Mike Pouraryan
The Ugly Face of Fear Politics
J. Gresham Barrett is a U.S. Congressman from the 3rd District of South Carolina. He has introduced legislation to throw out all citizens of countries identified as State Sponsors of terrorism on on Student Visas, Exchange Visas and Tourist Visas within 60 days. The countries include Iran. This is what he had to say in his press release justifying his move:
While President Obama may have declared an end to the War on Terror, it is clear our enemies did not get the message. Twice in the past two months, radical Islamic terrorists have attacked our nation and the Administration has failed to adapt its national security and immigration policies to counter the renewed resolve of those who seek to harm our citizens. More disturbingly, the President stands by his decision to close the terrorist detainee facility at Guantanamo Bay despite reports that released prisoners were behind the Christmas Day bomb plot.
“In light of these unfortunate facts, I intend to introduce legislation that will enhance our national security through common sense changes to our current immigration laws. The STEP Act of 2010 bars the admission of aliens from countries designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism as well as Yemen to the United States. Additionally, the STEP Act prohibits the transfer of the terrorist detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to our nation.”
The State Department has indentified the following states as sponsors of terrorism: Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria. Given recent reports of increased levels of terrorist activities in Yemen, Congressman Barrett has requested that its citizens not be allowed to enter the United States.
Individuals seeking political or religious asylum or emergency medical treatment may be exempt from these provisions, only after an extensive federal screening.
I appreciate him being humane in allowing for a medical treatment. But, what does he define as "extensive"? Already, for instance, all Iranian Males under the age of 65 are subject to at least a 60 day delay before they are issued a Visa. As for the Ft. Hood incident, everyone agrees that Major Hassan must be punished for what he did. But, the U.S. Army needs to also work to understand what led Major Hassan to do what he did. This blanket characterization that drives simple minded individual like this Congressman who is looking for publicity is just plain wrong. We in America have a major problem to overcome as we deal with the aftermath of 8 years of war. This is a war that has gone on longer than all the other major wars fought throughout the history of America. I just reviewed a report on the continued rise in suicide rates. It is simply tragic.
As for GITMO, the Congressman is absolutely clueless. GITMO was a rallying cry for Al Qaeda. Why doesn't he talk about the power of the Mexican Mafia and how they are controlling the thiriving drug trade in the United States? To me, that is more of a National Security Threat than a bunch of folks whose status has to be decided one way or another after 8 years. The Congressman is condemning almost 100 million people. Does he not realize that Al Qaeda is now operating in over 70 countries? Who will he work to ban next? What is clear is that this is basically racism and fear politics at its worst. Thankfully, there is a vibrant grass roots movement to stop this legislation at its tracks, led among others by Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans: http://www.paaia.org/.
As I thought about this stunt he has pulled, I suppose that he would consider me as a National Security Threat because I happen to be listen and enjoy such music:
When will the politics of fear stop and the poltiics of true common sense prevail?
While President Obama may have declared an end to the War on Terror, it is clear our enemies did not get the message. Twice in the past two months, radical Islamic terrorists have attacked our nation and the Administration has failed to adapt its national security and immigration policies to counter the renewed resolve of those who seek to harm our citizens. More disturbingly, the President stands by his decision to close the terrorist detainee facility at Guantanamo Bay despite reports that released prisoners were behind the Christmas Day bomb plot.
“In light of these unfortunate facts, I intend to introduce legislation that will enhance our national security through common sense changes to our current immigration laws. The STEP Act of 2010 bars the admission of aliens from countries designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism as well as Yemen to the United States. Additionally, the STEP Act prohibits the transfer of the terrorist detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to our nation.”
The State Department has indentified the following states as sponsors of terrorism: Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria. Given recent reports of increased levels of terrorist activities in Yemen, Congressman Barrett has requested that its citizens not be allowed to enter the United States.
Individuals seeking political or religious asylum or emergency medical treatment may be exempt from these provisions, only after an extensive federal screening.
I appreciate him being humane in allowing for a medical treatment. But, what does he define as "extensive"? Already, for instance, all Iranian Males under the age of 65 are subject to at least a 60 day delay before they are issued a Visa. As for the Ft. Hood incident, everyone agrees that Major Hassan must be punished for what he did. But, the U.S. Army needs to also work to understand what led Major Hassan to do what he did. This blanket characterization that drives simple minded individual like this Congressman who is looking for publicity is just plain wrong. We in America have a major problem to overcome as we deal with the aftermath of 8 years of war. This is a war that has gone on longer than all the other major wars fought throughout the history of America. I just reviewed a report on the continued rise in suicide rates. It is simply tragic.
As for GITMO, the Congressman is absolutely clueless. GITMO was a rallying cry for Al Qaeda. Why doesn't he talk about the power of the Mexican Mafia and how they are controlling the thiriving drug trade in the United States? To me, that is more of a National Security Threat than a bunch of folks whose status has to be decided one way or another after 8 years. The Congressman is condemning almost 100 million people. Does he not realize that Al Qaeda is now operating in over 70 countries? Who will he work to ban next? What is clear is that this is basically racism and fear politics at its worst. Thankfully, there is a vibrant grass roots movement to stop this legislation at its tracks, led among others by Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans: http://www.paaia.org/.
As I thought about this stunt he has pulled, I suppose that he would consider me as a National Security Threat because I happen to be listen and enjoy such music:
When will the politics of fear stop and the poltiics of true common sense prevail?
