I've been gobsmacked by all the right-wing hate for refugee children. It's just ugly racism, pure and simple, and it flies in the face of the right's pro-life ideology. (Uh, every child's life is precious, unless they're non-white and born in the wrong country?) I understand that pro-life protesters are hypocritical on many levels—death penalty, anyone?—but to make a sign about how certain children aren't your problem, and to wave that sign in the faces of the children? That's just totally fucking low.
So I was relieved to see these poll results in Politico this morning:
According to a poll released Tuesday by the Public Religion Research Institute, 69 percent of those surveyed believe U.S. authorities should treat the children as refugees and allow them to stay in the country if it is determined it is not safe for them to return to their home country. Twenty-seven percent of Americans say the children should be treated as illegal immigrants and should be deported.
I know polls are biased and do not necessarily reflect the wishes of the American people, but nearly 70 percent is a convincing number. I want to believe that most Americans are disgusted with the hatred pouring out of these old white people who have nothing better to do with their time than terrify children by the busload, and that this racist Republican loathing for the refugee kids isn't indicative of the majority opinion.