Those who push “apology tour” owe us an apology
In the debate Monday night, Mitt Romney once again resorted to his claim that President Obama had conducted an overseas “apology tour,” in which he allegedly traveled “to various nations in the Middle East and criticizing America.” As Obama quickly noted, that claim has been debunked as a fabrication by every fact-check organization that has looked at it.
However, that clearly hasn’t dissuaded the Romney camp from continuing to use the claim. In fact, Jennifer Rubin, a conservative columnist for the Washington Post known for her very tight ties to the Romney campaign, devoted her column Tuesday to explaining why in fact the “apology tour” claim is accurate.
As she writes:
“I am hardly the first to compile lists of apologetic utterances from Obama. These include an apology in front of the Turkish Parliament: ‘Another issue that confronts all democracies as they move to the future is how we deal with the past. The United States is still working through some of our own darker periods in our history.’”
That’s an “apology”? I do not see an apology, or anything resembling an apology. Just to confirm the fact, here’s the quotation with a little more context:
“The United States is still working through some of our own darker periods in our history. Facing the Washington Monument that I spoke of is a memorial of Abraham Lincoln, the man who freed those who were enslaved even after Washington led our Revolution. Our country still struggles with the legacies of slavery and segregation, the past treatment of Native Americans.”
Again, no apology, just a simple, humble acknowledgement of historical fact.
But why, you may ask, was Obama even raising those issues before a foreign parliament? In that 2009 speech, the president went on to urge Turkey, a longtime U.S. ally, to try to resolve its longstanding differences with neighboring Armenia. Those differences have at their foundation the mass genocide at Turkish hands of as many as 1.5 million ethnic Armenians beginning in 1915.
As Obama told the Turkish legislators, in words that were controversial in Turkey at the time:
“Each country must work through its past. And reckoning with the past can help us seize a better future. I know there’s strong views in this chamber about the terrible events of 1915. And while there’s been a good deal of commentary about my views, it’s really about how the Turkish and Armenian people deal with the past. And the best way forward for the Turkish and Armenian people is a process that works through the past in a way that is honest, open and constructive.”
I suppose that Obama could have tried a different approach. Instead of acknowledging that America too has made mistakes, Obama could have gone the high and mighty route, broaching the delicate issue of Armenia by telling Turkish leaders that we in the United States have demonstrated ourselves at all times to be paragons of perfection, and that they ought to at least try to follow our pristine example.
Somehow, I doubt that would go over very well.
The Turkish example is interesting for another reason. Echoing the Romney/Rubin theory that it is wrong to ever admit a national mistake, the Turks have made it a major crime under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code to even mention the Armenian genocide in public, with jail terms of as long as three years. That, I suppose, takes care of the apology tour issue, although it is not a productive way for a democracy to conduct its affairs.
Another example of a supposed apology cited by Rubin is even more telling. In 2009, in a televised speech to the American people, Obama announced that, among other steps, he had signed an executive order ending the use of “enhanced interrogation”, more plainly known as torture. As Rubin quotes him:
“Unfortunately, faced with an uncertain threat, our government made a series of hasty decisions. … I also believe that all too often our government made decisions based on fear rather than foresight; that all too often our government trimmed facts and evidence to fit ideological predispositions. Instead of strategically applying our power and our principles, too often we set those principles aside as luxuries that we could no longer afford. And during this season of fear, too many of us — Democrats and Republicans, politicians, journalists, and citizens — fell silent. In other words, we went off course.”
With those words, Obama was attempting to express his disagreement with policies that had been adopted by the Bush administration. But to Rubin, it is something much more sinister.
“Liberals don’t even see that Obama’s excoriating his predecessor is apologizing for this nation, but of course it is. George W. Bush wasn’t acting as a private citizen, and whatever he actions he took were done in the name of the United States.”
Criticizing decisions made by George Bush equates to apologizing for this nation? By trotting out such lame arguments, Rubin succeeds only in confirming just how irresponsible the “apology tour” claim really is.
– Jay Bookman
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488 comments Add your comment
DannyX
October 24th, 2012
1:30 pm
“DannyX,
Better check with the Israelis, Brits, Germans, etc. on that statement……”
Skipper, BBC just did! “An average of 50% favoured Mr Obama, with 9% for Mr Romney, in the survey of 21,797 people in 21 countries.”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20008687
At least Romney’s worldwide popularity can’t get much lower!
Sick of Stupidity
October 24th, 2012
1:31 pm
It’s amazing how some people view things from context instead of truth. There was not a shred of evidence that the President actually “debunked” the “Apology Tour.” He just came out with more double talk. It was an apology tour, which totally weakened the opinions of the USA worldwide, and made us more vulnerable to the evils that would love to destroy it in the name of Allah. What happened to the days when journalists actually put both sides of the issue on the table and allowed people to think for themselves. That is one reason I got out of journalism. I remember a day when Journalism had a degree of integrity. Why, where and who sent journalistic integrity south?
I don’t support either candidate, and am surprised how blind all these Die Hard Supporters can be. If they read the Constitution, and listened to the words of Thomas Jefferson, and how correct he was in the dangers of how the feds have turned out, they would want to flush this election down the toilet and start from scratch. Over the past 4 years, the results I have seen have not been satisfactory. I’m not sure the alternative will be either.
