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
Scott Fresno
September 14th, 2012
1:56 pm
Condemning something deplorable that an individual American says is not the same thing as saying that they do not have the right to say it and it is not the same thing as blaming America.
If Tiberius. who I assume is American (but maybe he is Roman?) said that Jesus was a homosexual and was found in bed with a live boy and a dead girl, I would condemn him for saying that.
That does not mean I believe he did not right to say it. It just means I think it was stupid and nasty of him to do so and that I think a decent person would not have said it. And, even though he is an American, condemning him for saying it does not constitute blaming America.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
September 14th, 2012
1:57 pm
“Gas up the drones, some brown people need to die.”
This from the guy who is supporting the biggest killer of brown people via drone attacks in the history of this nation. It would be laughable if it weren’t so pitiful.
eagle1
September 14th, 2012
1:57 pm
Obama wanted the muslim brotherhood in charge in Egypt! Look what you got now! Nothing but chaos!! Obama and Clinton both on the apology trail!!!!!
getalife
September 14th, 2012
1:58 pm
Del,
It was payback for a drone attack that killed their leader. You are right about that but the rest of the protests in the middle east are over the stupid movie. They are unarmed and destroying property.We know they drew a line in the sand to not insult Islam.
Road Scholar
September 14th, 2012
1:58 pm
President Obama got the response he intended when he said they were neither foe or ally. He woke them up and they sent troops to protect our embassy. They get $1.5B a year in US aid; they couldn’t risk losing that, esp since they have applied for $5B loan from the world bank!
But by cancelling aid, we invite the Russians or worse into the game. The loss of US/Loan money would increase poverty and encourage Al Qaeda to move in and convince the poor and weak to adopt their cause.
By encouraging our people in the embassies, or other ares to fight it out, have you ever heard of the Little Big Horn? Too few troopers….too many indians!
getalife
September 14th, 2012
2:00 pm
eagke1,
Stop lying and attacking America.
What is wrong with you?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
September 14th, 2012
2:00 pm
“Condemning something deplorable that an individual American says is not the same thing as saying that they do not have the right to say it and it is not the same thing as blaming America.”
Nice try at defending the indefensible, Scott, but a big miss.
As I pointed out before, you don’t have freedom of religion without freedom of speech. In fact, speech comes before religion in the 1st Amendment. You may deplore and condemn all you want, but you’d better defend their right to say what they’re saying FIRST.
Road Scholar
September 14th, 2012
2:01 pm
Oh and the US government should put up a billboard and provide the address of the idiot(s) who is(are) responsible for the film! His first name reported was Ben Bacile. His real handle is imbecile!!!
getalife
September 14th, 2012
2:01 pm
Did we outsource security ?
Call It Like It Is
September 14th, 2012
2:02 pm
There is no negotiating with these people or their neighbors. Libya has been a thorn in America’s side since 1801 when they were then known as the Barberry Pirates. They would capture our ships, hold our sailors for ransom or sell them into slavery. How did our President deal with it then? Jefferson sent battleships over there to blast their ships out of the sea and then we sent a contingent of Marines to take out Tripoli. “From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli.” Yep that’s where the song came from. Long story short were dealing with goat herders with guns. They only understand power and nothing else.
getalife
September 14th, 2012
2:02 pm
Ben Bacile is not his real name. He has been to prison for selling meth and fed time for fraud.
He is a coptic christian that hates Islam.
Scott Fresno
September 14th, 2012
2:04 pm
“Nice try at defending the indefensible, Scott, but a big miss.
As I pointed out before, you don’t have freedom of religion without freedom of speech. In fact, speech comes before religion in the 1st Amendment. You may deplore and condemn all you want, but you’d better defend their right to say what they’re saying FIRST.”
Wait a second . . . you just attacked what I said before you defended my right to say it!
Kyle Wingfield
September 14th, 2012
2:07 pm
Road @ 1:58: If that’s what he “intended” to say, why have his spokespeople since told us he didn’t mean to say it?
Road Scholar
September 14th, 2012
2:07 pm
“Why weren’t there 50+ heavily armed Marines at every embassy in the volatile countries ???”
Is this Romney’s jobs program?
