Egypt Ablaze Against the U.S. - image: Salon.com
CNN International is reporting on a wave of violence against U.S. interests that is spreading across the Middle East – the U.S. Embassies in Yemen and Egypt are now under attack by “protestors”. The first wave came earlier this week on the anniversary of September 11, 2001, when coordinated Al Queda attacks against U.S. Embassies resulted in the death of U.S. Ambassador Christoper Stevens, in Libya (ABC News) who was the first U.S. Ambassador to be killed since the Carter Administration in 1979 (*ABC News link to Arlington Cemetery online).
Mitt Romney released a statement on the 12th, condemning the attacks and critiquing the U.S. Foreign policy which did little to alleviate the growing problem in the Middle East - The U.S. Press immediately coordinated an attack on Mitt Romney! Must Read: Erick Erickson’s The American Media Beclowned themselves Yesterday: which presents a timeline of events that is factual, as well as disconcerting to those who understand the reason why the U.S. Media cannot garner more than 17 to 24% trust by Independent and Republicans voters, or, for that matter 34 – 37% of those who identify themselves as Democrats (Gallup – Trust in Institutions polling 2012.
The full text of Mitt Romney’s Remark’s are below – the audio of reporters at the Romney Press Conference(CBS News reporter is Jan Crawford and she was discussing this with the NPR reporter Ari Shapiro) coordinating questions is available here at the Right Scoop (NPR – Publicly Funded)
Via: Mitt Romney.com:
“Americans woke up this morning with tragic news and felt heavy hearts as they considered that individuals who have served in our diplomatic corps were brutally murdered across the world. This attack on American individuals and embassies is outrageous, it's disgusting. It breaks the hearts of all of us who think of these people who have served, during their lives, the cause of freedom, and justice and honor. We mourn their loss and join together in prayer that the spirit of the Almighty might comfort the families of those who have been so brutally slain.
“Four diplomats lost their life, including the U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, in the attack on our embassy at Benghazi, Libya. And, of course, with these words, I extend my condolences to the grieving loved ones, who have left behind, as a result of these who have lost their lives in the service of our nation, and I know that the people across America are grateful for their service and we mourn their sacrifice.
“America will not tolerate attacks against our citizens and against our embassies. We will defend also our constitutional rights of speech and assembly and religion. We have confidence in our cause in America. We respect our Constitution. We stand for the principles our Constitution protects. We encourage other nations to understand and respect the principles of our Constitution because we recognize that these principles are the ultimate source of freedom for individuals around the world.
“I also believe the Administration was wrong to stand by a statement sympathizing with those who had breached our embassy in Egypt instead of condemning their actions. It's never too early for the United States Government to condemn attacks on Americans, and to defend our values. The White House distanced itself last night from the statement, saying it wasn't ‘cleared by Washington.’ That reflects the mixed signals they’re sending to the world.
“The attacks in Libya and Egypt underscore that the world remains a dangerous place and that American leadership is still sorely needed. In the face of this violence, America cannot shrink from the responsibility to lead. American leadership is necessary to ensure that events in the region don’t spin out of control. We cannot hesitate to use our influence in the region to support those who share our values and our interests. Over the last several years, we have stood witness to an Arab Spring that presents an opportunity for a more peaceful and prosperous region, but also poses the potential for peril, if the forces of extremism and violence are allowed to control the course of events.
“We must strive to ensure that the Arab Spring does not become an Arab Winter.”
Romney is correct in his assessment of the Administration, in his assertion and view of the U.S. Role abroad, and in the delivery of his statement in the first place. As the GOP Candidate for the U.S. Presidency, one would expect a statement – what one might not anticipate is that the delivery of the statement would be, by conservative standards, Reaganesque. Reaganesque in the tone, as well as the delivery – Romney appeared Presidential in the face of what has become a full-blown assault on the U.S.