All I hope for is change that takes us back to a simpler day, when the government didn’t have a hand in almost all things personal. No where is that the definition of Liberty. Also get Uncle Sam’s hands out of my wallet. That was originally un-constitutional prior to Abe Lincoln.
Paul
October 24th, 2012
1:32 pm
skipper
The “well everyone else was doing it’ defense is pretty lame -
Is that what your parents taught you? Or you taught your kids?
It’s one thing to undertake a study of a situation and apportion responsibility. It’s quite another to say because others did something we shouldn’t look at someone else so engaged.
But I’m struck by how easily the Right flips on that issue. Yesterday it was “how dare you say the Ambassador bears any responsibility, that’s unAmerican!” and today it’s “yeah, well, just look at the part the people involved played.”
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
October 24th, 2012
1:32 pm
AHMEN
I don’t agree about the apologies…out of context characterizations are the rule not exception.
The election is about turnout..Obama either enjoys turnout at 2008 levels or he doesn’t…its that simple…no body can project with accuracy what turnout will be despite the fact that students polled are no where near a energetic…despite claims that the NATION is better off, a significant majority of folks who believed in BO in 2008 are not remotely better off..
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
October 24th, 2012
1:33 pm
I will donate $1K if Bamma will stop killing trees….
I will donate $2K if a Bamma grad can spell cat correctly.
I will donate $3K if a Bamma business major can find his head from his azz
I will donate $4K if Ohio State will allow Urban Meyer to spend 1 hour in the Florida Gators Locker Room so that the gators can whip his azz for that bullcrap he pulled.
Joe Hussein Mama
October 24th, 2012
1:33 pm
Pete — “I said it several days ago, and I will mention it again. The attack in Benghazi will be the down fall of this administration, and it is not right wing propaganda. It is over, Obama is toast, and as more of this story comes out, heads are going to roll. I just hope President Romney continues the investigation. 4 Americans were killed because of the incompetence of this administration.”
And 9/11 says what am I, chopped liver?
skipper
October 24th, 2012
1:33 pm
Controller90,
The fact that Al is a phony, and likewise the fact that the West Africans sold their own people does no mean one wears a hood……..
Doggone/GA
October 24th, 2012
1:34 pm
Do you know how to tell when a child is beginning to mature into an adult? When they can say “I did that. It was a mistake and I’m sorry for doing it”
JohnnyReb
October 24th, 2012
1:34 pm
If you Moonbats would watch something other than legacy media, you would realize that Obama now faces his biggest challenge. That being, the Libya coverup. If enough of it comes out before election, he couldn’t be elected dog catcher, much less for another term. Watch for one or more high officials to fall on their sword in attempts to save him.
Jay
October 24th, 2012
1:34 pm
Controller, Skipper is merely reciting accurate history.
They BOTH suck
October 24th, 2012
1:36 pm
Ahem
My bad if you didn’t post anything about Trump. You have posted so many duds that you just knew were “bombshells” that I must have made the incorrect assumption
My apologies if you didn’t post anything on Trump.
Ahem
October 24th, 2012
1:36 pm
BENGHAZIGATE
THE ECONOMY
BENGHAZIGATE
THE ECONOMY
Joe Hussein Mama
October 24th, 2012
1:36 pm
Recon — “Obama’s . . . apology tour in 09″
I thought Marines were supposed to be honest.
Clearly, that portion of training has been dropped at Parris Island.
DannyX
October 24th, 2012
1:37 pm
“If you Moonbats would watch something other than legacy media, you would realize that Obama now faces his biggest challenge.”
Then why is Obama starting to rise in the polls again? Gallup showed a good bump for Obama and a 53% approval rating today.
East Cobb RINO, Inc. (LLC)
October 24th, 2012
1:37 pm
Natalie Maines – now that is what an apology tour is.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
October 24th, 2012
1:37 pm
O.K. Jay ………. apologize for this !
And start with the families of those murdered by “non-terrorists” !
1) SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) — “The head (Senator Feinstein) of the U.S. Senate’s Intelligence Committee said Wednesday that it appeared an intelligence mistake along with inadequate security were to blame for the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the American Embassy in Benghazi, Libya that claimed the lives of Ambassador Chris Stevens, a Bay Area native, and three others.
“I can tell you this, I think we do know what happened now. There’s no question but THAT IT WAS A TERRORIST ATTACK (emphasis added), there is no question but that the security was inadequate and I think that there is no question that we need to work on our intelligence,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) during an exclusive interview with CBS 5.”
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2012/10/17/feinstein-intelligence-flaw-lax-security-to-blame-for-libyan-terror-attack/
2) JAY BOOKMAN: “The premise of the entire debate is false, because the attack on our consulate in Benghazi was not an act of terror.”
http://blogs.ajc.com/jay-bookman-blog/2012/10/17/on-benghazi-the-debate-and-acts-of-terror/
3) WE REPORT ………… YOU DECIDE.
Ol' Timer
October 24th, 2012
1:37 pm
@Rickster et al: I certainly don’t think the POTUS apologized in the disdainful way that the GOTP intends it. However, it must be acknowledged that, in spite of the wonderful good the United States has contributed to the world order, we have too often been on the wrong side of history in our support of dictators and tyrants, and those who suffered under these dispicable despots now hate us! And, no where is that the case more than in the middle east — and particularly, IRAN!
Why is that so damned hard to face? We SHOULD apologize for this behavior!
