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Updated Jan 12, 2015 - 4:00 pm

Symbolism matters

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By Bruce St. James, January 12, 2015 | 3:01 pm

Over the weekend, leaders from around the world gathered in Paris in a show of unity and solidarity in response to the terrorist attacks last week.

Who was there?

British Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and many more like the leaders of Jordan and Turkey and Mali.

That’s right, Mali.

Who WASN’T there?

Any substantial representation from the United States of America. Oh sure, our ambassador to France was there, but judging by the response amongst our political leadership I assume they merely got caught up in the crowd leaving the embassy as 1.5 million people of all races, religions and creeds walked by arm in arm.

Mind you, not in protest, but rather in celebration of the human spirit and the desire to live peacefully as opposed to in fear.

In total, 44 nations sent their leaders to this event but the nation at the forefront of the “Global War on Terror” was barely visible.

It’s fashionable to assail the White House for any number of things partisan ideologues perceive as wrongdoings, just as the White House is quick to take credit for things they know full well they have had little to no impact on. But I think it’s a fair criticism as an American citizen to question why the president, leaders in Congress and the declared (and undeclared) candidates for president in 2016 didn’t think the largest rally against Islamofascism, Muslim extremism and terrorism the world has ever seen wasn’t worthy of rearranging their fundraising schedules for.

The job of president (and many of these other “leaders”) is symbolic at best. The work of government rolls on through thick and thin, Republicans and Democrats, fat times and lean ones, and the idea that one person can change its course by “working hard” is laughable. Like it or not, President Obama has NOT “fundamentally changed Washington” as he promised to do. As predicted, it fundamentally changed him, as it will the next person dumb enough to think they can tame the beast.

But pictures, accounts and dare I say the “symbolism” of America walking side by side with the civilized world against the scourge of our time IS something the president can, and should do. We have turned politics in this nation into a never ending reality show with “leaders” chosen in a slightly less transparent process than last year’s season of “The Voice.”

So President Obama, as opposed to jetting around the country claiming to have saved the housing industry, rebuilt the economy and lowered gas prices (all things I’d argue he had nothing to do with), why not show up for the things you CAN take credit for, even if you believe these photo ops are beneath you.

Because in today’s America, symbolism matters.