Dangerously Distracted by The Donald

Does anyone think our intolerance problem is limited to Trump?

By attacking the GOP front-runner, the media and the political elites seem eager to convince us all that they're enlightened. Good for them.

But I'd prefer that they be focused on keeping us safe, and not get distracted by yet another Trump sideshow. I'd prefer that they be smart, and figure out a better alternative to fixing a visa system that is clearly broken and puts Americans at risk. And I'd prefer that they be thoughtful, as they discuss what could be some messy and unpleasant policies to protect the homeland.

That's what Americans need right now. Trump-bashing is cheap and easy. It makes a lot of people feel good, but it gets us nowhere.

Specifically, there is one argument that drives me crazy every time I hear it -- that Trump's moratorium on Muslim visas "plays into the hands of the Islamic State" by defining our war against that murderous gang as a conflict between Islam and nonbelievers while helping the terrorists recruit new members.

The bad guys are already recruiting new members. Every successful terrorist attack, anywhere in the world, is like a membership drive. And what does it matter that Americans refrain from characterizing this conflict as a religious war when the people intent on killing us absolutely believe that? You can stand outside in a storm, and pretend it isn't raining. But it won't keep you from getting wet.

There are a dozen more important topics we should be talking about after the San Bernardino massacre.

Like why in the world would the State Department give a fiance visa to Tashfeen Malik, the female terrorist born in Pakistan? And why won't the State Department even now, citing Malik's right to privacy, answer questions about her visa application? And why did United States Citizenship and Immigration Services compound the error by later granting her legal permanent residency? And how many more terrorists are already here on U.S. soil, waiting to carry out additional attacks? And how do we find them and neutralize the threat?

No, no, nothing to see here. Move along. Say, what do you think of Donald Trump?

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Ruben Navarrette's email address is ruben@rubennavarrette.com.