Where In The World Was Obama, Biden, Kerry?
At least one of them should have shown up for the Paris rally. John Kerry is even going to be in Paris this week. Eric Holder was actually in Paris. Even though it’s symbolic, having an American leader in that chain of hands among the million-strong wold have sent an important message to the world.
White House officials declined to comment on whether President Obama or Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. had considered participating in the march in Paris on Sunday honoring the victims of the deadly attacks in France.
Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. and a top Homeland Security official were in Paris on Sunday to meet with their counterparts, but did not take part in the march. The American ambassador to France, Jane Hartley, did attend, a spokesman for the embassy in Paris said.
No comment? No explanation? We should have one.
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viva_democracy January 12th, 2015 at 14:51
Look at the hypocrites in the photo. Many of them beat and jail members of the press, including Netanyahu.
runner_runner January 12th, 2015 at 15:51
Look at the hypocrites in the photo. Many of them beat and jail members of the press, including Netanyahu.
viva_democracy January 12th, 2015 at 14:57
Here’s some French, ‘speech is only free when we like it’ for ya…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAWuVy0QW18
runner_runner January 12th, 2015 at 15:57
Here’s some French, ‘speech is only free when we like it’ for ya…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAWuVy0QW18
Richard Bottoms January 12th, 2015 at 15:23
Maybe they were busy directing the troops who are actually killing these bastards instead of being all symbolic? I seem to recall Obama getting quite a lot of sh*t for doing just that for the last few months. NOW even the the French wants ISIS dead.
greenfloyd January 12th, 2015 at 21:26
I don’t agree, although you hit upon a couple of good points. As Commander in Chief of US armed forces, Obama sends men and women into harms way all the time. Essentially Obama was AWOL, he became the solider who refused to join the charge against a common enemy of peace and freedom.
It’s all a major insult to the French people who more than wanting “ISIS” dead want peace and justice at home.
Richard Bottoms January 12th, 2015 at 22:36
Bullshit. We sent the French Ambassador. And not too long ago it was Freedom Fries and Freedom Toast, so cut the crap.
greenfloyd January 12th, 2015 at 23:03
They have always been French fries to me. You may soon forget this no-show incident. However, I doubt the French will. Nor will the extremists who seek to leverage anti-American sentiment.
Richard Bottoms January 13th, 2015 at 00:16
Fortunately I don’t care what the French think.
And the extremists apparently don’t really need an excuse for their barbarism.
greenfloyd January 13th, 2015 at 20:39
Why don’t you care what the French think? They are important allies and trusted friends, ever since the founding of America…
We are fighting the same enemy and we face the same struggle to protect freedom.
Richard Bottoms January 12th, 2015 at 16:23
Maybe they were busy directing the troops who are actually killing these bastards instead of being all symbolic? I seem to recall Obama getting quite a lot of sh*t for doing just that for the last few months. NOW even the the French wants ISIS dead.
floyd[@]greenfloyd.org January 12th, 2015 at 22:26
I don’t agree, although you hit upon a couple of good points. As Commander in Chief of US armed forces, Obama sends men and women into harms way all the time. Essentially Obama was AWOL, he became the solider who refused to join the charge against a common enemy of peace and freedom.
It’s all a major insult to the French people who more than wanting “ISIS” dead want peace and justice at home.
Richard Bottoms January 12th, 2015 at 23:36
Bullshit. We sent the French Ambassador. And not too long ago it was Freedom Fries and Freedom Toast, so cut the crap.
floyd[@]greenfloyd.org January 13th, 2015 at 00:03
They have always been French fries to me. You may soon forget this no-show incident. However, I doubt the French will. Nor will the extremists who seek to leverage anti-American sentiment.
Richard Bottoms January 13th, 2015 at 01:16
Fortunately I don’t care what the French think.
And the extremists apparently don’t really need an excuse for their barbarism.
floyd[@]greenfloyd.org January 13th, 2015 at 21:39
Why don’t you care what the French think? They are important allies and trusted friends, ever since the founding of America…
We are fighting the same enemy and we face the same struggle to protect freedom.
