Calling for a moratorium on Muslim immigration “until our country’s representatives can figure out what the hell is going on,” Donald Trump this week ignited a firestorm of historic proportions. As all the old hate words — xenophobe, racist, bigot — have lost their electric charge from overuse, and Mr. Trump was being called a fascist demagogue and compared to Hitler and Mussolini. The establishment seemed to have become unhinged.
Why the hysteria? Comes the reply: Mr. Trump’s call for a temporary ban on Muslim immigration tramples all over “American values” and everything we stand for, including the Constitution. But is this really true? The Constitution protects freedom of religion for U.S. citizens. But citizens of foreign lands have no constitutional right to migrate. And federal law gives a president broad powers in deciding who comes and who does not, especially in wartime.
In 1924, Congress restricted immigration from Asia, reduced the numbers coming from southern and Central Europe, and produced a 40-year moratorium on most immigration into the United States. Its authors and President Coolidge wanted ours to remain a nation whose primary religious and ethnic ties were to Europe, not Africa or Asia. Under FDR, Truman and JFK, this was the law of the land.
Did this represent 40 years of fascism? Why might Mr. Trump want a moratorium on Muslim immigration?
Reason one: terrorism. The 9/11 terrorists were Muslim, as were the shoe and underwear bombers on those planes, the Fort Hood shooter, the Times Square bomber and the San Bernardino killers. And as San Bernardino showed again, Islamist terrorists are exploiting our liberal immigration policies to come here and kill us. Thus, a pause, a timeout on immigration from Muslim countries, until we fix the problem, would seem to be simple common sense.
Second, Muslims are clearly more susceptible to the siren call of terrorism, and more likely to be radicalized on the Internet and in mosques than are Christians at church or Jews at synagogue. Which is why we monitor mosques more closely than cathedrals.
Third, according to Harvard’s late Samuel Huntington, a “clash of civilizations” is coming between the West and the Islamic world. Other scholars somberly concur. But if such a conflict is in the cards, how many more millions of devout Muslims do we want inside the gates? Set aside al-Qaida, ISIS and their sympathizers. Among the 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide are untold millions of followers of the Prophet who pray for the coming of a day when sharia is universal and the infidels, i.e., everyone else, are either converted or subjugated.
In nations where Muslims are already huge majorities, where are the Jews? Where have all the Christians gone? With ethnic and sectarian wars raging in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Yemen, Libya, Nigeria and Somalia, why would we bring into our own country people from all sides of these murderous conflicts? Many European nations — Germans, French, Swedes, Brits — appear to regret having thrown open their doors to immigrants and refugees from the Islamic world, who have now formed unassimilated clusters and enclaves inside their countries. Ought we not explore why, before we continue down this road?
In some countries of the Muslim world, Americans who embrace “Hollywood values” regarding abortion, adultery and homosexuality, can get their heads chopped off as quickly as converts to Christianity. In what Muslim countries does Earl Warren’s interpretation of the First Amendment — about any and all religious presence being banned in public schools and all religions being treated equally — apply? When is the next “Crusade for Christ” coming to Saudi Arabia?
Japan has no immigration from the Muslim world, nor does Israel, which declares itself a Jewish state. Are they also fascistic? President Obama and the guilt-besotted West often bawl their apologies for the horrors of the Crusades that liberated Jerusalem. Anyone heard Muslim rulers lately apologizing for Saladin, who butchered Christians to take Jerusalem back, or for Suleiman the Magnificent, who conquered the Christian Balkans rampaging through Hungary all the way to the gates of Vienna?
Mr. Trump’s surge this week, in the teeth of universal denunciation, suggests that a large slice of America agrees with his indictment — that our political-media establishment is dumb as a box of rocks and leading us down a path to national suicide. Mr. Trump’s success tells us that the American people really do not celebrate “globalization.” They think our negotiators got snookered out of the most magnificent industrial machine ever built, which once guaranteed our workers the highest standard of living on earth. They don’t want open borders or mass immigration. They want people here illegally to be sent back, the borders secured, and a moratorium imposed on Muslim immigration until we fix the broken system.
As for the establishment, they are saying pretty much what The Donald is saying. To paraphrase Oliver Cromwell’s speech to the Rump Parliament: You have sat here too long for any good you have done here. In the name of God, go!
Books on the topic of this essay may be found in The Imaginative Conservative Bookstore. Republished with gracious permission from Pat Buchanan (December 2015).
