Posted on 01/12/2015 4:39:50 AM PST by LeoMcNeil
Agree there’s something not quite right about an American president attending something like this. I also wonder if maybe the French themselves didn’t want him there. There was a report this morning that Hollande urged Netanyahu not to attend saying he would be a distraction. Seems possible he would have similar thinking about a prominent U.S. presence...and I can see Obama agreeing with him.
Must I mention every single act of terrorism at the hands of Muslim barbarians?
Unfortunately, terrorism in Israel is a regular occurrence and thus less shocking or surprising. Like it or not, when most people read of a terrorist attack in Israel they aren’t surprised. When Paris gets attacked, or London, New York, Sydney, Boston etc. it’s exponentially more shocking. As such, it shouldn’t come as a shock when people make a bigger deal out of terrorism that happens in places where it’s relatively uncommon and unexpected. It doesn’t mean that terrorism in Israel doesn’t matter, it’s simply less of a surprise.
It would have been more tactful than asking him not to show up. More likely both sides, neither of which wanted Obama there, would agree that some practicable matter like security not being in place on such short notice made it infeasible for Obama to attend.
Practicle
The author misses the whole point. It was because Charlie Hebdo was so relentlessly mocking Mohammed that they exposed the true mentality of Islam. They were slaughtered for this service to the West and all of mankind. It is entirely appropriate to stage the biggest demonstration in French history. Obama shoud have been there. He wasn’t because he does not oppose Islam and is really on the other side. So, the whole affair exposed Obama for who he is.
The question is whether this march for unity is one worth attending. I contend it is not. First of all, by definition France cannot be unified when the “far-right” National Front is banned from participating. Beyond that, we need to honestly ask ourselves whether the free speech pushed by Charlie Hebdo is worth rallying around? I understand the desire to defend free speech and in particular I understand the desire to oppose Muslim attempts to silence free speech. However, Charlie Hebdo is the lowest form of free speech and not worth holding up as an example of western free speech worth rallying for.
There is no such community as "the world".
The planet is inhabited by mutually incompatible races, tribes, and nations, who normally settle their issues by violence fueled by hatred and blood lust.
But, to the extent that an imaginary "world community" exists, one common bond it could have would be anti-semitism, so you wouldn't expect its members to give a flying f*** if Israel were attacked, since 1948 or since 1948 B.C., for that matter.
Israel's ally and defender is the G-d of Abraham, not some imaginary "world community".
There are ways to mock Muhammad without being crass and vulgar. Charlie Hebdo is little more than a crass and vulgar publication. Surely Muhammad can be mocked without cartoons depicting him having sex in graphic detail.
Well, there is no double standard. Perhaps, the appearance of lies- has made you doubt. FEAR- False Evidence Appearing Real
That same lackey who is releasing terrorists from Gitmo.
Who was the Master at your defined “FEAR” term? Pres. Clinton and Oslo...
...is G-D, on your side, or not? Believe, just believe- no matter what seems to be happening. All the best, to you and yours... and all of us
My family, and then, the rest of the world. Took me awhile, to grow out of such nonsense. How about you.
A silly March for unity, maybe. How about a show of symbolism for the THOUSANDS of Americans murdered by Islamic terrorists? Kobar, USS Cole, Mogadishu, 9/11, Daniel Pearl and others beheaded, Ft. Hood, the recent murders and attacks in America by “lone wolves.” And let’s not forget the thousands of troops who have given life and limb against terrorism. This is much deeper than just a silly March, he is a shame to these people. Does anyone think for one minute that the vast majority of surviving American families would not have been in Paris if they could have? THAT IS WHAT AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT DOES, HE IS A SYMBOL OF ALL THE PEOPLE.
Obama should have gone to Palestine with his Ferguson friends.
Then send Biden; that’s what vice-presidents are for. Or have Holder attend. Or Kerry. Don’t send low level flunkies. This was another screw-up for an administration that has been an endless chain of screw-ups.
What are the odds that one of the very people recently released from Gitmo had a hand in organizing these attacks? That would be truly damning, not that we would ever hear about it.......
Wow. Didn't know France was so anti-free-speech.
Beyond that, we need to honestly ask ourselves whether the free speech pushed by Charlie Hebdo is worth rallying around?
Absolutely. Free speech is free speech, and provided your speech does not commit fraud, should be protected. Always.
I may not have been enamored, for example, with the Maplethorpe "Piss Christ" so-called 'art', but I did not burst into his office with an automatic AK and slaughter 12 of his peers.
He has the right to be utterly offensive, and I have the right to be utterly offended.
End of sentence.
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