tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post8020939808926884119..comments2024-03-29T06:37:18.029-04:00Comments on Not Running a Hospital: Why, Governor Baker?Paul Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065446378970179507noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-44387449665457973892015-11-18T04:33:54.461-05:002015-11-18T04:33:54.461-05:00I really don't know why everyone is afraid of ...I really don't know why everyone is afraid of the terrorist flavor of the month. This month it is Syrians, next month Egyptians, etc; depending on the latest news.<br /><br />Have we forgotten that our very own terrorist Timothy McVeigh killed more people single-handed than the Paris attackers? And he was one of our very own. Maybe crazy Americans should be a flavor of the month too; can we keep them out?beverlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13640602293864876951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-15176743642564525502015-11-17T18:31:55.084-05:002015-11-17T18:31:55.084-05:00I too, am a long-time admirer of Governor Baker, f...I too, am a long-time admirer of Governor Baker, from back in his A&F days when I worked at the Group Insurance Commission, to his tenure at HPHC and beyond. I was appalled and saddened that this worldview would be propagated by someone as smart as Governor Baker. A sad day, a disturbing statement, and hopefully something that he will rethink. Hundreds of thousands of people fleeing for their lives from unspeakable violence... Americans are better than this. Garen Corbetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15434739033339644742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-59391022601256049672015-11-17T17:44:22.082-05:002015-11-17T17:44:22.082-05:00Like so many of your other commenters, I am sadden...Like so many of your other commenters, I am saddened and angered by the irrational fear coming from so many politicians. The fear is in some ways understandable--as the Paris terrorist attack stands as sudden, unexpected and not under an individual's control. This kind of fear, akin to fear of a lightening strike while tolerating the danger of a car crash, has been well studied. One would hope, however, that leaders would take a more balanced view and not succumb to such fear. Thankfully, our president is one such leader. <br />Your comments are welcome and thoughtful--they contribute to what I hope will be a calming effect in the long run.Keith Martonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07468642953543173687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-54115784094617217822015-11-17T15:11:47.633-05:002015-11-17T15:11:47.633-05:00I was not surprised about some of the governors, b...I was not surprised about some of the governors, but I didn't expect it here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-48735130319479317542015-11-17T13:17:35.291-05:002015-11-17T13:17:35.291-05:00FYI: Ali Asani is Professor of Indo-Muslim and Is...FYI: Ali Asani is Professor of Indo-Muslim and Islamic<br />Religion and Cultures at Harvard University. You can read a summary expanding on these thoughts from one of his seminars here: http://runningahospital.blogspot.com/2014/10/asani-offers-thoughts-on-religious.htmlPaul Levyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17065446378970179507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-67794177902354122372015-11-17T13:14:29.167-05:002015-11-17T13:14:29.167-05:00I too am dismayed but not shocked by the Governor’...I too am dismayed but not shocked by the Governor’s comments. They are based on fear of the perceived other (a fear that has come to the surface due to the security situation). From my perspective such comments are one of the manifestations of illiteracy about religion and culture. People can be highly educated and accomplished in certain fields but still be illiterate, because their education failed to provide them the critical skills to engage with and understand difference. Such literacy needs to be an important goal of education at all levels.Ali Asaninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-27191032700566203952015-11-17T12:36:36.858-05:002015-11-17T12:36:36.858-05:00It is amazing that being educated in some of best ...It is amazing that being educated in some of best schools in this country does not cure you from irrationality and paranoia. The events in Paris tragic as they are still necessitates cooler and rational heads to analyze and understand the root cause versus a knee-jerk reaction as exhibited by these dozen or so governors. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-90748549355251368752015-11-17T12:36:06.179-05:002015-11-17T12:36:06.179-05:00Like Barbara said what is this world coming to? Th...<br />Like Barbara said what is this world coming to? The sadness just deepens, as the evil spreads.<br />Just remember everything that's happening is meant to weaken and decide us...........................<br />I believe all the governors were told to say what they said, because those who do the thinking for<br />them assume that's what we people want to hear. Plain and simple, nothing more nothing less!!! Carolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02916598876575236275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-56974427107301654542015-11-17T12:27:02.353-05:002015-11-17T12:27:02.353-05:00Well said...these governors are poorly informed, p...Well said...these governors are poorly informed, poor students of history, and grandstanding Jeffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-62190036714106085822015-11-17T12:26:23.824-05:002015-11-17T12:26:23.824-05:00An understandable observation, thanks. I don'...An understandable observation, thanks. I don't know what and where the news is showing a preponderance of young males. There are millions of refugees of all ages and both genders. The US news didn't show much of that until this last year, although the problems has existed for a long time.