In the United States, we are very sheltered. Excepting those who have actually been to the
Middle East, it is very difficult for many Americans to understand what things
are like there. One of the most
challenging things for people is to understand something that is totally
outside their life experience.
I have not personally been to the Middle East or to East
Asia. I have friends and relatives who
have served there. When I was in the
Army in Europe (early 1970’s), I had the opportunity to supervise civilian
workers on a small military base who were from North Africa. I read and listen to news broadcasts to stay
informed about current events. I monitor
the opinions of informed persons that I respect. My religious beliefs originated in the Middle
East, and I have become somewhat familiar with the History of the area.
Clearly, I am not an expert. However, I think I have done what a
reasonable person would consider to be enough inquiry and observation to have
informed opinions. I will leave it to
the reader to decide whether the conclusions I have drawn from the available
information are correct.
To touch on a couple of perceptions, I think that in some
parts of The Middle East and East Asia human life is not held in the same high
regard that it is in the Western Democracies. We need to do better, especially in our inner
cities, but at least (for the last few centuries) we do not cut peoples’ heads off if they do not worship
the way we do. Unlike much of the Middle
East, we do not regard women as the chattel property of their husbands and
fathers. Women can vote, drive cars,
work, get educated, marry whom they choose, travel independently, hold elected
office, own property, choose the clothes they wear, occupy positions of
authority over men, and so on. Please
pay attention, ladies, before you advocate that transformational influences
from primitive cultures be introduced into our country.
Recently, there has been a lot of controversy about President
Trump’s executive order temporarily restricting aliens from certain countries
in the Middle east and North Africa from entering the United States. The matter is before the courts, but most of
those who know the law agree that he had the legal authority to issue the
order. Even the preliminary opinions
from the courts seem to be concerned with the fundamental fairness of President
Trump’s actions, rather than their legality.
I do not think that fundamental fairness is appropriate
grounds for a Federal Judge to intervene, and to temporarily restrain the legal
actions of a sitting President of the United States regarding matters of
national security. There is no evidence
that the constitutional rights of any U.S. citizens have been directly
violated; nor have the constitutional rights of any aliens on U.S. soil. Therefore, with respect, I say that the court
should rule on existing law rather than try to manufacture new law.
Large crowds of demonstrators at home and abroad have
taken to the streets to oppose President Trump’s travel restrictions. If they are nonviolent, do not interfere with
the rights of others, and do not destroy property I support their right to
freedom of expression.
However, I would remind the reader that for every demonstrator,
paid or unpaid, that they see on television throwing a temper tantrum, there
are more ordinary Americans who agree with President Trump’s executive order;
or even believe it does not go far enough.
They are too busy earning a living, raising children, and paying taxes
to go to the streets … but they are very real.
Their voice was heard at the ballot box last November throughout the
heartland.
I am glad that President Trump is trying to keep the terrorists
out of our country. One only needs to
look to what is happening in Europe to see what happens when terrorists
infiltrate refugee populations and can enter countries that do not use appropriate
security measures. I was very distressed
when President Obama kept admitting more and more “refugees” into the United
States from the Middle East and Northern Africa. I am relieved that we are taking a different
direction now. I am not without compassion
for the innocent victims of war who are trying to get out of harm’s way. I support public and private humanitarian aid
to relieve their suffering … where they are.
To the demonstrators, I say go home and inform yourself
before you show your ignorance in public.
President Trump is trying to keep the Radical Islamists out to stop them
from killing you. You ought to thank God
for protecting you from your own folly.
