Sanders won't put a number on how many refugees U.S. should accept

[riversedge]

Source: cnn




By Eric Bradner, CNN

Updated 11:58 AM ET, Sun September 13, 2015 | Video Source: CNN

Washington (CNN)Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders prodded Middle Eastern countries to aid refugees streaming out of Syria, but wouldn't say how many should be allowed into the United States.

"I think it's impossible to give a proper number until we understand the dimensions of the problem," the Democratic presidential contender said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Sanders said Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates should join Europe and the United States in helping to shoulder the burden of refugees driven from their war-torn countries amid the rise of ISIS -- and while he wouldn't give a number, Sanders said the United States should aid some of those refugees.

"People are leaving Iraq, they're leaving Syria, with just the clothes on their backs," he said. "The world has got to respond. The United States should be part of the response."

He's the latest Democratic contender to weigh in on the Syrian refugee crisis. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has called for the United States to take in as many as 65,000 refugees next year, while Hillary Clinton has issued less specific calls for the United States to help those refugees. .....................

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/13/politics/bernie-sanders-syrian-refugees-2016/index.html

---

Glad to see the major Dem candidates have spoken out on this issue.

[ram2008]

1. Rightfully so

It would be foolish to say we can take in all the refugees when we can't even take care of people here at home.

[Sherman A1]

4. Agreed

and the best thing would be a world where there would be no refugees, but I expect that is a very long way away.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

46. Wait until the oceans rise 2-3 more feet.

Talk about refugees!

[840high]

28. That's how I feel.

[Fred Sanders]

2. The Statute of Liberty must be weeping at the refused huddled masses as she gazes across the

ocean at the tired and huddled masses of families that America refuses to accept and to accept any responsibility for creating....which it has by it's relentless wars of regime change in the countries these regime change refugees are fleeing.

Shameful that America has not responded even as Germany and France have...with compassion andrecognizong and sharing in much of the responsibility.

Arab Jordan has almost 1 million Syrian refugees, Saudi has over 100,000 Syrians ( corrected) but not designated as refugees...so that deflection is no good...few want to live under ISIS or Assad as everybody is bombing everyone else and decimating the countrysides and towns.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/09/saudi-arabia-denies-giving-syrians-sanctuary-150912050746572.html

http://syrianrefugees.eu/?page_id=87

[oberliner]

3. "Saudi has over 2 million"

What are you talking about?

[Fred Sanders]

8. I think America should accept these regime change refugees equal or same as Germany, per capita, so around 400 000. And you?

[oberliner]

12. I am asking about the 2 million number for Saudi Arabia

What was that number meant to represent?

[ancianita]

59. These 100,000 tents that could house 2 million Syrians, IF they were only Sunni, right?

?itok=QyyTPLz8

[840high]

30. No. We can't even

feed our children or elderly.

[Fred Sanders]

31. Sure...folks and families are dropping dead of starvation in the streets and football stadiums like flies.

You forgot the sarcasm emoticon?!

[840high]

33. Look up the

unemployment numbers. For many elderly it's a choice of food or medicine.

[PosterChild]

40. +100 !! (NT)

[yeoman6987]

15. Oh please. We take in the most immigrants in the world

Everyone is already upset about our water problem and other resources. How might bringing in more then the already 1 million immigrants we bring in every year help that?

[bigwillq]

5. How about zero?

We can't even take care of the people already living in this country.

[Fred Sanders]

10. How about America taking responsibility for what it created, show some compassion, and stop the demonization?

[bigwillq]

20. How about we show some compassion

for the folks already living in this country that are struggling? The USA can no longer save the world, imo, because it cannot even save itself.

[Fred Sanders]

21. .......sigh.......I am on DU?? Right??

[Rose Siding]

48. Hard to tell sometimes

Us four, shut the door, no more. So exceptionally American.

[pampango]

51. Conservatives certainly are not going to help refugees. The right builds border walls, burns down

refugee centers and pressures government to make the refugees 'someone else's problem'.

