Poll Position: How should Obama respond to embassy attacks?
The big story this week was the series of attacks on U.S. embassies across the Middle East and North Africa: from Libya, where our ambassador was killed, to Egypt, Yemen and, today, Tunisia and Sudan. In Libya, the government is cooperating with the investigation into the murders of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. The responses from the other countries have been mixed, but they have been rather tepid on the whole.
How should Obama respond to the attacks on our embassies?
- Cut foreign aid (255 Votes)
- Pursue the killers in Libya; otherwise, lie low (173 Votes)
- Stop issuing travel visas for people from those countries (130 Votes)
- Bomb 'em (108 Votes)
- Economic sanctions (106 Votes)
- Too soon to say (102 Votes)
- Cut diplomatic ties (91 Votes)
- Increase foreign aid (5 Votes)
Total Voters: 517
Loading ...President Obama made a mistake Wednesday evening when he said of the Egyptian government, which has been in place less than three months, “I don’t think that we would consider them an ally, but we don’t consider them an enemy.” It was a mistake because the White House on Thursday had to walk back the statement; later Thursday, the State Department had to walk back the walk back, clarifying that Egypt retains the official designation of Major Non-NATO Ally it has held since 1989.
But this post isn’t about criticizing Obama for shooting first and aiming later. (OK, maybe it’s a little bit about that.) It’s really about the question most of us have been pondering since the attacks in Libya and Egypt on Tuesday, the 11th anniversary of 9/11: What is the proper response?
Some of you took my first post on the subject to imply a military action is needed. As I tried to make clear in the comments, that’s not the case. Things would have to spiral much further out of control before we were talking about military action.
Unless, of course, you include drone flights and a possible targeted strike on the terrorists responsible for the ambassador’s death, which the Obama administration appears to be considering at the very least.
Otherwise, there are a range of options here. We could pull our diplomats from their capitals. We could expel their diplomats from Washington. We cut cut or eliminate foreign aid to these countries. We could, I suppose, increase our foreign aid to them and use it to promote and educate them about our laws and values (such as freedom of expression). We could officially remove them from our list of allies. We could stop issuing travel visas from their country to ours. We could impose some form of economic sanctions. Or we could essentially do nothing more than pursue the people who killed Stevens and the other Americans.
What should Obama’s response entail? That’s this week’s Poll Position question. Answer in the nearby poll — NOTE: unlike most of my polls, you can select more than one answer in this one — and the comments thread below.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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949 comments Add your comment
getalife
September 16th, 2012
12:21 pm
Google dan senor, the spokesman for the failed neocon occupations and learn about the Iraq disaster.
Slither is being kind to that failed American.
getalife
September 16th, 2012
12:23 pm
Then you have wolfawitz slither back on cnn too.
These are failed policies that we should never return to unless you want a total collapse.
Army Vet
September 16th, 2012
12:23 pm
Some Facts and Observations For the “Factually Impaired”:
MCCAIN PRAISES STEVENS. The senator, who traveled to Libya with Chris Stevens, praises the departed U.S. ambassador in an interview with ABC’s Jonathan Karl in the latest installment of “Spinners and Winners”: “Chris Stevens was one of the finest men I’ve ever known in my life. He loved the Libyan people, they loved him, he and I were down there on Election Night, and people were saying, ‘Thank you, America.’ So what the object here is, is for the jihadists to drive us out of Libya and turn Libya into one of these radical states.
THE CAIRO EMBASSY’S P.R. DISASTER: STAFFER IGNORED INSTRUCTIONS. At least one Romney surrogate has suggested that the Cairo embassy’s condemnation of the mysterious anti-Islam film was probably cleared by the White House, but The Cable’s Josh Rogin reports: “One staffer at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo was responsible for the statement and tweets Tuesday that have become grist for the presidential campaign, and that staffer ignored explicit State Department instructions not to issue the statement, one U.S. official close to the issue told The Cable. … [Cairo senior public affairs officer Larry] Schwartz sent the statement to the State Department in Washington before publishing and the State Department directed him not to post it without changes, but Schwartz posted it anyway.
