Some things are so basic, so fundamental, that they can be difficult to write about.

As of this writing, we don’t yet know why the accused man, Cody Balmer, allegedly set the Governor’s Residence on fire — with Josh Shapiro and his family inside.

In our own personal travels on the internet, staff members have of course encountered a wide range of theories.

One of the most classic responses we have to a major tragedy or crime is that: why?

Our View is that, ultimately, it doesn’t matter.

Our governor, who is Jewish, had his home set on fire in the middle of the night. On Passover, which is one of the faith’s most holy nights.

What more needs to be said?

Maybe you don’t love Shapiro or the job he’s done — understandably so, frankly.

Maybe you are upset with Jewish people who have been outspoken in favor of Israel, as Shapiro has been.

Maybe you think that Shapiro doesn’t do enough for the rural little-folk and only cares about the rich big-city dwellers.

Maybe you even think that Shapiro, as a Democrat, is opposed to you morally and as such is an enemy.

But if people have to be asking each other if this qualifies as a hate crime, you have gone too far.

Where do you think this road leads?

The Governor’s Residence has cameras and a 7-foot tall iron fence. Who among us can say the same?

This type of violent act only leads to further violence, and by defending it, you are condoning that violence — fanning the flames higher and brighter.

If you do not think you will get burned, too, you are a fool.

We understand the frustration. Lord knows, we do.

In many ways, this path seems inexorable; a sure-fire guarantee as our representative government turns increasingly against the will of the people.

But we urge, we plead, that in your discussions in the community about this event, consider the following:

— If you are upset about wasteful use of taxpayer funds, the state will now use our money to restore the now fire-damaged Governor’s Residence, which dates to the 1960s.

— If you’re upset about having your concerns ignored, consider organizing protests with like-minded individuals, as well as utilizing your state representative’s office and calling for town halls with elected officials where you can speak directly.

— Don’t neglect the power of appearances. Again, we don’t know the whole circumstances as of this writing. The motive could have even been something personal, with no political animus behind it. But it also doesn’t matter what the motive was because by this point, everyone has already perceived the attack in accordance with their own beliefs…or, if you’re Jewish, traumas, especially following the Tree of Life shooting in Pittsburgh in 2018. This is bigger than whatever the original intent was, and risks spiraling further and faster.

Our nation is a emotional powder-keg right now. People on both the left and the right are engaged in fierce ideological wrangling, while most people in the middle just want the social temperature to cool.

Honestly, if something like this was going to happen anywhere, Pennsylvania makes a lot of sense. We exist at the crossroads of many geographical and social regions — mid-Altantic, midwest, New England and so forth — and we are a vibrantly purple state with an intense mix of political opinions. As a political bellweather, our state is a microcosm of the nation.

This attack should serve as a dire warning to all of us that we stand on the brink of a level of conflict that many Americans have never seen in our lifetimes, especially for those of us who are younger.

Unless we want to endure something akin to the Irish Troubles, we need to avoid this road.

Speaking as your friendly local newspaper, we deeply do not want to forced into a place where we need to cover the businesses we frequent coming under attack, nor do we want to have to report on anyone’s friends and loved ones being assaulted — or any of the other horrors that plagued Ireland for years.

As it is, reporting on things like severe car crashes or house fires is one of our least favorite parts of the job.

We still do it, because that is our responsibility to our readers.

But you’ll forgive us for siding with the moderates and hoping that cool heads prevail, and urging as strongly as we can that, as Americans, we collectively need to step back from this cliff.