# Syrian Refugees in Western Europe= "Fifth Column"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 10, 2016, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690 "2016-01-10T15:52:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![T.M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ad7895/32.png) [@T.M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T.M)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690/41 "2016-01-14T13:45:03Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Yes, we’re aware Europe exists. And you don’t seem to understand the question I’m asking you. > > I’m not asking you if people are saying that terrorists are hiding among the refugees. I’m asking if anyone has found a terrorist hiding among the refugees. > > Don’t confuse rumors with facts. There is no confusion we are under attack from terrorism, arrests and successful court cases are the fantastic proof that our security services are doing a great job preventing death and destruction. I personally cannot give you the absolute proof you are looking for, with the mass migration of immigrants on such a scale it would be very wrong to assume that terrorists are not among them. ---
**Author:** ![T.M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ad7895/32.png) [@T.M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T.M)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690/42 "2016-01-14T13:58:37Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Because > a) targeting large groups of people for enhanced scrutiny by law enforcement based solely on their religious affiliation is inherently against the values of our country (USA). > > b) Republicans seem to scream “tolerance” when it comes to their “right” to be intolerant of other people. Some times the security of the majority needs to take priority, if there is a group containing terrorists the whole of that group must come under enhanced security, it must not be forgotten that the group also needs protection from the terrorists within. As for politicians screaming rubbish at each other what else do you expect they are only interested in playing to the gallery to ensure their votes at the next election ---
**Author:** ![Jayhawker\_Soule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/57b2e6/32.png) [@Jayhawker\_Soule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayhawker_Soule)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690/43 "2016-01-14T14:13:59Z")
> [@botsgotme](#): > > I have two questions: > -if this is true, should the West halt all resettlement? > -should the refugees announce their intention not to assimilate, should they be repatriated? No. No. ---
**Author:** ![Jayhawker\_Soule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/57b2e6/32.png) [@Jayhawker\_Soule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayhawker_Soule)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690/44 "2016-01-14T14:22:58Z")
> [@T.M](#): > > Some times the security of the majority needs to take priority, … And the majority are the millions of Syrian refugees who too many are willing to dismiss. Ironically, the dismissal and demonization of these Muslims serves only to validate ISIS propaganda while putting at risk the most important ally we could have in the ward against terrorism. This “I really feel for them but let them languish and die” blather is disgusting at best. ---
**Author:** ![T.M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ad7895/32.png) [@T.M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T.M)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690/45 "2016-01-14T17:17:35Z")
> [@Jayhawker\_Soule](#): > > And the majority are the millions of Syrian refugees who too many are willing to dismiss. Ironically, the dismissal and demonization of these Muslims serves only to validate ISIS propaganda while putting at risk the most important ally we could have in the ward against terrorism. > > This “I really feel for them but let them languish and die” blather is disgusting at best. I have every sympathy for the Syrian refugee’s and I have always thought that the best solution is to build a place of safety near to their border partly financed by the EU. But sympathy does not solve the problem of a cancer within Islam. If a family (a religion is a extended family) has a contagious disease then that family has to be isolated to stop the spread of that disease ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690/46 "2016-01-14T17:19:26Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > If intolerance of an incompatible ideology is bigoted why do the Dems constantly rant incoherently about Republicans on this board? Seems intellectually dishonest to preach acceptance and tolerance to a dangerous ideology while working feverishly to demonize a political competitor. Which is the main clue. The left feels they can exploit the situation for political purposes and is willing to turn a blind eye. > > People in the so-called progressive left are going to be sad when the strength of political Islam grows in the west. No one is calling to deport all Republicans. You said it yourself, Republicans are intolerant bigots, and yet we still have a country full of them. Why should we treat Muslims differently? ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690/47 "2016-01-14T17:22:56Z")
> [@T.M](#): > > I have every sympathy for the Syrian refugee’s and I have always thought that the best solution is to build a place of safety near to their border partly financed by the EU. But sympathy does not solve the problem of a cancer within Islam. If a family (a religion is a extended family) has a contagious disease then that family has to be isolated to stop the spread of that disease Ideas are not a disease, even bad ones. The solution to bad ideas is good ideas. Not killing or letting millions of homeless persecuted people who _might_ have bad ideas starve. ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690/48 "2016-01-14T17:28:22Z")
> [@botsgotme](#): > > While I have some sympathy for the Syrians escaping their civil war, i am also disturbed by reports of jihadist killers coming in to Western countries. these people have the capability to wreak havoc, via suicide bombings and mass killings. There seems to be reports of intentional injection of terrorists into Europe, under the guise of “refugees”. I have two questions: > -if this is true, should the West halt all resettlement? > -should the refugees announce their intention not to assimilate, should they be repatriated? There are also reports that Syrians are escaping because they want to live a peaceful life away from war, so they can raise their children. They also have the capability to become doctors and teachers. ---
**Author:** ![Jayhawker\_Soule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/57b2e6/32.png) [@Jayhawker\_Soule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayhawker_Soule)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690/49 "2016-01-14T20:07:30Z")
> [@T.M](#): > > But sympathy does not solve the problem of a cancer within Islam. If a family (a religion is a extended family) has a contagious disease then that family has to be isolated to stop the spread of that disease Did you truly categorized a religion of 1.6 billion people as diseased and warranting quarantine? Shall we start building the ghettos and the camps now or wait until after the US presidential election? ---
