Month: September 2012

Mitt Romney’s remarks (link to video, including questions).

I personally would have been a good deal more cutting, but then I personally would never make it past the tryouts for the auditions for the contest to be President of the United States.  The man understands the problem, which is not “Free speech is provocative,” and never mind what those racists in the progressive antiwar movement think.  Here’s the statement itself:

“Americans woke up this morning with tragic news and felt heavy hearts as they considered that individuals who have served in our diplomatic corps were brutally murdered across the world. This attack on American individuals and embassies is outrageous, it’s disgusting. It breaks the hearts of all of us who think of these people who have served, during their lives, the cause of freedom, and justice and honor. We mourn their loss and join together in prayer that the spirit of the Almighty might comfort the families of those who have been so brutally slain.

“Four diplomats lost their life, including the U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, in the attack on our embassy at Benghazi, Libya. And, of course, with these words, I extend my condolences to the grieving loved ones, who have left behind, as a result of these who have lost their lives in the service of our nation, and I know that the people across America are grateful for their service and we mourn their sacrifice.

“America will not tolerate attacks against our citizens and against our embassies. We will defend also our constitutional rights of speech and assembly and religion. We have confidence in our cause in America. We respect our Constitution. We stand for the principles our Constitution protects. We encourage other nations to understand and respect the principles of our Constitution because we recognize that these principles are the ultimate source of freedom for individuals around the world.

“I also believe the Administration was wrong to stand by a statement sympathizing with those who had breached our embassy in Egypt instead of condemning their actions.  It’s never too early for the United States Government to condemn attacks on Americans, and to defend our values.  The White House distanced itself last night from the statement, saying it wasn’t ‘cleared by Washington.’ That reflects the mixed signals they’re sending to the world.

“The attacks in Libya and Egypt underscore that the world remains a dangerous place and that American leadership is still sorely needed. In the face of this violence, America cannot shrink from the responsibility to lead. American leadership is necessary to ensure that events in the region don’t spin out of control.  We cannot hesitate to use our influence in the region to support those who share our values and our interests.  Over the last several years, we have stood witness to an Arab Spring that presents an opportunity for a more peaceful and prosperous region, but also poses the potential for peril, if the forces of extremism and violence are allowed to control the course of events.

“We must strive to ensure that the Arab Spring does not become an Arab Winter.” Continue reading Mitt Romney’s remarks (link to video, including questions).

#rsrh Let me tell you what the President SHOULD say today.

He won’t, but he should.  I assume that Obama will be able to adequately praise the at least four Americans (including our Ambassador) murdered yesterday, but something like the following will almost certainly not appear in his statement:

I am told that the murder of our Ambassador and others was carried out by organized Libyan terrorist groups dedicated to eliminating freedom and democracy in that country.  I will be consulting with the Joint Chiefs of Staff – particularly the Joint Chief of the Air Force and the Commandant of the Marine Corps – over the precise details of our response.  Until then: I recommend that anyone who has gotten into the habit of standing next to Libyan terrorists get out of that habit.  Very quickly.

Which is a problem, because before this is over we’re all going to miss that lack of forthright, righteous menace.  Of course, I’m a Republican: we’re kind of spoiled, when it comes to this sort of thing.

Barack Obama’s cowardly statement on the Libyan embassy assault.

See if you can figure out what is missing from Obama’s statement on the Libya embassy attacks.

I strongly condemn the outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi, which took the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens. Right now, the American people have the families of those we lost in our thoughts and prayers. They exemplified America’s commitment to freedom, justice, and partnership with nations and people around the globe, and stand in stark contrast to those who callously took their lives.

I have directed my Administration to provide all necessary resources to support the security of our personnel in Libya, and to increase security at our diplomatic posts around the globe. While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants.

On a personal note, Chris was a courageous and exemplary representative of the United States. Throughout the Libyan revolution, he selflessly served our country and the Libyan people at our mission in Benghazi. As Ambassador in Tripoli, he has supported Libya’s transition to democracy. His legacy will endure wherever human beings reach for liberty and justice. I am profoundly grateful for his service to my Administration, and deeply saddened by this loss.

The brave Americans we lost represent the extraordinary service and sacrifices that our civilians make every day around the globe. As we stand united with their families, let us now redouble our own efforts to carry their work forward. 

Continue reading Barack Obama’s cowardly statement on the Libyan embassy assault.

#rsrh Our ambassador to Libya was murdered in yesterday’s attacks.

This is his information.

John Christopher Stevens, Nominee for Ambassador to Libya, Department of State

John Christopher Stevens, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, served as Special Representative to the Libyan Transitional National Council from March 2011 to November 2011.  Prior to this role, he was the Director of the Office of Multilateral Nuclear and Security Affairs.  From 2007 to 2009, he served as the Deputy Chief of Mission in Tripoli, Libya.  From 2006 to 2007, he was a Pearson Fellow with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.  Previous overseas assignments have included: Deputy Principal Officer and Political Section Chief in Jerusalem; Political Officer in Damascus; Consular/Political Officer in Cairo; and Consular/Economic Officer in Riyadh.  In Washington, Mr. Stevens has served as Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, Iran Desk Officer, and a Staff Assistant in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.  Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Mr. Stevens was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco from 1983 to 1985.  He holds a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, a J.D. from the University of California Hastings College of the Law, and an M.S. from the National War College.

At least three other Americans were also reportedly murdered yesterday: a consular staffer, and two US By Marines.  By all accounts, all four individuals died at their posts, doing their jobs.

That last part is in sharp contrast to President Obama, who has apparently been not doing his job since yesterday afternoon.  But he’ll be at a Nevada fund-raiser this morning! After all, Libya’s not a swing state.

Moe Lane

Interesting Delta Green-themed podcast from the Unspeakable Oath.

Essentially, what they’re changing, what they’re not, what the updated version is going to look like, that sort of thing.  Features most of the DG heavy hitters, plus Ken Hite.

It’s going to take me forever to listen to the whole thing, though.  Kids.

I don’t really have much new to say about 9/11.

My prayers and good wishes for the families and loved ones of the victims, obviously.  As for the rest… I am alive, the men who wanted to kill me and mine are largely dead, and that’s the way I wanted things to turn out. Lot of people call 9/11 a tragedy or a catastrophe: personally, I always saw it as an atrocity.  And the American people have a way with dealing with people who commit atrocities. A very, very short way.

But I don’t want to dwell on our attackers.  I want to go on with my life and eat my dinner, and only remember those who cannot share that dinner with me.

#rsrh As you might have guessed…

…I’m a little annoyed right now that the Democrats apparently think that “toning down the politics for 9/11” is something that everybody should endorse, but only Republicans should do. Rather than stew on it further, I’m just going to call the President – and David Axelrod – classless jerks and move on with my life.

On the marginally bright side, if you were worried about doing politics today, don’t be.  The Other Side deliberately and knowingly demonstrated that they don’t give a sh*t; game, as they say, on.

Scenes from my “Why lie? I just want an Xbox” pledge drive.

I always appreciate it when people demonstrate how infuriated I make them.

That’s from this post, where I quoted the following:

The president then ha[d] more trouble dialing. When the call didn’t go through, he blamed Mr. Nicholson for having an insufficient cell phone plan.

So nice to see that I have such an impact on other people’s lives, isn’t it?  Here’s the donation button, again:





Hrm. Maybe I should put up one of those thermometer graphics.