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Evan Vucci/PA

'The vast majority of Muslims would not be affected': Judges grill lawyers over US travel ban

During a hearing yesterday, government lawyers argued that Trump’s immigration curbs were motivated by national security concerns.

THE US JUSTICE Department faced tough questioning as it urged a court of appeals to reinstate President Donald Trump’s travel ban targeting citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, put on hold in a legal challenge last week.

The latest twist in the showdown comes four days after a federal judge suspended Trump’s decree, re-opening US borders to the thousands of refugees and travellers who had been suddenly barred from the country.

Three judges from an appellate court in San Francisco chaired an hour-long telephone hearing followed online by more than 130,000 people – a record, the court said – and broadcast live to millions more on television.

Concerns

During the high-stakes hearing, a lawyer for the government argued that Trump’s immigration curbs were motivated by national security concerns and that the federal judge had overstepped his authority in suspending them.

“This is a traditional national security judgment that is assigned to the political branches and the president,” Justice Department lawyer August Flentje argued.

He said Trump had acted within his constitutional powers and those delegated to him by Congress in issuing the January 27 executive order in the interest of the United States.

The hearing was focused on whether to lift the suspension of the ban, not on the constitutionality of the decree itself – a broader battle that looks likely to go all the way to the Supreme Court.

The appeals court would probably rule later this week, a court spokesman said.

The three-judge panel often appeared skeptical during the hearing, with Judge Richard Clifton at one point calling the government’s argument “pretty abstract.”

The judges questioned Flentje about the evidence connecting the seven targeted countries to terrorism, and pressed him on whether the ban amounts to religious discrimination, as its opponents claim.

Is it a Muslim ban? 

The White House insists the decree is in the interest of national security, giving the new administration time to beef up vetting procedures to keep potential terrorists out of the country.

Its detractors claim it violates the constitution by discriminating against people on the basis of their religion.

A lawyer representing the states of Washington and Minnesota — which brought the federal lawsuit against Trump’s ban with support from numerous advocacy groups — urged the judges to keep the decree on hold while the case runs its course.

“It has always been the judicial branch’s role to say what the law is and to serve as a check on abuses by the executive branch,” Solicitor General Noah Purcell said.

“That judicial rule has never been more important in recent memory than it is today, but the president is asking… to reinstate the executive order without full judicial review and throw this country back into chaos,” he added.

The states’ counsel also came under sustained questioning, with Judge Clifton, a George W Bush nominee, appearing unconvinced by his arguments that the ban amounted to religious discrimination.

“I have trouble understanding why we’re supposed to infer religious animus when in fact the vast majority of Muslims would not be affected,” he said, pointing out that less than 15 percent of the world’s Muslims were affected.

Purcell argued that the states were not required to show that all Muslims would be affected but only that the ban was “motivated in part by a desire to harm Muslims.”

Experts believe the argument to reinstate the ban is facing an uphill struggle.

Arthur Hellman, a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh, said although it is uncertain which way the judges are leaning in the case, he would be surprised if they side with the government.

“He (Flentje) really had trouble with many of the questions and I don’t think his answers satisfied the judges who were asking them,” he said.

“He just didn’t seem as well prepared as I would expect a lawyer for the US government to be,” he added.

Trump’s executive order barred entry to all refugees for 120 days, and to travelers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days, triggering chaos at US airports and worldwide condemnation. Refugees from Syria were barred indefinitely.

‘We feel confident’ 

Appearing to lay the groundwork in case of a setback, the White House earlier on Tuesday sought to play down the significance of the upcoming ruling.

“All that’s at issue tonight is the hearing is an interim decision on whether the president’s order is enforced or not until the case is heard on the actual merits of the order,” White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters.

“That’s why I think we feel confident.”

Hosting a group of American sheriffs at the White House on Tuesday, Trump hammered home the rationale for his decree as “common sense.”

He has lashed out at the Seattle judge who suspended his order, James Robart, as a “so-called” judge — a slur that drew criticism from his own Republican camp — and sought to pin blame on him, and courts in general, for potential future attacks on US soil.