Mr. Trump is addressing an important hole in US defense against an evil hiding in “Islam”, which we MUST stop. Arguments over Islam’s “True Nature” (religion of peace or no) is not the first issue, but rather the securing of our border against those who mean us harm.
Mr. Buchanan has a way with words, doesn’t he? I think the real puzzler is how to deal with those that are already here. It is unfair and unamerican to treat Christian refugees as if they might be potential terrorists. We need to take a hard look at that lovely Lady in the harbor in New York and re-evaluate how we treat these nearly Martyred, certainly persecuted Christians. It is rather hypocritical to have that welcoming symbol standing so close to our shores welcoming all who need her protection and turn them away. It is every Muslim’s triumph to know these refugees are not being welcomed because of the actions they’ve taken to sow the seeds of mistrust and doubt so we won’t take them. We’re doing exactly as they want – turning down the most desperate and deserving of them. It certainly injures them each time the look to us with a glimmer of hope in their hearts and have that little light extinguished by those who fear displeasing the Muslims they’ve spent so much time befriending by a simple, “no, we cannot help you at this time.” Lady Liberty’s light has been extinguished. It is out. Gone. Until the real Christians in this country reach out to our brothers and sisters in Christ who are actively being persecuted in these lands, we will remain a nation of hypocrites. I was a stranger and you welcomed me………………………………….Jesus said that. Please try to see His face in these men, women and children. God bless. Ginnyfree.
Hello, Ginnyfree;…
“You shall know them by their fruits…” With that quote, also from Jesus (Christ) of Nazareth in mind, may I humbly ask you how we are to “read what’s in the heart & mind” of ANY individual who wants to come here from outside, be it from Mexico or Malaysia?
Last I knew, that was a “skill” reserved for God alone. The United States has plenty of damage occurring from some of it’s own home-grown citizenry, never mind the havoc being wreaked upon us by “illegal” immigrants, or for that matter, legal ones with hatred of us in their hearts, which remains hidden until after the fact (of their actions, like 9/11 or San Bernardino).
I’m no Trump supporter, to be sure, but even a “stopped clock” can be right, once in a while. With that in mind, for the sake of self-preservation, personal as well as national, it makes “common-sense” to me to put at least a 5 year moratorium on ANY immigration into our country until we can “figure out” who’s already here, for what reasons, and deal with the “bad apples” among them.
The Syrian & other Middle-Eastern refugees have plenty of neighboring country’s they could be taken into, but aren’t. Why is THAT? Why must WE be the world’s dumping ground for everybody else’s unwanted people?
The whole world is descending into madness, and I, for one, don’t want anymore of it inside our own gates, and neighborhoods.
I’m not being blind to the misery of others, but the situation over-all has spun way out of control, both hear and abroad. It’s time for some sanity & good judgement to return to our immigration policy, that’s all that I’m suggesting.
Any decent cop can give you a read on a person pretty quick when they are on their game. A profiler is an awesome thing to watch in action. We do have human blood hounds whose art is their (the terrorist’s) darkness. I’m all for unleashing them all at once so they can be soundly utilized to screen out the real threats and give homes to those who do deserve them. Yeah. Just a few thoughts.
I see your point of view. It does make sense. But there is one thing we must consider. Were all these attacks terrorism from the hands of islamic extremists, or is the government behind some of it? Im not a conspiracy theorist, however I’m a man who considers these concepts. There is evidence to support that we low key support Isis. As crazy as that sounds, there is a lot of suspicious things going on in the world. Regardless, terrorism is still a problem, whether if its what conspiracy theorists call ” Zionists” or just simply terrorism from the hands of Muslims. This discussion isn’t a pretty one, because the waters are murky. Nothing is black and white. No one is more anti terrorist then an innocent Muslim, considering ISIS will kill anyone who gets in their way, along with people of the same nationality and religion. If you aren’t with them, you are an enemy. With that being said, it is right to simply shut out Muslims, or any one for that matter? Im very afraid that once we do that, we lead way for something like what happened to the Japanese during WWII in America. Then, at that point, will give Muslims a real reason to strike back. Or simply those who weren’t terrorists, might consider the idea more enticing.
“Hey, I’m a Christian! Scout’s honor.”
