To the people of France,

Like the rest of the world, I was shocked and horrified by the actions of a small group of evil barbarians, who decided that the answer to offensive speech is murder, and caused such harm in Paris last week.  The pillars of freedom were attacked when the offices of Charlie Hebdo were attacked and innocent blood was spilled.  We watched a Muslim police officer sacrifice his life to gain time for non-Muslims to escape, and we watched the animals who have rejected the freedoms and liberty of French life execute him.

Yesterday, another historic event occurred.  Leaders of the world joined hundreds of thousands of people in the streets of Paris to show their resolve and affirm their commitment to defending and exercising freedom of speech and of thought.

But something, rather, someone, was missing.

Our president, the leader of another long-lived and freedom-loving republic, was absent.  His representative, the Attorney General, was in Paris, but I have seen neither pictures of him on the streets with other leaders, nor quotes from him about the attacks and the demonstration.

In other words, where other nations reached out to our ally and friend in her time of need, those who claim to lead our nation failed to show their face to the world when France stood up to the darkness of barbarism and murder.  Apparently a few remarks to the press corps in Washington was all that we could muster.

It is with great humility and shame that I beg your pardon and forgiveness for this slight.  Our nations have had their differences in the past, but like a brother and sister that quarrel, an attack against either of us should cause the other to close ranks, offer comfort, and confront the aggressor.  I am ashamed of my president today because he has forgotten that.

French blood has soaked into the soil of the United States, just as Americans have bled for France.  Our nations, no matter our differences, are intertwined with a shared history and love of freedom.  Even though our politicians have forsaken that bond, I have not.

Daddy J. Bear
Louisville, Kentucky