Army Vet
September 16th, 2012
12:27 pm
So what the object here is, is for the jihadists to drive us out of Libya and turn Libya into one of these radical states.
getalife
September 16th, 2012
12:28 pm
“Rick Santorum: ‘Smart People’ Will Never Be On Our Side” Aol
cc
September 16th, 2012
12:36 pm
OUCH@12:18 pm:
Your reading is much better than mine. He didn’t quote me.
OUCH
September 16th, 2012
12:37 pm
cc
Answer the man tough guy
cc
September 16th, 2012
12:40 pm
Army Vet@12:23 pm:
What is the source and link for your second paragraph?
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
September 16th, 2012
12:42 pm
Jamvet
Then why do they constantly oppose almost any and all acts/protections that make and keep it clean?
We don’t! We oppose those environmental scams that do little to clean up the air and water, but do great harm to the economy. We oppose those enacted to create wealth for sycophants and campaign contributors, like Al Gore, who quickly moved to establish a carbon trading market, when he thought he could fool Americans into supporting the cap and tax nonsense.
We would be foolish and suicidal to want the air to deteriorate to the point where our children, wives, friends, etc would suffer health effects. That is why it is so nonsensical to insist we want dirty air. Life expectancy is at any all time high and there is no sign of new illnesses related to environmental conditions, yet the Dems keep pushing for more economy wrecking scams to make our lifestyle more expensive.
Hundreds of thousands have lost their jobs, their savings, their health insurance due to Obama’s war on coal, needlessly. The country has lost the revenue from their taxes as well.
OUCH
September 16th, 2012
12:44 pm
Barry must have had a Cub Scout meeting to attend.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
September 16th, 2012
12:47 pm
Army Vet: Does being an “American” also mean that you FIGHT for your country?
———————
In which branch did Obozo serve?
Thanks for helping further my argument.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
September 16th, 2012
12:48 pm
JamVet
When the story came out in the UK newspaper, I think you called it a tabloid, you said they were lying about the US having 48 hours notice of impending problems with security. I guess CNN is spreading the same lie? Or, could you have been wrong, to shoot them aim.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
September 16th, 2012
12:49 pm
shoot then aim!
Kinda like, what you said Mitt did.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
September 16th, 2012
12:51 pm
Environmentalism is where the communists fled after that ideology crashed globally. “Clean air” and “clean water” scheming is a mere pretext for their attacks on free market capitalism.
Leftists hate capitalism because they know they can’t cut it.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
September 16th, 2012
12:52 pm
So what the object here is, is for the jihadists to drive us out of Libya and turn Libya into one of these radical states.
Obviously then, you don’t believe the Carney Barker, his boss, and Hillary that it was just a protest over a movie, gone too far.
JamVet
September 16th, 2012
1:01 pm
…that do little to clean up the air and water…
Are you nuts?
Our air, water and land is MUCH cleaner than it was in the 60s and 70s thanks to non-Republicans!
By every measurement and metric. It is not even debatable.
We would be foolish and suicidal to want the air to deteriorate to the point where our children, wives, friends, etc would suffer health effects.
Then you are foolish. And don’t live in Atlanta during the height of summer when the Air Quality Index is often in the dangerous levels.
Up to 35,700 premature deaths can be prevented in the United States every year if the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strengthens the health standards for particle pollution—also known as soot…
Confirmation came in the summer of 2005. Three groups of researchers working independently reviewed and analyzed the research around deaths associated with short-term exposures to ozone. The three teams—at Harvard, Johns Hopkins and New York University—used different approaches but all came to similar conclusions. All three studies reported a small but robust association between daily ozone levels and increased deaths. ~American Lung Association
Rafe, and no specifics? As in zero?
OK, lets try this. You list all of the events, legislation, etc over the past forty years to demonstrate that they GOP does not have demonstrable, well documented anti-environmental, pro-pollution track record. That they are in fact actively involved in reducing pollution and poisons in our ecosystem.
And I’ll list some more of the hundreds of pieces of evidence,legislation, etc that shows they do…
JamVet
September 16th, 2012
1:02 pm
I believe it was the same branch of our military services that you did, bb…
Army Vet
September 16th, 2012
1:04 pm
Here’s your link:
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/09/with-54-days-to-go-has-the-black-swan-arrived-the-note/
Which branch of service did YOU serve in? You talk of citizenship, and what makes a citizen; and I asked does dying for and protecting your country make you a citizen?
You can keep evading the question if you like; your silence is answer enough.
