On 9/11
we saw a number of attacks on US embassies in the Middle East. Specifically we
were attacked in Egypt and Libya. The attack in Libya killed our ambassador and
3 other embassy staff. Today we now have more attacks on our embassies around
the Middle East – Yemen, Tanzania, Cairo and
others.
I like
many Americans am frustrated and unhappy. Here are some thoughts to ponder:
It seems
very likely the attack in Libya was not an angry mob. Confirmation is coming
out of Egypt today from one of its ministers saying these attacks were
carefully planned and executed using the angry mobs and the reaction to the anti-Muslim
video as cover. The pictures of the embassy in Libya clearly show that this
attack used weapons that a typical angry group of protestors would not have.
The FBI is investigating and hopefully we will learn the truth.
I don’t believe this was a coincidence that it happened on the 11th
anniversary of 9/11. Here is why – Supposedly this offensive
YouTube video was made in early July and posted. Why did the video take over 2
months to get noticed? The entire purpose of YouTube is to be able to share
video immediately worldwide. So if this video was out there since July we are
expected to believe that millions of Muslims in the Middle East never saw it
and reacted till 9/11/12? Clearly this was planned and the coincidence is not
believable.
Nearly as
alarming is the fact that the White House does not see this or at least does
not want to admit it. I understand they need to gather all the facts first but
why are we in the interim apologizing for the video? The US government did not
create, distribute or condone the video. The American people did not even care
about it as is evidenced in the extremely small number of hits it had from July
to September.
America
should not apologize for freedom of speech - ever. The person (s) who did the
video are misguided bigots who clearly wanted to insult the Muslims. Just the
way the Muslims have desecrated our flag to insult us. Two wrongs don’t ever make a right. These bigots however, are within their
rights under our US constitution.
A silly
insulting video does not equal riots, destruction and murder. I don’t think that the majority of Muslims around the world would
ever react to a stupid video this way. So this obviously was an orchestrated event
using the video as a catalyst to spur a series of riots that would cover a
direct terrorist attack on our embassy in Libya. Let’s hope the FBI can prove this through their investigation.
In the meantime we pray for the families of the dead heroes and hope that the
new Libyan government works tirelessly to bring the responsible terrorists to
justice.
Of great
concern is the debate raging in the US about the President’s actions around this attack and equally, the comments made
by Mitt Romney yesterday. I am confused about why Mitt Romney is being attacked
by the press for saying that the US government should never apologize for
freedom of speech? He is correct on this point and the Tweet from the embassy
in Cairo just as the protests were happening was ill advised and hurt the US.
The fact that later the White House too disavowed the embassy Tweets shows that
Romney was right.
Mitt was
however, wrong in criticizing the government while the attacks were happening.
Yes his timing was off. However, of much greater concern are the President’s actions. His lack of emotion about the death of a US
ambassador was evident and disappointing. He seemed more concerned about
apologizing for the intolerance of the video than condemning the violence.
Granted that is just my opinion.
Where I
think the American people should be deeply concerned is that he cancelled his
daily intelligence briefing and kept his campaign trip to Vegas while US embassies
were still under attack. How can he justify going to Vegas for a fund raiser
when this issue was still unfolding? I think this speaks to his character and
focus. Would Regan or Bush have done that?
As a
reminder a US Embassy is considered US soil no matter what country it is in. It
is the responsibility of the host nation to protect it and treat it as such. We
take this very seriously in US and certainly have protected all that are on our
soil. That said it is also the responsibility of the embassy to have
appropriate security as well.
Why did
the embassy in Libya not have Marine protection? We are being told that the Libyan
embassy had a “Lock and Key system”. While we know that one of the people killed with the
ambassador was a security officer and ex-Navy Seal, it seems ridiculous that he
was the only line of defense. This embassy was already attacked once before and
yet on the anniversary of 9/11 we had our ambassador there and had no marine
detail? How could we be that naive? What was the administration thinking? A
violent nation, with a new government, formed through violent revolution and on
9/11 we have no guards at our embassy? This is clearly a sad lack of focus. The
administration must be held to answer for this.
Beyond these sad facts and disturbing realities in broader terms
we should be discussing
globally what it is that makes radicals respond this way? Why can't
their governments control them? Why do they hate the US as much as they do? Where
is their sense of decency and humanity? Why are they ignoring the very
teachings of the Koran?
The sad
fundamental issue here is the radical Muslims don't believe in freedom of
speech and we do. I respect their religion and their right to limit speech but
only in their country. Not in this US and not in the world. These radicals and
many liberals need to understand that they can't force their beliefs on others
no matter how strongly they believe them. The US is a sovereign nation and as
such is entitled to its beliefs and Constitution. If you don’t like what we believe in then just don’t come here, don’t trade with us, don’t accept our aid and don’t
ask for our help when you are being attacked. Heck, don’t allow us to have an embassy in your country – I am sure we would be fine with that. I know I would.
There is
no excuse for what they have done in the past two days. These radicals are
savages with no moral limits and sadly the only thing they understand is force.
This is a tragedy as so many non radical Muslims don't behave this way. However,
the radicals hold the power it seems and use religion to get many Muslims to
behave outside their own beliefs.
There are
thousands of folks demonstrating/attacking our embassies today in the Middle
East. Are all of them radicals? Or are many of them brain washed and operating
out of some sense of fear and religious obligation? If all these people are
actually radicals with no moral boundaries then why are we in their countries?
What can we possibly want with people who act this way? There can be nothing we
want that badly that we lower our standards to work with such cultures. Why
don't we just leave?
I often
ask the question - what is so strategic about the Middle East? Oil? I think
this is a misnomer. You see they need to sell their oil and the US is the
heaviest consumer of the black gold on the planet. So in effect they need us as
bad as we need them. Also if we would just drill some of our own we could avoid
dealing with them even more. Sure we have some allies there but few. Israel is
really the only long term ally and our President is trying to destroy that
relationship as we speak. His recent actions toward President Mubarik are definately of concern.
Here is
what I think – we should close all the
embassies under attack immediately. We should get all our people out hopefully
with the protection of the host countries but if not with our own military. We
should refuse to go back to these countries unless there is a real national
interest at stake and we can get assurance from the host country they can
protect our citizens.
It is
time we gently but forcefully tell these enemies we will not take anymore. We
are not going to attack you (we are above that) but we will cease all trade and
diplomatic relations. Let them try those economic realities on for a while.
We cannot
condone violent savagery not matter what religious motivation is behind it.
Terrorism is terrorism not matter how you dress it up (lipstick on a pig) and
we should not tolerate it under any circumstances. Come on America – let’s stand up for what we believe
in and put aside any political differences we have internally. Show the world
who we are and what we stand for. We will never be respected if we wavier on
our morals and principles. Let’s stop this nonsense now!