“Just cannot believe a judge would put our country in such peril,” he tweeted on Sunday. “If something happens blame him and court system. People pouring in. Bad!”

- © AFP 2017.

Read: White House accuses media of ‘under reporting’ terror attacks>

Watch: Donald Trump will NOT be allowed address the British Parliament, speaker says>

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    Mute George Vladisavljevic
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:09 AM

    Funny how countries that are the biggest financiers and recruiters for the head hackers are not on the exclusion list.

    I guess that it it true that money can pretty well buy you anything.

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    Mute John Smith
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:20 AM

    I agree, add more moslim countries.

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    Mute George Vladisavljevic
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:27 AM

    @John Smith:

    I am not saying to add more or anything along those lines but if one is looking at eliminating a threat one should at least try to make an honest effort and not score political or economic brownie points.

    If one is trying to kill a snake one does not start with chopping off the tail.

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    Mute John Smith
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:31 AM

    So why are you complaining that there aren’t enough Muslim countries on the list?

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    Mute George Vladisavljevic
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:34 AM

    @John Smith:

    Never said that there are not enough. I couldn’t care if they were Protestant, Catholic, Buddhist or Mormon for that matter but at least try to target the threat.

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    Mute John Smith
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:40 AM

    The countries selected had already been designated countries of concern under US law by Congress and the previous administration.

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    Mute George Vladisavljevic
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:43 AM

    @John Smith:

    Some countries can do no wrong and other countries cannot do anything right. If things were only black and white.

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:51 AM

    The linguistic gymnastics have begun. I hope all you Trumpettes stretched this morning.

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    Mute John Smith
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:53 AM

    @George, the countries which present the greatest immediate risk are failed states like the ones selected by Congress and the previous administration because these failed states cannot establish reliable vetting procedures.

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    Mute thejynxeffect
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:58 AM

    @George Vladisavljevic: It’s amazing the outrage from people. Barack Obama bombed 6 of the 7 countries on the temporary travel ban list, leaving them in ruins, leaving them as failed states where terrorists are widespread. These bombings were wrong and should not have happened, but since they have happened, it is fair and right that extra security measures are put in place before allowing free travel to the U.S. from these countries. Why people have a problem with this I will never know.

    Even if Trump did put Saudi Arabia and others on the list, then the left would have more reason to call it a Muslim ban. You just can’t win

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:01 AM

    Yeah, so unreliable that nobody from those countries has committed an act of terrorism once they got to America. Also just in case you think the vetting process is easy here it is step by step https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/01/29/us/refugee-vetting-process.html

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:04 AM

    Jynxy, haven’t you heard? There will be no new countries added to the list according to DoJ. So you’re saying Obama ruined all these countries and therefore America should now temporarily abandon them? I mean on the one hand you’re saying the bombing is wrong but on the other you’re saying the people that were bombed don’t deserve any kind of help.

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    Mute John Smith
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:15 AM

    @Dave: I just started with Somalia; “9 Somali men in Minnesota sentenced this week on terrorism charges”…http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/9-somali-men-in-minnesota-sentenced-this-week-on-terrorism-charges/article/2607490

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    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:21 AM

    @John Smith: What year were they caught? And what changes did Obama do afterwards?Take your time.

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    Mute George Vladisavljevic
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:24 AM

    @Dave O Keeffe:

    Perhaps one should stop urinating into the wind if one does not want to get wet?

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:30 AM

    George, thanks exactly what Trump should stop doing. It has changed his hair colour!

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    Mute thejynxeffect
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:45 AM

    @Francis Mc Carthy: All you really said was complete bollocks and clueless bollocks. Ad hominem at it’s best.

    8 U.S. Code § 1182 – Inadmissible aliens

    Requires the president to give a reason for suspending visas. Such reasons can include anything from individuals having spreadable diseases to them posing a risk to the American public’s safety.

    “Whenever the President finds that the entry of any aliens or of any class of aliens into the United States would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, he may by proclamation, and for such period as he shall deem necessary, suspend the entry of all aliens or any class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may deem to be appropriate.”

