EDITORIAL: Think first, act last

OUR VIEW: Take the time to read and learn before you offer your take.

As you no doubt know by now, a series of coordinated attacks shook Paris on Friday night, leaving around 130 dead and hundreds more injured; many critically. Even now we’re still learning key details as conflicting reports come in torrents. But, even as the bullets and bombs were still flying, the bodies of victims were still warm and gunmen were still on the loose, those with a pre-loaded political ax to grind wasted no time spouting off. These instant commentators on both mass media and social media didn’t let a fast-moving, unresolved situation with sketchy hard data stop them from deploying their uninvited hot air. These pundits were to be considered most contemptible as they crowded the feeds and airwaves with their uninformed opinions, drowning out facts; the only thing that truly matters.

An emotional reaction of some kind was to be expected from anyone with a pulse in response to these horrific events. That’s not the issue. Feelings aren’t the problem here; thoughtlessly expressing them is. This weekend, instead of offering your hot take on a breaking world news event, take the time to learn about what’s happening and why. Avoid the know-nothings and take special care to confront yourself with information that runs counter to your preconceived notions. Come Monday, and lasting through the rest of your life, you’ll have nothing but time to offer your reactions. But, for now, we all have some reading to do.

To the people of France: We love you. We mourn with you. You were our country’s first ally and we stand with you now. It’s not just our shared love of free assembly and expression that makes our two countries great. If we want to defeat these murdering fascists, we have to remember to take advantage of the one activity they refuse to engage in: critical thinking. The lone goal of a terrorist is to inspire terror. They win when we react in mindless fear.