Joe Hussein Mama
October 24th, 2012
1:38 pm
S o S — “There was not a shred of evidence that the President actually “debunked” the “Apology Tour.”
Nor is there any shred of evidence that he *engaged* in such a tour, either.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
October 24th, 2012
1:38 pm
OCTOBER SURPRISE !
AMERICANS DIED !
OBAMA LIED !
Mick
October 24th, 2012
1:38 pm
The libya coverup? So, now the president is required to explain immediately any situation that might blow up because the cons demand it? Absolute b.s.
Mr. Holmes
October 24th, 2012
1:39 pm
If you Moonbats would watch something other than legacy media, you would realize that Obama now faces his biggest challenge. That being, the Libya coverup.
Wow. How much irony can you pack into two sentences?
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
October 24th, 2012
1:39 pm
BENGHAZIGATE !
Aquagirl
October 24th, 2012
1:39 pm
All I hope for is change that takes us back to a simpler day, when the government didn’t have a hand in almost all things personal.
Shorter Sick….GET YER GUBMINT HANDS OFF MY MEDICARE!!!!
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
October 24th, 2012
1:39 pm
DANNYX
But for what reasons do these folks prefer Obama? We know that all in the Muslim world have worse opinion of US now than under Bush.. as well as many others..
http://www.pewglobal.org/2012/06/13/global-opinion-of-obama-slips-international-policies-faulted/
Keep Up the Good Fight!
October 24th, 2012
1:39 pm
Senior Digits…when are you going to apologize for your bayonet lies from last night and your lies about what Obama said. Got any big boy pants that don’t have Depends?
marko
October 24th, 2012
1:40 pm
If foreigners could vote, Obama would win in an over whelming landslide. With the noteworthy exception of Pakistan, most foreigners favor Obama over Romney.. The Pakistani people seem to be mad at him for killing Osama Bin Laden. The right seems happier with presidents that act like a-holes and don’t bother to see to it that our enemies are busy feeding the fishes. You can be a complete idiot with that crowd just as long as you look good in a flight suit and strut around like a badass.
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
October 24th, 2012
1:40 pm
Not this piffle again.
Good lord, the stooopid is strong in those ones.
Ahem
October 24th, 2012
1:40 pm
They BOTH suck
October 24th, 2012
1:36 pm
Apology accepted.
I stipulate that the Univision thing wasn’t what I thought it would be and that Oblunda will again garner the vast majority of latino votes. I think an anaysis after the election will likely show that he got a smaller percent of the latino vote and it may well be attributed to the Univision broadcast. Notwithstanding, it will have little to no impact on the outcome. Romney will beat Obama.
Joe Hussein Mama
October 24th, 2012
1:40 pm
0311 — “OCTOBER SURPRISE !”
I think your October surprise will be *quite* different from what you apparently think it is.
(laughing)
Jm
October 24th, 2012
1:41 pm
Trump will give $5mm to charity
Obama picks
I wonder what Trumpdump would do if he picked Acorn
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
October 24th, 2012
1:41 pm
Libya cover up?
That’s a ladies swimsuit accessory.
mm
October 24th, 2012
1:42 pm
” suppose the idea of apologizing for anything this country has done is cause for revulsion to modern American conservatives.”
Cons apologize? In their eyes, they never ever do anything wrong to begin with.
They destroyed our economy under Bush, now they want to double down on the Bush policies. And they promise, it will work this time because the deficits will be higher. Uhh, I mean the tax cuts will be bigger.
Mick
October 24th, 2012
1:42 pm
0311
Please explain exactly what it is that is being covered up? You really love anything negative, so why do you not have a problem when romney lies straight into the camera’s about his triple flip flop about withdrawing from afghanistan in 2014???
Paul
October 24th, 2012
1:42 pm
0311
First you post ““The head (Senator Feinstein) of the U.S. Senate’s Intelligence Committee said Wednesday that it appeared an intelligence mistake”
Then you post ” OBAMA LIED !”
So… how many Secret Service agents or Marines in their foxholes who made mistakes were charged with making false official statements?
simply amazing…..
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
October 24th, 2012
1:43 pm
Wanna laugh?
Trump.
Simple Truths
October 24th, 2012
1:44 pm
“BENGHAZIGATE” – What is that? Sounds like a toxic chemical used in making computer chips.
skipper
October 24th, 2012
1:44 pm
Thanks Jay,
For all my short-comings, I am, in fact, a history major! (okay folks-I know I opened up the butt-kickin’ opportunity door!)
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
October 24th, 2012
1:44 pm
And even as we type into this blog Obama is losing votes on BENGHAZIGATE !
Tick, tick, tick …………………..
RB from Gwinnett
October 24th, 2012
1:45 pm
Carry the water, jay…..
I see Obama is still running around lying about Romney wanting to let the auto industry go out of business. Any chance you’ll take up correcting him on that lie? He’s actually telling audiences if Romney had his way the US auto industry would be no more and we would be getting our cars from China. Who’s dumb enough to believe that BS lie?………..
Joe Hussein Mama
October 24th, 2012
1:46 pm
skipper — “For all my short-comings, I am, in fact, a history major! (okay folks-I know I opened up the butt-kickin’ opportunity door!)”