    The law gives the President broad powers in terms of immigration.

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    Mute Warthog
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:47 AM

    @Boganity:
    You…

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    Mute thejynxeffect
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:49 AM

    @Dave O Keeffe: I actually never said any of that Dave but thanks for trying to attribute all of that to me.

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    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:57 AM

    @thejynxeffect: You really are still not getting it,are you? Yes,he has power.But,he cannot single out any particular religious group.Hope this helps.

    PS. If you are still struggling with it,maybe you should keep well away from sites like Breitbart ..

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    Mute Liam John Bradshaw
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:59 AM

    Their from Middle earth lol!

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    Mute Fox in the Box
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    Feb 8th 2017, 10:07 AM

    @George Vladisavljevic:

    Do you actually think that if the US soured relations with the Saudi’s the Middle East would be a safer place and pose less of a risk to Western nations?

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    Mute thejynxeffect
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    Feb 8th 2017, 10:13 AM

    @Francis Mc Carthy: I get it Francis. First your argument was “he is a clueless bollocks when it comes to the constitution”. Now you’re saying “Yes,he has power” but he’s singling out a particular religious group. This isn’t true either. The 7 countries (6 of which are warzones) on the list: Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Syria, Iran & Libya.

    Majority Muslim countries not on the list:
    Albania, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Comoros, Djibouti, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Turkey, Egypt, Gambia, Guinea, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mayotte, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.

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    Mute George Vladisavljevic
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    Feb 8th 2017, 10:36 AM

    @Fox in the Box:

    If the US told the Saudi’s to keep their backing of head hackers, religion and aspirations of controlling the Middle East and beyond, to themselves and within their borders, in the same threatening tone that they are speaking to and imposing sanctions on Iran, I do think that the middle East would start being a safer place.

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    Mute Fox in the Box
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    Feb 8th 2017, 10:40 AM

    @George Vladisavljevic:

    And the Saudis would just roll over and do what the US says?

    Saudi Arabia needs the US just as much as the US needs Saudi Arabia. Neither are in a position to impose demands or sanctions on the other without upsetting the status quo

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    Mute stefanovich
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    Feb 8th 2017, 10:54 AM

    Obama came up with the list.

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    Mute George Vladisavljevic
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    Feb 8th 2017, 10:57 AM

    @Fox in the Box:

    I agree with you but I would just love to see the US come out and say that when they start picking and choosing the lands of imminent and supposed threats.

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    Mute Val Martin
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    Feb 8th 2017, 10:58 AM

    @Francis Mc Carthy: That will depend on the appeal result

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 8th 2017, 10:59 AM

    Jynxy, you made a case for these places having been destroyed by America. All I’m saying is shouldn’t America be helping instead of withdrawing? You painted a post apocalyptic nightmare scene in this countries all caused by America now you’re saying the only right and proper thing for them to do is abandon their victims? PS, you very much did say that.

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    Mute John Somers
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    Feb 8th 2017, 11:03 AM

    The Trumpettes would have got stuck on the starting “The” there Dave

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 8th 2017, 11:05 AM

    Jynxy, you don’t seem to understand. Other Muslim countries not being on the list doesn’t make it not Muslim ban. What makes it a Muslim ban is saying you will accept Christians from these majority Muslim countries during the ban. Also, saying the reason for the ban is to fight Islamic extremism also says its a Muslim ban. Trump keeps pointing out that its a Muslim ban before saying it neither targets Muslims or is a ban

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    Mute thejynxeffect
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    Feb 8th 2017, 12:07 PM

    Davey, I think it’s you that doesn’t understand. A ban is an official or legal prohibition. In order for it to be a Muslim ban, ALL Muslims from ALL countries would need to be banned. That hasn’t happened.

    The reason for the travel restrictions is to prevent violent Islamic extremists with intent on doing harm from entering the country. The seven countries, previously identified by the Obama admin. as demonstrating the greatest threat have had a TEMPORARY travel ban put in place until there is a sufficient screening system in place. These seven countries would also not have extensive records for background checking, even if they were willing to provide them.

