VIRTUE SIGNALLING FROM THE RIGHT – Trump’s executive order restricting entry to the US for certain categories of people strikes me as another example – this time from the right – of that most annoying political phenomenon: a symbolic gesture.
No, contrary to all the hysteria it’s is not a “Muslim ban”; vast majority of Muslim countries and Muslim people around the world are not affected, and the entry from targeted countries is temporarily closed to all their residents, including Christians – and any agnostics and atheists that haven’t been executed yet by their governments and/or religious authorities.
On the other hand, the order does very little except proclaim – very loudly – “Hey, we remember our election promises, so get a hold of this while we take time to work out a more permanent solution”. And as such, it seems to be quite popular, which you would not have guessed from the celebrity outcry splashed across your screens:
A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that 57% of Likely U.S. Voters favor a temporary ban on refugees from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen until the federal government approves its ability to screen out potential terrorists form coming here. Thirty-three percent (33%) are opposed, while 10% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)
Similarly, 56% favor a temporary block on visas prohibiting residents of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen from entering the United States until the government approves its ability to screen for likely terrorists. Thirty-two percent (32%) oppose this temporary ban, and 11% are undecided.
Popular, of course, does not equal right or effective.
