Security: There is plenty of reason to doubt government's checks

So the latest argument in the battle over letting Syrian refugees into the United States is security.

President Barack Obama says there is no reason to worry about any of those who would be admitted, that they would be thoroughly checked to make sure they are not terrorists.

Now, pause for a moment and think about that.

Thoroughly checked, huh. No possible way any terrorist could slip through the government's meticulous examination of these refugees, right?

Now, look at the evidence.

This nation has plenty of illegal immigrants who have been "checked."

And there are also more than a few who have already committed crimes in the U.S., have been deported, and then who reappeared in the country. And no one seems to have a way to solve the problem.

And while our government is making excuses for those who have illegally entered the country, thousands of people who have followed the legitimate procedure to be admitted are waiting forever to get the approval they need.

So, let's face facts. It is not really about letting immigrants in the country. There are very few people in this country who would turn away someone who was in danger or truly in need.

It is about trusting those in charge in Washington to do it right.

Doing it right means there is no politics, no rhetoric calling Republicans or others heartless and no soundbites condemning anyone who disagrees with your view as selfish.

It is about making sure that the process is not flawed and that it is taken seriously.

It is about doing this for the right reason.

Bottom line is, we aren't there yet. And until we are, our borders need to remain closed -- no matter how politically expedient it might be to open them for a certain political candidate, or for a president's misguided legacy.

And that's a fact.

Published in Editorials on November 18, 2015 11:01 AM