At least no one's mentioned Diana

Between Pegida and the national front in France (their fairly recent potential fortune in French elections), the average populace seems to equate Political asylum seekers fleeing for their lives and other migrants who are not in any physical danger. Several 'media' outlets blur or remove the destinations between these two very different groups. There was a recent video doing the rounds on social media that basically said if people thought asylum seekers from Syria were blagging their need to enter Europe, they should watch the attached video that showed very clearly the utter devastation created due to the war.

One of the main problems is, as a result of the bungled way both Iraq 'wars' were handled, none in the West are at all keen to get involved in Syria. If the international community had LEGALLY stepped in when the civil war began, then much of what's now happening would not be happening. The problem with many of our leaders is they cannot think beyond their next election, irrespective as to whether it would be best globally or not.

As to Ted's earlier point, I too began this thread thinking that we should not leave. I still hold this basic tenant, but I'd like some changes. Riding a motorbike, as many of us do, we are often at the sharp end of beaurocrats who make decisions arbitrarily, us having no recourse through elections to remove idiots who 'know best'. Although I'd like beaurocratic changes, I'm still a believer that we're stronger together.