Following in the footsteps of Monday’s CBS This Morning, the CBS Evening News featured on Tuesday a segment sounding the alarm on opposition to the U.S. accepting Syrian refugees with the comparison that those Syrians who have settled in the U.S. are facing “another brewing problem” in those opposed to their settlement (after having survived the horrors of the Assad regime).
Anchor Scott Pelley touted the support of the refugees by President Obama and French President Francois Hollande but added that “opponents say that terrorists could hide among the migrants.” He then tossed to correspondent Adriana Diaz with a “look into the controversy in Kentucky” as new refugees mark their first Thanksgiving in the U.S.
Following profiles of two Syrians who are “America’s newest pilgrims,” Diaz explained that while the two refugees she interviewed may be “far from the front lines of Syria” they’re now “facing another brewing problem” in those raising concerns (i.e. Republicans) about any additional refugees coming into the country.
Speaking with Republican Governor-elect Matt Bevin (Ky.), Diaz confronted him with the premise that “[p]eople have to go through years of background checks, interviews that last hours at a time” and thus she wanted to know “[w]hy change things now?”
Bevin responded by emphasizing that “[l]et’s be thoughtful,” “pause,” and “use a measured approach” because “[t]hat’s all anybody is saying.” Bevin continued: “If we are delusional to think that there are not evil people trying to do bad things to ourselves, then we’re going to do so — be delusional to our own detriment.”
Diaz later concluded: “These new arrivals say they're thankful for the warm welcome they received here, but are worried for what lies ahead.”
The transcript of the segment from the CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley on November 24 can be found below.
CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley
November 24, 2015
6:50 p.m. Eastern[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE CAPTION: Syrian Refugees]
SCOTT PELLEY: Today, Presidents Obama and Hollande defended their plans to accept Syrian refugees. Mr. Obama said America is strengthened by people of every faith, but opponents say that terrorists could hide among the migrants. As America prepares to observe the holiday that celebrates the first refugees on our shores, we asked Adriana Diaz to look into the controversy in Kentucky.
ADRIANA DIAZ: It's a first Thanksgiving for America's newest pilgrims, refugees, some who arrived from Syria less than two months ago, all breaking bread in their new home in Kentucky. Newcomers like 15-year-old Koussay Khalyoun, and 18-year-old Nour al-Kunuss.
KOUSSAY KHALYOUN: When I remember my country, I feel like I'm dying.
DIAZ: Why?
KHALYOUN: Because people in my country die every day. Every day.
DIAZ: They met here at a school for refugees in Kentucky, far from the front lines of Syria, but now, they're facing another brewing problem.
PROTESTERS: U-S-A! U-S-A!
DIAZ: Since the Paris attacks, protesters have taken to the streets across the United States voicing their opposition to Syrian refugees coming in. More than 30 governors across the country agree, including Matt Bevin, who takes office here in Kentucky in two weeks. [TO BEVIN] People have to go through years of background checks, interviews that last hours at a time. Why change things now?
REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR-ELECT MATT BEVIN (Ky.): Let's be thoughtful. Let's pause. Let's use a measured approach. That's all anybody is saying. If we are delusional to think that there are not evil people trying to do bad things to ourselves, then we’re going to do so — be delusional to our own detriment.
DIAZ: Shadi, who asked us had the to use his last name, is a new arrival. “If there’s an explosion in a country and Syrians are stopped from coming in, of course, that creates some fear,” he says. “It's the same kind of fear we felt when we were in Syria.” He says getting to the U.S. was grueling. Nour is eager to start a new life here.
NOUR AL-KUNUSS: Islam means peace, not means war.
DIAZ: These new arrivals say they're thankful for the warm welcome they received here, but are worried for what lies ahead. Adriana Diaz, CBS News, Louisville, Kentucky.