Though I understand the logic and pragmatism of your view I still disagree with it and am frustrated by some of the points you brought up in this article. For example, in the third paragraph, it is written that:”In 1924, Congress restricted immigration from Asia, reduced the numbers coming from southern and Central Europe, and produced a 40-year moratorium on most immigration into the United States. Its authors and President Coolidge wanted ours to remain a nation whose primary religious and ethnic ties were to Europe, not Africa or Asia. Under FDR, Truman and JFK, this was the law of the land.” Now I know the intent of bringing this up is to say that the government of the United States does have the legal right to limit the flow of immigrants of different nationalities. However, it does not acknowledge the fact that this right was used in an unjust and immoral manner due to the xenophobic and racist motivations of its enforcers. Besides this, the article does not make the concession that just because a law is a law, does not mean it is just or right to enforce. Also, I would like to note that just because other nations have this or that as a law, doesn’t mean that the United States should do the same. For that is like saying that if other people are jumping off a bridge, we should do the same as well.
If, without the xenophobes, we are destined to commit suicide, thank God for them.
“…wanted ours to remain a nation whose primary religious and ethnic ties were to Europe, not Africa or Asia.”
Western Europe. Immigration from southern and eastern Europe was also severely reduced.
No.
We should welcome Muslims to America, but use the opportunity to appeal that Muslims convert to Christianity so that they might take advantage of the freedoms, and opportunities that America has to offer. Certainly Christians have done well in America, but can the same be said of Muslims. Europe provides a good illustration that Muslims typically don’t do well in Western Countries. The Church, and GOP candidates need to point this out, if anything to start a real dialogue. There are many pitfalls for Muslims in America, and none of which have anything to do with bigotry or racism. Example; does Muslim culture hinder the creativity required to excel in a dynamic free market system, or are most Muslims confined to lower income jobs, or State assistance? Where are the Muslim millionaires in America that aren’t entertainers, or sports figures? CNBC states that over 56% of the worlds millionaires are Christian, while only 6% identify as Muslim. Also, there is mounting evidence that the children of Muslims are at risk of becoming radicalised and doing something that could result in a long prison term and ruined life.
Trump has missed an opportunity to publicly point out these realities, and force the left to convince why they are wrong. Muslims also, should be forced to account for these very visible failings. Instead, Trump bumbled into an un winnable argument, that will be mired in whether of not he is a bigot, and completely deflect as to whether Islam is even compatible in America. I can’t understand that none of the other candidates took advantage of this to outline their own views of Islam in America, pointing out what just outlined, and forced the ball in the Democrats court to defend Islam. In other words, the debate shouldn’t be about whether or not Muslims should be allowed to immigrate, it should be about why they even want to in the first place.
Americans have nothing to gain from moslem immigrants or so called refugees so lets simply bar them. We owe them nothing. As to the ones already here? Expel the non-Citizens. Again we OWE them nothing. The ones who are Citizens? Recognise that islam is actually a totalitarian ideology dishonestly posing as a religion. Then we treat them in the same carefully watchful manner we would open communists or nazis.
You cannot be a follower of Islam and be for freedom and democracy. In Islam you must submit to your religion and convert or kill all non-believers. By letting in Muslims, we are inviting the destruction of our country.
When will common sense prevail? Or is that even possible in these over politically correct times?
The constitution guarantees religious freedom to United States citizens, citizens of other countries are offered not protections or promises under the United States Constitution.
I fear that the only thing that will wake up our country to these truths, is a large scale terror attack on U.S. soil. By large scale, I am talking 9/11 type attacks, or God help us, nuclear attacks.
Whey does America choose to act like a spoiled teenager and only learn lessons the hard way?
We must be diligent against our enemies in order to keep our country safe.
We must stop muslim immigration to the United States for the safety of all citizens. Including the American muslim citizens already residing here.
America was founded with Christian values. No where in the Constitution does it force Christianity on the citizens, but the values of the Constitution are based on that religion. Therefore, America IS a country of Christian values, whether you are Christian or not, you are still afforded freedoms based on those values.
Removing these values slowly over the last several decades is the direct link to most of the problems in America today.
Muslim values are the opposite of American values. We cannot change our values to make muslims feel welcomed in this country at the cost of our traditional values any longer.
The truth behind the muslim religion is that the want an entire muslim world, and anyone that refuses to become muslim should be put to death. Murdered, executed, killed, exterminated. This is what muslims believe with their whole heart. Don’t be fooled by “peaceful” muslims. Whether or not they will admit it, they believe that the nonmuslim is evil, and must be put to death. You will not see muslims crying over murdered Christians, Jews, Catholics, Buddhists, etc. While they might not celebrate these deaths, they certainly do not mourn them. Each death of a nonmuslim is a step towards a muslim world. Which is what muslims want, it is what their ultimate goal is.
