The Kumbaya Moment

Last week 40 world leaders gathered in Paris, days after the massacres at the French magazine Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket, to protest the attacks.  Millions of people  marched through the streets of Paris, with heads-of-state at the helm. They marched in unity, showing solidarity with France, in support of free speech. It was a clear message to the Islamic terrorists that the world will stand against their oppressive beliefs and barbaric tactics. Unfortunately, the United States was not there to send that message with them.

While the White House claimed it would've been too difficult to effectively secure the President, there were no such concerns for either the Vice President, the Secy. of State or the Attorney General to have attended. And  yet, none of them showed up. The absence was stark and the backlash was swift. (And what was the excuse for Eric Holder, already in Paris that day, to miss the rally and return immediately to the U.S.? No excuse offered.)

Days later, in an effort to apologize for the lack of symbolic support for France, Secy. of State Kerry flew to Paris to deliver the message. As a gesture, he brought with him James Taylor, to sing "You've Got a Friend" to a Paris audience. A joke? Afraid not.

This is embarrassing. It's weak. And we can't take it back. Once again, Obama 'leads from behind' and all the world watches. This is our 'Kumbaya' moment.