Like the BBC, the AB friends of the RoP will avoid stories like this like the plague. It shows these people up for exactly what they are. (and in the process shows how wrong they've been,,,,again)
There is a marked difference between earlier waves of genuine refugees and this current lot.
In times past people fleeing conflict and terror were simply relieved to get to a safe haven, wherever it was. This lot are different. They are not refugees, they are chancers seeking (in fact demanding) a new life in the destination of their choice. Can’t blame them for trying but their behaviour is often appalling. More scandalous than that is the way the European authorities have capitulated to their demands. So let’s say it one more time: people travelling from safe countries are not refugees and if they enter other countries without leave are illegal immigrants. This definition covers all those making their way acaross Europe. Tonight the BBC ran a piece where they accompanied “refugees” travelling by ferry from Lesbos to mainland Greece. They are not refugees. They had entered Greece from Turkey. Last week a gentleman put himself, his wife and children onto a rubber boat to cross from Turkey to Greece. His wife and children drowned and a picture of one the body of one of his children being recovered from the sea was flashed around the world. It was used to illustrate a “defining moment” in the saga. Observers around the world suggested this was the moment the world would “be forced to act”. Many ABers joined in this hysterical nonsense. I counselled against it and my reaction was soundly rejected. It transpires the family had spent at least three years in Turkey and in fact the father was working there.
They were not refugees and neither are most of those now demanding free passage to Sweden. A different response to this invasion of Europe is necessary. Simple capitulation and provision of free transport is not the answer. More action such as that being planned by Hungary (which is centred on keeping migrants out) is demanded.
I get that safety is the first priority, I do. But after months and months of being locked up for the crime of not wanting to die in a bomb blast, I would challenge anyone not to want to improve their lot. Self esteem and respect are one of the levels on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs after all.
The refugees were probably hungry and therefore desperate. Perhaps they wouldn't have crowded in that way if they were being fed regularly and treated with a modicum of respect that than like animals in a cage?
We all have wants Meg, but decent behaviour should not be a victim of them. One cannot gain self esteem by refusing to stick with the safety requirement offered and abusing those helping by demanding more.
"Perhaps being treated like animals in these refugee camps is a reason for them wanting to get out....? "
What were they doing in Hungary in the first place? A quick glance at the atlas will show that Syria has no border with Hungary. Syria has borders with Israel, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Assuming they chose to head north Turkey would be their first destination - a safe country with a large Muslim population. They left there because it did not suit them - it had nothing to do with their safety. From there they must have entered Greece and then passed through at least two other countries (some of them in the EU) before hitting Hungary.
This is NOT a refugee crisis. It is an economic migrant affair. The sooner people grasp that fact and react less emotionally (prompted by events such as the small boy washed up on the beach in Turkey who was not a refugee at all) the easier it will become for them to understand that this will not be cured by allowing endless numbers of people free rein to roam across Europe.
Israel has refused. Iraq is no safer. Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey have taken literally millions already. With the Syrian population being something like 17m, how can they be expected to take more?
I'm watching BBC News right now and these camps are being described and inhumane, cold and migrants are held in cages with very little food. Sorry, but this is barely 'aid'.
I know they had headed north, meglet. But once in Turkey they should have applied for refugee status there. They should not have travelled further into Europe and most certainly should not have begun making demands on European nations about where they want to go.
They are clearly not being welcomed everywhere in Europe. As you point out, Hungary is none too keen on having them. If other European nations want to welcome them they should run a proper immigration programme which gives the migrants leave to arrive rather than allowing them to foist themselves uncontrolled and unsuitably across the continent.
The European nations which are currently welcoming them will rue the day that they did so. The numbers arriving at present are but a trickle compared to those who will arrive once it is known the doors are open. Furthermore they have no right to grant huge numbers of people EU citizenship because (courtesy of the EU) they will have unfettered access to the countries that do not want them. That is why EU rules on the treatment of refugees were introduced and the likes of German and Sweden are ignoring those rules.
These migrants are so desperate and starving that they are refusing the food handed out to them at Calais by a well-meaning group of volunteers. Their grounds for refusing is that it is not 'spicy enough'. The French had made efforts to provide acceptable food, even if their idea of a curry is to wave a pot of curry-paste vaguely in the direction of the pot.
I do wish I knew how to post the link. My French ex-hairdresser and friend posted it on her facebook page (I think she posted it yesterday). It is from 'Le Monde' is all I can say and I read it, as did OH, and the French reaction to the post was outraged.
Just been back to facebook. Article appeared on www.lefigaro.fr at about 5 p.m. on 7th September.
An Association called SALEM feeds about 700 migrants each evening. The president is Jean-Claud Renoir who said 'C'est inacceptable' amongst other things. He's right.