Bunya January 12th, 2015 at 16:46
Y’know, since this is the biggest blunder this president has made, I’m fine with it.
Suzanne McFly January 12th, 2015 at 16:47
It seems they forgot what the last POTUS did.
Bunya January 12th, 2015 at 17:46
Y’know, since this is the biggest blunder this president has made, I’m fine with it.
Suzanne McFly January 12th, 2015 at 17:47
It seems they forgot what the last POTUS did.
OldLefty January 12th, 2015 at 17:16
This is a beltway insider issue about what was basically a photo-op.
Frankly I think the heads of state detracted from the people, (who don’t get security), as evidence by the coverage.
OldLefty January 12th, 2015 at 18:16
This is a beltway insider issue about what was basically a photo-op.
Frankly I think the heads of state detracted from the people, (who don’t get security), as evidence by the coverage.
edmeyer_able January 12th, 2015 at 17:36
Mitt Romney wants everyone to know that if a war breaks out he’s totally fine going to France for the duration.
edmeyer_able January 12th, 2015 at 18:36
Mitt Romney wants everyone to know that if a war breaks out he’s totally fine going to France for the duration.
OldLefty January 12th, 2015 at 21:45
Imagine if Obama or Biden or Kerry were in this photo??
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paris-march-tv-wide-shots-reveal-a-different-perspective-on-world-leaders-at-largest-demonstration-in-frances-history-9972895.html
greenfloyd January 12th, 2015 at 21:51
Given the distance and wide angle you’d be hard pressed to pick anyone out in that photo. But what’s the point? We know they were not there. That much, even the administration admits.
OldLefty January 13th, 2015 at 06:31
My point is, it’s probably good that they were not there.
I think the masses of people who were there, holding Je suis Charlie and We are not afraid, (without security), were more meaningful, and the “leaders” were a distraction.
I know that on Friday and Saturday, my in-laws from India and Australia were saying that they hoped that THEIR leaders, and Obama would not be there.
With the mockery those who were are getting now, looks like they were right;
From the article;
Paris march: TV wide shots reveal a different perspective on world leaders at largest demonstration in France’s history
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paris-march-tv-wide-shots-reveal-a-different-perspective-on-world-leaders-at-largest-demonstration-in-frances-history-9972895.html
The measure was presumably taken for security reasons – but political commentators have suggested that it raises doubts as to whether the leaders were really part of the march at all.
One reporter tweeted out;
@GerryHassan
This is what pseudo-solidarity looks like. World leaders marching in #Paris not actually on protest but photo opp. pic.twitter.com/Sz1k0uvGo9
And;
@borzou
Seems world leaders didn’t “lead” #CharlieHebdo marchers in Paris but
conducted photo op on empty, guarded street
greenfloyd January 13th, 2015 at 19:56
At the moment France is on high alert, it’s obvious there are active cells of extremists determined to cause death and destruction. The security measures were not unwarranted. And, as I understand it there were thousands of French police and military on duty protecting the demonstrators, as well as foreign dignitaries. But plainly Obama had no excuse and admits it was a mistake not to attend.
OldLefty January 13th, 2015 at 21:00
I think it was not a mistake.
He should not have gone.
I think it is now viewed as a cheap publicity stunt that detracted from the actual people who had no security.
That’s why the international reporters are saying things like;
@GerryHassan
This is what
pseudo-solidarity looks like. World leaders marching in #Paris not actually on
protest but photo opp.
The FT’s Middle East
correspondent Borzou Daragahi commented: “Seems world leaders didn’t “lead”
Charlie Hebdo marchers in Paris but conducted photo op on empty, guarded street.”
Ian Bremmer, a US
political scientist and founder of the Eurasia Group, said: “All those world
leaders: Not exactly ‘at’ the Paris rallies.”
And … @borzou
To show their commitment
to free speech MT @mattsteinglassThey should have banned press from showing the full photo
If Obama or Biden had gone, (in spite of the almost impossible logistical problems) the media would be mocking them now.
greenfloyd January 13th, 2015 at 21:16
Obama has admitted it was a “mistake.” So, I am not sure what you are defending?
