OT: Asylum seekers and public opinion

[John2]

Public opinion is a powerful thing.

Its sad that it has taken a photo of a dead toddler to bring home the harsh reality of the plight of those fleeing Syria and other conflicts.

As recently as 2 days ago David Cameron was saying we shouldn't be taking in any more, comments for which he will be remembered as being on the wrong side of history.

Imagine reading comments from British people in the 1930s complaining about all the refugees fleeing Nazi Germany, comparing them to a swarm of locusts.

Syrians fleeing from ISIS in 2015 are no different to those fleeing Nazi Germany during world War 2.

Britain used to be a compassionate country that cared for those who needed it the most. When people talk about being proud to be British, this is the Britain I am proud of.

The sad reality is, today there are a selfish group of people who have shown themselves to have no compassion. Their attitudes towards asylum seekers have made me feel ashamed - as many of the "Liberal do-goode

[great_fire]

I wouldn't let any more Muslims in personally, the ones we have already cause enough problems.

It will only mean more terrorists and street groomers, what about protecting those children?

[the_idiotb_stardson]

You have simplified a very complex situation.

I wonder how many people who now feel outraged actually backed the Arab spring uprisings, our illegal war in Iraq, our pointless intervention in Afghanistan , our outrageous interference in Libya and our mixed up and fickle approach to Syria?

Maybe if we had not created new generations of terrorists with our foreign interventions we wouldn't have to see the appalling events of the last few days.

Maybe those people who are concerned about immigration do have enormous compassion for human suffering.

Maybe, before we started stirring up the hornets nest abroad, these people warned the 'liberal do-gooders' that their support for revolutions was misguided and would eventually result in even bigger tragedies?

[John2]

So you would ban all Syrian refugees fleeing ISIS because they happen to be Muslim?

I've not simplified anything, I've merely challenged people on their anti asylum seeker rhetoric, the cause is irrelevant.

[the_idiotb_stardson]

" the cause is irrelevant".

What a strange thing to say.

[jolly_roger]

Massive yawn

The usual John2 drivel

Yawn again

[the_idiotb_stardson]

Jolly, c'mon play fair.

It's a relevant topic and the events over the last few days are certainly worth discussing.

I think John as always has made some extremely valid points.

My only issue is that it is far more complex than people who are anti-asylum are unfeeling brutes- and those who are pro-asylum are on the side of the angels.

[Jimmy Lallacs]

What kind of father would put his wife and kids on an unsafe boat with no lifejackets and attempt to escape a perfectly safe holiday resort (Bodrum) when he could quite easily boarded the regular ferry to Kos?
Answer - Not a refugee escaping danger, rather a totally irresponsible illegal immigrant.
Harsh but true - he killed his family while in the commission of a crime.

[howdydoo]

Public opinion is a powerful thing?

Too right it is. Is this from the guy, who suggests the 'public' shouldn't have a say about most things. Capital punishment, EU votes etc. Public opinion is fantastic when it falls in with your own beliefs. Eh John?

If we could tag every asylum seeker, who will be granted admission to the UK as a result of this campaign and outpouring of public sympathy, and gauge the serious crimes, these people will commit such as murder, child abuse etc, for five years, we might witness another 'opinion' from the great British public.

We never learn.

It needs a long term workable solution. Bit like the famine issue in Africa. We keep applying sticking plasters on this great big balloon that any sane person can realise, is going to go pop, sooner or later.

[John2]

To clarify, the cause is irrelevant to the point I was trying to make.