Monday, November 16, 2015

President Obama slams Republican presidential candidates over talk of "religious test" for Syrian refugees.

Courtesy of Buzzfeed: 

Toward the end of his press conference on Monday, President Obama became animated, sharply criticizing the idea that the United States should no longer accept refugees from Syria, or only accept Christians, as some including Ted Cruz have suggested. 

“When I hear folks say that, well, maybe we should just admit the Christians, but not the Muslims,” Obama said, “when I hear political leaders suggesting that there would be a religious test for which person who’s fleeing from a war-torn country is admitted, when some of those folks themselves come from families who benefited from protection when they were fleeing political persecution, that’s shameful.” 

“That’s not American,” he continued. “That’s not who we are. we don’t have religious tests to our compassion.”

I heard this in the morning, and I could not have been more proud of our President.

Here is just a sampling of what some of those running to replace him have been saying: 

In a letter to Ryan, Ben Carson -- the retired neurosurgeon and a Republican front-runner -- called for Congress to block funding for any programs "that seek to resettle refugees and/or migrants from Syria into the United States, effective immediately." 

"Until we can sort out the bad guys we must not be foolish," Carson said in a news conference in Nevada. 

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee similarly heaped pressure on Ryan, saying in a statement: "Speaker Ryan needs to make it clear that if the President won't stand to protect America from wholesale open borders, then Republicans will." 

"If Ryan will not lead and reject the importation of those fleeing the Middle East without assurances that we can separate refugees from terrorists, then Speaker Ryan needs to step down today and let someone else lead," Huckabee said. 

In addition, Govs. John Kasich and Bobby Jindal of Ohio and Louisiana, respectively, said they would work to keep refugees out of their states. 

And Sen. Rand Paul, another 2016 contender, introduced legislation that would block the United States from issuing visas to refugees from countries with a high risk of terrorism in an effort to "stop terrorists from walking in our front door."

And of course it was Jeb Bush who said we should only accept Christian Syrian refugees for right now. 

These assholes do not even deserve to the right to stand in the same room as our President much less replace him in the White House.

54 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:39 PM

    He's getting beat up today for sure. Claws are out! Oh and he was late apparently late for a moment of silence for the Paris victims.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:01 PM

      Do these Republican idiots think they know all of the inner workings that President Obama is privy to? Give me a break!

      Delete
  2. Anonymous4:45 PM

    Do they not know that they're doing precisely what ISIL has wanted them to do? They're tarring all refugees as if they were terrorists, all Muslims as "other." This will turn the refugee problem into a terrible, inhumane disaster, and cause some already marginalized young people to turn their backs on the West and turn to ISIL.
    Their unthinking, crass, and dangerous xenophobia is why we must take a stand for level-headed, sober, and wise leadership.

    ReplyDelete
  3. We refused to resettle Jewish refugees during WWII.
    We sent Japanese Americans to internment camps.

    We practiced genocide against First Nations.

    We used Chinese workers to build railroads and then deported them.

    We enslaved Africans and then set them free in hopes that they would all move to South America.

    Maybe this IS who we are.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:26 PM

      Yes, we only want white Christian males like Timothy McVeigh! You go, you ugly American white racist, so called 'Christains', you disgust me!

      Delete
    2. And we also didn't want to get involved in the European war in 1939, thinking we could isolate ourselves between the two oceans.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous6:28 PM

      I don't think that's what they mean when they talk about 'American Exceptionalism', but they're shameful parts of our history we must never forget and strive to never repeat.

      Delete
  4. I live in Louisiana, and this announcement disgusted me, and frankly I was afraid to comment on it on social media because so many people here agree with it. I thought Jindal was the only one to announce this when I first saw it. How disheartening to see another 22 Republicans and one Democrat have said they would do this. For shame.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous5:08 PM

    “That’s not American,” he continued. “That’s not who we are. we don’t have religious tests to our compassion.”
    ----------------------
    True that, Gryph, but I don't trust them as much as I can throw 'em. Dubya, Cheney, and Rummy orchestrated 9/11; they KNEW those people were here, yet the CIA and FBI did not one damn thing, and thousands of innocent people di4d.

    I'm sorry...must disagree with you here. Those WAR monger Republicans, and Miss New Devotional Book Bitch are begging for another war! YEAH, in the name of the Lord, because their families will never have to go fight it.

    Collateral damage for stupid ideologies. They could NOT care less.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:27 PM

      Bash brought up how Cruz’s father fled Cuba and asked about him potentially being turned away. “If my father,” Cruz responded, “were part of a theocratic and political movement like radical Islamism that promotes murdering anyone who doesn’t share your extreme faith or forcibly converting them, then it would make perfect sense.”