OldLefty January 13th, 2015 at 21:30
I think they are just saying that because the media is behaving with their usual herd like mentality, treating this trivial issue as if it IS the story.
It is a beltway insider issue.
The same as the tan suit and latte, and the flag pin (Obama started wearing a flag pin as well).
And you know what?
It’s not always about us.
Spirit of America January 13th, 2015 at 21:51
Then they would be lying if that is why they said it was a mistake, no?
OldLefty January 14th, 2015 at 06:35
Yes, I think they were, as people who are exasperated but this silliness often do.
greenfloyd January 13th, 2015 at 21:53
It is A story, widely covered in the national and international press and media. Not just the “beltway.” Even though it’s time to move on, what’s done is done, this is about us, about our president who knows he dropped the ball at a crucial time. It was a “mistake,” and now we muddle on. :)
OldLefty January 14th, 2015 at 06:33
Clearly we disagree.
But I come from a place where my in-laws from India and Australia all said before that their leaders should not go, that it a cheap publicity stunt, (Reporters Without Borders called many of the world leaders who attended the rally ‘predators’ of a free press” while many put out headlines like “March of the Hypocrites”)
Funny, my husband just said, “Thank God, he wasn’t there, if he or Biden had been there, Fox , followed by everyone else would have a field day, showing that photo endlessly, as, ‘Obama, on his $200 B photo op hiding from the people with his fellow leftist dictators”.
I am more convinced than ever that he made the right choice.
greenfloyd January 14th, 2015 at 22:29
Perhaps I’m naive, but I can’t reduce Sunday’s massive demo and the attendance of dozens of official representatives from Europe and elsewhere to a “cheap publicity stunt.” The million+ people on the streets of Paris override any hidden agendas, of which, I saw none. Did you?
Sunday was not about politics, although it seems Reporters Without Borders disagrees. They, RWB, may have solid cases against each and every one of those leaders they condemn as “predators” [of a free press], although it seems to me they chose the wrong time and place to try and make their case.
At this point the White House claims it was a “mistake.”
OldLefty January 15th, 2015 at 06:18
“but I can’t reduce Sunday’s massive demo and the attendance of dozens of official representatives from Europe and elsewhere to a “cheap publicity stunt.”
_________
I agree. But that’s what it looks like, and the photo-op nature of the leader’s presence trivializes it and detracted from the millions who had the courage to stand there with “We are not afraid” signs and who did not have security.
I think the “OMG!! Who was there and who wasn’t there” also trivialized the regular people’s march and took attention away from them.
As for the White House “admitting” it was a mistake;
Same thing when Obama started wearing the made in China flag pin, because the mass media kept mentioning it as though it was important.
I see as more like this little personal story;
My husband is a physician. His Dad was a diabetic.
While his dad took his medication, he also ate bitter gourd
He insisted that his diabetes was under control BECAUSE of the bitter gourd (not
the medication), the rationale being…
Diabetes is “sugar”, sugar is sweet, bitter counters sweet.
After years of arguments, my husband became exasperated and ultimately just said, “OK, Dad. You’re right”
Same thing.
greenfloyd January 15th, 2015 at 21:50
I looked up “bitter gourd,” momordica charantia has long been used in Asia and is known to lower blood glucose levels. So perhaps your father-inlaw, and your husband, were both right.
OldLefty January 16th, 2015 at 05:38
Maybe. Husband says it’s hooey, though.
John_St_John January 12th, 2015 at 22:12
Would have been nice if they had let the protesters attend the world leaders perfectly led photo op. But the little people really don’t matter in the scheme of things.
Spirit of America January 12th, 2015 at 22:19
This was done for the folks to see just how unified the world at large is against such craven acts; that many, and all in that photo are(or several per) world leaders all in agreement & solidarity.
That’s the ‘why’ for the photo.
