Update On The Killing Of U.S. Diplomats In Benghazi And The Attack In Cairo
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-09-13/update-killing-us-diplomats-benghazi-and-attack-cairo
Turmoil in the Arab world spread to Yemen today as hundreds of protesters stormed the U.S. embassy there. The action comes two days after the American ambassador was killed in Libya and crowds attacked the u-s embassy compound in Cairo. The chaos has been linked to a provocative video that maligns the prophet Mohammed. But u-s officials say attackers at the Benghazi consulate seemed organized and well trained, raising questions about whether there was some level of advance planning. And reaction to the volatile events in Egypt and Libya are spilling over into the u-s presidential race. Diane and guests discuss the turmoil in the Arab world.
Guests
Nancy Youssef
Middle East bureau chief for McClatchy Newspapers.
Robin Wright
journalist, joint fellow at the U.S. Institute of Peace and the Woodrow Wilson International Center, and author of "Rock the Casbah: Rage and Rebellion Across the Islamic World."
Nadia Bilbassy
senior U.S. correspondent for MBC TV -- Middle East Broadcast Center.
Ambassador David Mack
former deputy U.S. assistant secretary of state, Near Eastern Affairs (1989-1993).
Frederic Wehrey
senior associate for the Middle East Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Comments
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Hello Diane,
Although I deplore the attacks by Muslim reactionaries on the U.S. embassy in Libya and Egypt as well as the death of our four U.S. diplomats, I think that the U.S. should vociferously condemn and prosecute the irresponsible creators of this film. I saw the trailer on YouTube and it does insult the prophet Mohammed and Islam.
I'm also concerned because the text accompanying the trailer quotes the Israeli/American writer and director (a Sam Bacile) essentially calling Islam a cancer. What was this man's purpose for making this film and isn't it ironic that it went viral right before the eleventh anniversary of 9/11?
~mcv
edward1 wrote: "I can not reconcile the level of vitriolic hatred towards the President from the right wing with the actions he has taken on many issues. I can only believe that race is more of a factor than is talked about. When I discuss this with some opponents of the President they seem to have trouble detailing specific issues and instead mumble something like 'he's a socialist' or 'he's ruining the country'"
I agree 100%. Did you hear John McCain this morning on the Today Show?He said that he should get more involved with Syria, but we know from the recent history that they will criticize that. They'll say we're too involved and that he's overspending. Conservatives just don't like the President...PERIOD...from the very beginning. They have made that quite clear in more ways than one.
Marilyn Pinschmidt wrote:
"Your guest says the video is a pretext, but, you know, it is a fact that it is out there, and it is hurtful, insulting, and inciting!"
OK, so, it's a pretext, but it's not a pretext, it's the "cause" do I have that right? Marilyn, the reason it's not "inciting" in this case is because it's been "out there" for many months. By the way, the other poster is right, it was not produced here - so why would militant Muslims attack the United States for it? None of that is credible.
This is an attack of opportunity using the film as an excuse and another opportunity to incite hatred against the United States, the Great Satan.
The fundamental issue here is, was, and will remain our stance on Israel of course. But in that, we have irresistable force and immovable object. Muslims will hate us as long as we are an ally of Israel. We will always (I pray God) be an ally of Israel. Why is this so hard for folks to understand?
A great deal being said that Ambassador Stephens was killed by Zawahiri in retaliation for Al libis' killing by U.S. drones? What can your guest say about this
The MOVIE is causing riots.. NO the PEOPLE taking the actions to riot are the cause!!! Lets not excuse or confuse what is the reality of the situation. If anyone wonders listen to what is coming out of the mouth of the Egyptian president. We are not at war against “terrorism” we are at war against a religion that has at its root mission elimination of any other way of life in opposition to Islam. Look at what is happening around the world in countless locations.
It is difficult to understand constant argument by Moderate Muslims that these acts are from minority extremists.. but Muslims are extra sensitive to their religion or in a way they are special . If moderates are in such large numbers and if they stand up for the peace , world will stand with them ( against any religion extremists ) but to take refuge behind sensitivity while ignoring gross human right violations is incorrect.
Excellent interview with Ambassador Mack at
http://cmes.hmdc.harvard.edu/ecmes/alumni/davidmack
Very interesting guy, fluent Arabic speaker, Fullbright to Egypt, Ambassador’s interpreter in US Embassy Libya as a new foreign service guy. Appointed Ambassador to UAE in 1986.
Good guests today Diane, thanks.
De oppresso liber.
bethpuch wrote:
"The MOVIE is causing riots"
No. The movie is an EXCUSE for riots.
And now the caller and Nadia Bilbassy are suggesting that a PAC funded the film! THESE PEOPLE ARE CRAZY!!!