<br /><br />As to why some choose to leave rather than fight, I'd imagine there are lots of reasons. Others have chosen to stay. Indeed, thousands fought in opposing the government there, well before ISIS showed up. Others who were neutral in the government-rebel fight then found themselves to be the target of ISIS. It is a very complicated situation.<br /><br />But to say those that left have handed the mantle to us is not the case. They've made personal decisions, not geo-political strategy decisions. It is our decision whether to engage militarily in the situation.Paul Levyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17065446378970179507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-10821399938173994072015-11-17T12:07:47.942-05:002015-11-17T12:07:47.942-05:00I might be bombarded with this observation, but th...I might be bombarded with this observation, but the news showed a preponderance of young men in the Syrian exodus. So now the west (America) sends in our young men to fill the void and fight ISIS. One can ask why those fleeing Syrian men don't consider it important to stay back and help defend their own country instead of handing this dangerous mantle to us.<br /><br />~~~Concerned mother of a soldier~~~Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-45452863324879533042015-11-17T10:25:36.393-05:002015-11-17T10:25:36.393-05:00Next part:
James Stergios" See the State Hou...Next part:<br /><br />James Stergios" See the State House News clip on this, where the Senate President is backing Baker's approach. Several parts of the story:<br />Senate President Stanley Rosenberg backed Gov. Charlie Baker on Tuesday morning, saying that he supports the governor's cautious approach to accepting Syrian refugees and that the media ran with the wrong part of Baker's comments on the matter.<br /><br />"I think that the governor's principle message was actually not about whether we should hit pause or not, I think his principle message was, 'we need to make sure that we're doing everything here in Massachusetts to make sure that our people feel safe and that we're doing everything to keep them safe,'" Rosenberg, an Amherst Democrat, said on Boston Herald Radio. "It was the exuberance of certain individuals to highlight the, sort of, the footnote and turn it into the main story."<br /><br />... Rosenberg said Monday's leadership meeting with himself, Baker and Speaker Robert DeLeo began and ended on the topic of Syrian refugees. He said he has no doubt whatsoever that Baker is doing everything he can to keep Massachusetts safe, and is comfortable with Baker's approach.<br /><br />"He said we got to make sure that if the federal government is going to place people in Massachusetts and allow them to come to Massachusetts they are thoroughly vetted," the Senate president said. "I don't think there is anyone who disagrees with that. ... I'm all over that, I'm totally in favor of making sure that happens."<br /><br />James Stergios: Also, Paul, I am not saying what Baker's position is. I am saying -- if he is calling for a deliberate slowdown to ensure that the feds have a plan and are vetting the refugees thoroughly, then I am all for it. If he is placing a marker down that calls for a permanent no, then I am not at all with him. These folks need help, and we need to help them.<br /><br />Paul Levy" Sorry, "keep Massachusetts safe" is just part of the coded wording. And "the media ran with the wrong part of Baker's comments"? Come on. They were the same kind of comments used by his (mainly Republican) counterparts in other states. Do you think they were not coordinated among those people? This is not an accidental set of remarks by the Governor. They were meant to get the media's attention.A Facebook dialogue, part 2noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-51984209278379804942015-11-17T10:24:56.950-05:002015-11-17T10:24:56.950-05:00Dialogue from Facebook:
James Stergios: Agree on ...Dialogue from Facebook:<br /><br />James Stergios: Agree on the big picture, Paul, but there are lots of details that would keep me from making such a broad statement. First, notwithstanding a single statement from Federica Mogherini, we don't know a lot about the refugee passport found near the body of one of the attackers. We need to know more about that plot, as Daesh has been clear in noting it will use the refugee crisis to plant its fighters. I take them at their word. This is not a refugee crisis like many others. There are risks and we owe it to our fellow citizens not to let emotion overtake a responsible approach to security and to our values. If Baker is saying carte blanche no, then, yes, that's a really sad place to be. I understood him to be saying no until we have a plan. Governors have a lot of say in this question, on logistics, support and security. The feds can drive the conversation but there are lots of ways in which governors can make this work or slow the feds down. My understanding is that the feds have physical control of the refugees and therefore have them out of harm's way. Now the discussion is how to care short-term and longer term how to integrate the refugees. I would note a certain discomfort with some commenters' high-falutin bromides for two reasons. First, real life is in the blocking and tackling of important details rather than a lofty world of innocent intention. By all means, Baker needs to be on the right side of this debate but he and the feds need to get it right. So let's see what the next few days bring before the swords come out. Second, my experience reaching out to elected representatives regarding a family member in Syria suggest to me that they are full of hot air. No help whatsoever because of course he is a young Arab male. But they do talk a wonderful game in public. I'll take the detailed approach rather than the hot air. Again, if this is a permanent no from Baker, I'm completely with you.