Editorial: We can accept Syrian refugees without accepting terrorism

Over the years, we've often admonished ourselves to avoid writing editorials that weave between a there's-this-pro and a but-then-there's-that-con approach that fails to take a strong point of view.

Today, we're finding ourselves in danger of sounding like we're doing just that. When it comes to the Syrian refugee issue, we hold two positions that some might see as diametrically opposed.

But there is nothing timid about the points we feel the need to make:

We believe that a brief moratorium on processing refugees from Syria and Iraq is prudent.

We also believe that accepting refugees from these areas is not only humanitarian but essential to American interests.

These positions are not mutually exclusive, and we wish politicians, pundits and some members of the public would stop arguing the points reflexively based on emotion. Everyone, let's lower the volume and debate thoughtfully with a little common sense. In a foreboding message, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said last week some of the terrorists involved in the Paris attacks "took advantage of the refugee crisis ... of the chaos, perhaps, for some of them to slip in."

The Telegraph of London went a step further and reported that Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the presumed ringleader, and at least two other terrorists used the migrant route to cross into Europe through Greece.

Let's allow that to sink in for a moment. The United States is not Europe, and in many respects our Homeland Security systems are far superior. But terrorists have vowed to attack again here too and in recent days have specifically announced plans to take aim at Washington D.C. and at Times Square in New York.

Does anyone doubt they might try to use the veil of refugee migration to reach our shores?

We don't believe America should turn its back on refugees who need our help.

But there is nothing inhumane about pausing to review and, if necessary, strengthen our nation's precautions, presuming we do so systematically with a clear end-date for the moratorium. In fact, it seems to be simple common sense to do so.

At the same time, let's redouble our commitment to the refugee program itself.

Welcoming well-vetted refugees not only is the humanitarian thing to do, it is the American thing to do.

If we are to win the war on terror, it will not be done with bullets and bombs alone. It will be done with the power of our ideals.

This is not a war of religions. Fundamentally, it is not even a war between ways of life.

It is a war between bigotry and acceptance. It is a war between hatred and love.

That is the message we send the terrorists and those they would recruit.

How do we send that message if we do not open our arms to those in peril?