President obligated to protect country

To the editor:

President Barack Obama pulled our troops out of Iraq and other places and none of the other countries would step up to the plate to do their part so the terrorists had free rein to do whatever they wanted and the world is paying the price.

Why couldn't the U.S., Russia and France have aggressively gone after the terrorists instead of later when hundreds of innocent people were killed? Wouldn't it have been better to shut the barn door before the cow got out rather than wait until she's on the loose then try to catch up with her?

Congratulations to the 31 governors that said they would not take any Syrian refugees into their states.

In reading the letters to the editor, there are people who believe that the immigrants are not dangerous and pose no threat. Tell that to the victims' families. The mayor of Swisher must not think highly of the residents of that town by signing a proclamation stating that Swisher will welcome all immigrants regardless of national origin or refugee status.

Sen. Chuck Grassley said that at least one of the Islamic terrorists in Paris had registered as a Syrian refugee in Greece. The No. 1 responsibility of the president and Congress is to secure the country against all threats and this goes for governors and mayors.

President Obama said that ISIS is contained. Does that mean that the refugees can go home now that it's safe?

Russell Marks

Cedar Rapids