    Saying you are going to fight Islamic extremism does not equal a Muslim ban. It means the travel restrictions are a deterrent to Islamic extremism. Extreme vetting I think he called it.

    What would you suggest for preventing Islamic extremists entering a country if you’re so upset about this?

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 8th 2017, 1:23 PM

    Jynxy, how many acts of terrorism have been committed in America by people from those 7 countries since Obama upgraded the security checks? By specifically saying it’s only Muslims from these countries that aren’t allowed they made it a ban on Muslims from 7 random countries.

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    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
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    Feb 8th 2017, 4:10 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: Jynx is seriously struggling on this.Let me explain it a wee bit better to him.Trump/Bannon singled out Christian refugees over others.Hope this might clear it up for him.

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    Mute The_Techno_Mage
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    Feb 8th 2017, 7:29 AM

    It’s an “Immigration” ban on “certain” dodgy countries for a “temporary” time period.

    Not a “Muslim” ban.

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    Mute Kal Ipers
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:31 AM

    @The_Techno_Mage: It stopped people who already had visas so not an immigration ban. That is the real issue

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    Mute Beachmaster
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:13 AM

    @Red Marauder: Comparing a temporary travel ban with the Holocaust. Stay classy.

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    Mute John003
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:17 AM

    @Red Marauder There is no comparison between this and the Holocaust none whatever……

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    Mute The_Techno_Mage
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    Feb 8th 2017, 10:24 AM

    @Red Marauder: Try visiting one of the banned countries as a gay, a jew or a christian or even just as a westerner and see how far you get.

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    Mute Darren Tully
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    Feb 8th 2017, 12:04 PM

    @The_Techno_Mage: Have you?

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    Mute Philip Gerard
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    Feb 8th 2017, 1:33 PM

    @Beachmaster: You telling people to stay classy is like Amy Winhouse telling people to stay sober, wankstain.

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    Mute Francid Dooley
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    Feb 8th 2017, 7:24 AM

    Go Trump

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    Mute Boganity
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    Feb 8th 2017, 7:52 AM

    Go where ?

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    Mute Warthog
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:48 AM

    @Boganity:
    To a “Moslim” country

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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Feb 8th 2017, 2:54 PM

    @Warthog: what’s a moslim?

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    Mute Warthog
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    Feb 8th 2017, 4:04 PM

    @Tony Canning:
    Ask BOGanity…she started that ball rolling…lol

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    Mute John Doyle
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    Feb 8th 2017, 7:27 AM

    Fooooooooooooook off with the Trump stories

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    Mute Guill Ire
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:05 AM

    Don’t read them?

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    Mute John Smith
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:30 AM

    The Donald is irresistible, even to the haters and losers.

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    Mute Mahon Slattery
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:57 AM

    You mean especially to haters and losers

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:06 AM

    Mahon, you know you just implied that you’re probably a loser for being here right?

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    Mute Mahon Slattery
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    Feb 8th 2017, 2:29 PM

    Point taken. Though I was referring to those attracted to vote for the Donald in the Presidential Election.

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    Mute Val Martin
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    Feb 8th 2017, 7:42 AM

    So what if there was a religion dedicated to kill every US citizen who refused to convert to it? I would argue that Islam is not simply a religion but a highly successful political movement. The same as the IRA were mainly catholic but were motivated by the overthrow of British rule in Ireland

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    Mute Boganity
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    Feb 8th 2017, 7:52 AM

    Replace the word “Islam” with “Catholicism” and your post would be accurate

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    Mute John Smith
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:25 AM

    Catholics aren’t driving heavy goods vehicles down pedestrian promenades or murdering concert goers.

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:52 AM

    Neither are the vast majority of Muslims. It’s a tiny percentage.

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    Mute willypearson
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:56 AM

    Anders breivik was christian and he killed over 70 people? That dude Dylan roof was christian he killed loads of people?