JamVet
September 16th, 2012
1:06 pm
…about the US having 48 hours notice of impending problems with security.
But you wrote that they had 48 hours notice that they were going to be attacked.
So which is it?
And where is this supposed CNN article?
(Do you know how to cite sources and link them? Do not be afraid to get help, I’m sure some teenager could teach you…)
Army Vet
September 16th, 2012
1:06 pm
Obviously then, you don’t believe the Carney Barker, his boss, and Hillary that it was just a protest over a movie, gone too far
Obviously i was QUOTING McCain.
Army Vet
September 16th, 2012
1:09 pm
I think “citizenship” as well as the vote, should only be given to people who SERVE their country with deed and not just words.
Its real easy, when you’ve never looked death in the face, never had to choose between life and death, and never had to make a command decision in your life, to ridicule and condemn people who DO.
I think that all who are under the age of 50, just like in EVERY other country, should be required to serve. Put your money where your mouth is. Period.
JamVet
September 16th, 2012
1:11 pm
Romney’s War on Coal in a mere19 seconds of living color…
(Avert your eyes, Ethel!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BpgLYryI8g
OUCH
September 16th, 2012
1:22 pm
Barry
Be sure to let us know if you make it out of Cub Scouts and move on to Webelos. They might even let you carry a pocket knife in a few years
Tough guy
TruthBe
September 16th, 2012
1:24 pm
ArmyVet, How about 41/2 years in that hellhole Vietnam?
TruthBe
September 16th, 2012
1:26 pm
Obama doesn’t have American Values. Obama was raised to be a Communist by his blended family, friends, associates, schools, and his Muslim Religion.
cc
September 16th, 2012
1:30 pm
Army Vet@1:04 pm:
I, as I’m sure like many others, did not choose a ‘screen name’ proclaiming my status as a veteran. I’m equally sure that others who have served during a war, in a war zone and in combat do not choose to discuss it here. That part of my life has long been over and I have no wish to discuss it in this forum. Further, I find your question juvenile at best. Did you serve in a combat status, or were you some rear-echelon pogue enjoying your ‘veteran’ status by virtue of the fact that you were merely in the area? It has been my observation that most people who talk the most did the least. Never mind, don’t answer the question. I’ve said more than I should have said and shouldn’t even have responded to your childish query.
captguitarman
September 16th, 2012
1:30 pm
The first mistake was betting on the wishful thinking that the Muslim Brotherhood (that just unveiled its new motto for all the world to see — “Obama, We Are Osama”) would some how be different. Looks like the Arab Spring was a phenomenom that occurred only in the Oval office weather reports. Obama’s naievte in that regard, and to all things Muslim in foreign policy – okay, all things in foreign policy – was not a surprise. But, Hllary’s buy-in was a surprise. No doubt she is kicking herself now for trying to cozy up to them. But, she does work for Mr. Wide Eyed, Why Can’t We All Just Get Along? who does not get it, never has, and never will get it — so she had no choice.
Obama should have been on the hot line 5 seconds flat after the attack began breathing fire at Egyptian President Morsi for letting our embassy be over run, because the Egyptian military could have easily stopped that in its tracks. But it stood by based on orders from the top, because Morsi wants to prove his anti-American creds with the Brotherhood, and Obama is just the American president to do that with – without fear of any reprisal, or even an “I’m very put out with you, right now” communique. And I’m sure America’s apology for one of our founding, bedrock values – freedom of speech – greatly “moved” the President and the Brotherhood . . . moved them to gales of laughter. It is hard to imagine how weak they must see him. That invasion alone should cost them beaucoup foreign aid dollars until they start to “get it” but don’t hold your breath on that one.
As for Libya. WTF? It was 9/11. No world wide alert? No going from code green to at least a code yellow? No Marines? I know, campaign fund-raising takes a lot of time and focus. But this is Defense 101. And yes, those intellgence briefings can be so boring, especially with all those great campaigning ops on the calendar. An Amerian ambassador and his aids get killed inside their own embassy on 9/11 in a Muslim nation? Gosh, who would have ever thought of doing something like that? But, if you point out the obvious incompetence in preparation, weakness, and a of a lack of a serious response, you are, yes . . . “jumping the gun.”
