The Least of Their Problems

News from my state-of-origin: Missouri governor Jay Nixon (D) has declared he will not block Syrian refugees from entering the state. This inspired the state legislature (WTF) to weep and wail and stampede into the Missouri River like frightened antelope, except they didn’t drown, darn it.

After drying himself off, one legislator penned the following letter calling for a special session to consider what to do about the “potential Islamization of Missouri.” I reproduce it here in full, bad grammar and all:

Governor Nixon seems intent on allowing the relocation of Syrian refugees in Missouri.

I do realize that the refugees we should be scrutinizing most is one who professes the muslim faith. Unless I’m mistaken, a practicing muslim can do whatever is necessary for the “good” of the faith – telling “fibs” is a smallpart of what they might do. And, from what I’ve seen, a practicing muslim comes in all flavors (black, white, brown, yellow – American, African, European, etc. etc.). A “white” lie could allow an individual to pass through the vetting process.

In this instance, we cannot afford to be too careful – especially given the fact that immigration officials report they cannot properly vet the refugees (before or after they’ve entered the country).

If my information is correct, Afghan refugees sent to Pakistani and Iranian refugee camps returned to their homeland when it was safe to do so. I see no reason not to follow that example because once they’re on U.S. soil they’d have no reason to leave. Our preference, as a nation, should be to place the refugees in camps so that they can be properly cared for and returned safely home when the time is right.

Unless appropriate legislative action is taken, Governor Nixon may very well proceed with the acceptance of the refugees. For the safety of Missourians, we can ill-afford to wait. I ask that you begin the process of calling the General Assembly into Special Session in order to tie the Governor’s hands, putting a stop to the potential Islamization of Missouri.

Mike Moon

Yes, he was oblivious enough to sign his name to that monstrosity. Remarkable.

First off, good luck trying to “Islamify” Missouri, terrorists. It’s got more conservative evangelical churches per square foot than New Jersey has traffic cones. But I’d personally rather take in hypothetical terrorists hiding among Syrian refugees than the terrorists already in Missouri’s borders — namely, the Missouri state legislature.

Awhile back, Andrew Cohen wrote (in The Missouri Legislature — Unhinged Again) —

What in the world is happening in Missouri? Don’t state lawmakers there have more important things to do with their time, and more practical causes to advance on behalf of their many constituents, than ginning up one unconstitutional piece of legislation after another? Is the political process in Jefferson City so hijacked by radicals that it cannot help itself?

Local journalist David Hudnall writes,

Despite the most corrupt ethics laws in the nation and a rising tide of tea-party gubment haters in the House and Senate, Missouri has mostly escaped national-laughingstock status.

(Missouri is really good at staying under the radar, possibly because it’s surrounded by Illinois, Iowa and Kansas, which tend to get more attention for various reasons.  Hardly anyone pays attention to Arkansas, either. )

Basically, whatever whackjob teabagger bills have been introduced anywhere in America have their counterparts in Missouri. They’ve tried to make it illegal to enforce federal laws in the state, especially those concerning guns and Obamacare., for example. They attempted a Stand-Your-Ground law on steroids that would have made it permissible to shoot someone for as mild an infraction as sitting in the wrong seats at Busch Stadium. They tried to make it a crime to even propose legislation that would reduce gun ownership.  I wouldn’t put it past them to pass a law arming toddlers before they can go to nursery school.

See also Gloria Shur Bilchik, who provides a medley of recent bills.

Somewhere in heaven, Mark Twain and Harry Truman are weeping.