Obama’s 'Arab Spring': Ineptitude, Negligence or Worse?

Obama’s ‘Arab Spring’: Ineptitude, Negligence or Worse?

First, a show of hands; who ever had the slightest confidence the Arab Spring was a grassroots movement that would lead to the growth of democracy in the Mideast?

Okay, even the most casual observer could forecast the outcome we see streaming on the internet and on our television screens. Common sense and a minimum grasp of history and international politics provided the insight to confirm what should be obvious: Islamic fanatics would soon shed the cloak of moderation and revert to their core goal of jihad.

If we could figure it out, why not the Obama administration?

We’re already hearing from the administration’s apologists, and the explanation goes something like this: “We had and still have great hopes for the spread of democracy in the Mideast. We’ll not be discouraged by a few radicals among millions of peace-loving Muslims who are rightfully offended by a disgusting and offensive film and Koran-burning pastor.”

Since the president has yet to define his stance, one must assume he agrees with this thinking. His words are couched in the vagaries of ‘diplomatic speak;’ his intentions ambiguous. His words and body language reflect no outrage nor does he seem to take serious offense at the death of four Americans.

The president and Ms. Clinton’s tepid statements, almost a day after the initial incident, did little to inspire Americans, and, certainly, did not strike fear into the hearts of the animals who would kill us. Proof positive: I awaken this morning to see further riots in Egypt and Libya, and new attacks and unrest in Yemen and Tunisia.

Obama then flies off to Las Vegas to raise money and spends a couple of minutes at the beginning of his speech to address the issue…kinda.

This administration’s Arab Spring initiative is a disaster, little more than a flourish of high-minded rhetoric backed by not a sliver of logic or rationale; false expectations created by a denial of reality. More astute observers waited painfully for the inevitable outcome, and now it is upon us.

In addition to the verification of a failed policy, what else have we learned the last few days?

First, an appeasement mentality permeates this administration. At the first sign of trouble, the “we’re really sorry to have offended you” knee-jerk reactions blossomed like daffodils with the first warm spell. The unfortunate State Department underlings who issued the initial apologetic statements in Cairo have already been thrown under the bus. The bus will back up and run them over several more times in coming days.

The administration’s first public pronouncements attacked Romney before condemning the embassy attacks.

Appeasement infiltrates tactics. Four Americans are dead and four (as of now) embassies attacked; did we fire one shot in defense? Are our Marines prohibited from firing? Are they even allowed ammunition?

And, the leftists and their lapdog media…what do we see and hear from them? The media eviscerates Romney, focused on his comments and when he made them. Virtually no attention was paid to the actual attacks, just, as we now know, a carefully choreographed media effort to create its own conventional wisdom and, then, reinforce it by asking the same question six times. The president answered no questions.

As for the Islamic fanatics’ highly regarded sensitivities, we are learning the supposed igniters of the ‘spontaneous‘ demonstrations, the offending film and Koran-burning pastor, were ruses. The embassy attacks are well planned and highly coordinated.

Yet, that doesn’t stop MSNBC’s Mike Barnicle from suggesting the Department of Justice launch an investigation of the pastor as a possible ‘accessory before or after the fact’ related to the four Americans’ deaths. Obviously, Barnicle believes the pastor’s First Amendment rights are irrelevant if his statements offend the Islamic radicals.

Back to the question posed in the title of this commentary…ineptitude, negligence or worse? Yes, to all the above.

But, fret not. Our bold, Osama bin Laden-killing president will launch a few camel-killing cruise missiles. All will be well; everything is okay.

Author Bio:

graduate of the Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia, Rodney authored “Leading Your Business to the Next Level,” a non-fiction business book in 2005. “Powers Not Delegated” is Rodney’s first foray into fiction; the book meshes his knowledge of history, business and current events to produce a relevant and plausible tale of domestic and international intrigue. Additionally, Rodney writes political commentary on his own blog and for other nationally known blogs/websites. Rodney lives in Atlanta. His passions include hiking, photography, history, reading, and, of course, University of Georgia football.

