This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

"It's deja vu all over again." This nation just had the opportunity to show the we have "True Grit" in response to another cowardly terrorist attack. Just like post-9/11, we have failed miserably. At least 30 governors (all but one are Republicans) and almost all the conservative presidential candidates called for suspending Syrian immigration, closing mosques etc, etc.

They could have told us that "freedom isn't free," that now is the time to show our resolve to defend all the principles upon which this country was founded. They could tell us that standing our ground and welcoming refugees will incur some risk, but that's what real patriots do.

Instead, our hysterical, Second Amendment defending cowards chose pandering to constituents' nearly baseless fears for political gain. Islamic State leaders have to be cheering in the streets for our pathetic response.

Time to step up and be counted folks. Gov. Gary Herbert did. Placing an American flag in your yard, patriotic bumper stickers on your car and open carry in the mall does not make you a patriot.

Insisting we put refugees in political reeducation camps is not the response of a patriot. Sending other folks' loved ones off to fight the war on terror is not patriotism. Look in the mirror. Do you see a patriot or a poser?

Wayne Wagner

Salt Lake City