The tragedy this past Friday in France, along with the recent Russian plane blown up, brought back memories for Lynn and myself. We were both in Washington D.C. on September 11, 2001. Lynn was in the Madison Building right next to the Capitol which was thought to be a potential target for the plane that didn’t make it. Along with the Kennedy assassination, this will always remain one those experiences that one not only remembers but recalls exactly where they were at that moment. For many in France and around the world, I’m sure a similar memory will be etched for all time.
With the French retaliation yesterday, one message the terrorist groups should be getting is that there will be appropriate responses without hesitation. The sequencing of events just might turn out to be, despite the pain, a blessing in some ways. It appears with the already-scheduled meeting of the leaders of all the major (G20) nations in Turkey for environmental objectives, it gave an opportunity for a clear united message of both outrage and unity. Whether this would have happened without the Russian tragedy and the already-scheduled summit, we’ll never know.
I don’t pretend to in any way be an expert on foreign affairs. But I do know a little history and can clearly recall a time when partisan politics stopped at the water's edge. I know that much time has passed since then, but given the complex and tumultuous events of recent days, it would be certainly a good time to revert back to that practice. However, given we are in the middle of a presidential campaign, that is probably very unrealistic. Hopefully at least a few candidates will be willing to put our country’s interest first and share opinions without taking cheap shots that certainly don’t help. On his return, I’d like to see the President reach out to leaders of Congress to at least take a step towards unity.
As many of you know, the French have always been on our side going back to the Revolutionary War. It was good to see the French flag being carried by the Army football team Saturday and all the pro games on Sunday pausing in respect and showing U.S. support for our friends and allies. As the world grieves and begins to come to grips with the attacks, it is important that the United States be as united as possible in not only our concern for our friends but our resolve to effectively deal with this continuing crisis that has reached new and tragic levels.
With the French retaliation yesterday, one message the terrorist groups should be getting is that there will be appropriate responses without hesitation. The sequencing of events just might turn out to be, despite the pain, a blessing in some ways. It appears with the already-scheduled meeting of the leaders of all the major (G20) nations in Turkey for environmental objectives, it gave an opportunity for a clear united message of both outrage and unity. Whether this would have happened without the Russian tragedy and the already-scheduled summit, we’ll never know.
I don’t pretend to in any way be an expert on foreign affairs. But I do know a little history and can clearly recall a time when partisan politics stopped at the water's edge. I know that much time has passed since then, but given the complex and tumultuous events of recent days, it would be certainly a good time to revert back to that practice. However, given we are in the middle of a presidential campaign, that is probably very unrealistic. Hopefully at least a few candidates will be willing to put our country’s interest first and share opinions without taking cheap shots that certainly don’t help. On his return, I’d like to see the President reach out to leaders of Congress to at least take a step towards unity.
As many of you know, the French have always been on our side going back to the Revolutionary War. It was good to see the French flag being carried by the Army football team Saturday and all the pro games on Sunday pausing in respect and showing U.S. support for our friends and allies. As the world grieves and begins to come to grips with the attacks, it is important that the United States be as united as possible in not only our concern for our friends but our resolve to effectively deal with this continuing crisis that has reached new and tragic levels.
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