Symbolism over substance and tardy at that. This is what passes for statesmanship and diplomacy and world leadership today.

First came yet another Muslim terrorist attack. This one in Paris on a French magazine that had supposedly disparaged Mohammed in some way .So, typically, followers of the "religion of peace" have to go on another killing spree in the name of Allah.

Then came a "solidarity" march with 40-some world leaders marching arm-in-arm with France's president in the streets of Paris to show France the world stands with France and against Muslim terrorism in the aftermath of the bloodshed. Conspicuously missing from this demonstration of world solidarity? Only Barry Obama, the leader of the world's remaining superpower, the USA.

A week drags by with the world's "talking heads" who are normally Obama's biggest sympathizers and excuse-makers even questioning his absence. Considering that America herself had also suffered its latest Muslim terrorism event costing 3,000 lives not that long ago on September 11, 2001, Obama's absence and flimsy excuses for it were impossible to notice and question.

Finally, he sends his Secretary of State, John Kerry to do some kind of fence mending. Something. Anything to "get the heat off" and seem to do something, you know, statesmanlike and prove that Obama is really a world leader and of a superpower no less.

So, what does he do? He goes to France, says "I just really wanted to come here and share a hug with all of Paris and all of France." Really? Seriously? In the aftermath of yet another Muslim terrorism mass killing, the Secretary of State of the world's one remaining superpower wants to give France a "hug?" 

Oh, but it gets worse. During his visit, you know; just to show how sincerely he and the Obama Administration want the French to understand that their administration is just chock full of formidable, credible statesmen who are unbelievably serious about doing something about terrorism, Kerry introduces American singer-songwriter James Taylor to sing the French a very off-key, twangy version of his 1971 hit "You've got a friend."

This is what passes for leadership and statesmanship in the watered-down, dumbed down 21st Century. A president that disses the world in a symbolic stand against Muslim terrorism and to divert criticism he sends Kerry who tells everyone affected he wants to give 'em a hug and have someone sing 'em a lullaby. God help us.



*Meichtry, S. (16 Jan., 2015) Wall Street Journal, John Kerry pays tribute to victims of terrorist attacks. Retreived 16 Jan. 2015 from http://www.wsj.com/articles/john-kerry-pays-tribute-to-victims-of-paris-terrorist-attacks-1421414352