Use of the Word 'Refugee' Stirs Debate

[Seraphim]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050906/ap_on_re_us/katrina_refugees__hk4

[Bryson C]

Interesting, I would say the term ‘refugee’ is not accurate, given the Webster’s dictionary definition, and the UN’s definition. Also given they are no fleeing their country, and this disaster was caused by a natural event.

[Durandal]

ref·u·gee
One who flees in search of refuge

It can be in time of war, during political or religious persecution, economic collapse, or natural disaster.

This people have fled their place of home not for a couple hours, days, or weeks, but months and possibly years.


e·vac·u·ate.
To withdraw or send away (troops or inhabitants) from a threatened area.

The threat is now over, but there will be a massive process of rebuilding. These people have no place to go back to other than a geographical location.

This crap Jesse Jackson is throwing around is ridiculous. Refugee is NOT a racist term. Its used to describe a type of people: those that have lost their homes and have fled/are fleeing to safety.

He is not the keeper of the English language and the people that listen to him are more dumb as a result of having done so. He never was a "book smart" kind of guy even if he knows how to play the race card at every turn.