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    Mute Jason Culligan
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:56 AM

    Dave, have you read the Quran? The violent sections of the Bible are confined to the Old Testament which is only used as a reference for the religious beliefs that Jesus attempted to reform. The Quran gets progressively more violent as the book progresses and moves from subtle justification to outright calling for violence.

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    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:09 AM

    @Jason Culligan: Stick to the facts.Who has the Homeland Security put down as the highest risk to the US at the moment ?

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:11 AM

    Jason, are you telling me that there isn’t a minority of Christians that believe the Old Testament ideals? People have killed because of what’s in that book. You’d be wise not to forget that. Also, are you really arguing that all Muslims wasnt to kill everyone else because a book said so? Jason, come on now. Yes horrific acts have been committed in the name of Islam but to hold 1.5 billion people responsible is insane

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    Mute TehJurolan
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:31 AM

    They should add Israelis to the travel ban, the Talmud is every bit as anti Christian as the Koran and advocates all sorts of nasty stuff.

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:55 AM

    @Val Martin: Is there a rule about IRA members having to show their baptism cert to qualify. Seems to me that the term ‘catholic’ was frequently used as a sectarian flag of convenience without giving thought about actual religious denomination.

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Feb 8th 2017, 10:01 AM

    @Jason Culligan: Indeed according to scripture Jesus was crucified for trying to reform old testament theology. While christianity has turned religion into self righteousness and greed.

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    Mute Val Martin
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    Feb 8th 2017, 10:56 AM

    @Boganity: No that is-beside the point, deal with my point

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 8th 2017, 11:01 AM

    Kelly-Anne Culligan, lightning alternative fact attack. The lie n’ bye tactic is getting old

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    Mute Boganity
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    Feb 8th 2017, 7:18 AM

    But the Donald said it had nothing to do with Muslims

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:56 AM

    Then he gave a list of attacks that were inspired by Islam, in his words, to justify the ban. Oh its also not a ban but he keeps calling it that.

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    Mute Trump Re[Loaded]
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    Feb 8th 2017, 7:54 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: Unlike Europe, the US is taking steps.Prevention is better than a cure right ?

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    Mute Jonathan McKee
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:53 AM

    Seems strange when Trump does this and all the uproar, not so long ago if memory serves me right that several European countries closed their borders to refugees/migrants coming through Greece.

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Feb 8th 2017, 10:12 AM

    @Jonathan McKee: You obviously have a short memory then, tens of thousands of refugee/migrants flooded into Europe before closing the borders. While migrants are still crossing the Mediteranean sea and arriving in Italy. The problem is separating the refugees from those who arrive for economic reasons and need to be refused entry.

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 8th 2017, 11:13 AM

    Let’s not forget also that the people with visas had been extensively vetted. There is no vetting process when crossing the Mediterranean

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    Mute Jonathan McKee
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    Feb 8th 2017, 3:29 PM

    So at the start of the mass influx of refugee’s/migrants we were told it was the moral/right thing to do, help these poor women and children from war torn countries……. then the truth hit, most were not women and children but young males. They were mostly not from war torn countries and were for the most migrants.

    Most are still stuck in Greece, and for which Greece is paying the price.

    So Trump makes a ban (which I do not support, but think a lot more vetting/checks have to be done for anyone entering his country) and as he is unpopular its trump bashing time.

    Do we know the exact reasons as to why he did this ? Has he been informed of a security threat or issue inside the next 3 months ? or issues with how the screening was done ?

    Personally I think he should have added a few more countries to the list, but he’s the boss and for now or the foreseeable future will be making the rules.

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    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
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    Feb 8th 2017, 4:15 PM

    @Jonathan McKee: The highest threat that the Homeland Security had up was Homeland Violent Extremists…Donnie/Bannon are full of poops..

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    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
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    Feb 8th 2017, 4:15 PM

    *Homegrown*

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    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
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    Feb 8th 2017, 7:31 AM

    I cannot wait for them to show the “memo” that Trump received from the Homeland Security.A “memo,” which said that there was an imminent threat to the US from these countries..Yikes!

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    Mute John Smith
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:29 AM

    Memo? Barack Obama codified these nations as countries of concern under federal law.