Stephen Graff
September 14th, 2012
2:09 pm
I agree with JDW. Obama knew what he was saying and it got the desired effect from Egypt’s government. And this administration is constantly accused of a lack of leadership. But I guess it’s how you define leadership. Like W. Bush, Obama has kept America safe. Unlike W, he hasn’t started a ground war. He is accused of a lack of leadership by republicans when he DOESN’T take decisive/military action in another country (Syria, Libya). And he’s accused of a lack of leadership by the same group when he DOES take decisive/military action (Libya). He’s faulted for siding WITH the protesters in the Arab Spring (Egypt) and for NOT siding with protesters in the Arab Spring (Syria, Libya, etc.) Republicans just want to be against everything that Obama does or doesn’t do, no matter what. They couldn’t even bring themselves to give him credit for decisively ordering the killing of Osama Bin Laden.
Kyle Wingfield
September 14th, 2012
2:09 pm
Road @ 2:01: Seriously? The U.S. government should endanger a person inside its borders by publicizing his whereabouts, all for exercising his freedom of expression????
I can see it now: Forget “prior review.” All we need is the final review.
Wow. Just wow.
Tom
September 14th, 2012
2:09 pm
Clearly, the answer is: Invade Iraq.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
September 14th, 2012
2:10 pm
“But by cancelling aid, we invite the Russians or worse into the game.”
1. They are welcome to them.
2. What “game”?
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
September 14th, 2012
2:12 pm
Clearly, the answer is: Invade Iraq.
Got a chuckle out of that one.
Its nice to have a man like Obama at the helm during tough times.
Instead of a Romney/Bush type who would just start dropping bombs somewhere.
Del
September 14th, 2012
2:14 pm
getalife,
Ostensibly it appears that way but the underlying motive is extreme hatred for us and our values and any reason, however, small it might be is an excuse for their violence toward us. As long as the radical elements within the Muslim community exist our national security is threatened. We need to accept that as fact and quit pretending it isn’t. Moderate Muslims tell us exactly the same thing.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
September 14th, 2012
2:14 pm
How would Bush and the Republican crowd spin this if they were still in power ?
Probably with the ” We are fighting them over there so we dont have to fight them here ” one.
Then invade Turkey.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
September 14th, 2012
2:15 pm
obozo IS the muslim brotherhood, just sayin…
Thomas Heyward Jr
September 14th, 2012
2:18 pm
Poll Position: How should Obama respond to embassy attacks?
.
Refer to Constitution.
I doubt if the Chicongo thugs have one avalaible……..but they can always find one at Ron Paul’s office.
And for Gods/Allah’s sake……..don’t ask the Romney camp for advice.
It’s polluted with George W leftover sociapathes.
tiredofIT
September 14th, 2012
2:19 pm
eagle1
September 14th, 2012
1:57 pm
Obama wanted the muslim brotherhood in charge in Egypt! Look what you got now! Nothing but chaos!! Obama and Clinton both on the apology trail!!!!!
++
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld helped Saddam Hussein build up his arsenal of deadly chemical and biological weapons, it was revealed last night.
As an envoy from President Reagan, he had a secret meeting with the Iraqi dictator and arranged enormous military assistance for his war with Iran.
How did that workout?
Aquagirl
September 14th, 2012
2:20 pm
Wait a second . . . you just attacked what I said before you defended my right to say it!
“I totally disagree with your statement because disagreeing with a statement violates free speech!” Tiberius sure racked up points in pwnage there, lol.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
September 14th, 2012
2:22 pm
obozo IS the muslim brotherhood, just sayin…
This is what we are up against Democrats.
I feel pretty good about the election knowing this is what we are up against.
Back At You
September 14th, 2012
2:24 pm
Shouldn’t you be getting ready for the “softball game in Decatur” water woman?
Del
September 14th, 2012
2:24 pm
” Obama has kept America safe.”
Tell that to the families of the Ft. Hood terrorist attack victims and to the families of our military shot to death by their supposed Afghan allies. Tell that to the families of our fallen on 9-11-12 in Libya. Make no mistake that attack was a planned and executed attack on America. I’m not so certain I’d give Obama such high marks on keeping America safe.
Back At You
September 14th, 2012
2:26 pm
Libtards still infatuated with Bush…..Let’s talk about here and now. Bush is old news….what is your boy now in charge going to do?
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
September 14th, 2012
2:26 pm
Seriously? The U.S. government should endanger a person inside its borders by publicizing his whereabouts, all for exercising his freedom of expression????
No but if his intent was to start riots and get people killed he should be held accountable.
