There is concern, reasonable fear and unreasonable fear that leads to panic. Panic leads to hasty, ill-considered action.

Today we have much to be concerned about; however, some leaders in our state and national capitals and on the airwaves are, for their own purposes, espousing unreasonable fear.

Now the focus is on ISIS. Before, it was Ebola or immigrant children. Before that it was Y2K and weapons of mass destruction. In my youth, it was communism, nuclear attack and falling dominoes.

Today’s challenges can be met with well-informed and well-reasoned action.

The sky is not falling. Do not be misled.

Jonathan Robbins

Whitefield