Fill’er up with hi-test and check the oil, willya? I gotta go inside and get me an RC and a Moon Pie.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
October 24th, 2012
1:46 pm
Headline (USA Today): “Report: U.S. knew quickly of Libya terror claims”
http://www.usatoday.com/news/
But, but, but …………. it was the movie !
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
October 24th, 2012
1:46 pm
Staplesgate!
pete
October 24th, 2012
1:47 pm
Joe,
“And 9/11 says what am I, chopped liver?”
We acted on 9/11. Obama is covering up Benghazi. BIG difference.
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
October 24th, 2012
1:47 pm
Perjury!
Travis McGee
October 24th, 2012
1:47 pm
Those who are POed with the President because he doesn’t harp on American Exceptionalism are only reading a part of our history. Certainly, the United States is an exceptional nation, a lighthouse on a hill, with many wonderful accomplishments to boast about.
But the flip side of the coin is ugly — our treatment of Native Americans, slavery and our support of despots, dictators and tyrants because it was expedient is something we should repent and apologize for because it’s nothing for which we should be proud!
mm
October 24th, 2012
1:47 pm
“And even as we type into this blog Obama is losing votes on BENGHAZIGATE !”
Only in the fevered swamps of the righties minds.
Mick
October 24th, 2012
1:47 pm
**And even as we type into this blog Obama is losing votes on BENGHAZIGATE !**
I doubt it, only the conned wingers seem to be wetting their pants over whatever it is that you think is so important…
mm
October 24th, 2012
1:49 pm
Ya gotta love that Trump. He came out today about transparency. The dems will have a field day with this way. Where are your tax returns Mitt?
Logical Dude
October 24th, 2012
1:50 pm
“Obama is covering up Benghazi”
And Bush went after Iraq after 9/11. . .
You think Mitt would have/ will be any different than bush or Obama in this regard?
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
October 24th, 2012
1:50 pm
DANNYX
Funny thing about polls…Rasmussen reports that only 29% strongly approve of Obama’s job performance while 41% strongly disapprove…who really knows?
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll
loyd george
October 24th, 2012
1:50 pm
I apologize to the Boers, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
October 24th, 2012
1:51 pm
October 24, 2012
“Where Was Hillary Clinton’s State Dept. on the Eve of Benghazi?’
By Moshe Phillips
“The question of what Hillary Clinton’s State Department was busy with during the days and weeks before the September 11, 2012 terrorist strike in Benghazi, Libya needs to be asked insistently and often. What was happening at Foggy Bottom as Islamic terrorists planned the murder of United States Ambassador to Libya J. Christopher Stevens and other Americans?
We now have part of the answer.
At least some of the State Department’s attention (and funds) were being spent on organizing international music tours. Clinton’s staff was literally involved with fiddles (and guitars and drums) while Islamic terrorists where plotting to attack and burn the American consulate in Benghazi.
Two separate musical concert series were being planned by State at the exact same time when American diplomatic personnel in the Middle East were issuing requests for security to be upgraded at consulates and embassies in Islamic countries. There is now no doubt that their demands were dismissed far too quickly.
The State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has a program, called American Music Abroad, that is tasked with sending American musicians to perform overseas. This year’s tour began its concerts in the Philippines on September 11, 2012. For weeks before the attacks, some at State were working on this program.
How much time was spent on security analysis for the Philippines tour is unknown. Parts of the Philippines continue to be unsafe for Americans due to the stubborn insurgency there of al-Qaeda linked group Abu Sayyaf.
The other program the State Department was busy with before the 9/11/2012 Benghazi attack is called OneBeat (SM), started on September 10 in New York. It brings foreign music acts to the United States to tour.
OneBeat (SM) is also a project of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. In 2012, State was scheduled to bring 32 rock musicians from 21 foreign nations to our shores.
One participant in this year’s program is from Egypt. How much time is spent screening these foreigners for any ties to terrorist groups is also not known.
In an era of high unemployment and record-setting debt, how much money did Mrs. Clinton’s team spend on these music tours?
More importantly, why is State involved in such programs to begin with? What cost/benefit analysis was conducted on these concerts and by whom?
The first mission of the State Department must be to provide protection for Americans abroad. In that Foggy Bottom failed. How many other silly and unproductive efforts was State involved with when the murderers of U.S. Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens were preparing their attack?”
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2012/10/where_was_hillary_clintons_state_dept_on_the_eve_of_benghazi.html#ixzz2AEWAOaNn
Joe Hussein Mama
October 24th, 2012
1:51 pm
RB — “I see Obama is still running around lying about Romney wanting to let the auto industry go out of business.”
Not a lie. Romney clearly stated his intent to cut the car manufacturers loose and allow them to go through a managed bankruptcy. Once they emerged, he said, THEN he’d offer government guarantees on financing needed for them to rebuild themselves.
The problem with Romney’s claim is that there WAS no way to get financing at the time he wrote his piece. Banks weren’t lending. So a managed bankruptcy would have turned from a reorganization to an outright liquidation. And Romney is, IMO, banking on average Americans not knowing that.
http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/23/news/companies/romney-auto-bailout/index.html
http://www.politicususa.com/mitt-romneys-attempt-credit-auto-rescue-laughable.html
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
October 24th, 2012
1:52 pm
I saw where USMC (bless his heart) posted something akin to:
Obama lied and people died!! I guess that’s supposed to be a play on Bush Lied (Iraq) People died!
