So, Romney, where is the goddamn apology in the Cairo embassy statement?

[bigtree]

. . . you know damn well there isn't one!


from Glenn Kessler at WaPo:

We have looked in vain for an “apology” in the Cairo statement, as well as significant differences between that statement and earlier ones. One could criticize the Cairo statement for lacking a fulsome defense of freedom of speech. But that is not the same thing as an apology — especially since the embassy clearly issued the statement long before the protests began.

This all started because some people got the timeline wrong. In the fog of war and protest, it often helps to get the facts straight before you act — or speak . . .

U.S. Embassy, Cairo, 2012:
U.S. Embassy Condemns Religious Incitement

The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims — as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others.

— September 11, 2012

[el_bryanto]

1. Well the article condemns those who try to offend Muslims

Which, in context, means the American creators of that film. They are saying, on behalf of the United States of America, that they condemn their own citizens for making a movie that mocks and attacks Islam. That's a form of apology isn't it? Or at least and admission that some of our citizens are doing things that the United States as a whole disapproves of.

Not saying the statement was right or wrong - in that kind of pressure cooker situation, I think you have to be understanding of them wanting to calm tensions.

Bryant

[bigtree]

2. consider

. . . it is a condemnation. Nowhere does the statement say that the U.S. or anyone else at the consulate is 'sorry' for the objectionable media.

. . . it is not condemning anyone who represents or speaks for the U.S, so I don't know why one can credibly assume the embassy considered that they needed to 'apologize' on behalf of the U.S..

. . . the statement acknowledges the right to free speech, so it would then be incongruous to apologize for speech they affirm is acceptable to make within our constitution. It does condemn the abuse of that right in this instance (that constitutional value Romney claims the administration rejected), but that is certainly not an apology.

[el_bryanto]

3. I see your point

I think they would argue that whether or not it directly apologizes, it is in the spirit of our Government being ashamed of and/or condemning its citizens in front of the world. It's all the same stew to them; The US Government (under Obama) is more worried about what foreigners think of us than it is in maintaining the dignity and majesty of our great republic.

Bryant

[bigtree]

5. like other administrations

. . . like Bush's.

Kessler makes a very succinct, but illustrative comparison in the article.

I do realize that IOKIYAR rules with some of the Romney supporters, but, like I said before, that's a static group of voters which will not overcome the numbers Obama is going to produce on their own. Those independent (persuadable) voters Romney needs may well have just abandoned him for good yesterday.

[madashelltoo]

4. Wondered how long it would take

to get around to the FACT that there never was an "apology". This was Mittens pulling another big one out of his ass. He is a pathetic desperate weasel who can't find anything to climb up and stand on.

[subterranean]

6. Of course there was no apology

Romney was just trying to fit it into his false narrative of President Obama as someone who goes around "apologizing for America". The only purpose of his statement was to score cheap political points by attacking the president. It didn't work because it was all based on lies.

[bigtree]

7. .