GOP Rep. Bashes 'Xenophobic And Knee-Jerk' Rhetoric On Syrian Refugees

[geek tragedy]

Source: Talking Points Memo

Rep. Steve Russell (R-OK) delivered a speech on the House floor Wednesday tearing into his colleagues' push to restrict Syrian refugees' ability to come to the U.S., arguing that such policies will make the U.S. like the Islamic State.

"While I have focused my comments on actions we should take to eliminate ISIS, one action we should not take is to become like them. America is a lamp that lights the horizon of civilized and free mankind. The Statue of Liberty cannot have a stiff arm. Her arm must continue to keep the torch burning brightly," he said in his floor speech.

"But if we use our passions and our anger, fear, and we use that to snuff our her flame by xenophobic and knee-jerk policy, the enemy wins. We have played into their hands. Period," he continued.

...

"America protects her liberty and defends her shores not by punishing those who would be free. She does it by guarding liberty with her life. Americans need to sacrifice and wake up. We must not become them. They win if we give up who we are and even more-so without a fight," Russell said.

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/steve-russell-syrian-refugee-xenophobic

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The last decent Republican in America?

(and I'm sure there are lots of horrid things in this guy's voting record, but credit where credit is due)

[FLPanhandle]

1. And he is from Oklahoma too

Not even a moderate state. That takes guts.

He must not be up for re-election this year.

[CanonRay]

2. He's not wacko enough to be a "real" Republican

he'll probably get a primary opponent from the truly nutzoid sect.

[C_U_L8R]

3. (R) means racist

Rep. Russell may want to find a party that isn't so awful.
I hear the Democrats are much more sensible.

[mountain grammy]

4. Good for him! Credit where credit is due!

[pampango]

5. "They win if we give up who we are and even more-so without a fight,". Hard to believe

a republican would have the courage to say that in this day and age. I wonder if he is not planning on running for reelection or not afraid of a tea party primary challenge for some reason.

[Mike Daniels]

6. Puts everyone running under the GOP ticket for POTUS to shame

It's about time someone from the GOP had the backbone to stand up to the moronic statements coming from most of the party.

He could be just as bad as most of the GOP on many issues but he stands out on this item.

Of course the clock is now ticking on how long it takes Trump to hate-twitter this guy.

[lark]

7. OMG, is it truly possible?

There's really a Repug pol who isn't a 100% racist, xenophobic, hater? Seriously? Wow, I'm stoked.

Sad, when the bar is so low for one group of people that any shred of sanity seems so amazing.