The statement in the first paragraph is very odd coming from a Democrat whose campaign rhetoric all throughout the campaign season was about helping the downtrodden. Apparently that only works if the downtrodden are currently citizens of Ohio. Everyone else can get lost, even if you have helped the US in the war on terror."I think Ohio and Ohioans have contributed a lot to Iraq in terms of blood, sweat and too many tears," Strickland said. "I am sympathetic to the plight of the innocent Iraqi people who have fled that country. However, I would not want to ask Ohioans to accept a greater burden than they already have borne for the Bush administration's failed policies."
The U.S. has a responsibility to help Iraqis who face danger in their own country for helping Americans topple Saddam Hussein's government, said Abid Al-Marayati, a professor of government at the University of Toledo who left Iraq in 1958.
"It's not a question of whether we should accept them or not. These people served the U.S. forces," Al-Marayati said. "I think for our country, we could absorb that (number of refugees) quite easily."
This statement is raising eyebrows on normally friendly territory.
Buckeyestateblog:
Not sure what to think, so... I'm reserving judgement on this one until the Governor has a chance to more fully respond to the issue. (And I'm certain he'll have that chance).If Strickland was consistent on immigration it wouldn't be that big of a deal, but last year he regretted his vote on tightening immigration rules. But judging by his statement about failed policies this appears to be more about taking a cheap shot against Bush than any real concern about how a fraction of 7,000 refugees might break the Ohio economy. I would also note that Ohio at a 1% or less population growth rate, could even use some blood that is willing to stay here instead of transplant to Florida.
Other thoughts from around Ohio...
Bizzyblog: Perhaps Compassionate Ted's next step, in the name of consistency, will be to see if any of the previous 463 refugees ended up in Ohio - so he can deport them.
The Daily Bellwether notes the background checks involved might make it a non-issue:
"Right now, federal and immigration courts are stuffed with cases by resident aliens from all over the world who cannot get their U.S. paperwork processed because of security delays over background checks. And U.S. citizens themselves must carry passports to re-enter their own nation upon travelling overseas. The Bush resettlement proposal -- while it sounds admirable -- probably is a pipedream because of the risk a terrorist could slip through."Right Angle Blog: Ted Strickland should be ashamed for his treatment of innocent Iraqis. I thought liberals were supposed to have concern for their fellow man? Is shunning Iraqi refugees worth it, just to stick it to President Bush?
Keeler: Gov. Ted, you are Ohio Governor now, not still an ineffective Congressman who is not helping your poor, poverty ridden Southeast Ohio district. Start acting like it. You are acting like the congressman who is a knee jerk reactionary to the Bush Administration, not as governor. The campaign has ended- you don't need to pander to the left anymore.
Right on the Right: Even anti-war kook leftists should be able to have a little compassion and should support these refugees.
