Editorial

United with Parisians in sorrow and resolve

Posted

Nassau County residents are no strangers to the grief and anger that come with terrorist attacks. Families destroyed, funerals and eulogies, and new laws and wars were the consequences of our own catastrophic experience on Sept. 11, 2001. Fatal illnesses continue to plague our first responders.

The vicious attacks in Paris have left the world stunned, furious and frustrated, and with a sense of ongoing dread. We know that those responsible for our security — police, local, state and federal intelligence agencies and the FBI — are working day and night, with great success, to thwart homeland attacks. We must do our part as well to protect ourselves, and say something if we see something.

As we mourn with our global neighbors in France, we remain confident that our military is able and prepared to take a leading role in an aggressive offensive against the enemies of civilization, and to protect our citizens at home and abroad.

Terrorism is an easy and cowardly way for the maniacal proponents of twisted ideologies to inflict pain. But we believe that our watchfulness, our commitment to freedom, our resolve through action to defeat terrorists, our compassion for those affected by their wicked deeds, our strong leadership in the world and our message of unity with other civilized nations will prevail.