We must stop our PC politicians from weakening our country by allowing people that despise American values to come to America.
Radical or not, we cannot afford to continue bring people that hate our way of life into this country. If we do not stop this immediately, we will suffer in ways no one has experienced in the previous history of America.
I pray that the big picture is wrong. The big picture shows that America is headed for a huge change to the way of life for the average citizen. Unless we do something NOW, not tomorrow, our great country will collapse. Any politicians that support this PC immigration policy we currently have in effect, are themselves enemies of this country, and will one day be recorded in the history books as part of the reason America fell.
When will common sense prevail? Or is that even possible in these over politically correct times?
The constitution guarantees religious freedom to United States citizens, citizens of other countries are offered not protections or promises under the United States Constitution.
I fear that the only thing that will wake up our country to these truths, is a large scale terror attack on U.S. soil. By large scale, I am talking 9/11 type attacks, or God help us, nuclear attacks.
Whey does America choose to act like a spoiled teenager and only learn lessons the hard way?
We must be diligent against our enemies in order to keep our country safe.
We must stop muslim immigration to the United States for the safety of all citizens. Including the American muslim citizens already residing here.
America was founded with Christian values. No where in the Constitution does it force Christianity on the citizens, but the values of the Constitution are based on that religion. Therefore, America IS a country of Christian values, whether you are Christian or not, you are still afforded freedoms based on those values.
Removing these values slowly over the last several decades is the direct link to most of the problems in America today.
Muslim values are the opposite of American values. We cannot change our values to make muslims feel welcomed in this country at the cost of our traditional values any longer.
The truth behind the muslim religion is that the want an entire muslim world, and anyone that refuses to become muslim should be put to death. Murdered, executed, killed, exterminated. This is what muslims believe with their whole heart. Don’t be fooled by “peaceful” muslims. Whether or not they will admit it, they believe that the nonmuslim is evil, and must be put to death. You will not see muslims crying over murdered Christians, Jews, Catholics, Buddhists, etc. While they might not celebrate these deaths, they certainly do not mourn them. Each death of a nonmuslim is a step towards a muslim world. Which is what muslims want, it is what their ultimate goal is.
We must stop our PC politicians from weakening our country by allowing people that despise American values to come to America.
Radical or not, we cannot afford to continue bring people that hate our way of life into this country. If we do not stop this immediately, we will suffer in ways no one has experienced in the previous history of America.
I pray that the big picture is wrong. The big picture shows that America is headed for a huge change to the way of life for the average citizen. Unless we do something NOW, not tomorrow, our great country will collapse. Any politicians that support this PC immigration policy we currently have in effect, are themselves enemies of this country, and will one day be recorded in the history books as part of the reason America fell.
The idea that the US Constitution provides non-citizen foreigners the same rights and protections as citizens is ludicrous nonsense, it doesn’t. No country is obligated to take in the foreign born and all countries have the right to choose who comes into their borders and who doesn’t. What is so difficult about that for some people to understand such seemingly simple facts? Political correctness has gone way too far. Decisions that have the potential to affect the lives of millions of people need to be based on facts not feelings. Open borders and uncontrolled immigration bring in criminals and terrorists and reintroduce diseases that have been highly reduced or removed from a population, threatening public safety and public health. We should be taking care of our own country and citizens before we worry about foreigners. We need strict control of our borders, ports and airports. We should always know who and what is coming into our country and be selective in terms of who we allow to come in as refugees or immigrants.
Muslims almost never assimilate into the culture of the non-Muslim countries that allow them in. They demand special religious treatments, disrupting how businesses can set policies for their employees and even going so far as to set up Sharia courts in areas where enough of them are concentrated in one place. They refuse to follow the laws or learn the language of their host nations. Some have committed violent crimes and sex crimes, especially against the native citizen women and girls.
The Koran commands Muslims to overthrow non-Muslim governments and implement Sharia law all over the world. According to Islam, infidels must either convert to Islam, pay a jizya tax and live as second-class citizens if not become enslaved, or be killed, and in terms of extermination the first people to go in a population are gays, Christians and Jews. Islam oppresses and subjugates women.
Islam is more than “just a religion”. It is a complete system of life that doesn’t allow for tolerance or peaceful coexistence. Islamic values are the polar opposite of Western values and the two are incompatible.
As far as I am concerned, they never should have been allowed to be here in the first place. They don’t respect our laws or our Judeo-Christian foundation. If they are unwilling to assimilate and fly right they should not come here at all. Best to ban them altogether