‘Threat of terrorism’ to U.S. is misplaced

In the past 15 years, we American citizens, though gloriously diverse but of a primarily white and predominantly Judeo-Christian background, have slaughtered about 200,000 of ourselves, about 14,000 murders a year give or take. Of those 14,000 annual murders, 29 are attributed to “terrorism.”

So what do the following six Muslim-majority countries — Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen — have in common with the following six Christian-majority countries — England, France, Germany, Australia, Costa Rica and Italy? Refugees from both groups have contributed zero (0) acts of terrorism in the US.

Sen. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., proclaims, “the order advances our shared goal of protecting the homeland,” and Sen. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., feels the ban allows the “Department of Homeland Security time to conduct a proper threat assessment” to “uphold our nation’s integrity while keeping our nation secure.” Trump proclaimed while campaigning that especially Syrian refugees posed a serious security threat, but now Syrian nationals are no longer subject to an indefinite ban. Were I a generation older, I’d invoke their term: Poppycock.

The “threat of terrorism,” not unlike the “threat of Communism” 60 years ago, is fear-mongering at its best, and despicable anti-Muslim “themming” or racist scapegoating at its worst. I agree with Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., that instead of making us safer “the order only fuels terrorist propaganda about the United States and the West.

Better vetting needed? Likely. Extreme vetting? How about simply thorough vetting? And not one based upon the religious majority of any given country. Evildoers can come from anywhere and from any religious background. Even the FDA will give (fast food restaurants) a pass if “only” (so much rodent hair) is found amidst 10 million (items), so don’t expect perfection.

Want to address the killing fields of 200,000 in the “homeland” over the past 15 years? Then devote the resources toward that, and not the 29 annual terrorist deaths, where even those are perpetrated primarily by Judeo-Christian American citizens. MICHAEL BARON Corrales