Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson on Thursday said Islamic terrorist are like “rabid dogs” that must be removed from the Syrian refugee population before the refugees are allowed into American neighborhoods.
“If there’s a rabid dog running around in your neighborhood, you’re probably not going to assume something good about that dog,” Mr. Carson said during a campaign stop in Alabama, CNN reported. “And you’re probably going to put your children out of the way. That doesn’t mean that you hate all dogs.”
He continued: “But you’re going to put your intellect into motion, and you’re thinking, ’How do I protect my children at the same time? I’m going to call the humane society and hopefully they can come and take this dog away and create a safe environment once again.’ “
Mr. Carson, who is jockeying for the lead in the GOP race with billionaire businessman Donald Trump, said the U.S. must employ a thorough screening process before allowing any Syrian refugees into the country.
President Obama plans to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees and argues that the administration has already implemented an intense vetting process. Nevertheless, the plan faces fierce resistance from lawmakers and governors.
Congress is pursuing legislation that would block the president’s plan.
“We have to have in place screening mechanisms that allow us to determine who the mad dogs are, quite frankly, who are the people who want to come in and hurt us and destroy us,” Mr. Carson said.
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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