BUSTED! The world leaders did not "march" in Paris.

[Fred Sanders]

Last edited Mon Jan 12, 2015, 01:10 PM - Edit history (12)

They stood around for a photo-op, all tight shots, and then fled with their security details as soon as the great unwashed arrived.

Show me the beef.

Google "world leaders in Paris", what do you get?

https://www.google.ca/#q=world+leaders+in+paris&tbm=vid

Where is the beef?

Stop surrendering meekly to the shameful propaganda.

Please.

Awkward One Block March of the Penguins and their Security Penguins



(Photo credit: AP/Reuters and The Old World Order)

................

Same "Unity March with the People".




(Photo credit: The New World Order)


Headline: Paris march: TV wide shots reveal a different perspective on world leaders at largest demonstration in France’s history

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/paris-march-tv-wide-shots-reveal-a-different-perspective-on-world-leaders-at-largest-demonstration-in-frances-history-9972895.html


"But while the image of Francois Hollande, David Cameron, Angela Merkel and others linking arms was hailed in a New York Times editorial as showing “unity in outrage”, the display has not been without its own controversies.

Never mind those who did attend – the US President Barack Obama “let the world down” by failing to make the journey to France, according to the front page of the New York Daily News.

Now, a different perspective on the leader’s portion of the march has emerged in the form of a wide shot displayed on French TV news reports.

It shows that the front line of leaders was followed by just over a dozen rows other dignitaries and officials – after which there was a large security presence maintaining a significant gap with the throngs of other marchers.

The measure was presumably taken for security reasons – but political commentators have suggested that it raises doubts as to whether the leaders were really part of the march at all.The measure was presumably taken for security reasons – but political commentators have suggested that it raises doubts as to whether the leaders were really part of the march at all."

.......................

The FT’s Middle East correspondent Borzou Daragahi commented: “Seems world leaders didn’t “lead” Charlie Hebdo marchers in Paris but conducted photo op on empty, guarded street.”

Ian Bremmer, a US political scientist and founder of the Eurasia Group, said: “All those world leaders: Not exactly ‘at’ the Paris rallies.” Another US commentator, Gerry Hassan, called the leaders’ contribution “pseudo-solidarity”.

To show their commitment to free speech MT @mattsteinglassThey should have banned press from showing the full photo

This is what pseudo-solidarity looks like. World leaders marching in #Paris not actually on protest but photo opp. pic.twitter.com/Sz1k0uvGo9

My favorite:

"But amid all the criticism, student Axel Fougner effectively represented the views of many on social media by writing today: “Hypocritical world leaders showing up in Paris does not in any way reduce the sincerity of the millions who marched for #jesuischarlie.”

[Dreamer Tatum]

1. Sorry, but Obama or at loeast Biden should have been there. nt

[Fred Sanders]

3. For a photo-op that imitates a false reality created by the media? Then THAT would be the story...

Why did Obama go to Paris for a photo-op? He did not attend any rally and is now pretending he did?

[Blanks]

17. My arch nemesis on Facebook is appalled that he didn't go...

The ONLY thing that would have upset him more is the story that would've come out had he gone.

There is not a correct Obama action as far as he is concerned. It seems there was a story out not too long ago where the press was upset when he DID go somewhere that they didn't deem worth his time.

Since when do they get to decide his agenda.

[arcane1]

29. "He's making it all about him, at taxpayer expense!"

And they would suddenly go back to hating France.

[Retrograde]

99. and "Vacation in Paris on our dime!"

and if Michelle had gone with him it would be even worse.

So, are we now going to see world leaders rallying every time there's a terrorist attack somewhere?

[Fred Sanders]

102. And how does this admission change anything about the leaders and the media misleading the world?

[Fred Sanders]

104. Or if Michelle had not gone they would have said why is she showing such disrespect...we all know

what is going on with the American mass media these days, it is everywhere.

[Blanks]

109. ...and if she'd been anywhere near the march...

They would say "so, now she thinks she's a world leader too."

Yeah, it's damned if they do, damned if they don't.

[Surya Gayatri]

18. <<<This>>>! Obama and his administration were wise enough

to let the massive and historical turnout of anonymous French men, women and children be the focus.

All races, religions, creeds, nationalities and political persuasions were represented in that huge
throng--it was their time to be in the spotlight and speak through their staggering numbers. (1.5 million in Paris alone, and 3.7 million all over France, in every burg of any size).

[Fred Sanders]

23. Long overdue for some counter psych-ops by the folks marching. They must be insulted by this

transparent display of disrespect.

Get Hebdo on this, exposing hypocrisy is their speciality.

