President Obama delivered his Thanksgiving address this morning, including a political lecture on Syrian refugees. He told Americans that Syrian refugees were just like the pilgrims who came to America on the Mayflower.
“In 1620, a small band of pilgrims came to this continent, refugees who had fled persecution and violence in their native land,” he said. “Nearly 400 years later, we remember their part in the American story – and we honor the men and women who helped them in their time of need.”
Obama reminded Americans to step back on Thanksgiving and remember that historically “we turn Lady Liberty’s light to the world” especially refugees who were fleeing the atrocities of ISIS.
“Nearly four centuries after the Mayflower set sail, the world is still full of pilgrims – men and women who want nothing more than the chance for a safer, better future for themselves and their families,” he continued. “What makes America America is that we offer that chance.”
He reassured skeptics of his refugee program that each refugee had the “highest security checks of anyone traveling to the United States.”
“Thanksgiving is a day for food and football and for hoping the turkey didn’t turn out too dry, but it’s also a day to count our blessings and give back to others,” he said.
The only mention of God in his address was a reference to “all of God’s children” were worthy of compassion and care.
He also reminded Americans not to just participate in Black Friday and Cyber Monday but what he described as “Giving Tuesday.”
“Together may we all play our own small part in the American story and write a next chapter that future generations can be thankful for,” he said.
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