Diane is right. These are rumors. They just make this s$U%t up as they go along! This is the definition of propaganda. They should be ASHAMED!
So, how long would it take for the media in Libya or Egypt to explain that, unlike their own country, the words and actions of one individual or group in the US are neither controlled by the US government nor represent the US government or anyone other than the individual or group? Explain it to the people. Are they unable to understand that?
Disappointing show as expected, way too much was made of a movie that almost no one saw as the catalyst for the violence. Their seems to be a lynch mob mentality to lay blame on something that in reality had nothing to do with the attacks. We need to stand strong supporting our freedoms and not show obvious cowardice in the face of the enemy. The response as illustrated by this show guarantees more attacks because they worked in inciting just what the enemy wanted, a display of weakness. Thank you president Obama.
I have not seen anyone (or any agency) considering the possibility that this (the 'movie') may actually be an attack perpetrated by Islamic extremists to achieve exactly the effect that is currently occuring (ie: an extreme reaction from ALL those involved). It would not be impossible that THEY may profane the name of Muhamed for what they may perceive as "he greater good". Nor am I willing to rule out the possibility of official Israeli instigation for the same reasons.
Does anyone else think that this film was made for this very response.The man who made this film needs to be looked at.
Excellent Diane for calling Fred Wehrey's scenario far-fetched! Nadia is correct; Bengazi was a well planned operation.
Thanks both of you.
De oppresso liber.
The deaths of the US officials are yet more risky prices that the US continues to pay to continue its imperialism and maintain its status as the sole world power, so accept it fully.
truesob wrote: "Disappointing show as expected, way too much was made of a movie that almost no one saw as the catalyst for the violence. Their seems to be a lynch mob mentality to lay blame on something that in reality had nothing to do with the attacks. We need to stand strong supporting our freedoms and not show obvious cowardice in the face of the enemy. The response as illustrated by this show guarantees more attacks because they worked in inciting just what the enemy wanted, a display of weakness. Thank you president Obama."
So do you think warmongering is the only way to stand strong supporting our freedoms and that to show empathy for a bogus film that offended people as a sign of cowardice?
truesob
"Thank you president Obama."
The last caller taking a shot at Romney as Commander in Chief makes me sick. Pointing to the fact that President Obama's policies of appeasement in the ME has been an abject failure and could allow attacks like this to take place, is not taking "policitcal advantage of a murder" and has nothing to do with Romney's ability as CIC. Romney gave the administration the opportunity to make its case against the murderers - but instead they apologized to them, then criticized Romney for saying anything! Who's taking political advanage?!
IndieLady7 wrote: "So do you think warmongering is the only way to stand strong supporting our freedoms and that to show empathy for a bogus film that offended people as a sign of cowardice?"
Poorly written on your part, but yeah, that's pretty much it when it comes to dealing with terrorists.
IndieLady7 wrote:
"So do you think warmongering is the only way to stand strong supporting our freedoms and that to show empathy for a bogus film that offended people as a sign of cowardice?"
Peace through strength works. Appeasement does not. That is a fact that the last 30 years of American history demonstrates. Just because you want to be an appeaser and hope that appeasement will make your enemies like you, does not mean your enemies will be appeased, IndieLady.
There are those who have said attacks on US embassies and protests are based on potential weakness in US policies. Does that mean ALL such attacks/protests actually confirm weaknesses .... or just confirm a total lack of understanding of the United States, our freedoms, and our Constitution?
IF that first premise were true (INcluding Gov. Romney's comments), then one could say the 9/11 attacks were based on weaknesses in the Bush administration.
The comments by today's panel are spot on: uneducated, prejudiced rabble and foreigners do NOT know or agree with US principles of free speech, a free press, or free expression of opinions - regardless how onerous. They are so accustomed to governmental oppression and government controlled media that even the concept of a hate movie is outside their imagination. (By contrast, notice that there have been zero protests in the US over the bogus "Obama 2016".) Opinion polls in Saudi et al that show goofy misconceptions about the US confirm there are uneducated, misguided paranoids all over the globe - even in the US.
ecgberht wrote: "Disappointing show as expected, way too much was made of a movie that almost no one saw as the catalyst for the violence. Their seems to be a lynch mob mentality to lay blame on something that in reality had nothing to do with the attacks. We need to stand strong supporting our freedoms and not show obvious cowardice in the face of the enemy. The response as illustrated by this show guarantees more attacks because they worked in inciting just what the enemy wanted, a display of weakness. Thank you president Obama."
With all due respect, it was Romney who threw the first jab. Instead of condemning such heinous acts on both the producers of the movie and of those who participated in the violence, he decided to politicize a tragedy. I believe we are all of a consensus that his criticism was made BEFORE anyone found out that Ambassador Stevens was killed.