[Surya Gayatri]

31. Well, Charlie's reaction will be at the newsstands the day after tomorrow...

1 million issues strong. I expect them to give no quarter. They will insult all and sundry, as it should be.

[Fred Sanders]

34. I know for a fact that they will have plenty of ink fired artillery style directly at the leaders.

Will the mass media carry those, because they will pretty much have to?

Better triple that print run. This is going to be fun beyond imagining.

[former9thward]

45. Right, the rest of the world's leaders were just dumb.

Too bad they can't be as "wise" as our leaders. Would you have made your post if Obama had gone? Nope.

[Surya Gayatri]

51. I would've agreed with the poster who pointed out the photo

of the tiny band of scared and isolated "leaders" (whether Obama had been among them or not), hypocritically huddling for their photo op and then dispersing immediately.

[JaneyVee]

73. Sorry, but no world leaders from Australia, India, Asia, Canada, Mexico, South America either.

[LordGlenconner]

85. The only people whining are his critics

Here, and elsewhere. It couldn't be any more transparent. This "controversy" is just another opportunity to make their loins tingle by getting their shots in.

[SidDithers]

95. Nailed it...

Bashed from the right and the left.

Same shit, different day.

Sid

[former9thward]

91. So only the "dumb" ones showed up.

The "wise" ones stayed away. Got it ...

[jeff47]

93. No, only the ones physically close to France showed up.

And they showed up to lie about their position on freedom of the press. (Hi Mr. Cameron!)

[former9thward]

98. 50 nations were represented. Not all close to France.

Obama Spokesman Says U.S. Should Have Sent High Profile Representative to March

WASHINGTON — The White House, facing a barrage of criticism for President Obama’s decision not to attend Sunday’s peace march in Paris, said on Monday that an American official with a higher profile should have been on hand for the show of solidarity.

“It’s fair to say that we should have sent someone with a higher profile to be there,” Josh Earnest, the White House spokesman, said at his daily briefing with reporters at the White House.

Asked his response to critics who say a person with more prominence than the United States ambassador to France should have attended, he said: “We agree.”





http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/13/us/politics/obama-is-faulted-for-not-attending-rally-in-paris.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&smid=tw-nytimes&_r=1

[jeff47]

105. And which of those 50 would you claim means Obama should have gone?

Canada sent a minor official. Mexico's president was not there. Japan's PM was not there. No president from South America was there. Australia's PM was not there. And so on.

As for the press conference, it demonstrates a problem Democrats have. We assume all criticism is rational and respond as such. Sometimes they're just out to make us look bad. The same people saying "Obama should have gone" would have complained had he gone. The goal was to complain. The actual complaint doesn't matter.

[Fred Sanders]

108. The goal is to blame and keep blasting the blame continuously until folks believe it.

[former9thward]

112. The same people who are defending his decision not to go

would have praised him if he had gone. I guess it goes both ways.

[Fred Sanders]

106. America was represented. Just never enough for some, it is never enough.

[former9thward]

111. It was not enough for the White House.

Obama Spokesman Says U.S. Should Have Sent High Profile Representative to March

WASHINGTON — The White House, facing a barrage of criticism for President Obama’s decision not to attend Sunday’s peace march in Paris, said on Monday that an American official with a higher profile should have been on hand for the show of solidarity.

“It’s fair to say that we should have sent someone with a higher profile to be there,” Josh Earnest, the White House spokesman, said at his daily briefing with reporters at the White House.

Asked his response to critics who say a person with more prominence than the United States ambassador to France should have attended, he said: “We agree.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/13/us/politics/obama-is-faulted-for-not-attending-rally-in-paris.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&smid=tw-nytimes&_r=1

Or do you think Obama was wrong in saying a higher rep should have gone?

[tabasco]

75. They weren't too fucking wise to get caught fake marching - LOL!

But we know where you're coming from, don't we, former9thward?

[former9thward]

90. Hypocrisy, thy name is legion ....

I'm sure the next time the White House does a photo-op at a disaster site you will be right there posting.

[former9thward]

92. I guess the WH disagrees with you.

Obama Spokesman Says U.S. Should Have Sent High Profile Representative to March

WASHINGTON — The White House, facing a barrage of criticism for President Obama’s decision not to attend Sunday’s peace march in Paris, said on Monday that an American official with a higher profile should have been on hand for the show of solidarity.

“It’s fair to say that we should have sent someone with a higher profile to be there,” Josh Earnest, the White House spokesman, said at his daily briefing with reporters at the White House.