<br /><br />Paul Levy: I respectfully disagree, Jim. His remarks, straight out, reinforced stereotypes. They encouraged xenophobia. "“No, I’m not interested in accepting refugees from Syria.” He knew exactly what he was saying and why he was saying it. There are other ways to say what he was saying, if it is indeed what you suggest it was--a careful consideration of security interests. Instead, he chose to engage in an ugly portrayal of the issue. There was not a whit of compassion or caring. Permanent view or not, he did damage. If you listen to the news clips, even his tone of voice reinforced the negative message.A Facebook Dialogue, part 1noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-76299791950183973052015-11-17T10:13:53.138-05:002015-11-17T10:13:53.138-05:00Lots of comments over at Facebook. I'll gradu...Lots of comments over at Facebook. I'll gradually re-post them here.<br /><br />Beverly Heywood Rogers: Exactly what ISIS wants us to do - exclude more Muslims so they become more radicalized and join them instead.<br /><br />Mark B Golden: Paul, the answer is very simple. The Governor just remembered he is a republican and therefore bound by secret oath to go against everything humane and everything the President is in favor of. He forgot we are a nation of refugees and forgot that we believe people to be innocent unless proven guilty. If someone wants to do us harm, they will get in.<br /><br />Jack Corrigan: Important post, Paul. Thank you.<br /><br />Karen Potischman Wise: Luckily this is s federal issue, so Baker has no say about who crosses state borders into Massachusetts. But it is indeed disappointing to hear him chime in with his Republican cronies on this point.<br /><br />Catherine Farrell: I agree. The Governor's position will not help us move forward.<br />From Facebooknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-11211046098769290362015-11-17T10:05:36.040-05:002015-11-17T10:05:36.040-05:00Well said Paul! As an immigrant, I am reminded o...Well said Paul! As an immigrant, I am reminded of the poem of the Statue of Liberty:<br /><br />"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she<br />With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,<br />Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,<br />The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.<br />Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,<br />I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"<br /><br />Americans have been very generous defending freedom and democracy throughout 20th and 21st century and the poem best represents America's values and beliefs. Many seem to have forgotten their own roots and how their ancestors were welcomed into this country.<br /><br />Very sad indeed.<br /><br />PaulAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13615324711638082890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-7475325575533637852015-11-17T09:58:56.681-05:002015-11-17T09:58:56.681-05:00Words can't express how grateful I am for your...Words can't express how grateful I am for your piece! I was so disturbed by Governor Baker's take on the issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-35071099533475020182015-11-17T09:58:03.752-05:002015-11-17T09:58:03.752-05:00Thank you so much for writing this blog. It'...Thank you so much for writing this blog. It's very sad that the governor feels this way. Unfortunately the refugees are and will be affected. Sallynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-73627666913246379952015-11-17T09:57:01.437-05:002015-11-17T09:57:01.437-05:00Paul – nicely written. It is amazing how even in M...Paul – nicely written. It is amazing how even in Massachusetts with some of the best learning institutions in the world we have this type of thinking. Zekenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-58850411293965363902015-11-17T09:55:56.801-05:002015-11-17T09:55:56.801-05:00I don't know the percentages, but I'm not ...I don't know the percentages, but I'm not sure why that's that relevant.<br /><br />In previous patterns of immigration, it was often the young men who came first: Irish, Jews, Italians, Asians. Some single, some married. But they had the ability to be more mobile and take the risk of passage, get settled, and then create families or bring in their relatives.<br /><br />"Not right at the moment" means that people in need are left in limbo. The phrase reflects a lack of compassion for the physical and emotional danger in which people find themselves, every day. Paul Levyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17065446378970179507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-85655213252929437532015-11-17T09:50:17.190-05:002015-11-17T09:50:17.190-05:00All our governor said is no right at the moment. H...All our governor said is no right at the moment. He certainly left the door open. I am sure as you say there are Syrians that need our help, but is anyone out there troubled by the preponderance of coverage which show, not families, not children, but single young men. I would like to know the percentage that is, in fact families.Tom DeSimonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13790656701165753255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-10219313342125710462015-11-17T09:45:36.887-05:002015-11-17T09:45:36.887-05:00Thanks, Paul, for making such a clear, compassiona...Thanks, Paul, for making such a clear, compassionate, and compelling statement. I’m not sure about who should be credited with the statement about xenophobia, but Richard Hofstadter’s classic “The Paranoid Style of American Politics” shows how deeply it runs in our collective bloodstream. Mikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-84431330183309791132015-11-17T09:42:51.592-05:002015-11-17T09:42:51.592-05:00Its shameful how many if the governors in this cou...Its shameful how many if the governors in this country have stated the same position.<br /><br />I’m not sure what the world is coming too- very depressingBarbaranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-15244662143878935492015-11-17T07:52:47.939-05:002015-11-17T07:52:47.939-05:00I have been a longtime admirer of Charlie Baker an...I have been a longtime admirer of Charlie Baker and so I join you in being aghast and disappointed over these comments. I sincerely hope he rethinks this and makes a follow-on statement that course corrects.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04601782822996620271noreply@blogger.com