If liberals join conservatives in abandoning the refugees, their fate is sealed. So far, at least in Europe, enough liberals have stepped up to counteract the conservative antipathy to refugees.

[Plucketeer]

24. I don't know Fred....

as he says, we can't/don't take care of the domestic refugees we turn a blind eye to here at home. So we're going to give cover and comfort to those from abroad? What an INSULT to those living in the U.S. in cars or camps and going to bed hungry.

There was a homeless encampment about two miles from me last year. They were out of sight from anyone except the person who's land they'd set up camp on - and they had this person's blessing to do so. They were quiet - kept the place tidy - and worked to help one another. But they'd built their little settlement about 200 feet from city property - densely wooded city property - and the conservative city officials were NOT gonna let that go un-persecuted. They sent the county law enforcement after them to see what they could do. And said enforcers got them on health violations - which while technically correct, was really a stretch.
Can a person get a hand up around here? Yeah - if you're willing to turn to Christ. But Christ is a lot stingier here than he was back when - and has ALL SORTS of strings attached to his "compassion".

Take responsibility for where we've mucked things up? OMG! The can-o-worms that could uncap! We've screwed up SO MUCH on this planet!

[Fred Sanders]

25. There are homeless and hungry and poor in Germany and France and Britain, they make no such

excuses, Jordan made no such excuses like " not enough water" - see post on thread- and America is richer, more wide open spaces and resources....and also bears historical responsibility for regime changes creating these refugees...would you not also flee ISIS and Assad and the various blood thirsty factions that respect nothing...not to mention not wanting to be meeting your Creator with a sign hanging on you and your family as being an F-15's "collateral damage"?

[Plucketeer]

34. Well, OK

Then there should be no limit set. The number will be determined when the last refugee steps off the boat. I guess we really don't hafta worry about offending our own. No one cares about them anyway. AND they're safe from bombs 'n stuff. What more could they want?

[Igel]

35. Proximity matters.

We lament the lack of openness for refugees from across the Atlantic.

And disregard the "refugees" we have here. We call the "economic migrants" when we want to use maximally appreciative and inoffensive language. We have millions and debate what to do about them. I know--we can take in 400k Syrian refugees if we can ship a per-capita proportionate number of economic migrants to Germany and France.

In other words, it looks like we're merciless. We deal with economic migrants differently. They arrive in dribs and drabs. But let's not erase them.

Probably most of the Syrian/Iraqi refugees fall into the same category: They fled over the last few years, not with just the shirt on their back; they've lived elsewhere for that time. They're tired of their irregular status in their country of asylum; in some cases, aid's been cut or the country's cracking down on refugees and their economic situation is worsening; and they see a place where things are better, where they get more aid, living conditions are better, and the restrictions on asylum seekers are much reduced. Lots of people "fleeing their country" years after they fled, unless we count "their country" as Turkey or Lebanon or even Jordan. And all of those countries wish them good riddance.

They're disproportionately males, and paid thousands of dollars (or the equivalent) for passage to Europe--that's the "only with the shirts on their back"; often their other resources, to the extent they had any, were left for those behind. Many of the males will send for their families when they get established. Some left with their families, to be sure, if they were unconnected, small, or really did just flee Syria. Or just stupid.

[DRoseDARs]

18. Your quote from Pres. Roosevelt is rather pertinent.

He was very open to all walks of life choosing to immigrate in the United States, though that sentiment is rather stained by the demand they shed all trace of the cultures they come from and assimilate fully into the predominant Judeo-Christian Anglo culture of the United States.

[840high]

32. ...^ that

[Reter]

36. Absolutely agree

I don't want us to take in any.

[djean111]

6. I think just throwing out a number might be foolish, but I do hope there is an effort underway

to identify where the refugees can be housed and fed, and then what to do - jobs, status, etc. I feel we have a huge moral duty to take them in.

Gee, this is where it would be helpful to know where Obama had FEMA build all of those "resettlement camps" for when Obama takes over the country, right?
(That's sarcasm.)