Asked his response to critics who say a person with more prominence than the United States ambassador to France should have attended, he said: “We agree.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/13/us/politics/obama-is-faulted-for-not-attending-rally-in-paris.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&smid=tw-nytimes&_r=1

[tabasco]

133. Duhhhhhhh....... they had nothing to lose by saying that.

But they didn't get caught fake marching like the other dummies. LOL!!!

[former9thward]

135. Yeah the rest of the world is dummies.

We in the US have all the smarts... Got it....

[Fred Sanders]

139. The "rest of the world" was not at the fake leaders march...a lot of bad lewders were...

[former9thward]

143. I don't know what "lewders" are

but I will take your word for it. Sounds nasty.

[Fred Sanders]

145. Precisely. Which is why he avoided them. Was he wrong to not hang his mug in a picture with that crowd?

See post #72 and 120, please?...although that is not what this thread is about, but it explains a bit more.

Choose to ignore the evidence and the logical conclusions...free thought....

[Fred Sanders]

96. They have not been caught yet, the mass media will assign this truth to crazy liberal bloggers.

[malaise]

24. Correct is

right

[uhnope]

57. This is a Monday Stupid thread if I ever saw one

The world leaders were there for important, symbolic reasons. Symbols are of vital importance in these matters.

can't believe people would Rec this. god what a waste of brain

[Fred Sanders]

61. Maybe it is you who is what you say others are?

[George II]

62. But their appearances and nature of that appearance has been misrepresented by...

....the expected "anti-Obama" factions in the media AND here.

[Surya Gayatri]

70. If their intent was truly to show "solidarity"

with the people of France, why the hell didn't they actually take part in the march? Their cowardice was manifest.

Why didn't they bravely march at the head of the cortege? Instead, they showed up for a 10-minute photo op and then scuttled back to their respective embassies to wax eloquent about "la liberté d'expression", when many of them govern countries that suppress any such thing.

As one of the surviving Charlie editors said: "I vomit on your hypocritical solidarity!" Thank God for the common French people who came out 4 million strong to say "NOT AFRAID!" and "NON, à la barbarie !" (No to barbarity!)

[Fred Sanders]

76. And the American enslaved press can not get themselves to admit their own obvious coverup, because

to do so would derail their blame Obama meme they are setting up to cover for their absurdly non-factual shenanigans and even more absurdly absurd 9%! job approval GOP Congress.

Talk about fucking anything but that.

[uhnope]

86. what a load

A world leader cancels her regular schedule at the last minute to fly to Paris and be there at this important time--and whiners are angry she didn't march for the whole 12 hours?

[Fred Sanders]

87. She marched for 30 seconds with no actual other marchers but leaders and security.

[uppityperson]

100. And there are those who call her wonderful for showing up to not march at all.

Except in a guarded side street where they were unobserved by any of those affected but got some good photos.


"A world leader cancels her regular schedule at the last minute to fly to Paris and be there at this important time" to stand in a guarded side street, walk 20 feet and disperse? Wow, what an Important Time!!!!111

[Fred Sanders]

107. Funny how this "admission" changes nothing at all about the fakery.

Last edited Mon Jan 12, 2015, 04:43 PM - Edit history (1)

And some media in America are amplifying the lie:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/solidarity-hypocrisy-in-march-on-the-streets-of-paris-2015-01-12?dist=countdown

"Millions took to the streets of Paris to rally against the extremists and in support of free speech, with high-profile global leaders marching arm-in-arm amid the massive crowd. A city rattled by bloodshed, gunfire and death in recent days transformed into a symbol of inspired solidarity.

But to some, the goodwill was couched in hypocrisy.


Reporters Without Borders, a nonprofit crusader for free speech, accused “predators of press freedom” of coming to Paris to advance their own agendas.

“We must demonstrate our solidarity with Charlie Hebdo without forgetting all the world’s other Charlies,” the group’s secretary-general Christophe Deloire said. “It would be unacceptable if representatives of countries that silence journalists were to take advantage of the current outpouring of emotion to try to improve their international image and then continue their repressive policies when they return home.”

Specifically, Reporters Without Borders said it was “appalled” by the presence of leaders from countries like Egypt, Russia, Turkey and United Arab Emirates, all of which score woefully low on the RWB’s press freedom index.

They weren’t the only ones criticizing the lineup in Paris. Daniel Wickham, the co-president of the London School for Economics Middle East Society, per his profile, garnered plenty of virtual attention when he went on this Twitter rant. Here’s his full rundown."


Does anyone see the leaders "amid" the massive crowd?

..................

There are one massive lie and one massive hypocrisy at play.

