OK. Here is a silly attempt on my part to have a rational conversation on this topic.

 

Its a simple question that I have often wondered after watching interview upon interview of these refugees.

 

Focusing on the refugees impacted by the Syrian and Iraq conflict. Just about 100% of them state their respective families have lived in their homes for multiple generations and they did not want to leave. These areas have been their families homes for 100+ years. They are devastated to leave these areas they have known their entire lives to go into these strange new areas. I couldn't imagine having to give up your land, houses, business and lives after being over ran but such an awful ideology.

 

In the business world and my coaching experience, I was mentored to fix the root problem and not the symptom. Following this advice, I have always found that to be 100% successful in no matter what I did.

 

If I apply that logic to this situation with regard to how difficult this situation is; and if I truly care about the refugees. The obvious, but very difficult, solution is to give them there homes back. Most, if not all, of these refugees do not want to be uprooted. If I truly cared about them, then I do everything within my power to give there homes back to them. Moving them is simply ignoring the real problem.

 

You are correct. Refugees are not wanting to be anywhere but their homes. But in most cases, their homes are literally gone due to bombings. In most cases, because their home towns are now controlled by ISIS, they will be killed if they return. They have no choice, if they want to live, than to either face life in a refugee camp, or be accepted into another country, resettle and begin building new lives.

 

Those that arrive in America average 18-24 months in refugee camps after applying for refugee entrance, which is the time the US government spends investigating and vetting them.

 

The thing about refugee camps is, they are breeding grounds for discontent. And desperation. But, those I've met that have made it here to Louisville are grateful, unbelievably grateful. And afraid. They want to work. They want to educate theit children. They simply want to begin a new normalcy. Many of them have to be educated on how to plan for dressing for our seasonal changes. They have to learn to ride the bus. They have to learn how to shop in our grocery stores for food. They have to learn how to use the food stuffs they find themselves with that people donate.

 

But they are eager to prove themselves good citizens, and to contribute.

 

There is no simple answer. And there have always been, and always will be refugees in the world. I remember the horrible things people said about Haitians back in the 80s when millions fled to the US. Then I met them, and tutored them and became a mentor to some. The majority of refugees are simply good people in a horribly bad situation.

I agree with about everything you said.

 

The best solution is to give their homes back to them and their way of life. I think the U.S. made a grave grave mistake when President Obama decided to pull out all troops from Iraq. (No interest in discussing the war in the first place, just discussing mistakes since then). The second big mistake was allowing ISIS to move into Iraq and we sat on the side line until PM Malaki resigned. I don't know we could have prevented the issues in Syria but we certainly were in position to help Iraq. President Obama's own cabinet has admitted to two bad mistakes. First, not keeping a thumb on Malaki and telling him to legislate as he seems fit because they are a sovereign nation. Mistake because of the 1000 years of secretarian violence and allowing it to go unchecked with Malaki. Then playing hardball with Malaki after the fact. Isis was seen, known to be advancing and could have been destroyed before reaching Mosul. Now another thousand lives are lost.

 

If we as a country or people truly care about the Syrian or Iraqi people. We have a very capable military that could resolve this issue in a matter of months. The UN or World powers can then step in and help them rebuild their Cities, Schools, Hospitals, Neighborhoods etc.... I honestly believe that all the Syrian and Iraqi people would be thrilled to rid themselves of such a horrifying group such as ISIS. However, we seemed to be more concerned politically than truly helping these people. Bringing them here to the U.S. or Europe or Austrailia etc... does not help them.

I have a very very good friend who was a refuge from Vietnam. His family, like many in the current day crisis. Were separated throughout the world. While he has many wonderful experiences here in the U.S. he still longs for his family to be back together in the place his family is from for at least 5 generations.

 

We are simply taking the easy road and keep telling ourselves how wonderful we are. Go take care of business. If you don't, as we have all witnessed over the past years. The issue will continue to fester and cost lives around the world.

I agree with about everything you said.

 

The best solution is to give their homes back to them and their way of life. I think the U.S. made a grave grave mistake when President Obama decided to pull out all troops from Iraq. (No interest in discussing the war in the first place, just discussing mistakes since then). The second big mistake was allowing ISIS to move into Iraq and we sat on the side line until PM Malaki resigned. I don't know we could have prevented the issues in Syria but we certainly were in position to help Iraq. President Obama's own cabinet has admitted to two bad mistakes. First, not keeping a thumb on Malaki and telling him to legislate as he seems fit because they are a sovereign nation. Mistake because of the 1000 years of secretarian violence and allowing it to go unchecked with Malaki. Then playing hardball with Malaki after the fact. Isis was seen, known to be advancing and could have been destroyed before reaching Mosul. Now another thousand lives are lost.

 

If we as a country or people truly care about the Syrian or Iraqi people. We have a very capable military that could resolve this issue in a matter of months. The UN or World powers can then step in and help them rebuild their Cities, Schools, Hospitals, Neighborhoods etc.... I honestly believe that all the Syrian and Iraqi people would be thrilled to rid themselves of such a horrifying group such as ISIS. However, we seemed to be more concerned politically than truly helping these people. Bringing them here to the U.S. or Europe or Austrailia etc... does not help them.

I have a very very good friend who was a refuge from Vietnam. His family, like many in the current day crisis. Were separated throughout the world. While he has many wonderful experiences here in the U.S. he still longs for his family to be back together in the place his family is from for at least 5 generations.

 

We are simply taking the easy road and keep telling ourselves how wonderful we are. Go take care of business. If you don't, as we have all witnessed over the past years. The issue will continue to fester and cost lives around the world.

 

We could easily solve all of this if Dr. Manhattan would simply intervene.