[Major Hogwash]

7. That's a clown question.

Meant for a clown to answer, because no number would be correct.
It would either be derided as too low or too high.

[oberliner]

9. Martin O'Malley Calls for U.S. to Accept 65,000 Syrian Refugees

Former Maryland Governor and Democratic presidential candidate Martin O'Malley called for the United States to accept 65,000 Syrian refugees by the end of 2016, his campaign said in an emailed statement Friday.

"Americans are a generous and compassionate people. But today our policies are falling short of those values," O'Malley said. "We must do more to support Syrian refugees—and we must certainly welcome more than the proposed 5,000 to 8,000 refugees next year."

http://www.newsweek.com/martin-omalley-65000-syrian-refugees-368833

[Fred Sanders]

11. I fully support that, but the number should be multiple times higher...a second Peace Prize awaits..

[yeoman6987]

16. You do know many parts of the United States has water problems

Oh I think it is called lack of water and is predicted to get worse.

[ram2008]

13. I like O'Malley but

That is a sure way to ensure you're never going to get the Democratic nomination, yet alone win a general election.

There are too many variables in such a situation and a call to take in all 65,000 in is a bit reckless and irresponsible, and obviously highly unpopular with the American electorate.

[Plucketeer]

27. I was just gonna say that

then I read your post. Setting a number is setting yourself up.

I will add that if we do take on some of these folks, they give FIRST PICK of any jobs involved to folks that have been out of work for a year or more. Jobs paying at LEAST 15 bucks an hour or more.

[muriel_volestrangler]

17. It's a reasonable question to ask, but it's also OK to reply "I can't say yet"

Some politicians around the world have been giving figures.

[Fred Sanders]

23. The courageous politicians have thought it through and given actual figures and actual support and

chosen compassion and responsibility over fear and excuses from rich countries with well over 1 billion people absorbing another 1 million more folks.....America, Canada, Russia and the EU combined, that would raise their population by one tenth of one percent.

There are many unspoken objections, we all know that and exactly what they are and they are not liberal democratic objections.

Jordan has housed and taken care of a Syrian and Iraqi regime change refugee population of almost a million...in a country of 6.5 million.

"As of August 2014, the United Nations had registered 619,000 refugees in Jordan, with over 80,000 registered in the refugee camp Za’atri.

Approximately 80 percent of Syrian refugees in Jordan live in urban areas in the north of Jordan, while the remaining 20 percent live in the Za’atari, Marjeeb al-Fahood, Cyber City and Al-Azraq camps.

Northern Jordan has been dramatically altered by the Syrian civil war. Since the uprising began in March 2011 right across the border in the city of Deraa, Jordanians have experienced the conflict via the thousands that have crossed into their country through the towns of Jabir and Ramtha.

http://syrianrefugees.eu/?page_id=87

[Comrade Grumpy]

14. I'm glad both O'Malley and Sanders are addressing this.

O'Malley has suggested a precise figure: 65,000. I think we can easily accomodate that, and we have a moral responsible to do so, given what our foreign policies have contributed to the Iraq/Syria conflagration.

I'm okay with Sanders not giving a precise number. Just glad they're speaking about it.

[riversedge]

19. 09/09/15, --> Hillary has addressed this issue. Also stated in OP

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/09/hillary-clinton-syria-refugees-213444

150909_Hillary_Clinton_AP_1160.jpg

AP Photo
Hillary urges help for Syrian refugees

The United States should step up its efforts, Clinton says.

By Gabriel Debenedetti

09/09/15, 11:52 AM EDT


Hillary Clinton called on the United Nations Wednesday to press countries to take in Syrian refugees, pointing to this month’s General Assembly as a prime opportunity for action.

“There should be an emergency global gathering where the U.N. literally tries to get commitments,” Clinton said at Washington’s Brookings Institution, in the midst of a broader speech about her support of the nuclear agreement with Iran. “I obviously want the United States to do our part."