The ‘why’ for the grouping w/out the rest of the gatherers is purely a security issue; no way to ensure 1 person w/explosives wouldn’t get/be close enough to detonate & cause deaths amongst the leaders… france couldn’t guarantee the safety if let the crowd too close, esp w/thinking more of the cell may be around.
OldLefty January 12th, 2015 at 22:45
Imagine if Obama or Biden or Kerry were in this photo??
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paris-march-tv-wide-shots-reveal-a-different-perspective-on-world-leaders-at-largest-demonstration-in-frances-history-9972895.html
floyd[@]greenfloyd.org January 12th, 2015 at 22:51
Given the distance and wide angle you’d be hard pressed to pick anyone out in that photo. But what’s the point? We know they were not there. That much, even the administration admits.
OldLefty January 13th, 2015 at 07:31
My point is, it’s probably good that they were not there.
I think the masses of people who were there, holding Je suis Charlie and We are not afraid, (without security), were more meaningful, and the “leaders” were a distraction.
I know that on Friday and Saturday, my in-laws from India and Australia were saying that they hoped that THEIR leaders, and Obama would not be there.
With the mockery those who were are getting now, looks like they were right;
From the article;
Paris march: TV wide shots reveal a different perspective on world leaders at largest demonstration in France’s history
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paris-march-tv-wide-shots-reveal-a-different-perspective-on-world-leaders-at-largest-demonstration-in-frances-history-9972895.html
The measure was presumably taken for security reasons – but political commentators have suggested that it raises doubts as to whether the leaders were really part of the march at all.
One reporter tweeted out;
@GerryHassan
This is what pseudo-solidarity looks like. World leaders marching in #Paris not actually on protest but photo opp. pic.twitter.com/Sz1k0uvGo9
And;
@borzou
Seems world leaders didn’t “lead” #CharlieHebdo marchers in Paris but
conducted photo op on empty, guarded street
floyd[@]greenfloyd.org January 13th, 2015 at 20:56
At the moment France is on high alert, it’s obvious there are active cells of extremists determined to cause death and destruction. The security measures were not unwarranted. And, as I understand it there were thousands of French police and military on duty protecting the demonstrators, as well as foreign dignitaries. But plainly Obama had no excuse and admits it was a mistake not to attend.
OldLefty January 13th, 2015 at 22:00
I think it was not a mistake.
He should not have gone.
I think it is now viewed as a cheap publicity stunt that detracted from the actual people who had no security.
That’s why the international reporters are saying things like;
@GerryHassan
This is what
pseudo-solidarity looks like. World leaders marching in #Paris not actually on
protest but photo opp.
The FT’s Middle East
correspondent Borzou Daragahi commented: “Seems world leaders didn’t “lead”
Charlie Hebdo marchers in Paris but conducted photo op on empty, guarded street.”
Ian Bremmer, a US
political scientist and founder of the Eurasia Group, said: “All those world
leaders: Not exactly ‘at’ the Paris rallies.”
And … @borzou
To show their commitment
to free speech MT @mattsteinglassThey should have banned press from showing the full photo
If Obama or Biden had gone, (in spite of the almost impossible logistical problems) the media would be mocking them now.
floyd[@]greenfloyd.org January 13th, 2015 at 22:16
Obama has admitted it was a “mistake.” So, I am not sure what you are defending?
OldLefty January 13th, 2015 at 22:30
I think they are just saying that because the media is behaving with their usual herd like mentality, treating this trivial issue as if it IS the story.
It is a beltway insider issue.
The same as the tan suit and latte, and the flag pin (Obama started wearing a flag pin as well).
And you know what?
It’s not always about us.
Spirit of America January 13th, 2015 at 22:51
Then they would be lying if that is why they said it was a mistake, no?
OldLefty January 14th, 2015 at 07:35
Yes, I think they were, as people who are exasperated but this silliness often do.
floyd[@]greenfloyd.org January 13th, 2015 at 22:53
It is A story, widely covered in the national and international press and media. Not just the “beltway.” Even though it’s time to move on, what’s done is done, this is about us, about our president who knows he dropped the ball at a crucial time. It was a “mistake,” and now we muddle on. :)
OldLefty January 14th, 2015 at 07:33
Clearly we disagree.