However, while parroting Breibart and others, he forgot one simple fact:
The people died BEFORE Obama stood in the Rose Garden and told their story. Not afterwards.
Whereas in Bush’s case…………..
Doggone/GA
October 24th, 2012
1:52 pm
“I doubt it, only the conned wingers seem to be wetting their pants over whatever it is that you think is so important”
and he can’t lose those votes…he never had them to begin with.
Jack
October 24th, 2012
1:52 pm
Next, Obama will apologize for Stevens being in the wrong place at the wrong time and causing all this trouble.
Paul
October 24th, 2012
1:52 pm
“Headline (USA Today): “Report: U.S. knew quickly of Libya terror claims”
http://www.usatoday.com/news/”
from the link:
“The White House and State Department were advised two hours after attackers assaulted the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11 that an Islamic terrorist group had claimed credit for the attack, official e-mails show.”
0311, with his vast experience in the Marines and Secret Service in analyzing threats, assessing the validity of sources, making life-or-death split-second command decisions in the heat of combat, has now given us the gold standard for national security assessments.
If an Islamic terrorist group //claims// something happened, then by golly, that’s the honest truth!!!
(insert ‘eye-roll’ emoticon here)
H. E. Pennypacker
October 24th, 2012
1:53 pm
Carry the water, jay…..
I see Obama is still running around lying about Romney wanting to let the auto industry go out of business. Any chance you’ll take up correcting him on that lie? He’s actually telling audiences if Romney had his way the US auto industry would be no more and we would be getting our cars from China. Who’s dumb enough to believe that BS lie?………..
Given that the financial markets were so frozen at the time that banks were unable to fund fully guaranteed commercial paper lines of credit and the U.S. Government had to infuse half of trillion into the markets to prevent their meltdown, who in the private sector would have funded the auto companies as Romney suggested? Good to see you believe Romney’s revisionist history.
RB from Gwinnett
October 24th, 2012
1:53 pm
If y’all want to make excuses for the “apology tour” becaus it doesn’t have the word apology in it, go right ahead. The party who couldn’t explain why support of Israel was removed from their party platform and couldn’t even get a majority vote to put it back in is going to have a hard time making people other than you sheep believe the BS Jay and others are peddling.
I guess it depends on your definition of the words “is” “terrorist” and “apology”, doesn’t it?!!!
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
October 24th, 2012
1:53 pm
MICK,
I think the GOP has a point in the Benghazi requests….5-6 weeks after, why no press conference by BO? All we get is defensive responses to anything negative that (continue) to come out….one with a spine (as opposed to self serving) would simply have diffused this 3 weeks ago…for what reason can’t they?
Joe Hussein Mama
October 24th, 2012
1:54 pm
pete — “We acted on 9/11. Obama is covering up Benghazi. BIG difference.”
Really? I was IN Washington on 9/11. Tell me what, exactly, the Bush Administration did to avert that tragedy, won’t you?
If your claim is that Bush acted AFTER 9/11, well, Obama’s acting AFTER Benghazi.
If your claim is that Bush acted BEFORE 9/11, then show me. Because about 3,000+ dead bodies say he didn’t.
Tom(Independent Viet Vet-USAF)
October 24th, 2012
1:55 pm
Hey libs, just a thought here- If the electoral vote ended in a tie with each getting 269, the House would select the President and the Senate the VP. A Romney/Biden team would be interesting for the next 4 years! Jay, are on on board with this? Probably like Jay/Kyle on same team?
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
October 24th, 2012
1:55 pm
Headline: “Army Suicides This Year Exceed 2012 Combat Deaths in Afghanistan”
http://cnsnews.com/news/article/army-suicides-year-exceed-2012-combat-deaths-afghanistan
Ben Shockley
October 24th, 2012
1:55 pm
“Those who push “apology tour” owe us an apology”
Really? Not so much…
Sorry, fact checkers at Associated Press: you are wrong about Barack Obama’s claim that Mitt Romney’s accusation that Obama went on an “apology tour” was a “whopper” (of a lie).
You sniffed, “Romney has repeatedly and wrongly accused the president of traveling the world early in his presidency and apologizing for U.S. behavior. Obama didn’t say ‘sorry’ in those travels.”
An “Apology Tour” does not mean Obama had to literally say the word “sorry” during those visits. But as my Guide Book on Obama’s 2009 Cairo speech details, on numerous stops Obama said things like America “has shown arrogance” (Strasbourg, France), “we have not been perfect” (interview with Al Arabiya), “we have at times been disengaged, and at times we sought to dictate our terms” (Port of Spain), we have been “dictating solutions” (London), “went off course” (National Archives), “made some mistakes,” (Langley, Virginia) and, finally, “the United States is still working through some of our own darker periods in our history” (Ankara, Turkey).
The historical errors in favor of Islam in the Cairo Speech are legion, as are the not-so-veiled digs at his predecessor, for the “war of choice” in Iraq. As historian Brian Birdnow and I noted in our book (as did many historians and columnists immediately after the speech), Obama pandered to the Muslim world by falsely giving them credit for everything from the printing press to religious tolerance.
On Monday night, President Obama even claimed that the Muslim world has a positive view of the U.S. as a result of his leadership.
