JMRusche (RE: Otter: Halt refugee resettlement): It seems to me that there is significant fear out there. Some may call it irrational, some might say isolationist, but it is there none-the-less. And it really behooves us to talk to each other and understand the concerns. All to often we are just dismissive ("they are just fearful" or conversely, "We destabilized the Mid East with war, and now we are responsible. Naysayers are just xenophobic") and talk past each other. Are their ways to respond to the concerns (reassure that the vetting is complete and transparent, that there is sufficient tracking, for example) and yet protect our values of accountability and compassion?

DFO: I really like this comment by House Minority Leader Rusche. Too often in the debate about Syrian refugees, you hear one side accusing the other of unreasonable fear. And the other side firing back that advocates are naively allowing possibly dangerous people into the country -- or even our state. How do you help people who have been displaced and even persecuted while at the same time vetting possible refugees to ensure that no ISIS terrorists are hidden among them?