Furthermore, the disgusting rebuff of Israel by the Commander in Chief of the U.S., (i.e. the President) refusing to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu over the imminent danger and threat of war between Iran and Israel is another foreign policy failure added to the growing list of Carteresque irresponsible boondoggles abroad based on inexperience and ineptitude.
The gist: Benjamin Netanyahu, requested a meeting with President Obama, Obama replied he was engaged elsewhere (Haaretz)– this elsewhere was a David Letterman appearance(Examiner), and several fundraisers and campaign stops. Meanwhile, the Canadian’s who are not blinded by stupidity, have pulled their embassy and staff out of Iran and have kicked the Iranians out of Canada. (Disclose TV)The writing is on the wall and the lines have been drawn, and for the first time in over 40 years, America is again on the wrong side, with the result being death to American citizens abroad and continued upheaval in the region. Unless and until the election in November results in a change of the guard (polls aside conventional wisdom indicates a change in leadership is eminent), there will be continued and increasing anti-U.S. Sentiment in that region. Carter never understood why, after befriending the Ayatollah and embracing the Palestinians, why they turned on the U.S., and one would think that someone as well-educated and versed in politics as President Obama would have avoided making the same mistake. Apparently not.
It is this opinion that there is more violence on the way in the Middle East and that by abandoning the Israeli’s in favor of the Iranians’ spells disaster for the U.S. The Israeli’s will respond as necessary, as they have in the past, without the “blessing” of any U.S. administration, or for that matter, the hypocritical, taxpayer funded, body known as the U.N. The setting for this current wave of violence began in 2009 when President Obama naively embraced those who would harm us on his trip to Egypt. His dismissal of our allies in favor of the camping trail is inexcusable. The economy continues to crumble and the world is burning, it is no better or not worse than 1980, and that outcome, with polls tying all parties equal, resulted in a resounding national mandate against appeasement foreign policy, ineptitude and failure.
Other Links of interest.
Presidnet Obama Skipped Intel Briefings Week before Embassy Attacks (Breitbart – Big Peace)
(Update)
Netanyahu conversation with Obama on Iran was 'good' (Jerusalem Post referring to mid-night phone call between President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu, which apparently fit into Obama’s schedule)
Or
Obama’s Netanyahu Snub Puts Fla. at ‘Substantial Risk’ for Democrats” (Newsmax) was the quick call to Israeli’s PM a political ploy?
It is not that this blogger has always been a big fan of Romney, or did not hold out for hope and change like many American’s in 2009 as the young and hopeful President Obama set on course against division and renewal that, unfortunately did not materialize. The problems arise, not based on one’s race, or one’s religion, which factor race was proven not to be an issue by virtue of the election of Barack Obama by a majority of White Caucasians, and religion should not play a factor (the Press has little on which to attack Mitt Romney, so let’s discuss Mormons!). What should play a factor is some sort of experience, either in governing, or in business, and more than one term, be it in the Governors Mansion, or in the Senate, or Congress, or the Boardroom. What is necessary is a longer resume, and what the American Electorate decided in 2008 was to ignore history (which is no longer taught in Public Schools), and elect the second coming of Jimmy Carter (this was not in evidence until later in 2009). The concepts of Strength through Peace, and tax cuts providing a “trickle down” effect are not owned by the Republican Party – from JFK to Ronald Regan, those concepts lifted up the U.S. Economy and gave us a stable world. They are proven tactics for both the economy and foreign policy – which Romney espouses and the President disavows, in favor of Carter Policies which destroyed the U.S. Economy and resulted in the takeover of Iran and the Persian People by a radical, hate-filled and extremist brand of Islamic Elite Theocrats. The distinction is clear, it is not in the least muddy – it is heartbreaking to watch the burning U.S. flag, some 40 years forward, burning, as the Middle East once gains, murders our emissaries and displays ignorance in the face of a coming U.S. election. It is unfathomable that the President would be on the campaign trail rather than in front of the American People the hour it became known that there was something afoot, and it is unfathomable that the President and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton (a woman who is admired), would only issue statements on the situation after Mitt Romney announced his intent to do so.
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