The Pynx: No fear of terror

Joshua Schuetz
Staff Writer

Last week, America was wracked by a wave of terrorism, beginning with a series of bombing attempts on numerous democratic leaders, and culminating in a mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue.

This terrorism-and we must use the term-was seems to have been motivated by far-right extremism, according to numerous news reports.

Whatever the ideology, we must be resolute in condemning these actions with same force and vigor used to condemn terrorism with foreign origins. There can be no distinction: terror is terror, extremism is extremism, and murder is murder. These acts are wicked beyond comprehension.

It does not matter what ideology is used to justify an act; what matters is that the act of evil was done, and that it must be repelled and rejected. Democrats, republicans, and independents alike must be unanimous in their condemnation.

I will not engage in ideological critique. Any worldview which advocates for the slaughter of innocents is not worthy of debate. All racism, sexism, political hatred, anti-Semitism, and other forms of bigotry are to be condemned, no matter what shape they take.

Do not refrain from attending your houses of worship this weekend. Do not be afraid to open your mail. Be vigilant, be on your guard, but do not hide from the world, or live your life in fear. To do that would be to allow the terrorists their victory.

And surrender has never been, nor ever will be the American way.