So, not an angry word, not any kind of explanation as to a lack of readiness on 9/11, just an apology that we have freedom speech and we are going look into who said those bad things. Except that Romney had the cojones to say something. Then it’s a four alarm fire amongst the slobbering, sycophant, lamestream media. Time to do what they do best and protect their version of Our Dear Leader, by going after Romney for “jumping the gun.” But, what campaigner could resist not pointing out the naivete, the weakness, incompetence, lack of a strong response, the apology, and the big bet on the Muslim Brotherood all gone wrong? But, the lamestream to the rescue, along with some misguied Pub/Cons (what were they thinking?) It actually got comical. An open mic prior to a Romney news conference caught all the reporters rehearsing amongst themselves all the “jumping the gun questions” they would ask him. It was kind of funny to hear six of them ask him the same question, slightly re-wording it six times. But, it won’t be so funny if their Dear Leader is re-elected, from a domestic policy or a foreign policy standpoint.
cc
September 16th, 2012
1:34 pm
TruthBe@1:24 pm:
Dang! That’s more than a tour! Lifer?
JamVet
September 16th, 2012
1:43 pm
TruthFree, at least Barry’s first response was NOT to blame the American embassy personnel overseas for “sympathizing with the embassy attackers” like Romney did.
Mitt is disgraceful.
Cowardly.
Unfit to lead.
Army Vet
September 16th, 2012
1:49 pm
TruthBe – Thank you for your service. However, you STILL didn’t answer you question though,
“does dying for and protecting your country make you a citizen? ”
Simple enough question. Or at least I thought it was.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
September 16th, 2012
1:55 pm
Just for Jamvet, who obviously doesn’t have time to peruse the previous posts.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/15/world/meast/libya-diplomats-warning/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
And btw, Richard Milhouse Nixon R, was the President who both proposed the EPA and signed it into law in 1972 I believe. I’m done doing research for the willfully uninformed, for at least today.
getalife
September 16th, 2012
1:58 pm
They will end up like obl.
Army Vet
September 16th, 2012
1:59 pm
CC- why are you so angry because I asked about citzenship and what YOU think are the requirements of being a citizen?
You say my question was juvenile, I say your outrage or poutrage, is adolescent and is speaking volumes.
Again, I’ll ask this incredibly SIMPLE question:
“Does dying for and protecting your country make you a citizen?”
I’m asking because I’m really interested in the answer. Some on the blog say Obama isn’t a citizen, then what MAKES a citizen?
BTW: Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan; with two purple hearts, an Army Achivement medal, an Army Commendation (3x); and all obligatory medals that came from serving in Iraq (2x) and Afghanistan and a few more that need not be posted here. I can truly say, I shed blood for my country because I am a citizen.
OUCH
September 16th, 2012
1:59 pm
“I’m done doing research for the willfully uninformed, for at least today.”
Then it is safe to say you will continue to be “willfully uninformed”.
Oh well, your choice
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
September 16th, 2012
2:00 pm
Army Vet, there are many ways to serve your country. As Amvet points out serving in the EPA, keeps the air nice and fresh. Those people who work at CDC and NIH work to eliminate deadly infectious diseases throughout the world.
Do these people get to vote? Thank you for your service, we owe you a great deal of gratitude, but everything has its limits, and most vets realize that.
JamVet
September 16th, 2012
2:03 pm
Richard Milhouse Nixon R, was the President who both proposed the EPA and signed it into law in 1972 I believe.
Duh…
JamVet
September 16th, 2012
11:35 am
That is but two of hundred of examples since the post-Nixon GOP became environmentally unfriendly…
Good job of paying attention.
I’m done doing research…
i.e. I cannot find anything at all, post 1972 to make a compelling case.
Got it.
Army Vet
September 16th, 2012
2:05 pm
As for Libya. WTF? It was 9/11. No world wide alert? No going from code green to at least a code yellow? No Marines? I know, campaign fund-raising takes a lot of time and focus. But this is Defense 101.
Every embassy throughout the world was on high alert because of the anniversary of 9/11. High alert mean that the embassies should’ve been EMPTY of all but security individuals. The embassy in Libya was supposed to have been evacuated and all employees sent to the Safe House.
Army Vet
September 16th, 2012
2:06 pm
So Rafe, in other words, OBAMA is a citizen by your definition of citizenship. Am I correct?
