Flip Romney: They Have A Right To Make It, But It's Not Right

[CountZero]

Isn't this how most rational people view the situation? The film was produced with the sole intention of pissing off a group of people. Sure it is inappropriate and wrong... but our freedoms allow douches to do things like this. Life goes on.

It is, the thread isn't really about the view presented so much as it is how Romney flipped to this view after the realization he had put his foot completely in his mouth.

 

[Incorruptible]

Yes, if this happened in the US. Life would simply go on...but the prospect of a horrendous backlash from this incident in the form of another attack is probably looming over the White House right now. Damage control is most important. Other embassies are under attack as we sit here comfortable and safe at home bitching at each other.

We have this thing called freedom of speech which many radical Muslims dont tolerate. Were giving up to these guys and restricting freedom of speech

The US shouldn't even be there at all. This could have been prevented and no Americans would have been killed

 

[SheHateMe]

We have this thing called freedom of speech which many radical Muslims dont tolerate. Were giving up to these guys and restricting freedom of speech

The US shouldn't even be there at all. This could have been prevented and no Americans would have been killed

Prevented like how, Incorruptible? How is freedom of speech being restricted?

Can all you armchair Presidents on Anandtech please tell me how you would have handled this situation?

 

[Incorruptible]

Prevented like how, Incorruptible? How is freedom of speech being restricted?

Can all you armchair Presidents on Anandtech please tell me how you would have handled this situation?

Because they attacked the film instead of the killers.

Prevented by not helping Libya, we helped those idiots and this is how they thank us. No Americans should have been there and let them kill each other off

 

[woolfe9999]

I do not understand what is wrong with his comment? What about it do you guys find offensive or wrong?

There's nothing wrong with it at all. He's exactly correct, THIS time. So why did he consider it "disgraceful" when members of the administration said much the same thing?

Mitt's flip floppery is pretty comical. It seems to have no end.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Because they attacked the film instead of the killers.

Prevented by not helping Libya, we helped those idiots and this is how they thank us. No Americans should have been there and let them kill each other off

I know this is hard to get to register on your final two brain cells, but Obama and Clinton have condemned both the film and the people who attacked, just like Mitt did now.
Having embassies and consulates in countries, even ones that are not the most friendly to us, is still a good thing.

Now go back to the corner, put your dunce cap back on and let the adults finish talking.
If you're really good we might give you some pudding later!

 

[SheHateMe]

Because they attacked the film instead of the killers.

Prevented by not helping Libya, we helped those idiots and this is how they thank us. No Americans should have been there and let them kill each other off

Um, there have been several statements made already by the WH which have condemned the actions of both the killers and the filmmaker. Ignorance on your part doesn't make your statements true, Incorruptible.

Also, the DoD has sent the military out on a mission to Africa anyway. So, the despite all the shit you believe, the OA is actively trying to stop this madness but also find out who is behind the deaths at the Embassy in Libya.

 

[Thump553]

Having watched the English language version myself I have three conclusions:

(1) The film has absolutely no redeeming value and is purely designed to shock and attack the muslim religion.

(2) The voice overs and editings are extremely obvious, thus confirming the actors' complaints that this is not the movie they made. Unfortunately when it was dubbed into Arabic this aspect is probably completely lost on the audience.

(3) It's so bad in so many ways that it is torture to sit through.

It's a shame the haters of this world-both the clown who made it and the imans who whip up anger about it-have chosen to waste their capacities and time on this garbage. It is best ignored, it could not possibly ever persuade anyone.

Hopefully our country will not waste a dime protecting the provacateur who released this upon the world.

 

[Tom]

When did the Republican party abandon diplomacy as a useful government function ?

Bush Sr. understood it. Reagan understood it. Nixon understood it.

Do Republicans really want to go back to George W's foreign policy ?

 

[Theb]

This

Its starting to make sense now. You guys bash Obama but don't bother to take the time to read up on anything Mitt Romney is doing. Its cool, I'll do the dirty work for you.




And then he goes on to say (today) what is in the article in my OP.

I don't think most of the republicans here have any idea what Obama or Clinton actually said.

 

[Fern]

You do realize why our government had to come out and publicly denounce the video, right? They're not pursuing legal action against anyone who made or distributed it, but that doesn't mean they're not allowed to criticize it.

If the government DIDN'T say anything, it would be viewed as supporting it and would just provoke more attacks.

In general, I'm not all that comfortable with the idea of the govt denouncing someone's 'free speech'. Because it is the US govt, it's moving close to censorship. The fed govt is very powerful and we must resist it from having a chilling effect on free speech.

