Montini: Ducey joins hysterical stampede over refugees

Caution is a good thing. We want our political leaders to be cautious.

Panic is not so good.

And political pandering mixed with panic is even worse.

Following the attack in Paris last week a number of governors have announced that they will not admit Syrian refugees to their states.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey appears to be taking that one step further.

He's asking for an "immediate halt to the placement of any new refugees in Arizona."

Here's his statement:

“Given the horrifying events in Paris last week, I am calling for an immediate halt in the placement of any new refugees in Arizona. As governor, I am invoking our state’s right under 8 USC, Section 1522 (a), to receive immediate consultation by federal authorities per the United States Refugee Act, and that the federal government take into account the concerns and recommendations of the state of Arizona as they are required to under federal law, in our efforts to keep our homeland safe. I also call on Congress and the President to immediately amend federal law to provide states greater oversight and authority in the administration of the placement of refugees. These acts serve as a reminder that the world remains at war with radical Islamic terrorists. Our national leaders must react with the urgency and leadership that every American expects to protect our citizens.”

Was even a minute of thought put into this? A small amount of how the refugee process works and what it means? And who it helps?

Acting with "urgency and leadership" is a very good thing.

Acting -- as in play acting, as in performing for an audience -- is not so good.

Having a discussion about refugees and what we are going to do going forward would be useful.

But you can't shed light on a subject by lighting you hair on fire.

That's all Ducey is doing. Hysteria is not good. Causing an emotional stampede is not good.

Unnecessarily increasing the consternation and agitation and dread among regular folks is just about the last thing a "leader" is supposed to do.

A leader bases decisions on solid information, not ugly biased presumptions. It’s the presidential election season and we all expect the rhetoric to be ramped up on just about every subject.

At times like this politicians talk tough. And because their words are just that – words – they’ll say just about anything.

A number of foolish, un-American governors and other politicians have suggested that we not admit Syrian refugees. Or that we focus on admitting Christian refugees.

Former Gov. Jeb Bush, who wants to be president, actually suggested such a ridiculous thing.

Our guy Ducey seems to go one step further. Rather than discriminate against one nationality or one religion, he seemingly wants us to discriminate against them ALL.

That's not leadership. It's weakness.