[NYC_SKP]

5. Exactly why? To look as stupid as the rest of them?

To prevent teabaggers from calling him a terrorist sympathize?

Hell, those world leaders showed up just to show up and when they go back to work it will be business as usual.

Business as usual.

And this will happen over and over.

And the war machine will crank on and on.

And the people who profit from this will grow richer and more powerful.

I'm glad Obama didn't go there.

[kairos12]

12. Why wasn't the President of Freedonia there?

[RufusTFirefly]

15. He was still in bed

[Lucky Luciano]

16. You were clearly waiting for some to ask about Fredonia! nt

[KoKo]

30. agree...he didn't need to go.

Why go over there for a "PhotoOp"... Seeing this view makes it kind of embarrassing. As bad as the attacks were and the loss of life...it was not "9/11" that they needed to stage something like that and then have it exposed for not being what the MS/International Media showed.

[Fred Sanders]

35. We have to stop agreeing like this.

[NYC_SKP]

36. !!!

I know!

[Dreamer Tatum]

40. Seeing as how you see it as 75% justifiable homicide, I understand your position. nt.

[NYC_SKP]

41. Oh, no, my position has evolved.

While I still see the bystanders as being particularly innocent, I now see them all as victims.

Not just the twelve, but the shooters as well. All are victims caught up in a global game that's using all of them to some evil end.

The shooters are murderers, make no mistake, but they are victims as well, pawns, brainwashed stooges, as are many in the Middle East and the West who fall for all this brainwashing.

So my heart goes out to everyone, none of this was justifiable.

It's bullshit to suggest that I ever said it was, you know I never did.

[Dreamer Tatum]

47. Maybe then you should send Scott Roeder a bouquet. By your logic, he's a victim.

And yes, my fine friend, you assigned lesser status to the nine murdered who did not meet your stringent criteria for innocence.

[NYC_SKP]

49. Yes, I did and still do assign lesser levels of "innocence", but that doesn't mean "justifiable".

I can't believe I have to explain differences in the meanings of common sixth grade words.

[Dreamer Tatum]

50. I can't believe you have to, either.

But when we have to suffer the odd, perverse value systems of some, we need them explained once in a while.

Fortunately, your position can be summarized in English fairly succinctly: you believe that the nine sort of had it coming.

I say 'sort of' because your ethos seems to have a great deal of grey area, which, I imagine, is exactly your point. You will
decide who is guilty, who is innocent, and what is just based on criteria of your own design.

So thank heavens we are on a message board and you are not in a position to make actual decisions.

[Surya Gayatri]

53. <<<This>>>!

"The shooters are murderers, make no mistake, but they are victims as well, pawns, brainwashed stooges, as are many in the Middle East and the West who fall for all this brainwashing."

[zeemike]

69. Yep, all the world is a stage.

But what is never said that behind every stage is a director and a play wright.
But we have seen the play before.

[YarnAddict]

52. You think they looked stupid??

I think they were showing a united front--that the civilized world is no longer going to tolerate senseless violence. It was a great message, and yeah, it would have been nice if there had been an American presence showing solidarity with them. Not necessarily the Prez, but the VP, or Secretary Kerry.

[SunSeeker]

80. The American ambassador is not good enough for you?

Do you think France doubts that America stands in "solidarity with them"?

I think it was more important to show the presence of leaders of majority - Muslim nations in that front line. The point was to show this is a fight by the world against violent extremists, rather than a fight between the US and Islam, as the extremists would like to portray it.

[karynnj]

83. Do you think Kerry should have cancelled out of the meeting he had with Indian PM Modi ?

He was India yesterday and Pakistan today --- working hard. I suspect that he scheduled being in DC -- he would have been in France. I seriously think that the media and even DU is more concerned that he, Obama and Biden were not there than the people in France.

[KoKo]

114. But, it made it about THEM" and not all the Parisians who showed up to Participate

Those of different Faiths, Creeds and Ethnic Origins who showed up in the Hundreds of Thousands/ Millions to show that they were standing together against those having legitimate grievances with targeted violence against random innocents ACTING OUT IN VIOLENCE against Cartoonists, Satirical Writers and Freedom of the Press and Speech.

The "Solidarity Photo Op" unfortunately moved the focus from "THE PEOPLE's SOLIDARITY" to the "Leaders who Locked Arms" in what was revealed as a "Photo Op March."

I wish the MARCH COVERAGE had focused on THE PEOPLE and their views and NOT the Political Parade of 40 Countries Leaders using the incident for Election/Re-election Advantages.

