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Greitens talks about Muslim immigrants and public safety
Nevada Daily Mail
"As your governor, I promise that no Syrian refugee will be allowed in this state without first being properly vetted and Sharia Law will never be enacted on my watch," said Republican gubernatorial candidate, Eric Greitens on Monday, during his second visit to Nevada in exactly a month.
"This president isn't listening to his own FBI director but I am," said Greitens.
"Director Comey of the FBI says it's currently impossible for them properly to vet incoming Syrian refugees," added Greitens. "And I say that unless, or until, they can be vetted then not one Syrian refugee should be admitted to this nation, let alone this state."
Addressing more than 30 members of the public Monday afternoon at the local Holiday Inn Select, the gubernatorial candidate gave a condensed version of his stump speech and spent more time on answering questions.
A majority of those questions dealt with immigration, terrorism and public safety.
Two members of the audience expressed the view that the Koran teaches all lax Muslims and non-Muslims are heretics and unbelievers that should be put to death. Instead of endorsing a ban on admitting Muslims, the candidate gave examples of Muslim immigration that has been positive.
"In the aftermath of the war in Bosnia, I participated in relief efforts over there and got to know Muslims and Christians," began Greitens. "Which leads me to ask this question. Outside of Bosnia, where is the greatest concentration of Bosnians? Answer, south St. Louis. Some are Christian and some practice Islam."
"Some 70,000 Bosnian refugees came and they have revitalized parts of south St. Louis city and county bringing an entrepreneurial spirit that creates jobs," explained Greitens.
Another audience member pointed out that many immigrants, legal and otherwise, refuse to assimilate and instead form their own communities.
"If you come to our country then you need to assimilate into our culture," responded Greitens. "It's that simple and that important."
The candidate was pressed further on the inherent dangers of immigrants and Muslims in this nation.
"When I was on patrol and got wounded in Fallujah, our translator was a local Muslim who risked his life for us and was persecuted by others because he helped us," related Greitens.
"Think about this, what group has been the biggest victim of extremist Muslim terrorism?" asked Greitens. "Answer, Muslims. The president won't say it but I will. This nation and our people are under attack by extremist Muslim terrorists."
"On more than one occasion, Muslims risked their lives for mine," said Greitens. "But I do agree and insist that if an immigrant can't be vetted then he can't be admitted!"
The candidate continued. "In my oath as a soldier, I solemnly swore to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic," said Greitens. "Foreign and domestic enemies are precisely what limited government must be about and that includes terrorists from outside and criminals from within."
Greitens was asked about recent attacks on police and a revolving door for criminals.
"Per capita, incidents of aggravated assault and rape in the St. Louis area are among the highest in this nation," said Greitens.
"The most recent graduating class from our state patrol's academy was among its smallest in years," related Greitens. "And why? Because police are no longer held in respect but are hunted down. They feel no one has their back."
The former Navy Seal and holder of a doctorate from Oxford University in England held up his arm to display a wristband.
Said Greitens, "In Fallujah, just before our position was hit, the last thing a buddy said to me was, 'I got your back!' In the next moment he was killed. His words are on this bracelet and what it says is my promise to all law enforcement personnel in this state. As governor, 'I got your back.'"
"Now as to the revolving door for criminals, I promise to appoint judges who will enforce the law," said Greitens.
"But more than anything else, what prisoners need is moral transformation," declared Greitens.
"We need a system where religious and other groups come and work inside with prisoners and outside with their families to provide the fundamental change that will break the cycle of crime that costs us in so many ways," explained Greitens.
Then came a further challenge from the candidate. "This means we're all going to have to step forward and help, and stop relying on government."
Before addressing himself to reform of the welfare system, the candidate received cheers as he stated, "I support voter I.D. and I will uphold your second amendment rights."
An audience member related her efforts to help a friend get off welfare. When the friend landed a job, financially it put her further behind.
"When it comes to moving people from welfare to work, Missouri ranks 50th," stated Greitens. "The system is designed with perverse incentives. It encourages you to remain dependent and it penalizes you if you get a job."
Greitens summed up his proposal by saying, "In my system, you'll get paid more if you work, period! Together, we're going to put an end to business as usual."