David R. Boag, DDS
September 16th, 2012
2:07 pm
Said JamVet @ 10:22:
Mitt Romney is not the solution to our problems. Mitt Romney is the problem. ~Thomas Jefferson
Now where, oh where, is Fred to give you his lengthy diatribe about your lack of understanding that Thomas Jefferson was dead long before Mitt Romney was born? I know that you said it tongue-in-cheek, but that doesn’t seem to keep Fred from preaching big sermons to people who clearly already understand the concepts just to make himself feel important and then try to say you’re the unintelligent one.
Fortunately, since he likely agrees with your ideological stance, he will spare us the lesson this time, apparently. Predictable, but appreciated silence. But if he does show up, maybe he’ll tell us all how Thomas Jefferson saying that was somehow like extracting wisdom teeth. After all, he’s the expert.
(For the less-clairvoyant, this entire post was said tongue-firmly-in-cheek.)
cc
September 16th, 2012
2:08 pm
Army Vet@1:04 pm
“Which branch of service did YOU serve in? You talk of citizenship, and what makes a citizen; and I asked does dying for and protecting your country make you a citizen?”
I want you to point out where I ever talked of “citizenship, and what makes a citizen”. I think you had me confused with someone else . . .
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
September 16th, 2012
2:11 pm
I’m asking because I’m really interested in the answer. Some on the blog say Obama isn’t a citizen, then what MAKES a citizen?
No one, that I have seen post on here said he was not a citizen, entitled to vote and do anything a citizen is allowed to do.
Lil Barry said he is not an American. Being an American requires being more than a citizen. I think, our Mistake thinks of himself as a citizen of the world, Presiding over America.
getalife
September 16th, 2012
2:14 pm
You cons should have united like your party instead of acting like traitors.
OUCH
September 16th, 2012
2:15 pm
When did Barry became the authority to decided who is an American?
Who gave him that authority?
Seems he was just basically running his mouth.
Hope he isn’t too sad, because he will really be depressed after the election.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
September 16th, 2012
2:18 pm
AMVET
The EPA cleaned up the mess, much of that done since has been busy work and scams. Air, Water, and earth(SuperFund sites) are a cleaner, better place since EPA went to work. Now that their job is limited to maintaining their work, Obama has enlisted them into his political efforts to destroy the private sector economy.
Army Vet
September 16th, 2012
2:19 pm
Rafe you are correct. He did say Obama was not an AMERICAN. So I’ll rephrase my question then — What makes someone an AMERICAN?
Maybe the poster who posted the comment can answer the question.
getalife
September 16th, 2012
2:24 pm
“Obama has enlisted them into his political efforts to destroy the private sector economy”
Lying traitor.
md
September 16th, 2012
2:27 pm
“Remember, all those here (except Dr. Dentist) used to be over at Jay’s. They couldn’t stand being disputed or told to show facts.”
The world according to Fred……had to chuckle at that one as the guy is just so full of assumption. As if he has any clue as to why some of us prefer not to lend credence to that other guy.
We choose everything we do Fred……..and that includes where we blog for whatever reason.
getalife
September 16th, 2012
2:27 pm
For the record, I am a proud American supporting our President and country.
Country first.
Rafe Hollister, suffering through Oblamer's ineptocracy
September 16th, 2012
2:31 pm
Army Vet
Everyone has their own opinion and entitled to it, thank GOD. So, here is mine.
American
One who believes in the exceptional greatness of this beautiful country. Who believes we live in the best country in the world and are dedicated to maintaining and defending that status. One who believes in the motto, “From Many One”, not from one to many through division. One who believes we are a republic, bound by laws, under the Constitution, and not ruled by men. One who believes the citizens created, support, and own the government, rather than serve the government.
JamVet
September 16th, 2012
2:31 pm
In addition to the E.P.A., Nixon also created the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Office of Consumer Affairs, among other initiatives. (The last three being Ralph Nader led initiatives/)
On the other hand, Ronald Reagan was hostile to the EPA.
Herman Cain vowed to, within the first 30 days of his administration, create a panel of oil and gas officials to instruct the agency in overhauling its permitting program, adding that eliminating the program entirely also “would be an option.”
Newt Gingrich, Michelle Bachmann and Ron Paul have also advocated eliminating the EPA.
Let the polluters police themselves, right?