Charles C. Haynes: Genocide in Syria: Who lives, who dies, who cares?

  A controversial milestone was reached on August 29 when the U.S. government announced that 10,000 Syrian refugees have been resettled in our country so far this year, reaching the target set by the Obama administration for 2016.

  Calling this number “a floor, not a ceiling,” administration officials promised more to come as a steady trickle of Syrians make it through the rigorous two-year vetting process.

  Although the numbers are modest – one-fifth of one percent of the nearly 5 million Syrian refugees – 10,000 is far better than zero as advocated by some candidates during the presidential campaign.

Charles C. Haynes: Muslims, refugees, and the struggle for the soul of America

  The horrific terrorist attacks of recent weeks have brought out the worst – and the best – in the American character.

  First, the worst: Attacks on Muslims have spiked significantly across the country. A number of American Muslims have been assaulted, including a pregnant woman in San Diego. Others have been harassed and intimidated. At least seven mosques have been vandalized, shot at or threatened.

  In this growing climate of fear, Syrian refugees fleeing violence and oppression have become scapegoats in the frustrating, seemingly endless war on terror.