      Oh wow. Talk about a disconnect. His father is EXACTLY that and more. If they *could* get away with it, they WOULD kill, but the rest of the statement applies ABSOLUTELY to his insane father and so many on the conservative christianist side of things.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:44 PM

      Conservative Christian, my @ss. These people live nothing of the principles that Jesus taught, not ONE.

      Old Testament Tyrants is a better term. They never understood the Bible at all if they even read it.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous5:15 PM

    Love this President.

    He is what christianity is about.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:36 PM

      I, too, am so proud of Mr. Obama! I love him and the way he does things. He IS indeed what christianity is about

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:01 PM

      President Obama is holding back the tsunami of hate and bigotry that is fueling the right wing conservatives that are itching for another bloody war. It is terrifying to imagine one the GOP candidates in charge of this country. Terrifying.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous8:20 PM

      Could we pleeeease have a third term?

      Delete
    4. Anonymous8:19 AM

      He's the only one standing between the decent and the disgusting.

      Delete
  7. Anonymous5:29 PM

    I have very mixed feelings about the refugees but I trust our President's judgement. I do not think it is ethical or humane to only admit Christians while denying Muslims. Shame on Jeb Bush for even thinking such a thing! I heard somewhete today that Trump wants to close some mosques and that is unconscionable as well.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous5:38 PM



    To the People of Islam, from America's GOP,

    We hate your mythological religion. Why don't you join us in our science based religion of Christianity? Could you consider it please, so we don't have to Crusade against you again, for being the followers of a perverted, goat herding religion?

    Thanks for your consideration.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous5:59 PM

    There are now words to adequately describe the levels of craven cowardice to which the Republicans will sink. What boggles my mind is that these people are terrified of a terrorist coming to do in America precisely what Americans do to each other every few days-pick up an assault rifle and spray into a crowd. I'll know they're serious about stopping terrorism in America when they pass gun control legislation.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous6:18 PM

    Husband Of Paris Attack Victim Sends Defiant Message To ISIS
    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/paris-terror-attacks-defiant-message_564a4758e4b08cda348a221c

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous6:19 PM

    From the non-American who has done more to destroy America than any terrorist has...

    http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/11/16/rupert-murdoch-endorses-religious-test-for-refu/206889

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous6:23 PM

    “Anonymous has targeted ISIS for a number of months; the group has revealed the Twitter accounts of ISIS members and hacked a number of ISIS sites. Foreign Policy estimates that Anonymous has dismantled at least 149 of the extremist group’s affiliated websites, and flagged approximately 101,000 Twitter accounts and nearly 6,000 propaganda videos.”

    http://aattp.org/watch-hacker-group-anonymous-wages-war-on-isis-after-paris-attacks-video/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:55 AM

      When you've got ANONYMOUS ON YOUR SIDE, you can't go wrong.

      Delete
  13. linda6:23 PM

    So why wouldn't a terrorist just lie and say he/she is Christian?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:44 PM

      The proposal is the refugees will be vetted by fundies, who proclaim to possess a fool-proof vetting process. A former neighbor of mine, according to a fundie who kept "witnessing" to me, was not a "true Christian." That particular neighbor had a Masters in Divinity from Vanderbilt University. But because he was a Methodist minister, he was not a "true Christian."

      The fundie was trying to "save" me. From what? Methodists?

      Delete
    2. Anonymous8:09 PM

      I dunno. Being saved from Methodists is probably a good thing! :-)

      Delete
    3. HA! Save my waistline from a Methodist potluck, please!

      Delete
    4. Anonymous4:27 PM

      Methodists are pretty liberal, in my experience, having been raised as a Methodist. They have lots of women leading churches now.

      Delete
  14. Anonymous6:23 PM

    Here are 8 Christian Terrorist Organizations That Equal ISIS

    http://aattp.org/here-are-8-christian-terrorist-organizations-that-equal-isis/

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous6:31 PM

    I'll miss our great president, he's the coolest guy in the room.
    Why do I have this feeling of impending doom.
    While sarah goes riding on her trusty broom
    Watching the tick tock from Bristols growing womb

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous6:33 PM

    And just how do these jackasses plan to sort out who's Muslim and who's Christian?

    Do they really think they can just ask some one and they'll crumble instantly. "Darn it all, you got me! Yes, I'm really a Muslim terrorist and I've come to kill Americans. You're just too smart for me!"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:27 PM

      But for certain, no journalist is going to actual ASK what is the test going to be to determine whether a refugee is sufficiently Christian.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:56 PM

      Perhaps the GOP would like to reinstate the Inquisition?

