Jesus Christ Curry you're the Mayor of Jacksonville Florida stop acting like your running for President of the Untied States of America.

It should come as a surprise to no one that Lenny Curry now says he "loves" Syrians and we are a welcoming city because that is the only course open to him in the wake of his ill thought position on Syrian immigrants and rejection of same to save face morally. A person who loves a group of people will give those people the benefit of the doubt regarding their intentions and integrity, especially considering the fact that as group, not a single Syrian immigrant in the U.S. has ever been accused of anything having to do with terrorism.   

Curry wrote his letter to Florida Senator Marco Rubio via his Washington address on November 17th and copied that letter to a single person, Governor Rick Scott. This of course to show the Governor that he fell right into line with his own concerns as baseless as they may have been.  Curry did not however write to or share his concerns with the President of our nation, nor did he bother contacting Florida Senator Bill Nelson.  His intention it would seem went well beyond the issue itself and became a statement of support for Rick Scott's declaration that he did not want Syrian refugees in Florida.  GOP power pandering at its best.  If this were more than partisan politics and truly about all citizens of Jacksonville and our safety, he would have contacted the President Obama and our Florida Democrat Senator as well to share his concerns or ask their opinions to come up with a balanced reply.  The decision to reach out only to those in the GOP with this concern is telling. 

In his letter Curry's initial statement is as follows:   

As mayor for the people of Jacksonville, I make public safety my top priority. In the aftermath of this
weekend's horrific terrorist attacks in Paris, I am more committed than ever to do everything I can to eliminate
threats to our city's safety. Among the facts coming out of Paris is news that at least one of the eight terrorists who conducted the attacks entered Europe with a special passport as a refugee of Syria. In light of this, I am very concerned about the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

Well now, here is the thing.  There was no "factual"  report stating that one of the terrorists in Paris entered with a passport as a refugee of Syria yet Curry stated it as fact.   It turns out that this was rumor and completely false.  Apparently the mayor did not seek verification of this rumor he called fact before arbitrarily deciding that Syrian refugees represented a threat to our nation, state or city.  Paris officials did indeed report that all of the terrorists were members of the European Union.  Not one was from Syria or a refugee.  It appears the mayor decided that a media rumor was enough proof to sound the alarm that would restrict the entrance of people needing sanctuary from the rabid violence in their own country.

Curry's concern about the refugee program also rings hollow if indeed he had looked into the process at all.  Had he done so he would have known that the parameters for refugees, including those from Syria which have been on the books in updated form since 2014 and they are extremely rigid and take over two years of time to conclude.

Curry then went on to state the following:

The people of our nation, our state, and this great city have a long history of compassion in response to humanitarian needs around the globe. We are a community that respects diversity in religious and political thought. Yet, we cannot allow those who would do us harm to use our principles and beliefs as a weakness to exploit, particularly when those who claim credit for the Paris attacks have promised attacks on United States soil. As a result, I join Florida Governor Rick Scott in his request of Members of Congress "to take any action
available through the powers of the United States Congress to prevent federal allocations toward the relocation
of Syrian refugees without extensive examination into how this would affect our homeland security."

Curry states that no action to help relocate these suffering people should be undertaken and asks the Congress to use it's power to stop them coming without further examination as to their effect on homeland security.  Really?  Our nation has been busily working at identifying and categorizing terrorist threats and the individuals associated with them since 9/11.  There has been no alarm given by Homeland Security that the Syrian refugees are a threat at any level, especially our nations security.  They are simply people like all other people who have been forced from their home by violence and war. That does not make them a threat, that makes them people in need of help, understanding and sanctuary.

In these words we see that Curry following the lead of Rick Scott have somehow determined that Syrian Refugees are folks who would do us harm or exploit us.  Those are his words.  The problem is there have been no threats made to this city, state or nation by Syrian refugees nor in our own city which has the 5th largest Syrian population in the nation.  Syrian refugees have never/ever threatened the safety or exploited anyone in America.  They in fact represent no threat.  So Curry/Scott see them as a threat based upon a false rumor or straight up xenophobia.  This entire episode does show the people of Jacksonville something quite important which is that our mayor and governor will judge a person or people suspect based upon rumor and innuendo rather than recorded facts or real experience.  That is a weakness that is unacceptable in leadership when it hurts innocent, suffering individuals simply because of their race or religion. 

Click this link to view Curry's letter:  http://www.scribd.com/doc/290082322/Syrian-letter-to-Rubio

[Adam White]

Which refugee  terrorist attack  ever happened in the US? I'll deal with it if you can explain which one it was.

Soi just throw 'refugee' as a title, and it automatically conveys "all innocent law abiding people that's looking for a better way of life" No pernicious Bronze Age ways of thinking within ALL of these people (ie stonings Sharia Law etc) okay, sure gotcha buddy....

Not all Muslims are in favour of "Sharia law" or stonings. Seriously.

[Adam White]

Do you think that someone like Bernie Sanders likes warfare?

No - but anything can happen (and sometimes does) when a person becomes President.

[Cheshire Cat]

Which refugee  terrorist attack  ever happened in the US? I'll deal with it if you can explain which one it was.

Soi just throw 'refugee' as a title, and it automatically conveys "all innocent law abiding people that's looking for a better way of life" No pernicious Bronze Age ways of thinking within ALL of these people (ie stonings Sharia Law etc) okay, sure gotcha buddy....

Not all Muslims are in favour of "Sharia law" or stonings. Seriously.

Guys, not all Muslims are Syrian and not all Syrian refugees are either.Some are Christians.  We are talking about Syrian's, a people who have been displaced by a gruesome war who are victims forced from their homes.  How sad that refugees who have already suffered so much for so long are seen and portrayed as a threat when the fact are the is no threat of record or violence against America by any of the refugees seeking asylum. They are victims and completely undeserving of the actions and recent commentary of many public officials as well as some running for office.  Those who attack them with word or deed shame our country greatly.  See what I posted above for more info.

[Cheshire Cat]

No throwing labels needed.  Here is the fact.

The joined forces of IS, Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram make up 0.003% of the Muslim population and that it is simply unrealistic and stupid to blame 1.6 billion Muslims for the unjustifiable acts of a few crazy people.   

[Adam White]

Which refugee  terrorist attack  ever happened in the US? I'll deal with it if you can explain which one it was.

Soi just throw 'refugee' as a title, and it automatically conveys "all innocent law abiding people that's looking for a better way of life" No pernicious Bronze Age ways of thinking within ALL of these people (ie stonings Sharia Law etc) okay, sure gotcha buddy....

Not all Muslims are in favour of "Sharia law" or stonings. Seriously.

Guys, not all Muslims are Syrian and not all Syrian refugees are either.Some are Christians.  We are talking about Syrian's, a people who have been displaced by a gruesome war who are victims forced from their homes.  How sad that refugees who have already suffered so much for so long are seen and portrayed as a threat when the fact are the is no threat of record or violence against America by any of the refugees seeking asylum. They are victims and completely undeserving of the actions and recent commentary of many public officials as well as some running for office.  Those who attack them with word or deed shame our country greatly.  See what I posted above for more info.

I know not all Syrians are Muslims*. But the original poster was referring to Muslims. That's why he mentioned Sharia. I don't think this is an issue of Syrians - it's an issue of Syrian Muslims. If it were only Syrian Christians (and possibly Druze) seeking refuge, there wouldn't be an outcry.

*the vast majority of Syrians (over 80%) are Muslims, though.