But I come from a place where my in-laws from India and Australia all said before that their leaders should not go, that it a cheap publicity stunt, (Reporters Without Borders called many of the world leaders who attended the rally ‘predators’ of a free press” while many put out headlines like “March of the Hypocrites”)
Funny, my husband just said, “Thank God, he wasn’t there, if he or Biden had been there, Fox , followed by everyone else would have a field day, showing that photo endlessly, as, ‘Obama, on his $200 B photo op hiding from the people with his fellow leftist dictators”.
I am more convinced than ever that he made the right choice.
floyd[@]greenfloyd.org January 14th, 2015 at 23:29
Perhaps I’m naive, but I can’t reduce Sunday’s massive demo and the attendance of dozens of official representatives from Europe and elsewhere to a “cheap publicity stunt.” The million+ people on the streets of Paris override any hidden agendas, of which, I saw none. Did you?
Sunday was not about politics, although it seems Reporters Without Borders disagrees. They, RWB, may have solid cases against each and every one of those leaders they condemn as “predators” [of a free press], although it seems to me they chose the wrong time and place to try and make their case.
At this point the White House claims it was a “mistake.”
OldLefty January 15th, 2015 at 07:18
“but I can’t reduce Sunday’s massive demo and the attendance of dozens of official representatives from Europe and elsewhere to a “cheap publicity stunt.”
_________
I agree. But that’s what it looks like, and the photo-op nature of the leader’s presence trivializes it and detracted from the millions who had the courage to stand there with “We are not afraid” signs and who did not have security.
I think the “OMG!! Who was there and who wasn’t there” also trivialized the regular people’s march and took attention away from them.
As for the White House “admitting” it was a mistake;
Same thing when Obama started wearing the made in China flag pin, because the mass media kept mentioning it as though it was important.
I see as more like this little personal story;
My husband is a physician. His Dad was a diabetic.
While his dad took his medication, he also ate bitter gourd
He insisted that his diabetes was under control BECAUSE of the bitter gourd (not
the medication), the rationale being…
Diabetes is “sugar”, sugar is sweet, bitter counters sweet.
After years of arguments, my husband became exasperated and ultimately just said, “OK, Dad. You’re right”
Same thing.
floyd[@]greenfloyd.org January 15th, 2015 at 22:50
I looked up “bitter gourd,” momordica charantia has long been used in Asia and is known to lower blood glucose levels. So perhaps your father-inlaw, and your husband, were both right.
OldLefty January 16th, 2015 at 06:38
Maybe. Husband says it’s hooey, though.
John_St_John January 12th, 2015 at 23:12
Would have been nice if they had let the protesters attend the world leaders perfectly led photo op. But the little people really don’t matter in the scheme of things.
Spirit of America January 12th, 2015 at 23:19
This was done for the folks to see just how unified the world at large is against such craven acts; that many, and all in that photo are(or several per) world leaders all in agreement & solidarity.
That’s the ‘why’ for the photo.
The ‘why’ for the grouping w/out the rest of the gatherers is purely a security issue; no way to ensure 1 person w/explosives wouldn’t get/be close enough to detonate & cause deaths amongst the leaders… france couldn’t guarantee the safety if let the crowd too close, esp w/thinking more of the cell may be around.
Tim Coolio January 12th, 2015 at 21:56
Yeah I guess Joe should have been there but don’t worry France, we still support you!
not only do I like French fries but I even use French dressing on the salad!
Tim Coolio January 12th, 2015 at 22:56
Yeah I guess Joe should have been there but don’t worry France, we still support you!
not only do I like French fries but I even use French dressing on the salad!
rg9rts January 13th, 2015 at 08:07
It was like a G 20 meeting and for the US it was embarrassing
rg9rts January 13th, 2015 at 09:07
It was like a G 20 meeting and for the US it was embarrassing