Darkness in the City of Lights: 5 Lessons We Must Learn from the Paris Attacks

Paris, France, the ‘city of light’, has gone dark. An unspeakable tragedy has occurred that has rocked the world. As details continue to emerge and give us a clearer picture of what happened, there are several things that we already know for sure:

1. The threat of radical Islamic terrorism is real
2. An armed citizenry is vital
3. Strong borders are essential
4. A country’s job is to protect its citizens
5. It is the responsibility of the citizens themselves to personally help the world as a whole

Radical Muslims are the enemy that this world faces today. There is no tolerance or acceptance in their way of doing things. Convert or die are the only choices, if any choice is given at all. In Paris, no choice was given.

The number one, God-given right that every human being possesses (recognized or not) is the right to life. Attached to that right is the right to defend one’s life from threats. Here in America, we enjoy the benefits of the Second Amendment that guarantees that we are able to bear arms for our defense. In Paris, sadly there is no Second Amendment.

A country is only a country when it can define and defend its borders. It is the height of naivety to disregard that there are people in this world filled with hate that will use any opportunity presented to kill if it will advance whatever perverted cause they champion. Immigration is a wonderful thing when those entering the country have a love for, and a desire to become a part of, that country, to work their hardest to make that country prosper and succeed. When this is not the case, immigration swiftly becomes insurgency. Over one-hundred Parisians were the victims of insurgency.

Next, a country’s responsibilities lie with its citizens. They come first and last. A nation’s job is to protect and prosper its own residents. In this day and age, many promote the idea that a country must focus its attention outward. Nations have a ‘responsibility’ to lead, be humanitarian, and help the less fortunate. That is utter and complete nonsense.

It is the individual’s job to help and aid others around the world. That’s you and me, not the government. The inefficiency and waste that occurs when governments get involved is deplorable. Operations such as Doctors Without Borders, The Salvation Army, Red Cross, and others are examples of necessary humanitarian aid going to those in need without government intervention.

Our prayers go out to those suffering in Paris and around the world as we all grieve for what has happened. Our prayer also is that the perpetrators of this horrific act will be brought to swift justice.

When not learned from, history will repeat itself. Let us take these lessons to heart and put them into practice.

Jonathan Paine

@painefultruth76

painefultruth1776@gmail.com