CAPITOL CORNER: US Must Show Strength In the Face of Terrorism On January 7th, Islamic extremists attacked a satirical newspaper office in Paris, France, resulting in the deaths of 10 newspaper staff and two police officers, and ending in a man hunt for those responsible. In the United States, we pride ourselves on allowing free speech - the exact thing the staff of Charlie Hedbo were gunned down for. It wasn’t just an attack on France, or even on Europe. It was an attack on all of us who value free speech and defend that right every day. It was a somber moment for people across the globe to realize that terrorism is not limited to the Middle East, but that it is truly a global issue. Terrorism hits hard for Americans, as we have seen it in our homeland too many times: notably the attacks on 9/11 and the Boston Marathon bombing. But just as Americans have felt the wrath of terrorism, we have also experienced the outpour of international support following. Just as our international allies helped the US, they also opened their arms to the French. As world leaders locked arms and walked together in unity in Paris on January 11, one nation was notably missing a leader: the United States of America. There is no doubt in my mind that the United States should have sent a top official to march in support with France. The White House acknowledged this error, but in typical Obama Administration fashion: excuse after excuse was used and it was too little, too late. Having our nation’s Secretary of State or Attorney General at the rally would have helped send a strong message to ISIL terrorists that we will fight global terrorism together. Strength and unity with our international allies is the only way to combat terrorists. This week, the House of Representatives will offer that support by passing a measure condemning the recent terrorist attacks in Paris that resulted in the deaths of seventeen innocent persons, and offering condolences to those personally affected by this cowardly act. We must show them that we will not back down, and terrorism will never prevail.
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 19:21:39 +0000
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