Immigrants/refuges

 

I have often written when people come out against immigrants/refuges who have suffered greatly in their own country only to be abused when they come into American and not given what international law requires and(or their kids separated and thrown in cages,) that anyone of us could become refugees. 

Now people in Florida are facing exactly that situation -- displacement. 

There only contribution to their own disasters was to move to an area that is known for regular hurricanes and select a place within that danger zone. 

          The view from my parents Florida Room. Is it still there or did the lake swamp it.

My parents, who are no longer with us, loved Florida. I joke that my father's first words after he was born in Nova Scotia were "When are moving to Florida?" Their former home was directly in the path of Ian. I wonder if it survived.

I am relieved that I don't have to go through the almost annual worry wondering will they be okay in a hurricane. Still I have friends in Florida that I worry about.

Many have lost everything. I doubt if any of the people displaced this past week would have the strength to walk to Canada to ask for asylum so they can start over. Or even walk to another state. 

And what if other states once they reached safety refused them help? Jailed them even though they had the right under law to ask for help?

Or if the federal government refused them help, calling them potential criminals or just plain stupid for living in a danger zone? 

After hurricane Sandy, DeSantis did not think government money should be used to help the area. Now he is asking for help for his citizens. He will get it. Those who suffered in the storm should not be punished for DeSantis's earlier heartlessness. It is a time when hypocrisy is needed for the greater good. It is not the time to call it socialism even if it is in the best sense of socialism.

My point is, we all need help at times for things beyond our control. We are all human with the same needs. Compassion is a commodity that is as important as money. 

Maybe we should remember the saying, "There but the grace of God go I."