By Judi McLeod ——Bio and Archives--January 12, 2015
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“Neither President Obama or Vice President Biden made the trip to Paris, although dozens of other world leaders and officials put ceremony aside and jostled for space amid the crowds in a stirring show of support against terrorism. “The U.S. did send Attorney General Eric Holder to attend a pre-march terrorism summit convened by French President François Hollande. “Holder, 63, joined with Hollande in condemning the recent Paris attacks in the strongest possible terms and said the U.S. will hold another terrorism summit in D.C. in February. “But his support apparently stopped there — because he wasn’t seen at the emotional “Je Suis Charlie” rally afterward that attracted 1.3 million. Across France, nearly 4 million people turned out in similar demonstrations. “As chanting spectators filled the Place de la Republique, the only U.S. dignitary present was the U.S. Ambassador to France Jane Hartley. “Attorney General Holder — a Cabinet level official — is representing the United States at the security meetings in Paris today. He is joined by the DHS Deputy Secretary (Alejandro) Mayorkas. The United States is represented at the march by Ambassador Hartley,” a senior Obama administration official said. “The lack of U.S. leadership was glaringly apparent as Hollande linked arms with Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel, Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron, and dozens of other world leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. “But an administration official said Obama had made his support known in other ways. “As far as public signs of French solidarity from the U.S. — don't forget several public statements from the President, his call to Hollande and a condolence stop to the French embassy,” the official said. “It’s not clear why America’s President didn’t attend. Obama’s public schedule was empty Sunday, as was that of Vice President Joe Biden, one of the president’s most frequent surrogates. “Secretary of State John Kerry — a natural stand-in given his love of all things French and fluency in the language — was in India on Sunday, meeting with the Prime Minister to set the stage for President Obama’s visit there in a few weeks. “Sunday’s unity rally was the largest ever held in Paris, officials said. “Similar events were held across Europe, a call for peace after three days of terror in France that killed 17 innocent victims.The arrogance of the Obama administration is no longer just something shuttered nationally, it’s now on view for the entire world. More than 40 nations felt it was important to send their leaders to take a stand against terrorism in today’s massive “Je suis Charlie” rally. Obama sent lip service and when you read his lips they say: “Je suis Obama”.
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