Think long and hard about this one.
When was the last time the White House admitted openly that it made a mistake. My best recollection goes back to, oh, around 1987 when President Reagan said as much about selling arms to rebel fighters in Nicaragua.
Still, the White House press spokesman, Josh Earnest, made a startling announcement today in declaring that the Obama administration erred in not sending a higher profile emissary to join the massive Paris “unity rally” in the wake of the massacre at the Charlie Hebdo magazine offices.
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/229217-white-house-we-were-wrong-on-paris
Secretary of State John Kerry said today as well that the U.S.-France relationship goes far beyond a single event, such as the Paris rally. President Obama has noted that France is our “oldest ally,” dating back to the American Revolution.
But yes, the White House made a mistake. I’m glad the administration is acknowledging it.
The current war on international terror began on Sept. 11, 2001 when terrorists conducted the cold-blooded, premeditated attack on the United States. We issued a call to arms and enlisted the aid of nations around the world.
The United States has been the main player in the world’s fight against the monsters who seek to terrorize the rest of the world.
There should have been a high-profile U.S. delegation at the unity rally, which featured the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
That does not diminish our leading role in the global war. Indeed, today’s WhiteĀ HouseĀ admission well might enhance it.