Regarding Hillary's specific remarks, she's our #2 diplomatic (behind the President) and in the world of diplomacy 'style' matters, and matters a lot. I think she went too far in the denunciation part, and went way too light on some other things (e.g., peoples' right to freedom of speech, non violence etc). FoS is something we need to be pushing worldwide. Many countries do not have it, even in the Western world and there is push (by the U.N. IIRC) to further restrict it globally.

I also think her strong denunciation bolstered the rioters own sense of outrage. I.e., her remarks may have left them feeling justified in their outrage. (See, even she's outraged.)

I understand the urge to separate the US govt from the film/free speech, but didn't care for her 'style'. I'm also not persuaded that the radical Muslims' problem lies with our govt; instead I think it is about our whole culture. If the latter is the case, separating the govt from the free speech was entirely pointless.

I also think her unusual remarks indicate she fears that this situation could spiral out of control and affect the elections.

Fern

 

[Incorruptible]

Um, there have been several statements made already by the WH which have condemned the actions of both the killers and the filmmaker. Ignorance on your part doesn't make your statements true, Incorruptible.

Also, the DoD has sent the military out on a mission to Africa anyway. So, the despite all the shit you believe, the OA is actively trying to stop this madness but also find out who is behind the deaths at the Embassy in Libya.

Yes they condemned the killers which I support them doing BUT they condemned free speech, instead of blaming the muslim radicals they blame free speech. This is wrong.

 

[DrPizza]

Perhaps Obama needs to express it in less uncertain terms.

"Dear Muslim world. We have a freedom of speech in the U.S. A freedom to criticize our government. A freedom to say just about whatever we want to say. Sadly, a very small minority of our citizens are assholes who use that freedom to offend others. We're sorry that you have to put up with them. Please know that the views of these assholes do not represent the views of the average American or of this government. "

 

[Moonbeam]

Because they attacked the film instead of the killers.

Prevented by not helping Libya, we helped those idiots and this is how they thank us. No Americans should have been there and let them kill each other off

You are a worthless human being.

 

[chucky2]

Perhaps Obama needs to express it in less uncertain terms.

"Dear Muslim world. We have a freedom of speech in the U.S. A freedom to criticize our government. A freedom to say just about whatever we want to say. Sadly, a very small minority of our citizens are assholes who use that freedom to offend others. We're sorry that you have to put up with them. Please know that the views of these assholes do not represent the views of the average American or of this government. "

Something along those lines would likely have been the best thing to say, as you've got to cut through the stupid to get to these people. Not that it'd have mattered.

 

[Incorruptible]

You are a worthless human being.

Back at you

 

[cybrsage]

Hold the phone!

You are okay with his comments but not Hilary's?

Whoa.

You did not answer the question in the post you quoted. Answer it please.

 

[cybrsage]

Perhaps Obama needs to express it in less uncertain terms.

"Dear Muslim world. We have a freedom of speech in the U.S. A freedom to criticize our government. A freedom to say just about whatever we want to say. Sadly, a very small minority of our citizens are assholes who use that freedom to offend others. We're sorry that you have to put up with them. Please know that the views of these assholes do not represent the views of the average American or of this government. "

That would work, though he would have to find a replacement word for assholes so it could be played during prime time...we know Obama loves to preempt prime time shows.

I actually like it and think it should be a good, standard response (with the asshole replaced by a "cleaner" word).

 

[Smoblikat]

Let me make sure that I get this right:
Someone makes a funny movie about islam, the fundamentalists throw a temper tantrum, obama apologizes to the rioters for having to go out of their way to kill Americans (what an inconvenience) and we are blamed for having a first amendment.

Does that sum it up properly?

 

[cybrsage]

Let me make sure that I get this right:
Someone makes a funny movie about islam, the fundamentalists throw a temper tantrum, obama apologizes to the rioters for having to go out of their way to kill Americans (what an inconvenience) and we are blamed for having a first amendment.

Does that sum it up properly?

You forgot "and anyone who does not agree is a "worthless human being".

 

[bfdd]

oh lord Romney is so bad it's hilarious. He was such a bad pick, I can't believe they've been prepping him for this since 08.

 

[chucky2]

Since '08? Try before '08 when he tried to run for the '08 election.

 

[cybrsage]

Still waiting for someone to explain to me why what Romney said was bad.

 

[feralkid]

Isn't this how most rational people view the situation? The film was produced with the sole intention of pissing off a group of people. Sure it is inappropriate and wrong... but our freedoms allow douches to do things like this. Life goes on.

Not for Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, Christopher Stevens and Sean Smith.

 

[soulcougher73]

Still waiting for someone to explain to me why what Romney said was bad.

It has already been explained, idiot. Its right here in this very thread.