Arehaul

OK, MarioP, if Obama knows perfectly well the “sensitive”(as you call it) situation in the Middle East, then it follows that he is in collusion with the Muslim Brotherhood and it’s goal of bringing down the United States and subjecting us all to Shariah Law, conversion to Fundamentalist Islam, Dhimmi subservience and slavery, or death.
I prefer to think he’s (operationally) simply what Sayyid Qtub would have called a “useful idiot”.
He skipped intelligence briefings for days prior to the initial Embassy attacks, and had fun giving an interview to Glamour Magazine. Then it’s the fault of some bozo who made a crummy film. Not to mention his rude disregard for Israel.
- Mariop
  
  Arehaul, I’m having a problem following your logic. So, how is Obama in cahoots with the Muslim Brotherhood to bring down the US? Would everyone who is informed about the Mideast be in the same secret coalition with the Muslim fundamentalists? Huh? Where is the connection?
  
  Is your theory the same Limbaugh was trying to convey to his listeners today? Rush believes Obama planned the violence in the Middle East to aid his reelection campaign. But the creative host forgot to mention how this strategy was implemented, whether the administration hired the film maker or whether the plan was just to distribute the film, and how the violence was supposed to help Obama’s cause. The talkshow left me with bunch of questions due to lack of important detail. All I heard were some crazy, disconnected thoughts from an aging man losing his mind. Did you have the same problem following his theory, or did you find it as clear as crystal?
  - Mariop
    
    Yesterday, scatterbrain Rush was talking about his theory that Obama planned the attacks in the Mideast to somehow aid his reelection. Today, Rush is saying that the Romney fundraiser tape is a distraction by Obama from the violence in the Mideast. So which is it? Is the violence a benefit or a problem for Obama?
    - Artlouis
      
      Keep listening to Rush. You’ll come around eventually.
      - Mariop
        
        I don’t think it’s possible. I mean how can you entertain an idea one day, only to make a 180 and have it completely contradicted the very next day with a different thought? Huh? Where is the consistency?
MarioP

Rodney Page states:
“First, a show of hands; who ever had the slightest confidence the Arab Spring was a grassroots movement that would lead to the growth of democracy in the Mideast?

Okay, even the most casual observer could forecast the outcome we see streaming on the internet and on our television screens. Common sense and a minimum grasp of history and international politics provided the insight to confirm what should be obvious: Islamic fanatics would soon shed the cloak of moderation and revert to their core goal of jihad. If we could figure it out, why not the Obama administration?”

George W. Bush (2005):
“The reason we are in Iraq is to plant the seeds of democracy so they flourish there and spread to the entire region of authoritarianism.”

The blog’s author is obviously misinformed about who knows what. I guess it’s possible Rodney knew the seeds that Bush planted in 2003 were not going to blossom into the desired democracy, since the majority of the world knew, but he should have shown his disapproval of the planting by not voting for W the second time. I doubt he did.
Obama knows perfectly well the sensitive situation in that part of the world, and he is only dealing with the thorny garden Bush left him.

Nice attempt at a spin; please try again.
- Artlouis
  
  Blaming Bush for everything won’t cut it. If Obama didn’t think he could fix anything, then he shouldn’t have sought the job. He has done nothing for our country. Give someone else a chance.
  - MarioP
    
    What kind of a rebuttal is that? Even Rodney said there is no hope of the Middle East, so who is this “someone else” that would fix the mess Bush planted? You’re voting for god?
Wheels55

You can’t change hundreds and maybe thousands of years of deep religion.
- MarioP
  
  You should have told that to George back when he was planting them seeds. Wait I minute, I think I remember seeing you digging holes for George’s seeds.
Artlouis

Nice post. It drives me batty that the media can defend Obama on this one. What will it take for them to say “Hey, wait a minute…”?