Imagine running for your life, from your life in Afghanistan, being able to take only what fits in a knapsack, or a wheeled suitcase.
Look at this picture. Everything of value is in the pitifully small carry ons they were permitted to bring. Maybe some money and valuables, but little more than a couple of changes of clothing.
Put yourself in their place. Coming to a new country, a new world, with basically nothing.
A CBS poll reported 81% of Americans think the U.S. should help those Afghans who worked for us. I can’t imagine what is wrong with the other 19%.
Perhaps their spokesman is Donald Jackass Trump, who issued a sardonic statement that the Taliban “didn’t allow the best and brightest to board these evacuation flights.” Echoing his murderers and rapists line about illegal immigrants from Mexico.
If he pulled his head out of his ass long enough to read (God forbid) a newspaper, or even turn to Fox News, he would learn the Taliban actually want to stop these Afghans from leaving because they are the best and the brightest. Even the religious fanatics realize they need educated people to keep the power on, the water running, and the books balanced.
Let’s admit that among the tens of thousands of refugees we will accept there will be some criminals and even a few terrorists. Just as in the American body of natural-born citizens we have murderers, and rapists, scam artists, arsonists, and worse.
Studies show, however, that immigrants, even illegal ones — which these are not — are less likely to commit crimes than natural-born Americans.
The Afghanis remind me of immigrant waves of the past — such as those arriving here from Vietnam, and Cuba before that, often with little more than the clothes on their back, but burning in their hearts . . . freedom.
I think of another airlift — when Israel flew into Ethiopia to rescue thousands of threatened Jews who belonged to a distant branch of the religion. It was said to be the first time in history Blacks were taken from Africa and brought to freedom and safety.
It made me proud to be a Jew, and proud of Israel.
I have already called the Nationalities Service Center to volunteer to meet refugees at the airport and take them to their new homes. NSC and HIAS both are active in resettling refugees and are worthy of your financial support.
In the past, I have written about Iraqis who escaped with their lives, and immigrants from other countries, who sought freedom and opportunity. It brings to mind lyrics from Neil Diamond’s “America.”
Home, don’t it seem so far away
We’re traveling light today
In the eye of the storm
In the eye of the storm
In the early going, their lives will be difficult in a new culture, with a new language, and low-paying jobs.
But what I know from experience is that most — like earlier immigrants — will rise to the surface. Some will hit amazing heights — as did Albert Einstein (physics), to Elon Musk (PayPal, Tesla, SpaceX), plus too many others to name.
I know something else. Their children will bless them — as I bless the memory of my grandparents — for coming here so that I could be born in America, the land of the free.
The gift of being able to breathe free lasts a lifetime.
Right you are. Another reason we should increase legal immigration, not just double, but maybe ten times. The people willing to give up the lives and countries they’ve know to come here are special. We should welcome them.
Double or triple, yes. Ten fold would create major assimilation problems — jobs, school, health care….
HAPPY FRIDAY !!!
pallie,
Nothing is black and white. President Trump is not the complete ass that you keep searching for. You have your faults. I have those plus a few ( lots ) more. President Biden is, was will always be consistent. The difference between today and say twenty years ago, is that he is now in front of the cameras. He is no longer a good soldier in the democratic party. He IS the party.
I disagree with your take for the exiting of the Afghanizes. Those that have helped us, we should take them in. Anyone else that can get out of Afghanistan should also be welcomed. The taliban and whoever else has a say, will first want to punish those that have helped the Allies. Just like in every war. Then, as you point out, there are those that want to want to save the ones that will help to rebuild. From history, it doesn’t work that way. We are talking about ancient tribes that exist today. The structure and mentality are from/in the dark ages. About the only difference now, are the weapons. Instead of spears, they have sams. Instead of horses, they have aircraft. As in all wars, these weapons were left behind by the departing enemy. Now, they will be used against anyone in the way of this new version of Afghanistan.
Tony
If only more Americans understood the potential this nation offers them.
HAPPY FRIDAY !!!
Vince,
You do realize that we ( you and I ) are from the drug crazed generation. The ’60s brought many new inventions to America. Drugs, Sex and Rock & Roll were three of them.
I’m also sure that you realized that not all of that generation ‘straightened out’. Sorry to say, there is no test for parental competence, so here we are.
Tony
STADD…….. You have just shown clear proof what drug-inducded brain shrinkage causes. Maybe if you seek help you can get a bit better.
He’s a troll. I took down his comment.
Thanks Stu. Now some of the people here will think I am loonier then they currently think I am since it appears I am replying to a non-existent post. LOL
Hope this will let them know what happened.
I appreciate your realistic and common sensical approach to reporting the crisis’ du jour, Stu! I am a registered Republican and supporter of Trump, but I understand that there are things that I agree with and things that I do not in both (and every) party. I thank you for being mostly non-partisan in your posts…your opinion resonates with me, and it makes me more optimistic that there are still some of us out there that are not radical and full of vitriol. May our numbers continue to grow and may our votes result in a better future…it cannot get much worse….
I would love to volunteer as well…do you have an email or phone number to call to offer my services? I welcome all that have put their lives on the line and given up everything they know in the name of freedom.
God watch over us and give us guidance.
The is Candace. Both NSC and HIAS are in the phone book (or online).