[YarnAddict]

126. Except--

--they were easily recognizable representatives of countries throughout the world. I think it was important to show that it wasn't just a "French thing." There were plenty of pix of the crowds, showing literally hundreds of thousands of people saying "no more!!" Having the leaders there showed that the world is united against terrorism.

[KoKo]

129. No, It was the Supporters of NATO and Others Pro-War who were there and the Crowds V

were not given Voice as WHY THEY were THERE.

[Fred Sanders]

131. Do not forget who was also there...a rogues gallery of suppressors of freedom of speech of any kind.

Just me, but I do not want to awkwardly stumble for 30 seconds in a fake "rally amid the people" with any of those thugs who got no where near the actual rally.

Obama appears to be of the same view.

[Fred Sanders]

130. The representatives at post # 72 and #120?

Would you want to walk arm in arm with them in a fake photo-op?

[jeff47]

7. Should the Mexican president have been there? Canada's PM? (nt)

[Leith]

46. I've Been Making the Same Argument

Every official government attendee name I can find came from Europe or the greater Mediterranian area. No Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, no Japanese PM Abe, no Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, or Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Now we find out that it was little more than a staged photo-op away from the actually rally. Thanks the FSM for this smilie:

[SunSeeker]

9. Should Australia's PM have been there?

They just had a similar attack in Sydney....

[Dreamer Tatum]

10. Yes. nt

[SunSeeker]

33. The Aussies have the same odd priorities as we do.

They sent their security chief to meet with ours (Holder) there that day to actually DO something to stop these attacks, rather than mugging for the camera with party crasher Netanyahu.

[JaneyVee]

81. What about Canada? Lots of French there. No Prez.

[CJCRANE]

11. I disagree. It was too short notice. It would have been a logistical nightmare.

And for me, it was more about the French people. I don't think the politicians needed to be there at all.

[Fred Sanders]

14. What truly did they add? Actually kind of nice to see world leaders upstaged so mightily by the

proletariat.

The leaders were just wanting a slice of the PR pie, aided and abetted by their finally tuned respective propaganda machines. Look how fast all these desparate nations got together to manufacture a photo-op made to look like a march with the common man? And now comes the sales pitch. Birds of feather.

What is politics and media now if nothing more than a massive co-joined psych-op?

In your face, asshats.

[DrDan]

21. I agree - Obama, Biden or Kerry

we should have shown some solidarity with those leaders

[Dreamer Tatum]

39. Careful - you don't want to get lumped in with me too often. nt

[DrDan]

44. lol - that's ok, I have never been one of the cool kids here

[Dreamer Tatum]

89. It appears the White House itself agrees with us. nt

[DrDan]

94. just read that . . . that is too rich

The spin-machine here will need to put in a little overtime and get creative.

no doubt they are up to the task

[Dreamer Tatum]

97. It's cool. I get it. When Bush held up a cake when he should have been in New Orleans

even if he couldn't DO anything, people howled. As they should have.

Not having at least Kerry there is similarly bad. Not fatal, just not all that good.

[Fred Sanders]

101. You realize that changes nothing about the fakery of the leader's "march"?

[markpkessinger]

43. I notice there are no "Unity Marches" planned for Nigeria . . .

. . . which lost 2000 people to a terrorist attack on Wednesday.

[George II]

60. Why?

[JaneyVee]

72. This was about the people, not for politicians to polish their image.

[Fred Sanders]

74. It would have been tres terrific for Obama to stand amongst them, non?

[Surya Gayatri]

78. <<<This>>>!

[Tarheel_Dem]

88. 'Nuff said. I think the POTUS probably avoided some potentially embarrassing "photo-ops".

[KoKo]

115. You Got It! ........Nailed It!

[countryjake]

122. Thank You!

Not a one of them can say, "Je Suis Charlie!"

[DonViejo]

84. Why Wasn’t Obama in Paris?

Last edited Mon Jan 12, 2015, 09:00 PM - Edit history (2)

“Don’t look for the president or vice president among the photos of 44 heads of state who locked arms and marched down Boulevard Voltaire in Paris. Nor did they join a companion march the French Embassy organized in Washington on Sunday afternoon,” Politico writes.

First Read: “If you’re not a fan of President Obama and are looking to get outraged, here’s your latest chance: Obama or Vice President Biden, or Secretary of State John Kerry didn’t attend Sunday’s unity rally in Paris after the terrorist killings there… White House officials tell us that that they weren’t aware of the rally until Friday, and — for logistic and security purposes — they couldn’t have organized a trip that quickly. What’s more, Kerry was en route to his trip in India.” Now U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder was in Paris for meetings; in fact, he appeared on remote location for NBC's "Meet the Press" yesterday. But he didn't attend the rally. National Journal's Ron Fournier puts it well: "America doesn't need to march its president in the streets of Paris to prove its resolve."