Freedom of Speech is not absolute. You cant yell fire in a crowded theater.
If you do and someone gets hurt its on you.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
September 14th, 2012
2:27 pm
what is your boy now in charge going to do?
dunno but its a helluva lot better option than if Bush/Romney were in charge.
Clivus
September 14th, 2012
2:27 pm
He missed his chance to respond before it even started.
Obama was warned about the embassy attacks days in advance and ignored it. Now 4 Americans are dead.
iggy
September 14th, 2012
2:28 pm
Obama should do what he is best at, apologize, cowtow, behave as a coward, plead, beg, grovel, make excuse, blame Bush.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
September 14th, 2012
2:29 pm
I’m not so certain I’d give Obama such high marks on keeping America safe.
Relative to Bush he has.
Remember 9/11
Happened on Bush’s watch.
joe
September 14th, 2012
2:30 pm
Drones, drones and more drones. Take ‘em out one at a time. And cut off funding to all nations who harbor those who seek to do harm to America. Our economy could use those funds to pay down our national debt…but our current administration will do….NOTHING. This crap has gotta stop. Vote out Obama in Nov, or we are doomed to turn into Greece. That is FACT.
iggy
September 14th, 2012
2:30 pm
Or perhaps Obama could have a “sit down” and read to them the Communist Manifesto.
joe
September 14th, 2012
2:31 pm
@ I demand, 9/11 may not have happened if Clinton had the stones to take him out when he had the chance…
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
September 14th, 2012
2:31 pm
Obama was warned about the embassy attacks days in advance and ignored it.
A Lie.
iggy
September 14th, 2012
2:31 pm
Or maybe Obama could hold another “beer summit”.
Sam
September 14th, 2012
2:31 pm
Obama has the whole world believing that we’re completely unable to defend ourselves or our allies. Now the wolves are starting to close in.
markie mark
September 14th, 2012
2:31 pm
getalife, just got back from lunch and saw your …..i dont know, foolish, stupid, fill in the blank adjective….responses. Again, COUNTRIES sign treatys….when GWB left office, and Obama took office, that did not negate our world wide treaties….and where in the world did that blame america comment come from?
Linda
September 14th, 2012
2:31 pm
citizen@1248, You never heard of Nature’s God until you heard Ryan speak today? You think it’s an “oddity” or a new age sentiment?”
Where do you think your rights to life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness come from, the govt.?
Why don’t you read the Declaration of Independence for the very first time & get back to us?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
September 14th, 2012
2:31 pm
“I totally disagree with your statement because disagreeing with a statement violates free speech!”
At some point, Aquagirl, you’re really going to have to take English 101 if you are going to contribute anything substantial to this blog.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
September 14th, 2012
2:32 pm
” Obama was warned about the embassy attacks days in advance and ignored it.
A Lie.”
A claim yet to be refuted by facts, Cheesy.
markie mark
September 14th, 2012
2:33 pm
oh, and not con….Libertarian is more like it…but you use insults to try and cut off debate…..nice to see the level of mature debate you can deliver….
iggy
September 14th, 2012
2:33 pm
Obama probably thinks that increasing foreign aid might help or maybe opening the borders so they all could come live with/amongst us or begin an “adopt a Libyan” program.
Del
September 14th, 2012
2:34 pm
“Happened on Bush’s watch.”
And was in the planning stages probably as far back as Carter and certainly during Clinton’s presidency.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
September 14th, 2012
2:35 pm
, 9/11 may not have happened if Clinton had the stones to take him out when he had the chance…
He tried several times. Sudan etc. Republicans that night on TV said he was just trying to divert attention from Monica Lewinsky. Every single one of them. Meanwhile Clinton was trying to do his job.
He warned Bush during the transition of OBL
Bush and Condi and Rumsfiled ignored those warning.
They were too concerned with getting those tax cuts through that created all the jobs we enjoy today and building a missile defense system.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
September 14th, 2012
2:37 pm
And was in the planning stages probably as far back as Carter and certainly during Clinton’s presidency.
And these attacks in Libya were probably planned during the Bush presidency.
See I can play that game too.
Bush is responsible.
He was warned by Clinton of OBL. Ignored it completely.
He was given a memo warning him.
Ignored it.
iggy
September 14th, 2012
2:38 pm
We should send Jimmy “milktoast” Carter into the fray. Well perhaps not, that would serve only to embolden them.