Israel Goldfarb. He and his family came from Russia. They were refugees escaping the programs of a czar. I have been disgusted in recent days to see some of my Republican colleagues shun the American tradition of displaying compassion for those in need. of sheltering those fleeing torture. rape and oppression. Frankly. I have been disappointed by Republican fearmongering and bigotry. Apparently they have learned nothing from history. We cannot repeat the dark days of the 1930s when many Americans resolved to turn away helpless refugees fleeing Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler or imprisoned innocent Japanese Americans during World War II. like our late colleague Dan Inouye and his family. Those mistakes were based on misguided fears of people we did not know. How many people died because of unfounded apprehension? I dont know but far too many. Yet it seems many Republicans are destined to go down that same path again. Some in the Republican Party have suggested that we categorically block all Syrian refugees. One Republican candidate for President suggested we turn away even 5yearold refugee children. Two other Republican candidates for President implied that the United States of America should have some sort of religious test for refugees. They are saying only Christians. This is the latest in what has become a disturbing pattern of Republican hatred and intolerance toward Muslims.
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