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2015/09/hillary-clinton-syria-refugees-213444#ixzz3lf8Tz1xa

[Comrade Grumpy]

39. That is worth noting. n/t

[glinda]

26. I agree. How can we know how big the issue is.

But I hear him saying yes...we have to be involved.

[Fred Sanders]

29. I would like to hear PASSION about the issue of compassion....not more somber speeches on this crisis.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

54. You need emotional drama in order to stay interested? Huh, I would not have expected that.

[jtuck004]

37. Don't send them to Detroit unless they have money for water. And be sure to let them know

that while we make sure Bank$ter/donors get really wealthy on taxpayer money, if you need food stamps you probably can't eat on what we provide. (Ask your kids to save some from the school lunch program for you).

Bring your tired, your poor, your huddled masses. They can life in poverty here too, even though it is often easier to live in poverty in a poor land than a rich one. Unless one really likes jail.

On the other hand you don't have to worry about our drones and bombs blowing up your life and family while we say we are targeting others. At least today.

And welcome.

[FrodosPet]

45. You cannot eat on $190 a month?

No, you cannot eat steak and lobster, but if you shop on sales at discounted stores like Aldis or Sav-A-Lot, you can get quite a bit of food for $190. Rice, frozen veggies, carrots, fresh greens, couple family packs of chicken & burger & the best, most tender cheap roast or loin you can find, spices and sauces...

As for water...

1. The people at Detroit Sewerage and Water deserve to get paid for doing one of the dirtiest and most physically uncomfortable jobs in the world to bring a lot of people that precious fluid, and then carry it back out along with our body's waste products.

2. The publicity kicked a lot of people in the ass and aid was provided to the truly needy. As well, the commercial properties paid up.

3. A lot of water wasting was reduced with the effort to shut off vacant properties and broken plumbing.

4. People who still do have water will often fill buckets and jugs for others. If you can't find water in Detroit, even if you are shut off, then you may need to re-evaluate your relationship with the rest of the human species (which, sadly yes, a lot of people need to do).

[jwirr]

49. Where do you get the $190 a month? Food stamps are

determined on household income minus rent, utilities and a few other items. There is no set income level.

Years ago I applied and was supposed to get $10 a month. I told the social worker that I did not want it and why: She made more money approving my application than I got. I was not going to support her income when I only got $10 a month.

I get $71 now but as I am diabetic and need specific foods that does not go far.

[jtuck004]

64. Ironically, many people, elected officials, have found they cannot. You, by some privilege, have

found a way. That would mean you have also solved the transportation and cooking and refrigeration and health care issues that affect this.

There are at least 25 million people who are not able to eat, every day, throughout the month, and the government collects statistics on this and other shortfalls.

Perhaps you should run over to the areas where unemployment is 35% share your fucking miracle with them?

They have no car to get there. Mom gonna drag the kids on the bus? There is no babysitter they can trust or afford. Maybe they can bring an extra bag? You gonna be there to carry?

Btw, the utilities were shut off, so you can't cook the beans. Ever tried carrying the frozen stuff home on the bus? It won't be when you get there, but your dry stuff will be soggy. Refrigerator only works 1 week out of three, and this ain't the one.

There are other costs that some self-righteous person doesn't acknowledge, yet are very real to some family.

You dropped off into some disturbing language, so I'm gonna say so long...

"If you can't find water in Detroit, even if you are shut off, then you may need to re-evaluate your relationship with the rest of the human species"

You just referred to people who need relief, our neighbors, as not human.

That is a sorry thing to say, you know? This country, founded on slavery, seeing black folk as not human, and here you are suggesting it without really saying it.

Donald Trump would be proud.

As for me I don't care to read anything else you have to say. I have to go take a shower.

[EX500rider]

61. "Don't send them to Detroit unless they have money for water."

I am pretty sure public utilities aren't free in any US town or city.

[davidpdx]

38. One thing about refugees is that I would guess that some would want to go back if and when

the war there ever ends. My guess would be 10% at least. The country is going to need people to help put things back together.