###

http://politicalwire.com/2015/01/12/why-wasnt-obama-in-paris/

[KoKo]

116. I'm not a huge Obama Fan...at this point...But..Agree..

So, how do you feel about those of us who agree with your statement in this thread....yet are Progressives for Change?

Let's get away from the "Pro-Obama" vs " Dems Questioning Obama and Dem/Third Way Politics"...as AGAINST OBAMA!

WE ARE NOT .......Against OBAMA... We want to hold him accountable....as we would with ANY PRESIDENT.

[DonViejo]

119. I didn't author a statement...

my mistake. I neglected to link to the actual author's site. Sincere apologies for the screw up.

Why should I have bad thoughts about Progressives for Change?

Link to the original statement. Again, sorry about that...

http://politicalwire.com/2015/01/12/why-wasnt-obama-in-paris/

[Cha]

121. "Obama let the WORLD DOWN"!!!!!111111

[fadedrose]

144. Why wasn't Pope Francis there?

I guess he wasn't invited . . .

[oldandhappy]

2. yep. The security was a nightmare even for the photo op.

Our secretary of state spoke well and in French on the day it happened. I was delighted we had someone who could do that. And that is enough for me.

[SunSeeker]

4. Yes, it was a staged photo.

There was a wall of security all around them. I think they "marched" all of one block, long enough to snap the picture. But under the circumstances, I can't imagine it happening any other way.

[Fred Sanders]

8. I do not even think they went past any cross roads...hence the pained expressions on their faces as

they must have all realized that this staged event is not going to look all that good if someone finds out.

[Historic NY]

110. Imagine what the whiners would said about that...

a photo opt.

[freshwest]

113. They'd rather some wingnuts took out all those heads of state? That's a 'target-rich environment.'

I doubt those with functional brains in nations that elected them want to see the carnage that could have been if they were in a crowd of millions.

All it would have taken was one armed 'freedom fighter' to take one or more of them out so they could descend into theocracy or just plain fascism.

The media, however, would be feasting on it with glee until they were taken out in the ensuing chaos.

MSM world wide is disgusting in it shallowness and desire to get attention for non-issues. This is one of them, and it's a fact of life.

But then, we can't expect them to be anything other than gossip mongers, celebrity promoters and rightwing shills. Not like there is any reason for them to start telling people information they need.

[alarimer]

6. Total hypocrisy on all counts

Just a dumb photo-op stunt, by people who really despise freedom of the press and speech.

It was complete bullshit from the get-go.

[Warren Stupidity]

13. OK, all the more reason why Obama or Biden should have shown up for the photo op.

Oh wait, not the point you were trying to make?

[Spazito]

19. I was appalled at what I saw as a political photo-op by the leaders...

One can find incidences of suppression of rights, speech or expression, in most of their countries, imo. It was hypocritical of them but what's new about that, nothing.

I applaud the French public for turning out, it should have been their day and not overshadowed by the politicians, imo.

[malaise]

20. Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

I'm so glad Obama stayed home

[mfcorey1]

55. Me too. As for all the finger pointers and their outrage, this too shall pass. I wish

they would focus on the victims of the tragedy and their families.

[malaise]

56. Just wait until Chris Hayes, Rachel or Al Sharpton show the real

photo-op later - more egg in their fugging faces.

[Cali_Democrat]

103. LOL...me too

It pissed off the right wingers.

That's a good thing!

[Skittles]

137. just curious but

why did the White House say it was an error?

[malaise]

138. Wish I knew

Have you noticed that no one is asking either the House or the Senate why they sent no one either? That would be very uncomfortable for the French fries hating ReTHUGs.

[Skittles]

146. I can't get over repukes acting like they give a f*** about France

that right there is some serious bullshit!!!

[Surya Gayatri]

22. They were all brought in buses to the Place Voltaire,

(approximately the halfway point on the parade route), stood there for 5 minutes in a straggily straight line, advanced about 20 paces, waited for all the photo ops, and then dispersed.
Ont marché, mon cul ! Marched, my ass!

[Mr.Bill]

25. One thing is for sure,

If Obama had gone, the wingnuts would be lighting up the internet with posts about how much taxpayer money was wasted flying him over there for a photo op.

[Fred Sanders]

27. Yep, of course, and this truth of the faux march would be front page, not suppressed by lies.

[Cosmocat]

79. right ...

no fucking doubt, none.

