EUROPE COOLS ON REFUGEES – AT 9:46 A.M. ET:   For a short time Europe tried to put on a "humiliate America" show about how many refugees it was taking from the exploding Middle East.  Now the enthusiasm has cooled in the face of the obvious – that European publics aren't very enthusiastic about seeing their cultures changed on a dime.  From WaPo: 

ZAGREB, Croatia — European nations once friendly to refugees abruptly yanked their welcome mats Thursday, as Germany considered slashing its benefits and Croatia announced it was closing most of its road links with Serbia “until further notice.”

The German measures would overhaul asylum codes to stem the massive flow of migrants into Europe, scaling back the generous policies that have made Germany a beacon for desperate war refugees and economic migrants pouring out of the Middle East, Africa and beyond.

In a 128-page draft law produced by the German Interior Ministry and obtained by The Washington Post, the government would speed asylum procedures, cut cash benefits, hasten deportations and punish those with false claims and phony paperwork.

The tough new measures, the draft bill states, are needed to cope with the huge influx of refugees into Germany, where 800,000 asylum applications were expected this year in a country with a population of 81 million.

COMMENT:  The refugee influx into Europe is one of the biggest stories of our time, but we may not see its effect until refugee populations start to vote, and influence European policy.

And there will be more refugees.   Middle East countries are collapsing.  In Africa, many people are getting the migration feeling.  Most are legitimate seekers of a better life.  Others may be infiltrators who have the potential to do horrendous things.

And there is pressure on America to take more migrants, most of whom probably have little liking for "the American way of life." 

September 18, 2015