The attacks in Paris last Friday evening were tragic, and my prayers are with everyone who was affected by them. At least one of the perpetrators of this heinous act posed as a Syrian refugee, and two others have been implicated in masterminding the attack.

Speaking from the Philippines yesterday, President Obama criticized Republicans for saying the Syrian refugees pose a security risk to the United States. In the condescending and sophomoric manner he reserves for the GOP, he said, “Apparently they are scared of widows and orphans coming into the United States of America. At first, they were too scared of the press being too tough on them in the debates. Now they are scared of 3-year-old orphans. That doesn’t seem so tough to me.” This comment is so ludicrous, that it is embarrassing to think that our commander in chief would reduce himself to making it.

This has nothing to do with being “tough”, and everything to do with being cautious with the security of our country. There is simply no way to screen each and every one of these people, and therefore, no way to be sure that they are in fact here for the sole purpose of seeking refuge. Interestingly enough, it doesn’t appear that any of these people are bound for Washington, D. C.

To open our borders to these people at this point in time is madness. Historically, the United States has welcomed scores of refugees, including several hundred thousand who fled Vietnam in the 1970’s and 1980’s, so this is not about refusing to help people in need, this is about being prudent and recognizing the threat of terrorism in our world today.

The President’s number one responsibility is to preserve and protect the Constitution, and therefore the nation. ISIS poses a real threat to our country, and their intentions are plain. Instead of worrying about his image as a Nobel Peace Prize winner, (which still boggles my mind) he needs think about what he was elected to do, and do it.