Not true, according to a Pew poll, noted the Daily Caller. We had noted that as well in the Dissident Prof Guide Book on the Cairo Speech, “A New Beginning, Or a Revised Past? Positive views among the Muslim world slipped from 22 percent in 2008 to 19 percent last June, according to the (liberal) Pew poll. We thought students, who are taught this speech in college English classes as an example of rhetorical brilliance and unalloyed diplomatic victory, should know such facts and the context of other presidential speeches.
Obama is over
October 24th, 2012
1:56 pm
Obama owes the families of the Americans killed in Benghazi an apology for failing to adequately protect them from known terrorist threats on 9/11. He also owes the American people an apology for lying about what he knew concerning the security failure. Speaking before the U.N. blaming a Youtube video and having his subordinates continue the spin on the Sunday talk shows without ever accepting accountability has created an insurmountable credibility gap for Obama. Americans watched this apology tour unfold before our very eyes only to have Obama deny it in debate number 2. Too bad the JournoList blog has been shut down. It would have been easier for Obama to keep his story straight.
Thulsa Doom
October 24th, 2012
1:56 pm
“First he should apologize to all the people’s jobs he “outsourced” to China and India so that he could wear $5K shoes.”
Please identify the specific people and the specific jobs who Mitt specifically “outsourced” and then we will go from there. Otherwise all ya got is empty rhetoric. Then again what else is new?
ad
October 24th, 2012
1:57 pm
Obama needs to go on the offensive about what’s going to happen if these nutcase GOPers take over the Senate and keep the House and send up some bill to outlaw a woman’s access to birth control. Romney won’t stop it. He’s playing moderate now, but he’s signed up with the GOP and has to play by their rules. They are not moderates. Ironically, they’d be happy under Sharia law (only replacing Islam with their narrow version of Christianity) and they won’t be happy until they take the country there.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
October 24th, 2012
1:57 pm
“If an Islamic terrorist group //claims// something happened, then by golly, that’s the honest truth!!!”
Nope ……… but the American public deserves to know they are “claiming” it as opposed to some lie about a movie.
skipper
October 24th, 2012
1:58 pm
Joe Hussein Mama,
I don’t wanna bust your bubble, but until I became diabetic, that was in fact, one of my favorite treats. I have washed down MANY R.C. colas and moon pies. Likewise, I change my own oil, pump my own gas, etc. And just to add, I like sardines, since I can get what you are alluding too. My FAVORITE (and my family will tell you this) is collards! Yes, I swear that is the truth. So trying to brand me with the wrong iron is bad. I have moderate-conservative views, but again the fact that Al Sharpton is a publicity seeking nut who will NOT show up where the help is REALLY NEEDED does not, my friend, make one a hood-wearer. Sanford Bishop is a real worker and doer…..just an example for you from Georgia, since I am sure you probably do not know who he is (until you quickly google it so you can retort.)
RB from Gwinnett
October 24th, 2012
1:58 pm
Joe, are you saying you think managed bankruptcy means GM, Chrysler, and Ford all stop making cars? Even you aren’t that stupid. I think….
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
October 24th, 2012
1:58 pm
PAUL,
It is a legitimate question to ask as to why any data that suggests Obama isn’t putting this off til after election faces defensive response…why aren’t WH et al going on the offensive with this?
PENNYPACKER
Obama is still running around accusing Romney of offshoring jobs despite no evidence to the contrary….apparently, his primary re-election tactic of discarding and disparaging Romney didn’t work…I’m sure DEMS never remotely thought they would be challenged…typical Obama arrogance now biting him in the arse..
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
October 24th, 2012
1:59 pm
Paul, et al:
It would be nice (but not required) that you stick to debating or posting counter news articles or your private opinion or whatever instead of making personal attacks on other posters.
But …………… as always your choice.
DannyX
October 24th, 2012
1:59 pm
“We know that all in the Muslim world have worse opinion of US now than under Bush.. as well as many others..”
Stevie, according to the Pew poll you linked to 11 out of 11 non Muslim nations have a better opinion of the US now than they did when Bush was President, many of them by a wide margin.
That poll also confirmed the results of the BBC poll, the vast majority of the people in foreign countries prefer Obama over Romney.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
October 24th, 2012
1:59 pm
Obama is over:
Thank you.
Joe Hussein Mama
October 24th, 2012
2:00 pm
RB — “If y’all want to make excuses for the “apology tour” becaus it doesn’t have the word apology in it, go right ahead.”
What a pathetic display of whining and bleating. Here’s all you need to know, RB. I’m just using the selfsame standard the GOP started using in 2003.
http://blogs.ajc.com/jay-bookman-blog/2012/10/24/those-who-push-apology-tour-owe-us-an-apology/?cp=1#comment-1123395
“I guess it depends on your definition of the words “is” “terrorist” and “apology”, doesn’t it?!!!”
No, not when you appear to be trying to redefine them for us. (laughing)
Once again and just FYI, RB, I didn’t vote for Clinton either time. So you know what you can do with the definition of “is,” k?
getalife
October 24th, 2012
2:00 pm
I see President Carter in Syria negotiating for peace so where is w?
I think Friedman’s article today is intellectually honest and we have not seen any from the right.
The right owes our country an apology for behaving like spoiled rotten brats and unpatriotic unAmerican sore losers.
Rightwing Troll
October 24th, 2012
2:01 pm
“And start with the families of those murdered by “non-terrorists” !”
Yeah sure… right after you apologize to the families of the troops killed in Iraq…
Paul
October 24th, 2012
2:02 pm
03111
Alert!!!