      Delete
    3. Bacon test. If they eat it, they're in. If not ... (can't claim credit for this one, read it on another thread).

      Delete
    4. Anonymous4:57 AM

      I know, I KNOW . . . bind their arms and legs and throw them into a lake. If they survive, kill them for being Muslim. If they drown they were the good guys.

      Worked in Salem.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous8:16 AM

      MarvinM, that's perfect! Here, eat this bacon. No? How about some tasty lamb. Gefilte? This wafer here?

      Delete
  17. I'm all for taking in refugees, many more than Obama.
    I'm sure the refugees would rather stay in their homes.
    Putin is being an ass propping up Assad. Russia has not been free of terrorist attacks.
    Republicans are screaming war and Obama is playing the lines from all sides. Cool.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous7:36 PM

    Those friggin' Republicans should be tried for treason and put in jail! They are un-American -

    President Obama is the REAL American in the room and I'm so thankful he is POTUS! He's doing an outstanding job in spite of the jerks noted in this current conversation!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous7:58 PM

    Wow, Bill Maher is on Stephen Colbert and acting like a dick to Colbert! Not cool.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:11 PM

      He sure was. He acted like he was really put upon by being there. At least the AcroCats were good!

      Delete
  20. Anonymous8:19 PM

    Now this is hilarious! Think this will be enough to make the gun humpers question their precious 2nd Amendment?

    http://gawker.com/report-at-least-2-000-known-and-suspected-terrorists-h-1742912326

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous8:24 PM

    I am beginning to take refuge in the fact that I am an Athiest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:06 PM

      I'm of the REM "Losing My Religion" persuasion myself.

      Delete
  22. Anonymous9:35 PM

    Awesome! Good job Mr. President for reminding those people what this country was founded on and for: freedom of religion and from religion.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous9:51 PM

    Do the math people. Old Miss Palin is expecting Young Miss Palin to dump her load in forty-five days. What's forty-five days from now you ask?

    Forty-five days from now Young Miss Palin will check in to some sort of medical facility with absolutely no record-keeping capability, perhaps a back room in that dump Sarah and Tawd built with city financing, she'll squeeze out her Mini-Me, wrap that youngun in swaddling clothes, lay it in the manger and Sarah will claim a miracle Christmas baby.

    And they shall call her Cleetorus (the feminine form of Cletus), and Cleetorus will bring big bucks to Sarah as she continues her book signing tour dragging Mini-Me and Mini-Mini-Me behind her all the way to the bank.

    yeehaw praise tha lard

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous9:54 PM

    OOPS! I meant to post my christmas story on a Palin comment thread so the trolls woouldn't get too mad. My bad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:24 AM

      I am an Atheist. My significant other is from Texas. We've been together over 20 years and he's always been a proud Christian. Today he told me he will no longer identify as a Christian. He is so disgusted with what the so called Christians are doing in refusing refugees.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous6:02 AM

      Will you please give your mate a thumb's up and a kiss on the cheek from me?

      Welcome to the land of the disgusted. We are many.

      Delete
  25. Anonymous5:42 AM

    I also watched the press conference and was so proud of Our President. The american press asked the same question four times, quite haughtily. I thought he dealt with them with intelligence and dignity. They European press appeared to "get" every point he made, while the good 'ol USA reporters thought he was defensive. He is too good for most of us!

    ReplyDelete

  26. This is the most important thing I've read, and should be on the front page of every news site:
    http://www.salon.com/2015/11/17/this_is_what_isis_wants_how_the_rights_bloodlust_plays_right_into_the_terrorists_hands_partner/

    ReplyDelete
  27. Anonymous4:23 PM

    Thanks, Obama. You are the best.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous5:07 PM

    I haven't been so proud to be an American as I am after President Obama's strong words after the idiots stomped their feet and whined their butts off. Of course, when the going gets tough the tough give up. Bobby Pyush Ringo Gindal pulled out of the race for president.

    This is a war against Religious Terrorists, the christofacists would choose terrorism over Religioiusity anyday. What happened to "Love thy Neighbor" and "whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me"? I suppose they'd crucify the refugees and let Allah sort them out?
    We're better than this.
    I've watched the news on other countries channels, and they've been opening their own homes to the refugees for mothis=======not ONE terrorist in the lot, and most of the refugees are christians fleeing what the GOP wants to happen from continuing. Pregnant women die and are tossed overboard, deplorable, inhumane conditions. They're being charged two thousand euros each for a seat, then put in trucks like sardines and held hostage for thousands more from their families by the same people they already paid.
    I wish President Obama could run again, he's the only adult doing the right thing for the right reason. Two of my most cherished votes of my lifetime.

    ReplyDelete

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