Embassies Attacked

On Tuesday, September 11th, 2012 our embassies and consulates in both Egypt and Libya were attacked.  At first, these were portrayed in the media as being spontaneous riots resulting from a film posted on YouTube that Muslims find to be insulting.  Sadly, four Americans including the U.S. Ambassador to Libya were killed in the attacks.

Not only was our media slow to report on the breaking news, but the White House was slow to react as well.  When Presidential Candidate, Mitt Romney, made a statement before the White House did, of course the media and administration attacked Romney.  In fact on Wednesday, President Obama spent more time talking about Romney's comments than he did condemning the attacks and the Islamic extremists behind the attacks.  One could argue that the condemnation of Romney's remarks still outnumber the condemnation of the attackers in the news media.

In the last 24 hours, more information is coming out.  Unfortunately it is very disturbing information if indeed true.

• Supposedly we received reports 48 hours earlier that these attacks were going to happen.
• Marines in Egypt were not allowed to carry live ammo to protect our Embassy and staff.
• In Libya, there were no Marines, but rather we had outsourced the security to Libyans who abandoned "their posts" when the violence started leaving the staff and Ambassador in danger.

Add in the recent reports that during Obama's Presidency, he has attended less than half of the Daily Security Briefings.  In fact it is being reported that despite these attacks, President Obama has skipped the last couple of Daily Briefings due to attending campaign events.  How on earth is this acceptable to the American People?

I pray that these reports that Officials knew of these upcoming attacks ahead of time are incorrect.  If they are indeed correct and our officials did nothing with the information, then I hope that the liberal news media will lambast Obama just as much as they recently did against Bush claiming that his administration ignored intelligence reports of the 9/11 events.

I really scratch my head behind the logic of not allowing the Marines to carry live ammunition.  This naiveté amazes me.  How is it NOT standard operating procedure for all Embassies in the middle east to be on High Alert on the anniversary of 9/11?  In my opinion this is pure negligence on the part of the Administration and State Department.

Remember that it was this Administration that supported and encouraged the Arab Spring that brought down Mubarak in Egypt.  With Mubarak's removal the Muslim Brotherhood rose to power.  We have been giving them $1.5 billion dollars in aid.  What do we get in return?  They are openly calling for muslims to rise and protest/attack the US.  Our embassy is attacked, overrun, and our flag is removed and burned in the streets.  What is our response?  Nothing.  We are sitting back and watching.

Libya...  In early 2011, rebels rose up against Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi.  When Gaddafi fought back against these rebels, we came to the defense of the rebels and enforced a no fly zone.  What do we get in return for these efforts?  Our consulate is overrun, burned, documents are stolen, flag is burned, and four Americans lost their lives, including the US Ambassador.  What is our response? A terse public statement condemning the attacks.  Otherwise nothing.

I am not advocating that we should invade or go to war in these two countries.  However, these events are directly the results of the failed Foreign Policies of our current President and his Administration.  Appeasement and pacification will NOT work in the case of the Middle East.

If I were President, I would have had a statement and/or press conference Tuesday night.  It would have been short and sweet simply condemning the violence and assuring the American People that my administration was on top of the situation and monitoring events closely.  That my top priority was protecting our Embassies and Staff Members.

After that my next steps would be to call the leader of Egypt and tell him that I was suspending all future foreign aid to his country until their rhetoric and positions against our country change.  Period.   Same with Libya.  I would call up the leader there and tell him that we were monitoring things and that his foreign aid from us was in severe jeopardy.  Next, I would fly in teams of Marines to every Embassy and Consulate throughout the Middle East and Europe.  I would ensure that these Marines are armed to the hilt. I would make it very clear to the local governments that we will protect our embassies and staff.  As a result, ANYONE attempting to attack our embassy or attempting to scale our walls will be immediately shot.  I know that sounds harsh.  But if you scale our walls, we will view that as an attack and we will shoot first and ask questions later.  If any leader protests our defending ourselves?   Their foreign aid will be reviewed and will be in jeopardy as well.

While I believe that appeasement does not work, I would issue a statement condemning the controversial film and it's message.  I would be clear that the US Government, nor the American people condone the message of this film.

I would also be "circling the wagons" with my allies in the region.  Turkey, Jordan, Saudia Arabia, and yes Israel too!  I would also reach out to the Arab League as well.  I would be consulting with all parties to determine a more long term response to these attacks.

Anyway, that is what I would do if I were President.