By doing nothing, we risk losing everything

We begin this New Year with a stark truth: Evil has always existed. From the fall of man in the Garden of Eden to the atrocities of our modern age, the battle between good and evil is a constant in human history. Even so, we are not called to despair in the face of this reality.

No, we are called to confront it, to shine a light into the darkness and to act decisively. Edmund Burke once said, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” And yet, how often do we see our elected, so-called leaders doing precisely that—nothing?

Is it any surprise, then, when evil rises, again and again? The New Orleans terrorist attack on New Year’s Day is yet another wake-up call for us all to act. Proverbs 22:3 reminds us, “The clever see danger and hide; but the simple go on, and suffer for it.” And it’s true.

Who else do we have to blame but ourselves when we elect (and re-elect) those who aren’t “clever” enough to see danger because they’re more focused on an agenda than preserving our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? They are the ones more focused, for example, on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in our federal agencies, within our military and in our schools, rather than in competency and any meritocracy.

They are the ones more concerned with pronoun and gender policies in our restrooms than preventing terrorists from coming across our border. They are the ones more interested in advancing a climate change agenda or reducing religious freedom, in defunding the police and packing the U.S. Supreme Court, rather than making our communities safer by enforcing our laws or discouraging tyrants around the world by putting America first, instead of ignoring our most significant threats.

After all, the Bible teaches us that a “sin of omission” is a failure to do something one can and ought to do. James 4:17 reads, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” Proverbs 3:27 says, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.”

By doing nothing, we can lose everything — including our country.

The challenge before us is not merely to lament the state of the world but to act. It begins with holding our leaders accountable by only electing those who focus on what truly matters.

For example, New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick is under greater scrutiny now, after the terrorist attack, for her support of DEI initiatives within the New Orleans Police Department.

So, the question here is this to Chief Kirkpatrick: How many resources, how many man-hours, have been diverted from crime prevention and counterterrorism to DEI initiatives? How many officers could have been better prepared and better trained to respond to real threats if they weren’t stuck in a classroom learning about “bias” or if officers were being hired more on competence than on DEI criteria? And how much of this ideology played into any lapses that allowed this terrorist attack to take place in New Orleans?

You see, evil doesn’t need a formal invitation. It doesn’t come with a sign or a label. It exploits our weaknesses — our porous borders, lack of vigilance and our leaders’ unwillingness to confront hard truths. Lives are lost — countless lives are changed forever — when those entrusted with our safety are distracted with the inane, too preoccupied to see the danger.

And yet, as bleak as this may seem, we must not lose hope. The same Bible that warns us of danger also offers us a roadmap for redemption. It reminds us that while evil exists, it does not have the final word. Psalm 37:1-2 tells us, “Do not fret because of evildoers; be not envious toward wrongdoers. For they will wither quickly like the grass and fade like the green herb.” That’s because evil is temporary, but goodness, truth and justice endure.

America has faced great trials before, though, like the most recent terrorist attack in New Orleans, and we will face them again. Each of us has a role, whether in our communities, workplaces or families.

As Jesus said in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” We are called to be that light, shining truth into darkness and standing firm against evil, no matter how daunting the task may seem.

Evil may exist, but it will not triumph — at least not on our watch.

Louis R. Avallone is a Shreveport businessman, attorney and author of “Bright Spots, Big Country, What Makes America Great.” He is also a former aide to U.S. Representative Jim McCrery and editor of The Caddo Republican. His columns have appeared regularly in 318 Forum since 2007. Follow him on Facebook, on Twitter @louisravallone or by e-mail at louisavallone@mac.com, and on American Ground Radio at 101.7FM and 710 AM, weeknights from 6 - 7 p.m., and streaming live on keelnews.com.

Letters to the Editor

Mr. Avallone,

I am writing to you about your article in 318 Forum. I have been a long-time reader of your articles written in the Forum. I particularly enjoyed this one! (Dec. 7, 2024.) What I love the most about your column is that you always write what needs to be said and/or read by folks. And you do so bravely and unapologetically. Good for you! I am happy that we have someone in this publication willing to write about family, city and civic pride, trying to do the right thing and, most importantly, about God and our salvation through Christ. I was compelled to email to say that you are appreciated. Keep up the good work and mission. 2 Timothy 4: 7-8.

— Paul C.