Islamic terrorists groups have tweeted and made youtube videos and established websites saying Jews are the spawn of Satan, that America’s full of infidels and that we blaspheme the One True God!!! They not only claim it, they state it as fact!!!
Let us know when you’re going to respond to this claim, I mean, incredible truth, and convert to Islam, of the Middle Eastern fanatic jihadist variety. We’ll all bring milk and cookies to your conversion ceremony.
Stevie Ray..Clowns to the left and Jokers to the right..here I am...
October 24th, 2012
2:02 pm
AD,
That’s all Obama has been doing and it isn’t working out too well…scaring granny, safety net recipients and women that gloom doom and despair await to no avail….anyone who truly thinks anything resembling outlawing abortion will get meaningful traction is overly emotional….likewise any chance of reducing benefits for granny will never get done..hopefully some reform comes so our kids won’t be paying a multiple for FICA and Medicare/medicaid with-holding…we can’t maintain our standard of living as in the past..
Towncrier
October 24th, 2012
2:03 pm
“In the debate Monday night, Mitt Romney once again resorted to his claim that President Obama had conducted an overseas “apology tour,” in which he allegedly traveled “to various nations in the Middle East and criticizing America.” As Obama quickly noted, that claim has been debunked as a fabrication by every fact-check organization that has looked at it.”
With mounting evidence (such as that linked to below) that the Obama administration apparently had early on intelligence that the attack on the consulate in Benghazi was by Islamic militants, what “rational” would you “tender” for its persistent attempts to attribute the attack to a “spontaneous” reaction against an anti-Islamic film, Jay? Just curious…
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/24/us-usa-benghazi-emails-idUSBRE89N02C20121024
Joe Hussein Mama
October 24th, 2012
2:04 pm
Tom — “Hey libs, just a thought here- If the electoral vote ended in a tie with each getting 269, the House would select the President and the Senate the VP. A Romney/Biden team would be interesting for the next 4 years!”
Something like that happened several times in the USA’s early elections; the President was whoever got the most votes and the VP was whoever got came in SECOND, meaning that under that system, we’d have had President Obama and VP McCain for the last four years.
Seriously, read up on it. There was apparently a LOT of bad blood between Presidents and VPs in those early days.
mm
October 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
I sure hope Romney comes to FL for an apology tour after he loses the election for all of the despicable false ads he’s run down here for the last year.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
October 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
Paul:
Just about everytime there is a terrorist attack somewhere (except Benghazi because Jay said it wasn’t a terrorist attack) groups come forward to claim responsibility. You know that. Sometimes it’s the real culprit and sometimes not ……….. but the major networks report it.
This should also have been released by the White House and reported in the news for the public to make their own determination as opposed to some lie from the Administration involving a movie.
Moderate Line
October 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
A more balance looked
3rd Debate
Says Romney said “we should ask Pakistan for permission” to take a shot at Osama bin Laden.
Barack Obama, Monday, October 22nd, 2012.
Ruling: Half-True | Details
Says Barack Obama was silent on Iran “when the students took to the streets in Tehran and the people there protested, (and) the Green Revolution occurred.”
Mitt Romney, Monday, October 22nd, 2012.
Ruling: Mostly False | Details
“Pakistan has 100 nuclear warheads and they’re rushing to build a lot more. They’ll have more than Great Britain sometime in the relatively near future.”
Mitt Romney, Monday, October 22nd, 2012.
Ruling: Mostly True | Details
Says Mitt Romney “just gave a speech a few weeks ago” and said “we should still have troops in Iraq.”
Barack Obama, Monday, October 22nd, 2012.
Ruling: Mostly True | Details
“Latin America’s economy is almost as big as the economy of China.”
Mitt Romney, Monday, October 22nd, 2012.
Ruling: Half-True | Details
Says Mitt Romney was clear that he “would not provide government assistance to the U.S. auto companies, even if they went through bankruptcy.”
Barack Obama, Monday, October 22nd, 2012.
Ruling: Mostly False | Details
“Veterans’ unemployment is actually now lower than (the) general population. It was higher when I came into office.”
Barack Obama, Monday, October 22nd, 2012.
Ruling: Half-True | Details
“I went to the Olympics that was out of balance, and we got it on balance.”
Mitt Romney, Monday, October 22nd, 2012.
Ruling: Mostly True | Details
“The president said he was going to create daylight between ourselves and Israel.”
Mitt Romney, Monday, October 22nd, 2012.
Ruling: Mostly True | Details
“A few months ago when you were asked what’s the biggest geopolitical threat facing America, you said Russia.”
Barack Obama, Monday, October 22nd, 2012.
Ruling: Half-True | Details
Says Barack Obama began his presidency “with an apology tour.”
Mitt Romney, Tuesday, October 16th, 2012.
Ruling: Pants on Fire! | Details
The U.S. military is at risk of losing its “military superiority” because “our Navy is smaller than it’s been since 1917. Our Air Force is smaller and older than any time since 1947.”
Mitt Romney, Monday, January 16th, 2012.
Ruling: Pants on Fire! | Details
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2012/oct/22/fact-checking-third-presidential-debate/
bob
October 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
I am sorry for bashing Obama over the embassy attack, clearly it was done because of a mean spirited video. At first I rushed to judgment but as the facts have come out I cannot call the president a liar. He, his secratary of state, his intelligence people were telling what they thought was the truth, a demonstration that had not happened got out of control over a video. These people are so honest they hurt themselves by letting us know how completely clueless they are.