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    Mute John003
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:38 AM

    Is there an opinion poll in any of these countries which is worse….President Obama helping to turn them into failed states over 8 years…… Or President Trump banning them from the US for 3 months…….Obama gets a free pass from the media of any responsibility for all this….

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:54 AM

    John, it’s funny how all Trump seems to be doing is blaming the last guy for the face that he made an absolute dogs dinner of this. It’s a total clisterfu(k. Really, really amateur.

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    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:10 AM

    @John Smith: Explain as to why Obama put down those countries as a concern.And you should stick to the facts,too.lol

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Feb 8th 2017, 10:38 AM

    @Francis Mc Carthy: How do you know Obama singled these countries out, just because some media outlets want you to believe it.

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    Mute Philip Gerard
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    Feb 8th 2017, 1:38 PM

    @John Smith: Francis is talking about the fact that Bush ignored a memo like this back in the summer of 2001, dimwit.

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    Mute Shane Murphy
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:10 AM

    The trouble with all of these policies is that Trump himself is a moron.
    I agree with his anti establishment stance, policies, work ethic , none political allegiance and is just what we need in this pc liberal crazy world .
    People voting in the election were left with a choice, more of the same from someone who clearly could not be trusted or take a punt on this guy who has promised to MAGA, with more jobs, better infrastructure and prioritising there country ahead of anywhere else.
    If Trump was banned from twitter and kept his mouth shut and people could only concern themselves with the details of the policies they would pass without much resistance.

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    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:16 AM

    Shane Murphy – I just laugh at his ‘promises’ that he could never keep.Oh,and his draining of the swamp has been impressive.

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    Mute John003
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:26 AM

    @FrancisMcCarty. Well he does have 95% of the US media totally against him and has only been in office 3 weeks…..Give him time let’s see how the 8 years work out…..

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    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:34 AM

    @John003: Have to log off now,but I will leave you with this..

    You cannot get things done by dishing out executive orders left,right and centre.
    And what the heck are you going on about “8 years” for? Yikes!

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    Mute Val Martin
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    Feb 8th 2017, 11:00 AM

    @Shane Murphy: Exactly. We are not saying Trump perfect, we are saying we needed to get the left off our backs and Trump is doing a good job at that

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    Mute Val Martin
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    Feb 8th 2017, 11:01 AM

    @Francis Mc Carthy: Why not. If that is the case why have a president at all?

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Feb 8th 2017, 11:11 AM

    Val, are you really that blind? Trump has now got far more opposition from the left than the last republican president. The left is growing. The problem is that Hyper-partisanship will cause America to basically pendulum every 4 to 8 years

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    Mute Tony Canning
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    Feb 8th 2017, 2:57 PM

    @Shane Murphy: what do you think about his promise to “drain the swamp”?

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    Mute Peter Mc Hugh
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    Feb 8th 2017, 9:11 AM

    No countries Trump has a business in are banned. What a coincidence.

    No doubt a country can have a ban lifted by agreeing to do business with him and him alone on very favourable rates.

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    Mute Rosa Parks
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    Feb 8th 2017, 5:26 PM

    New poll out from Morning Consult. 54% back the trave ban. http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/trump-democrats-poll-234778

    This is part of a pattern similar to before the election. In online polls Trump does better. In face to face ones like Gallup he fares worse.

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    Mute Rosa Parks
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    Feb 8th 2017, 5:26 PM

    @Rosa Parks: Travel i mean.

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    Mute Mike Holmes
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    Feb 8th 2017, 1:15 PM

    Maybe Trump should paint the white house red like the Iroquois Confederation. Oh yeah that’s right he’s just chief of the settlers..silly me!

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    Mute Rosa Parks
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    Feb 8th 2017, 8:24 PM

    The Bible supports the Wall and the Pope shouldnt be criticising the wall.

    2 Chronicles 14:7
    Verse Concepts
    For he said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars. The land is still ours because we have sought the LORD our God; we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered.

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    Mute Victoria Elisbelth
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    Feb 9th 2017, 11:11 AM

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