[Iliyah]

26. No matter what, the RWers with the help of corporate media

and a few so called "Progressive" will be negative so at this point in time President O and his administration needs to focus the crazy congress and their Supreme Court allies who "might" take away approx. 6-7 million healthcare coverage and other crap that will extremely hurt the "whats left of the middle class" and the "poor" alongwith the constant presence of Terrorism here in the US and other countries where US citizens resides.

[Fred Sanders]

28. Anything to not focus on the crazy GOP Congress. Anything including endless loops of boats and

planes searching any empty ocean, coverage for days on end......

[benz380]

32. Someone should photoshop Obama in and post it everywhere. That would really rile up the freeps! n/t

[Surya Gayatri]

82. Are you a photoshopper? Or do you know someone who is?

This is a must! LOL!

[whatchamacallit]

37. The grand illusion continues

9/11 was the first act...

[OnlinePoker]

38. Kind of reminds me of the Saddam statue psy-ops

Where the "crowds" cheering were managed and produced by the U.S. military and the media ate it up.

[tabasco]

77. Me too!

I posted the same thing below.

[uhnope]

59. POTUS haters at DU too

why else would they Rec. this BS

[freshwest]

134. Plenty of supporters of Obama on this thread, too, including the OP author. He's calling out MSM.

I don't always agree with him, but in his defense, he's not an Obama hater. I'm familiar with his record on DU and in the BOG. Too many people can post online without any analysis of the issue or the words above them. They go with what they think is going to appeal to the mob, even if it's fact free and pointlessly negative. Yes, the knee jerks are in every thread, but take a second to re-read the OP.

[Fred Sanders]

141. How much more wrong can you be......astonishing.

[Fred Sanders]

140. Who ARE you talking about and reposting without attribution? And why?

[Bucky]

48. You know, it's not like we're running out of legitimate reasons to be angry.

[Fred Sanders]

63. Looks like CNN is plenty angry, wonder if they will point out the hypocrisy of their own hypocrisy?

Or do we have to wait for the upcoming new cartoons from Hebdo to point it out?

And who else to carry the water for the hair on fire brigade that Hair on Fire in Chief, Wolf Blitzer?

"I assume he (the Press Secretary) is going to be badgered by questions by the press?", Wolf asks as the invisible wires tug at his impassive mug.

I assume Wolf Blitzer has a pole up his ass inserted by Jeff Zucker.

[bemildred]

54. Courage on the march.

I think I'm going to have to give Obama credit for not wanting to be part of that.

[Bucky]

58. Actually Obama did send along an official US representative to the memorial march

That diversity photoshop student from University of Wisconsin (as well as the US ambassador)

[dilby]

64. Not suprised I don't see any security detail allowing that to happen.

There would be absolutely no way to make sure they would have been safe for the entire march.

[msongs]

65. corporate 1%ers don't like mixing with the unwashed poor people nt

[MaggieD]

66. Obama does not need to fly to Paris under questionable security

For the world to see our firm commitment against terrorism. We've spent trillions of dollars (out of the pockets of our taxes and our children's taxes) to demonstrate our commitment. No reason for Obama (or Biden) to fly to Paris for a stupid photo op.

[Fred Sanders]

67. Like British PM Cameron I almost choked on my porridge when I heard how the American media

is perpetuating bald face lies in order to gin up fear and hate.

Except for "porridge" it was bacon.

[tabasco]

68. Reminds me of this propaganda event:

[Fred Sanders]

71. Tight photo shots of gatherings always raises my alarm bells.

Step back and look at the whole picture.

What exactly are the fucking media getting at, that Obama does not care? Isn't that a judgment call for the French to make, not the fucking idiot American PR firm known as the mass media?

[countryjake]

117. It's the "whole picture" that they are avoiding covering today...

which is this:


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2905307/One-million-people-prepare-march-Paris-terror-attacks.html

Almost four million people said "Je Suis Charlie" in the streets of Paris yesterday. And what is our MSM talking about?

There are people right here at DU who have been claiming that even the "Liberal" media such as MSNBC and CNN (ROTFLMAO!) are questioning the lack of representation by the USA in that hypocritical photo-op. You can't get any more blatant than that.

Josh Earnest made a good point at the White House Press Briefing this morning when he butted into the Reuters' correspondent's question about "plenty of criticism" with his own question, "Criticism from who?" and then, "Anybody that comes to mind?"...Steve Holland's answer was people like Ted Cruz, Jake Tapper, Marco Rubio and other Republicans. The name of Marco Rubio rose up immediately from other correspondents, too, after Josh asked if anybody came to mind.

