LETTERS: Troops in Syria a better way to address refugee crisis

Engaging with Syria

How is it OK to spend billions of dollars on taking in refugees, yet wrong to send troops into those nations in an attempt to prevent those same refugees from having to leave in the first place? Wouldn't it be wiser to send troops to these nations and remove the evil dictators before they terrorize their citizens to the point of having to leave?

Polls inform us that Americans do not want to spend the money, or risk American lives overseas, in matters that do not affect us. The one factor Americans were not told is what it could cost us in money and lives not to send in the troops. These refugees are going to cost a bundle, and if a terrorist comes in with them, how many innocent American lives will that cost us?

We live in a world where we no longer can ask the question, "Why should we fight in a war that does not affect us?" There exists no place that a war or evil dictator does not have the potential to affect us. The dictator in Syria murdering and torturing millions is the perfect illustration. No way he could affect America, right? Obviously wrong. And no matter the reason we went into Iraq, we did remove an evil dictator and possibly stopped another refugee crisis.

In the insulting game of political correctness, Republicans are being called heartless if we do not let these refugees come to America. President Barack Obama proclaimed, "Apparently, they are scared of widows and orphans coming into the United States of America." Like any good magician, he takes the focus off the real problem of terrorists possibly emerging with those widows and orphans, as well as the possibility that the crisis could have been averted had he tackled Syria initially.

I was truly offended at Mr. Obama's proclamation, arguably the most hateful one made by any active president toward any segment of the population. He actually appears to have more disdain for conservative Americans than for radical Islamists.

Americans must realize that being the most powerful nation in the world comes with responsibilities. I keep hearing we are not the world's police. If not us, then who? If any nation has the ability to protect citizens of a corrupt nation and does not utilize that ability, that nation, because of its neglect, is just as culpable as the evildoers.

Jim Blockey

Las Vegas

Reid on NRA, GOP

Why Sen. Harry Reid insists on going on the record sometimes is way beyond belief. In his latest statement, he equates mass shootings and the ease of purchasing weapons with the National Rifle Association and therefore Republicans.

Using the transitive property, two objects equal to a third object are equal to each other. So Sen. Reid has just stated that mass shootings are the fault of Republicans. Really? Bad form. Is his term up soon? Evidently, not soon enough.

Lou Young

North Las Vegas

Syrian refugees

Why aren't the Syrian refugees going to Mexico? Why isn't Mexico welcoming them with open arms (and open borders)? After all, in a short time, Mexico will be cleared out. The refugees can have the whole place to themselves.

Edward Markhouse

Las Vegas

Return 'Human Matters'

I am voicing support for bringing back Steve Kalas' "Human Matters" column. While I didn't always agree with him, Mr. Kalas promotes some very healthy family values and life advice. I miss his column and hope you will bring it back.

With all the depressing news around us, it was nice to feel like there was a voice to promote peace in families. Who couldn't use that?

Jessie Sams

Las Vegas