Faux Pas

No amount of native speaking from the semi-French Secretary of State will make amends for the lack of proper US official representation at today's march in Paris in response to the recent terror attacks. 3.7 million people in rallies in France and elsewhere marched to raise awareness of the dangers of terrorism. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Jordan's King Abdullah II and Queen Rania were at the rally. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was there, arms linked with French President Francois Hollande, at one point leaning gently on his shoulder.

British Prime Minister David Cameron and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy showed their solidarity with France. Even Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a truce and joined the movement.

Many leaders spoke, poignantly, of the 17 victims, of the need for peace and understanding, of the commitment to increase awareness and education of global issues to end the threat of terrorism. What words of wisdom did the US President have to say?

John Kerry? Joe Biden? Eric Holder, maybe? Nope.

The US was represented by Ambassador to France Jane Hartley.

She wasn't invited to speak, but she did tweet photos of the crowd:

White House spokesgeek Josh Earnest tried to put a french twist on the glaring faux pas before finally admitting that someone higher up should've been there along with the other global leaders, as reported by CNN:

"'I think it's fair to say that we should have sent someone with a higher profile to be there,' said Earnest. Earnest in part cited security concerns for Washington's reluctance.

"Earlier Monday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry dismissed criticism that neither he nor other top officials traveled to Paris.

"'I don't think the people of France have any doubt about America's understanding of what happened, about our personal sense of loss, our deep commitment to the people of France in this moment of trial,' said Kerry."

Really, John? You may speak the language, but you don't understand the meaning. The absence is telling, especially given the hand we have had in the provocative "terror wars" Raisin Brain instigated.

Is it guilt, maybe, that kept you and the President away? Or payback for France's hesitance to join the so-called "coalition of the willing" in backing the illegal invasion of Iraq?

No matter the reason, we sent a powerful message -- just not the right one.