Randy Ayn
October 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
ben-ghaz’-i-gate: noun; non-issue dreamed up by desperate GOP members in hopes that the unfortunate death of Americans can be turned in to political gain.
Paul
October 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
0311
“It would be nice (but not required) that you stick to debating or posting counter news articles or your private opinion or whatever instead of making personal attacks on other posters.”
When you post the White House was aware of a claim by an Islamic Terrorist Group then morph that into saying because the White House didn’t believe it the President lied, then what follows is not a personal attack, not matter how much that may salve your aggrieved feeling of persecution.
It’s more along the lines, of, oh, say, mockery, ridicule, that sort of stuff.
In other words, when you post something serious and not constantly contradictory, even within the same post, you’ll get a serious response.
Joe Hussein Mama
October 24th, 2012
2:06 pm
B. Shockley (via unattributed author and copyvio) — “An “Apology Tour” does not mean Obama had to literally say the word “sorry” during those visits.”
Sure it does.
Thulsa Doom
October 24th, 2012
2:06 pm
Looks like the kooks continue to meltdown- look at how mad they are. Mittens is surging in the polls and closing hard. And all the kooks can do is watch and witness to the imminent demise of their anointed one. Tweedledee is particularly upset about it. Fun-Knee.
mm
October 24th, 2012
2:06 pm
I guess the cons are placing their final bets on the Benghazigate wheel.
Ben Shockley
October 24th, 2012
2:06 pm
“Joe, are you saying you think managed bankruptcy means GM, Chrysler, and Ford all stop making cars? Even you aren’t that stupid. I think….”
No, I think he really is.
Jay
October 24th, 2012
2:07 pm
JohnnyReb, if Mitt didn’t think the Benghazi issue was worth a single mention — not one — in a 90-minute debate supposedly devoted exclusively to foreign policy, don’t you think there’s a reason for that?
As in, voters honestly aren’t buying that line of baloney?
Joe Hussein Mama
October 24th, 2012
2:07 pm
skipper — “So trying to brand me with the wrong iron is bad.”
Cool your jets.
I was joking, and you yourself said (in the post to which I responded) that you knew you were opening yourself up for it.
Ben Shockley
October 24th, 2012
2:08 pm
Denying the apology tour is reamarkably like denying sexual relations with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky. guess it depends on what the meaning of is, is.
Thulsa Doom
October 24th, 2012
2:09 pm
All the liberal kooks with the pumped up kicks, you better run better run, faster than my…
Williebkind
October 24th, 2012
2:09 pm
Owe you an apology? When the President of the United States bows to a king, he is apologizing for something–land of the free maybe.
Randy Ayn
October 24th, 2012
2:09 pm
“Benghazigate” brought to you by the people who spent millions of tax dollars investigating White Water land deals in Arkansas when they were being paid to run the country.
Moderate Line
October 24th, 2012
2:09 pm
Politifact 2nd Debate
Says Barack Obama has pension investments that include Chinese firms, and “investments through a Caymans trust.”
Mitt Romney, Tuesday, October 16th, 2012.
Ruling: Mostly True | Details
Says his administration put more border patrol agents on the U.S.-Mexico border than at “any time in history, and the flow of undocumented workers across the border is actually lower than it’s been in 40 years.”
Barack Obama, Tuesday, October 16th, 2012.
Ruling: Half-True | Details
Says his administration has created “5 million jobs … over the last 30 months in the private sector alone.”
Barack Obama, Tuesday, October 16th, 2012.
Ruling: Half-True | Details
Says Mitt Romney suggested that “employers should be able to make the decision as to whether or not a woman gets contraception through her insurance coverage.”
Barack Obama, Tuesday, October 16th, 2012.
Ruling: True | Details
Says Mitt Romney “called the Arizona law a model for the nation.”
Barack Obama, Tuesday, October 16th, 2012.
Ruling: False | Details
Says Barack Obama began his presidency “with an apology tour.”
Mitt Romney, Tuesday, October 16th, 2012.
Ruling: Pants on Fire! | Details
Says President Obama waited two weeks to call the attack in Libya “terror.”
Mitt Romney, Tuesday, October 16th, 2012.
Ruling: Half-True | Details
Says Mitt Romney refused to say whether he’d sign the Lilly Ledbetter bill.
Barack Obama, Tuesday, October 16th, 2012.
Ruling: Mostly True | Details
When Mitt Romney was governor of Massachusetts, he “stood in front of a coal plant and pointed at it and said, ‘This plant kills.’”
Barack Obama, Tuesday, October 16th, 2012.
Ruling: True | Details
“Oil production is down 14 percent this year on federal land.”
Mitt Romney, Tuesday, October 16th, 2012.
Ruling: Half-True | Details
Says Obama broke his promise to offer a comprehensive immigration bill in his first year.
Mitt Romney, Tuesday, October 16th, 2012.
Ruling: True | Details
Dave
October 24th, 2012
2:09 pm
Bookman….that commie cool-aid you’re still drinking is making you even funnier
Ben Shockley
October 24th, 2012
2:09 pm
“As in, voters honestly aren’t buying that line of baloney?”
We’ll find out what hte voters are buying in about 14 days.
Lib heads are exploding already.