[cpompilo]

41. I suggest 10 refugees for every bomb we've dropped on Syria or 100 for every civilian death by drone

[restorefreedom]

42. cnn is anti bernie

and the title of this article just reinforces that. om is the only candidate of 5 that has given a specific number, but notice who the title focuses on.

more of the same corporate tripe from cnn

[brooklynite]

52. Maybe because Sanders made news by being asked in a interview?

Come to think of it, that couldn't be the reason because the media is ignoring him, right?

[restorefreedom]

53. i realize he was asked a question

but the link title suggests that he is the only one who hasn't put a definitive number on how many refugees we should take in (ooooooo, SANDERS wont give a specific # cue dramatic music ), when in fact, at the time of that interview, O'Malley was the only one who would given a specific number. It's no secret that CNN is very anti-Bernie because he threatens their corporate power.

[TexasBushwhacker]

43. We took in over 200K Vietnamese in the late 70s

Is it easy? No, but it can be done. It will be hard to make it acceptable to many Americans though, who tend to see all Middle Easterners as Muslim terrorists.

[former9thward]

44. There were no Vietnamese terrorist groups.

You conveniently left that out. We know some of the ISIS leaders. We know none of the ISIS rank and file. How do you propose keeping them out?

[TexasBushwhacker]

47. I struggle with the ISIS issue

But ultimately, the vast majority of the refugees are peaceful people who just want safety. I'm not suggesting we take 200K in one fell swoop, but the countries of the EU are our allies and I don't think it's fair to expect them to solve this refugee crisis alone.

[Humanist_Activist]

55. Refugees go through a lengthy screening process before resettled in the United States, the chances..

of terrorism are always there, even with regular immigration, but the risk is extremely low.

I live surrounded by Muslims, in little Bosnia, most have made themselves permanent residents, citizens, and contributors to our community. They have been a boon, so much so our mayor and surrounding community leaders and lobbying, heavily, for us to take as many Syrians as possible.

[geardaddy]

57. Ditto for the Somalis here in Minnesota.

They have stepped up to the political plate and become very involved in local politics for the DFL.

[Humanist_Activist]

58. A lot of it is the screening process, which I do view as necessary, these are people that get a...

fast track to permanent residency, and having an established and/or welcoming community helps, a lot.

I remember, here in St. Louis, there were some nativist rumbling, and there is some tension, but not much any more. Those who can't stand to be around Muslims or other non-Christians are welcome to move out to the exurbs with the white flight people.

[geardaddy]

60. I agree completely.

We have a large community (the largest?) of Somalis in the U.S. There are are also a lot of others from the Horn of Africa here, as well as Vietnamese, Hmong, Cambodian and Laotian. That's because we have the Center for Victims of Torture here that serves populations who have endured horrible torture in their home countries. I could see the Minneapolis and St. Paul City Councils and the citizens of the Twin Cities welcoming Syrian refugees with open arms.

[Humanist_Activist]

62. Yeah, we have the largest population of Bosnians in the world outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

We also have significant populations of Vietnamese, Ethiopian and other refugees from around the world, thanks partly to the International Institute of St. Louis.

Mayor Slay of St. Louis is already lobbying to get as many refugees as possible into the city, saying the city is more than willing to invest in resettlement. May take some time, it took 8 years to get the 50 thousand Bosnians or so we have now.

The thing is, this isn't just charity and kindness, this is investment into the future. For both the Syrians and us in St. Louis, this can only turn into a positive. We have the Bosnian and other refugee communities here ready to accept them, we have the political capital, and hopefully the economic capital ready to invest.

I imagine we are going to have a competition to see who gets the most refugees.

[geardaddy]

63. I hope we do have a competition for that.

That means there'll be more than a few metros vying to accept as many refugees as possible!

[geardaddy]

56. What about Somalis? n/t

[jwirr]

50. Yes, you just pointed the real problem out. Many of

those from Vietnam were our allies while we fought the war and that is why they were refugees in the first place.

Maybe we could start out with that as a way of introducing the refugees from the ME wars into the USA.