What is left of a country that forfeits its integrity?

On March 10 over 130 members of America’s foreign policy establishment sent a letter to President Trump which challenges the rationale behind banning travelers and refugees from six targeted countries. The first four paragraphs of the letter describe associated security concerns, and the majority of the letter further outlines the damage and potential harm to the United States, which would be caused by the travel ban.

These experts had all undersigned to a significant assertion. They all believe that the proposed travel ban had actually presented more danger to the safety and vital interests of the United States than it would ever allay. There are brief mentions of American ideals, dignity, moral obligations, and the like, but the bulk of the letter concentrates on carefully highlighting a strategic mistake in the same pragmatic way that U.S. foreign policy experts are accustomed to assess the flaws of any foreign policy endeavor. No stories of dying children here, no descriptions of crying mothers, or blasted cities. This letter is a warning as much as a moral admonition.

Before this letter another letter denouncing the travel ban had also surfaced, this time with the signatures of over 1,000 state department officials. What the signers of both of these letters understand is that maintaining a democracy in this very dangerous world is not so much like managing a country club in Palm Beach. In America egalitarianism works out to be a pragmatic engine, and not merely an idealistic standard. Our greatest results are the product of a diverse people.

The hardest hit among the refugees are fleeing ruthless murder, torture, and abject suffering. They have suffered at the hands of the same enemies that Americans also oppose. Seeing these families summarily and coldly cast aside makes many of us fear for the safety and future of our own country. What is left of a country that forfeits its integrity? It is reminiscent of the mysterious phrase from the Bible: “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it…”

Greg Gailen
Grand Marais