As the U.S. House voted to tighten restrictions on the resettlement of Syrian refugees, former Marine and award-winning author Phil Klay took to Twitter to express his disappointment. Klay reminded Americans that “it's only during frightening times when you get to find out if your country really deserves to call itself the ‘home of the brave.’”
Klay is veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and author of “Redeployment,” winner of the 2014 National Book Award for Fiction.
The House, including 47 democrats, voted overwhelmingly to enforce even more stringent requirements to an already lengthy refugee screening process. According to Bloomberg, Republicans are currently preparing other, even more drastic bills aimed at closing off American borders to refugees from Syria and Iraq -- the majority of whom are women and children.
Klay wrote:
1. Tremendously upset by attempt to effectively close our borders to Syrian refugees by imposing impossible-to-implement screening standards
— Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) November 19, 2015
2. When I swore my oath of office as a Marine officer, I swore to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
— Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) November 19, 2015
3. The Marine hymn claims that Marines are the “first to fight for right and freedom and to keep our honor clean.”
— Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) November 19, 2015
4. You’re not supposed to risk your life just for the physical safety of American citizens
— Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) November 19, 2015
5. You’re supposed to risk your life for American ideals as well.
— Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) November 19, 2015
6. This shouldn't be a left-right issue. Ronald Reagan, who believed that America was the exceptional nation,
— Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) November 19, 2015
7. the “Shining City on a Hill,” asked himself during his farewell address from the Oval Office how that Shining City fared, answering:
— Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) November 19, 2015
8. "After 200 years, two centuries, she still stands strong and true on the granite ridge, and her glow has held steady no matter what storm
— Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) November 19, 2015
9. “And she's still a beacon; still a magnet for all who must have freedom,
— Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) November 19, 2015
10. “for all the pilgrims from all the lost places who are hurtling through the darkness toward home."
— Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) November 19, 2015
11. Millions of pilgrims are hurtling through the darkness, but it’s Germany that has recently been the beacon standing strong and true,
— Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) November 19, 2015
12. welcoming them home, not America.
— Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) November 19, 2015
13. If we want to be the kind of nation that others will follow,
— Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) November 19, 2015
14. the kind of nation capable of forging strong links in the Muslim world against extremism,
— Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) November 19, 2015
15. then we have to behave like that kind of nation. I get that people are scared.
— Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) November 19, 2015
16. But it's only during frightening times when you get to find out if your country really deserves to call itself the 'home of the brave.'
— Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) November 19, 2015
17. Worth noting that @theIRC does excellent work for refugees, and always appreciates donations. https://t.co/APsnTDe5s7
— Phil Klay (@PhilKlay) November 19, 2015
Klay joined the Marine Corps in 2003. He served in Iraq from January 2007 to February 2008.
Also on HuffPost:
These Are The Terrifying Syrian Refugees Coming To The U.S.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.