While it is understandable that this is an election year and that campaigns aren't going to be nice, his comments were ill-timed.
ecgberht wrote: 'Who's taking political advanage?"
We both know the answer to that, the election is less than two months away Romney needs to show the difference between himself and Obama. Well done Governor Romney.
Just to clarify, I was writing to one of the guests statements that the Movie was causing the riots! I think that is wrong and is an excuse. The people rioting alone are responsible for their actions, the people in those muslim countries are soley responsible for their actions. Period. How can anyone reason with statements like that... its like saying the "devil made me do it".
HonestAbe wrote:
"The comments by today's panel are spot on: uneducated, prejudiced rabble and foreigners do NOT know or agree with US principles of free speech, a free press, or free expression of opinions - regardless how onerous. "
Wow! Something we agree on HA! This was an interesting insight. Could it mean that there is no resolution to this impass?
bethpuch, thanks for the clarification.
It is a true irony that the scripture readings in American Catholic churches for today include the Gospel passages in which Jesus instructed his followers to love one's enemies - when struck on one cheek, offer the other - to actually pray for those who hurt and offend. He said it is nothing special to love one's family and friends; even non-believers (e.g. Muslims) love their dear ones; rather it takes strength of spirit and will and conscience to be charitable to those who oppose us.
But then, Christ was made of tougher stuff than politicians.......
truesob--while I respect your opinion, from what you wrote, I was of the impression that you are advocating immediate force for something that was started by people who claimed to be in this country. While I see posts and heard reports that the raid on the Consulate in Benghazi was perhaps preplanned, I do not know too much about that and will need to do more research. But, we know that people in that part of the world take their religion seriously and will take offense to anything that appears to be a difilement of their prophet. Why would someone be so foolish to produce such a film--knowing how people there feel about Mohammed and what they are capable of doing when there is an offense? To add insult to injury, the movie was produced HERE...IN THE US!!! Knowing their skepticism of us, and our attempt to build bridges for peace, it was totally foolish. While I don't advocate violence, it is a known fact that something like this or any perceived defilement towards Islam over there will cause an uproar.
I agree...this MAY have been used as a catalyst for a larger mission, that being to create a more massive uprising among the general Muslem population punctuated with several well-planned and executed (no pun intended) al-Qaeda funded/sanctioned attacks, like the one at our embassy in Libya. Also, even the name “Sam Bacile” seems to be a play-on-words of 'Uncle Sam' and 'imbecile'...and I am NOT a conspiracy nut. If this is so, it could be used later, after the ploy is exposed, to rub our collective noses in it. Not entirely beyond the realm of possibility, is it?
I have not seen anyone (or any agency) considering the possibility that this (the 'movie') may actually be an attack perpetrated by Islamic extremists to achieve exactly the effect that is currently occuring (ie: an extreme reaction from ALL those involved). It would not be impossible that THEY may profane the name of Muhamed for what they may perceive as "he greater good". Nor am I willing to rule out the possibility of official Israeli instigation for the same reasons.
September 13, 2012 - 10:56 am
ecgberht wrote: "Peace through strength works. Appeasement does not. That is a fact that the last 30 years of American history demonstrates. Just because you want to be an appeaser and hope that appeasement will make your enemies like you, does not mean your enemies will be appeased, IndieLady"
When you mean peace through strength and not appeasement, my impression is that you're saying that we show every nation our weapons and say "don't mess with us". To me, that's bullying. In terms of appeasement, I believe that President Obama was doing damage control by repairing bridges the Bush has burn. Under Bush, we were isolated, and seen as an international bully. We invaded a country on the premise of WMD when there were none.
And while I am also fully away that everyone isn't going like us, if we extend our hand out to peace and diplomacy, but the other party declines...then oh well. That's no excuse to war after them for not liking us.
Everyone is NOT going to like us, and that's life.
I was disappointed at the direction the discussion took at the end of this hour. Suggesting, without a shred of substantial evidence, that any member of the Republican party would have supported this film and encouraged it to go viral around 9/11 in order to score political points is irresponsible journalism. I'm no great fan of Rush Limbaugh, but to suggest he may have somehow been involved with this film merely because he has supported the free speech of Pastor Terry Jones is unconscionable just as is the suggestion that President Obama's beliefs echo those of the Pastor of his church in Chicago.
Look towards Israel for all of this!
Production and launch of the film, attack on the embassy in Libya all in the attempt to marginalize president Obama get Romney elected and go to war with Iran!!!
It’s very telling how quickly Romney responded – Netanyahu is pulling the strings here!
We are on the precipice