[Fred Sanders]

118. It is a mass conspiracy of the mass media to cover up their own coverup of the fake march...where

are the "leaders" in that throng?

They were dining on fois gras and toasting their media deception before anyone even had showed up.

[countryjake]

120. OMG, I wish I'd seen your entire thread earlier!

I've been wasting my breath all afternoon trying to counter "the criticism" but after reading down just a bit on the responses here, I've just found this:



Nothing more needs to be said.

I've got plenty of my own disagreements on this administration's various policies, but for them not to wish to stand and drip with the hypocrisy of that motley crew is the best stance they could have taken, as far as I'm concerned.

[Fred Sanders]

123. The real reason Obama did not go is this rogues gallery also being present, but he obviously can

not say that, so we have to for him.

Marched with or "amid" (the new word coined to deflect the truth) the French? Like hell they did, not too many would want to anyway. No wonder they had to pretend they did.

[Cha]

124. "UPDATE: Okay, so Obama didn’t attend a totally staged photo-op on an empty secured block

without an actual protester anywhere. Impeach!"

http://thedailybanter.com/2015/01/desperate-freedom-fries-conservatives-attack-obama-marching-france/


Dr. Ramy Abdu @RamAbdu
Follow
The man who killed 17 journalists & +500 children in #Gaza last year is marching against terror in #Paris
7:44 AM - 11 Jan 2015 3,038 Retweets 875 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/01/12/rise-and-shine-989/#comments

You're funny, Fred.. "where's the beef?!"

[Fred Sanders]

125. Thank you for the link, glad they updated their article with the fake solidarity photo-op.

Now That These Leaders Are Done Pretending to March, They Should Pass Legislation Protecting Satire

http://thedailybanter.com/2015/01/now-leaders-done-pretending-march-theyll-pass-legislation-protecting-satire/#mg20RKFRUCTVPvM3

Those World Leaders Who Were at the Paris Demonstration? They Weren’t Actually at the Paris Demonstration.


http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/44208_Those_World_Leaders_Who_Were_at_the_Paris_Demonstration_They_Werent_Actually_at_the_Paris_Demonstration.

"As American media goes into all-out concern troll mode because President Obama didn’t join other world leaders at the demonstration in Paris, it should be pointed out that those world leaders weren’t actually at the demonstration either.

They were in a separate isolated area, under heavy security. This was a staged photo op, made to look like they joined the marchers spontaneously."

[Cha]

127. "Fuck @CNN! The President's safety comes before your stupid BS. Get lost" And, all the poutrage..

Rita A @ritaag
· 6h 6 hours ago
Fuck @CNN! The President's safety comes before your stupid BS. Get lost

Rita A @ritaag
Follow
former US Secret Service agent jst said on MSNBC that
Secret Service wld nvr allow POTUS to attend an unplanned march in a foreign country
8:46 AM - 11 Jan 2015 105 Retweets 41 favorites


François Picard ✔ @FrancoisF24
Follow
"I'm marching but I'm conscious of the confusion and hypocrisy of the situation."
6:11 AM - 11 Jan 2015 3,899 Retweets 2,111 favorites

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/01/11/chat-on-68/

Thank you for the link to Bob Cesca latest..

snip//

2) Take a guess at how many of the nations represented by those leaders have statutes protecting satire as free speech? Not one. Indeed, there’s only one western nation where satire is protected speech. It’s the United States. Thanks to the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision in Hustler Magazine, Inc. v. Falwell, Americans can’t be sued by other Americans for producing satire against public figures — regardless of whether the satire describes Jerry Falwell having incestuous sex or whether Saturday Night Live lampoons the president. They can try to sue, but the suit will never see the

[Fred Sanders]

128. How is CNN going to suppress all this truth to keep up their mission of lying, fear and hosting

anyone willing to bash Obama, even as their own "journalists" do so, is going to be a wonder of deflection?

When is there a plane crash to cover incessantly when you really need one?

Beef in the media burger is no longer required, pink slime will do.

[Marr]

132. If the Obama Administration had sent someone, you wouldn't have posted this.

It is so gross to watch Democrats doing exactly what I'm so accustomed to seeing right-wingers do; instinctively smearing anyone and anything that casts their Dear Leader in an unfavorable light.

[JI7]

136. there is no smear other than your "dear leader" comment, it's responding to fake phony outrage

from people like wolf blitzer.

[fadedrose]

142. Everytime I see this photo, I think

that Merkel looks as tho if two guys weren't holding her arms, she would run away. Her face has that deer in the headlights look.