Refugees, Immigrants, Guns and Politics

A Facebook friend posted a comment this morning that really made me stop and think…

I realized I really would love to have a world where we can provide a safe haven for political refugees. But I’m more afraid of the wolves who will use that as an opportunity to hide amongst the sheep. Because that’s what evil people do.

I would like to see an America that continues to be the land of opportunity for immigrants who want better lives for themselves and their families. But I’m more afraid of the ones who will use open borders to bring in drugs and sell them to our kids. And even more afraid of the ones who will import terror. Because that’s what evil people do.

I support the voice of protesters even if I don’t agree with them. But I’m more afraid of the rioters who seize the opportunity to tag along for the ride in order to deliberately destroy property and do bodily harm to law enforcement and private citizens. Because that’s what evil people do.

I would like to live in a world where most of the guns are in the hands of the military, law enforcement or sportsmen. But I’m more afraid of the predators who neither care about nor abide by laws and will always take advantage of law abiding citizens who no longer have the ability to defend themselves and their families. Because that’s what evil people do.

Up until 3 or 4 years ago, I used to fork over some cash to the homeless person walking down the street or standing at a stop light. Then a guy approached me in the train station asking for cash so he could buy a train ticket to New Hampshire. I was down to my last $20, so I politely declined and almost felt guilty enough to give that up. I saw the same guy every day telling the same story at the same time for two weeks. I had a one hour delay one day and watched him collect at least 3 to 4 times the cost of his train ticket. About two-three months later, he was at it again. Because that’s what evil people do.

I would give someone in need the shirt off my back, but it pisses me off when I’m cheated or threatened. It pisses me off that I’ve become cynical. It pisses me off that evil people have that kind of power over every aspect of my life. It pisses me off that evil has bred in me an inability to trust strangers. It pisses me off that evil has shaped my opinions of the world and my politics. And it pisses me off that while the rest of us waste time and energy arguing with each other, evil is allowed to run rampant.

Call me a wimp, spineless, gutless, fearful, cynical or a whole host of other things. You can question my judgement. I am more than willing to own those flaws.

But do not call me a hater, a bigot, biased or stupid just because I don’t see the world and her problems through your eyes. You can refuse to accept any of this or you can refuse to accept the fact that there are millions more who could repost this and mean every word. But that denial would be a pretty good indication that you have some issues of your own — not the same as mine, but no less negative, biased or cynical. And if you deny that as well, then you are also blind.

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