Open letter to: Rep. Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House
November 18, 2015
Dear Speaker Ryan,
On the floor of the House today, you insisted Syrian refugees be subjected to a security test, but not a religious test. But every honest American understands that the religious test is the security test. I offer the Prager test to support what I assume will be characterized as a radical notion.
Imagine you are walking down a poorly lit street in a strange town. As you walk past a building, a group of young men speaking Farsi, engaged in animated discussion spill out onto the sidewalk and fall in behind you. Their discussion is somewhat loud. As their steps grow closer, do you feel fear or apprehension? Do you consider quickly crossing the street? Would you not feel more secure if, when you pass the door, you notice a sign which reads Persian Christian men’s Bible study class tonight and you notice each of the young men are carrying a Bible? Just search your heart and answer honestly.
Speaker Ryan, as a highly educated representative of the American people, consider making two lists. One list is of all the known Islamic Terrorist groups operating in the twenty-first century from the Muslim Brotherhood and ISIS to Boko Haram. The second list is of all the known twenty-first century Christian Terrorist groups from the Westboro Baptists (whose greatest sin seems to be profound and distasteful rudeness) and any others you can think of. Compare the two lists. Write a reasonably conservative estimate of the active membership of each group next to their name. Add the numbers on each list and compare the two. Finally, next to the name of each group, list the number of persons each group beheaded, crucified, set afire, otherwise murdered, raped or sold into slavery. Again add the numbers on each list together and compare the two totals. Honestly, I have not done this exercise. However, although I am not a betting man, I think I can reasonably predict the outcome.
When you were voted Speaker of the House we were told, that although you were not as conservative as we might wish, you were honest, fair and smart. We await the evidence. In a world where a request at a Turkish soccer match for a moment of silence in honor of the dead in Paris is countered by cries from the crowd of “Allahu Akbar,” ambivalence, confusion and moral cowardice are not the virtues which will protect the American populace and secure our God-given constitutionally guaranteed liberties. You will be held accountable. You were not elected to gamble with the life and liberty of Americans. We expect more.
With serious regret,
Terrell AronSpeer
