Another day, another Muslim terrorist attack. No big deal, right? Gauging by the reactions of our presidential candidates, this most recent slaughter is just another routine day on the campaign trail. Are they familiar with the phrase, 'if you don't have anything to say, then why say anything at all?'
*in order to delineate the pattern between their statements, I have bolded the frequently used words and cliches
Marco Rubio- "My prayers tonight are with the people of France as they come to terms with the terrible tragedy unfolding in Paris. These brutal terrorist attacks against innocent civilians are a reminder of the increasing dangers facing free peoples around the world. It is important for all Americans to stand with the people of France in this difficult time. As we learn more about the attacks and who is behind them, the United States should assist the French government in finding those who are accountable and bring them to justice (Haven't we heard this same phrase from Obama about a dozen times? Did we ever bring the perpetrators of the Benghazi attack "to justice"? We cannot let those who seek to disrupt our way of life succeed (What does this even mean? Since traffic disrupts our way of life I guess we shouldn't allow it to succeed). We must increase our efforts at home and abroad to improve our defenses, destroy terrorist networks (Are there Christian, Buddhist, and Hindu terrorist networks I am not aware of?), and deprive them of the space from which to operate."
Jeb Bush- "Praying for Paris tonight. America will stand with you against terror. "
Hillary Clinton- "The reports from Paris are harrowing. Praying for the the city and families of the victims."
Donald Trump- "My prayers are with the victims and hostages in the horrible Paris attacks. May God be with you all."
Chris Christie- "The terrorist attacks in France tonight are alarming and heartbreaking. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families."
Bobby Jindal- "Our thoughts are with the people of France. Please say a prayer for Paris as they deal with this horrible attack."
Ted Cruz- "America must stand with our allies against the scourge of radical Islamic (Well done Ted) terrorism"
Carly Fiorina- "I mourn with you. I pray with you. I stand with you. America must lead in the world. We must wage & win this fight against Islamic (bravo Carly) terrorism"
John Kasich- "Our prayers go out for the people of Paris tonight"
Ben Carson- "My thoughts and prayers are with the people in Paris tonight."
Bernie Sanders- "Horrified by the attacks in Paris tonight. My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones."
Rand Paul- "My thoughts & prayers are with the people of Paris. America must stand united with France as they face this truly horrific act of (I think he meant to insert the word Islamic here) terrorism"
It is truly astonishing the lengths that our politicians will go to in order to avoid the I word. 160 people were killed and the best we can get out of our candidates is that that are praying for the victims of this horrific tragedy. This response might have been acceptable the first time the Muslims went on a rampage but are we going to accept this the 25th time after nothing has been done to stop the problem? Are we going to continue to accept this hollow rhetoric and go to Starbucks tomorrow as if nothing has happened? When you or I could write these tweets for them, it is probably best for them to say nothing at all. It is an insult to the victims and their families. President Obama is no longer respected because he has continually failed to back up his rhetoric with action. The Republican candidates risk making the same mistake.
The first rule to winning a war is to name the enemy. We have to elect a president that understands Islam and has the guts to protect and defend the interests of America against a political system/religion that wants to destroy us. I wish the Republicans candidates would have used this horrific terrorist attack to speak out on the refugee resettlement program, Ted Cruz's Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act, or criticized the consequences of multiculturalism and diversity. Instead, we get almost the exact same milk toast responses that we did after the Chattanooga shooting or Charlie Hebdo shooting.
Ted Cruz and Carly Fiorina deserve credit for having the courage to mention the word Islam. Cruz deserves credit for introducing the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act. I pray that the Republican candidates will wake up to the threat we are facing from Islam and will use their platform to educate America and ultimately save the Republic.
