can we please stop calling them refugees, or evacuees, or victims? . . .

[OneBlueSky]

let's call them what they are -- SURVIVORS! . . . American citizens who have somehow survived the worst catastrophe in our nation's history . . . despite the BushCo efforts to ensure that as many as possible NOT survive . . .

they are survivors . . . survivors . . . survivors. . .

[MercutioATC]

1. Ummm...they're all four of those things.

Why is "survivor" a better word? It's no more accurate than "victim", "refugee" or "evacuee"...

[lapislzi]

4. This, from Wikipedia

"A refugee is a person seeking asylum in a foreign country in order to escape persecution Some regional legal instruments further include those seeking to escape generalized violence in the definition of a refugee. Those who seek refugee status are sometimes known as asylum seekers and the practice of accepting such refugees is that of offering political asylum. The most common asylum claims to industrialized countries are based upon political and religious grounds."

Refugee is a political designation. Inapplicable for the reasons delineated above.

They're only "evacuees" if they actually evacuated.

They're only survivors if they actually...survived.

They're all victims, however. If you can come up with a better term for the condition, I'd like to hear it.

[MercutioATC]

6. And this from Merriam-Webster:

Main Entry: ref·u·gee
Pronunciation: "re-fyu-'jE, 're-fyu-"
Function: noun
Etymology: French réfugié, past participle of (se) réfugier to take refuge, from Latin refugium
: one that flees; especially : a person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution


Yes, flight to a different country is emphasized, but "one that flees" is the root definition.


Actually, the etymology of the word probably suggests the most accurate definition as "one who seeks refuge".

[benburch]

2. Jay Marvin is talking about this on his show right now... nt

[personman]

3. The ones who are out and safe...

are survivors, the others...we'll see.

:(

[meganmonkey]

5. Can we please stop having these threads every day?

It never comes to a consensus, and people are going to keep calling these americanrefugeesurvivorevacueevictims whatever they want to call them.

Peace.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

8. Then I propose an acronym which can satisfy all.

They are ARSEVs

[kansasblue]

7. I didn't see what all the fuss is about....

because I thought that was a fairly descriptive word

"refugee"

But you are right. Survivor works very well. I'll use it.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

9. It depends on the situation.

I certainly wouldn't call the people who are staying in New Orleans "refugees." I'd call some of them "crazy" but that's another multi-thread argument in its own right.

[seabeyond]

10. i loooked up the word refugee, by definition it fits perfect

my father talking last night used the word, then started stumbling cause he had heard he wasnt suppose to use. then told me, but that is what they are, but but but..... so i looked it up

i am letting this one go. sorry all

i use survivor btw

[malta blue]

11. Under international law

they are Internally Displaced People. The only difference between refugees and IDP is that IDP are within their own country.

[OneBlueSky]

12. the reason this is important has to do with human dignity . . .

refugees, evacuees, and victims all imply that something was done TO these people, and that the results are beyond their control . . .

survivor bestows upon them the dignity of having done what it takes to survive -- despite being refugees, evacuees, or victims . . .

[screembloodymurder]

13. Refugees is apt.

one that flees; especially : a person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger or persecution

Texas is a foreign country and they were being persecuted.

[RedCloud]

14. They should be called Democrats...

That is why Bush has his thumb up his ass. Just like California and the energy crisis. New York and his delayed visit by three days after 9/11. The sucker is all about politics.

So he wants them to die. He wants us to die. Just like that alien sucker caught at area 51 in Independence Day.