ANALYSIS/OPINION:

As victims recovered from their injuries following last Monday’s attack on Ohio State’s campus, students and faculty members were quick to point fingers, but they were not all pointed where you would expect.

That’s right, not everyone was blaming Abdul Artan, the ISIS inspired Muslim refugee who ran over and stabbed nearly a dozen in a planned attack on our very own campus. Instead, many called for compassion for Artan and blamed his actions on religious discrimination at the Ohio State University.

Are these people out of their minds? I am sick of the ridiculous excuses being made for terrorists and criminals who refuse to follow the law and respect those around them. And, even more so, I am appalled by the lack of logic and clear disconnect from reality among the students and faculty members who defended Artan’s attack on Ohio State.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I do not support religious discrimination. In fact, just a year ago, I personally experienced harsh religious discrimination on the very same campus as Artan for being a Catholic, pro-life law student who cares about the lives of unborn black children in this country.

I was harassed. I was threatened. The discrimination was very real. However, I did not run over, stab or attempt to kill other students, and I highly doubt religious discrimination would have been considered an acceptable excuse if I did.

Of course, we need to continue to take steps to put an end to discrimination of all types on campuses nationwide. But, by no means should any existing discrimination be considered a justifiable excuse for acts of terror or crime.

It is time to take a hard look at the unacceptable double standard that is being set in this nation and hold responsible those who choose to break the law before it is too late.

• Madison Gesiotto is a conservative writer and commentator who frequently appears on Fox News Channel as well as on CNN. She is currently in the final year of pursuing her J.D. at The Michael E. Moritz College of Law at Ohio State University. You can reach her by email at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter: @madisongesiotto.

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