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On every radio, local, national or cable news program today (with two exceptions) I heard criticism of Obama for not attending, or at least sending a representative to Paris where national leaders or their representatives expressed solidarity with millions of French who turned out for the event. Why was it that the leader of the western world did not attend? It is understandable, some said, that Obama could not attend because of the planning required and the enormous cost of his being there with his entourage and protective services. Other world leaders, e.g., Chancellor Merkel, Germany, Prime Minister Cameron, UK attended but they are close by so it was not difficult. None said this, but everyone knows that the assassination of any other world leader would be a tragedy, which one can get over easily but if Obama were to be assassinated then the western world might never recover. Civilization as we know it. . .But why couldn’t Bidden, Kerry or even the US Attorney General, Holder, who was in France attend?

That is really a stupid question which Obama answered years ago and has oft repeated. He is the world leader and announced during his first term that he was leading from behind. That’s why he, Bidden, Kerry and Holder stayed behind. He is a leader and he is leading exactly as he said he would. When he lies they don’t believe him and he told them the truth on this and they can’t make the connection. So, get off his case.

AH! BUT!!! Obama's Press Secretary announced today the U.S. should have sent a "High Profile" U.S. leader to Paris for the march affairs. So did many other World leaders.

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I can understand the reasoning for him not going, security, logistical planning and all that but as I understand it Holder was actually in Paris but said that he had high priority meetings to attend while the President of France was at the demo. Apparently there are higher priority meetings that the President of France chose not to attend but Holder's presence was necessary. Holder is therefore more important than the President of France.
I CERTAINLY HOPE NOT!!!
I was more concerned about the possibility of a lone terrorist with a satchel bomb wiping out most of the leaders of Western Europe in one fell swoop with most of them holding hands in front of the parade
Bill V

In Mexico it's called having cojones - or not. Cameron, Merkel, Netanyahu do; others do not.
Forrest

Maybe not stupid, but asinine fer sure IMHO!

Why do 'they' consider it necessary to detail all the resources available to the folks responsible for helping those hostages in the 'grocery' such as having live access to the interior surveillance system.

Sure it makes sense for all the terrorist to know in detail what obstacles they might encounter in the future.

I consider such revealing to be irresponsible.

...and announced during his first term that he was leading from behind.

Though it's been attributed to him a lot, Obama never announced that. Probably never said it. It's a quote of an anonymous White House source printed in New Yorker magazine. The saying seems to have originated with Nelson Mandela.

'Leading' from behind is an oxymoron if I ever heard one.

'Directing' from behind perhaps, but not leading.


But then Nelson Mandela did pretty well from isolation.

None said this, but everyone knows that the assassination of any other world leader would be a tragedy, which one can get over easily but if Obama were to be assassinated then the western world might never recover. Civilization as we know it. . .

HUH????????

Does anyone really believe that a leader in another country is not just as important to that country and to civilization as is the president of the USA?

No wonder other countries hate us we think the world revolves around us.

This country and civilization has survived 4 assassinations while I hope and pray we never have to experience or survive another one I really don't think this country or civiliation depends on one man.

Article in the LA Times today says that Mr. Obama did not make the call on Paris attendance.

I think that we Americans deserve to know who the boss really is. After all, the French know; the Germans know; the Israelis know; even the 'Palestinians" know!

So who do we blame for dumb mistakes and who do we credit for the good decisions?

Forrest