The terrible attacks in Paris have been met with widespread condemnation and horror, but they’ve also been met with overreaction and panic. Let’s take a few breaths and realize that ISIS is not about to take over the world. Sure, they’re doing abhorrent things and are ruthless villains, but as evil as they are, they are small in number— which is why they have to resort to terror attacks.
Despite what Jeb Bush says, they are not going to take over the planet. Let’s not just remember September 11th, let’s remember the overreactions of September 11th, too. Do we really want to start sorting out who the United States helps based on religion? (The Democratic mayor of Roanoke, Virginia has even invoked fond memories of internment camps and President Francois Hollande has suggested changing the French constitution.)
I’m not suggesting we ignore what happened in Paris and let ISIS off the hook. By all means, let’s go git ‘em, but let’s not overreact or elevate terrorist actions to those of a nation state by calling what they did an “act of war.” It was terrorism committed by desperate and sick people. Take a look at some of the links behind the cartoon, and pass it along.