**Author:** ![T.M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ad7895/32.png) [@T.M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T.M)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690/50 "2016-01-14T20:24:50Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > Ideas are not a disease, even bad ones. The solution to bad ideas is good ideas. Not killing or letting millions of homeless persecuted people who _might_ have bad ideas starve. By building a place of safety people will be sheltered, fed, medical treatment and education. I am not talking of shanti towns, among the refugee’s their will be many skilled people, their talents could be use, work not only gives people a value and creates self worth Ideas can be a symptom, it is the violence caused by the ideas that is the disease ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690/51 "2016-01-14T20:28:59Z")
Other than a shanty town, how exactly do you propose housing three-plus million people overnight? ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690/52 "2016-01-14T21:49:36Z")
> [@T.M](#): > > By building a place of safety people will be sheltered, fed, medical treatment and education. I am not talking of shanti towns, among the refugee’s their will be many skilled people, their talents could be use, work not only gives people a value and creates self worth > Ideas can be a symptom, it is the violence caused by the ideas that is the disease We have lots of places of safety in this country that we don’t have to spend any extra money on. They’re called “houses”. And we don’t have to pay to secure a war zone to use them. Why can’t Syrian refugees live there? And after all these mass shootings, do you really believe Americans are not dangerous? There are dangerous people in all walks of life. That’s what we have police and prisons for. We don’t go locking people up because they _might_ become violent. ---
**Author:** ![T.M](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ad7895/32.png) [@T.M](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/T.M)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690/53 "2016-01-14T22:24:46Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > We have lots of places of safety in this country that we don’t have to spend any extra money on. They’re called “houses”. And we don’t have to pay to secure a war zone to use them. Why can’t Syrian refugees live there? > > And after all these mass shootings, do you really believe Americans are not dangerous? There are dangerous people in all walks of life. That’s what we have police and prisons for. We don’t go locking people up because they _might_ become violent. If you watch the news in the U.K. you will know that we have a housing shortage and many families are living in one room and having to share a bathroom with other families the only way we can take more genuine refugee’s is to greatly reduce economic immigrants ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2016, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690/54 "2016-01-15T16:05:28Z")
> [@T.M](#): > > If you watch the news in the U.K. you will know that we have a housing shortage and many families are living in one room and having to share a bathroom with other families the only way we can take more genuine refugee’s is to greatly reduce economic immigrants Why don’t you build more houses? Seems like it’d be a cheaper investment than a concentration camp in a war zone. Also, private contractors will probably foot the bill. Builders like housing shortages because it means houses are in demand and they make more money. If British builders aren’t building houses for some reason, it seems like maybe Syrian builders could. The US, in contrast, has three times more empty houses than we have homeless people. Seems like just the situation enterprising Syrians could make the best out of. ---
**Author:** ![Hank\_Beecher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hank_beecher/32/7275_2.png) [@Hank\_Beecher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hank_Beecher)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2016, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690/55 "2016-01-15T18:12:51Z")
> [@DrCube](#): > > We have lots of places of safety in this country that we don’t have to spend any extra money on. They’re called “houses”. And we don’t have to pay to secure a war zone to use them. Why can’t Syrian refugees live there? > > And after all these mass shootings, do you really believe Americans are not dangerous? Do you realize that, according to the traditional definition, the majority of the victims of mass shootings in 2015 were killed by Muslims? > **[How Many Mass Shootings This Year? There's No Consensus](https://www.npr.org/2015/12/05/458492474/how-many-mass-shootings-this-year-theres-no-consensus)** > > Private groups keeping tabs have wildly different numbers, ranging from 353 to four. There's no consensus on a definition, and advocates point to the data that supports their arguments. > [@](#): > > The low-end number, which comes from Mother Jones magazine, is based on a traditional FBI definition, dating back decades, which describes a mass shooting as a case where four or more people are killed in an indiscriminate attack in a public place. > > The magazine has long followed this subject, maintaining a detailed database that goes back to the early 1980s. It lists the four mass shootings this year as the San Bernardino killings, the October community college shooting in Oregon (nine dead), the July attack on a military recruiting center in Tennessee (five dead) and the June church shooting in South Carolina (nine dead). ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2016, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690/56 "2016-01-15T18:33:30Z")
_A_ traditional definition. Leaving that aside, it’s nice of you to muddy the waters by conflating Muslims generally - even American-born ones - with Syrians. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2016, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690/57 "2016-01-15T18:39:07Z")
> [@Hank\_Beecher](#): > > Do you realize that, according to the traditional definition, the majority of the victims of mass shootings in 2015 were killed by Muslims? So? Do you realize that the majority of people in prison for violent crime are black? Does that mean we should deport black people? No, you put people in prison _after_ they commit a crime, you don’t punish them preemptively because someone who shares a superficial characteristic or two with them committed a crime. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2016, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690/58 "2016-01-15T19:05:09Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > Per capita, American Muslims kill ten times more people in acts of terrorism than Right-wingers or anyone else. They _are_ uniquely a problem, no matter how hard people may try to pretend otherwise. Yes, and men per capita kill murder 10 times as many people as women. Which is why I recommend we quit allowing men of all nationalities into this country until we can guarantee that each and every one will never commit a crime. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/syrian-refugees-in-western-europe-fifth-column/742690.md?page=2)