Politicians in Paris do photo op rather than participate in demonstration
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Why I pay very little attention to demonstrations: A wide shot of the big name politicians at Sunday’s Paris demonstration against Islamic terrorism shows that none of them were really at the demonstration.
Instead, the politicians were gathered together on a separate street, guarded by security, so that they could link arms just for a photo op. The march itself was elsewhere. I also suspect that they all just gathered very quickly to take the picture than scattered their own separate ways immediately afterwards.
This is why I don’t really care that Obama nor anyone important in his administration showed up. Maybe they should have, and in fact maybe it is another sign of Obama’s incompetence that he did not make sure there was an important U.S. presence there, but who really cares? This is just for show.
What would really mean something to me is if these political leaders actually used this meeting to organize some concrete action to deal with Islamic terrorism. Did they? I think not. As far as I can tell they have made no plans to do anything about it, other than maybe increase security in their own nations, which is merely another way of restricting the freedoms of their own citizens.
Hardly what I would call fighting back against tyranny, terrorism, and oppression.
Please consider donating to Behind the Black, by giving either a one-time contribution or a regular subscription, as outlined in the tip jar to the right or below. Your support will allow me to continue covering science and culture as I have for the past twenty years, independent and free from any outside influence.
Why I pay very little attention to demonstrations: A wide shot of the big name politicians at Sunday’s Paris demonstration against Islamic terrorism shows that none of them were really at the demonstration.
Instead, the politicians were gathered together on a separate street, guarded by security, so that they could link arms just for a photo op. The march itself was elsewhere. I also suspect that they all just gathered very quickly to take the picture than scattered their own separate ways immediately afterwards.
This is why I don’t really care that Obama nor anyone important in his administration showed up. Maybe they should have, and in fact maybe it is another sign of Obama’s incompetence that he did not make sure there was an important U.S. presence there, but who really cares? This is just for show.
What would really mean something to me is if these political leaders actually used this meeting to organize some concrete action to deal with Islamic terrorism. Did they? I think not. As far as I can tell they have made no plans to do anything about it, other than maybe increase security in their own nations, which is merely another way of restricting the freedoms of their own citizens.
Hardly what I would call fighting back against tyranny, terrorism, and oppression.
France is sort of screwed.
It has a colony in Africa and pretty much they had to grant the people living there full citizenship.
And since most are Muslim. Well you get the idea.
This also means that the rest of the EU is also screwed since members can freely move about with little restrictions. They can also move to other nations with little trouble.
A prescient observation.
Obama had one of his top staff in Paris at the time. Holder should have attended, even if it was just a photo op. Going through the symbolic motions is part of what diplomacy is.
I agree that actions should show more about resolve and intention but Obama’s upcoming meet up on “extremism” is just going to be as much of a theatrical puff piece photo op as the rally in question.
I believe that Obama is very careful to not appear to confront Islam directly, what believe, he blatantly does not.
This is either because he:
1. Sincerely is attempting to effect a change in how people view and discuss the issue.
Or
2. Its against the rules of his core belief system to do so.
Choose one.
Holder probably did intend to go but was told the wrong time and place for the photo op.