OPINION: Help 50K Homeless Veterans Before Helping Syrian Refugees

Editor’s note: The views represented here do not necessarily represent the views of Patch or its editors. If you’d like to send a letter to the editor please email wendy.mitchell@patch.com.

A Bethel resident responded to a recent article about the Syrian refugee crisis that quoted Wendy Cahill, owner of Molten Java, as saying:

“Welcoming Syrian families into our state is one very real and positive way that we can fight Islamic fundamentalism. Some fear may be justified but we can’t let it override the fact that there could be 1,600 More Syrians fighting fundamentalists in the West. We need to take that chance and show our humanity. ”

Click here to read the article and the rest of Wendy’ Cahill’s quote.

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To the editor,

“After helping at the local food bank, we need to set priorities after taking care of our own needy.

There are over 50,000 homeless veterans and our shelters are already overcrowded. We already know that we are safe with our veterans and probably the homeless. I understand there is a need for the refugees, but we need to help ourselves before we come to help others. Where are the priorities?”

Dennis Catalano, Bethel

Related:

OPINION: Syrians Seeking Asylum Could Be ‘Potential Terrorists’

CT Group’s Steps to Take in Syrian Refugees Scrutinized After Paris Attacks

Gov. Malloy Issues Connecticut’s Position on Syrian Refugees