By Fareed Zakaria
Mitt Romney and his campaign feel that they have an opening in the presidential campaign, on foreign policy at least. The unrest in the Middle East the past couple of weeks, including the killing of the American ambassador to Libya and widespread protests over a controversial YouTube video that has been condemned as blasphemous, has left a general sense of turmoil in the region. The Romney campaign wants to take advantage of it.
On the surface, it seems like a reasonable idea. And Obama has made some missteps including the inexplicable decision to not meet with any foreign leaders this week during the U.N. General Assembly. But I don’t think it will work. And one need look no further than President Obama’s speech at the General Assembly to see why.
International events, even crises, typically help the president because they make him look, well, presidential. The symbolism of Obama delivering a speech at the United Nations will have been a powerful reminder to the public that Obama is the president and Mitt Romney is not. This in turn has the effect of conferring a certain gravitas on the incumbent.
The second reason why Romney is unlikely to be able to turn the current turmoil to his advantage, for now at least, is that Obama’s speech was very good. The president was able to play to his strengths in explaining events, placing them in a broader context, and acting as a kind of bridge to the rest of the world by explaining American concerns to an international audience while still showing an understanding of some of the international community’s worries.
But it was also a clever speech politically, as Obama was able to steal Republicans’ fire on two crucial issues.
Obama began the speech with an homage to Ambassador Chris Stevens, countering the claim that he was minimizing the death of the ambassador or viewed it as just a “bump” on the road. In addition, Obama defused the criticism of many conservative commentators by making a robust defense of freedom of speech. Bret Stephens' column in the Wall Street Journal, for example, was constructed as the speech Mitt Romney should be giving at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York this week – as it turns out, many of the key points in Stephens’ column were actually made by Obama.
Obama’s speech wasn’t just good politics – it was good policy. He reminded the world that people like Ambassador Stevens represent an element of U.S. foreign policy that is often forgotten – deep-rooted idealism and a desire to understand different countries and cultures. Stevens, who was a fluent Arabic speaker, was committed to treating the Libyan people as equals, and helping them better their own lives.
Similarly, Obama’s decision to robustly defend freedom of speech was exactly right. In most such crises in the past – the Koran burning, Danish cartoons – the U.S. government’s position (during both the Bush and Obama administrations) has typically been to condemn these acts or publications to show that we don’t denigrate Islam.
That’s fine, but it was high time that the president also said “Yes, we are appalled by this appalling video, but a core principle of free societies is that things don’t get banned just because we think they are appalling.” And by defending free speech and its constitutional sanctity, and urging the Arab World to be more tolerant, President Obama spoke truth to power in a way that was effective domestically, but also the right thing to say internationally.
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Well come back Fareed. Keep up the great job.
Indeed, Fareed was right about Obama's speech, teeming with humanistic values and idealistic views. We say YES to free speech and thoughts. Yet, we also have to condemn those, who abuse this freedom for nefarious ends – inciting hatred and sowing discord. We know there are countless grievances in many parts of the world. The naked reality on the ground is cruel. Still it's important to have ideals. The human race depends on them to survive.
To ABC News, NBC News, CBS News and CNN.
You, the media have painted conservative ideas as "extreme;" downplayed the "horrendous economic conditions" in the country; focused more on shortcomings in Romney's business background than in Obama's record as president; been "pouncing" on missteps by conservatives while "suppressing" gaffes by Vice President Biden; and been "deliberately covering up embarrassing government failures and scandals, including the Solyndra debacle, Fast & Furious, and national security leaks."
"We the undersigned - representing millions of Americans from our respective organizations - are now publicly urging our members to seek out alternative sources of political news in order to make an intelligent, well-informed decision on November 6,"
To NOTADEMOCRAT:
If you have to look at EVERY major news organization, and tell them that they are wrong because they paint your views as extreme, chances are they say that because your views ARE extreme. The conservative movement has increasingly become more and more extreme over the last 4 years, aided by the Tea Party. Most of you are so far from center, that your view of what is ACTUALLY center, is far-left.
And on another note, what is with all the quotes? Are you actually quoting sources, or do you have no idea how to use the couble-quote?
Reply to David L.
What % of time is devoted by these networks to bashing Obama and his lead from behind organization??
Yet another who follows the Pied Piper and drank the kool aid!!
To: NOTADEMOCRAT,
"Bye"
I think I already read these words in the NYT!? Plagiarist.
""We the undersigned – representing millions of Americans from our respective organizations – are now publicly urging our members to seek out alternative sources of political news in order to make an intelligent, well-informed decision on November 6,""
Faux Noize is waiting with open arms to make your worst nightmares true. Suck it up. Live in ignorance.
I dont like your comment. I am going to beat you up. You comment was nefarious to incite hatred towards the right wing people.
Who are you to police peoples thoughts? The coptic christians are under siege. And he (producer) retailiated by a movie and you blame him?
I remember the day of the attack and a person being interviewed in Libya was asking, "What if your religious leaders were made fun of?" And I remember thinking, "Dude, have you ever seen Southpark? Jesus is almost a regular! (And not in a good way!) And Satan is on almost as often." I sometimes question some of the stuff that is allowed under freedom of speech, but I NEVER question our right to speak our mind or express ourselves through the arts or the media!
David L., Can you then explain how CNN, ABC, NBC etc. can blame an unknown Arab Christian coptic's youtube video for a whole week and all they print is how anti-muslim we are, even after the Libyan government itself said it was a deliberate attack. Only when mounting evidence started backing the deliberate attack did the White House start backing off. Even today after Hilary Clinton actually said that the attack was probably done by Al Queda, I look all over these same medias and there is no mention of it. I have never seen any other president get a pass like this one from news medias.
Fluff pieces for the President wipes out his unauthorized use of others works, I guess in your eyes. There is no way the President has come clean on what happened in Libya and the press and Fareed are willing accomplices to his charades.
So true! He is STILL blaming the video. He just cannot afford to blame "terrorism" or a terroristic group for what happened.
It's amazing what the mainstream media allows politicians it supports to get away with. Obama handled the Libya massacre about as badly as anyone could, yet all he has to do is eulogize the dead with purty words written by someone else, and that totally wipes out the previous mishandling. Baloney! Just like "You...you didn't build that!" is forgotten because what he ACTUALLY meant was "we...we have to build infrastructure so that you people who have built businesses ON YOUR OWN have a way to get your product to market". Why didn't we get that the FIRST time, I wonder.
This is what we expect from Fareed Zakaria and the rest of the O-media team.
Meahwhile Iran continues to test missles and enrich uranium, Syria massacres, our Embassy's burn and Obama is adding 3 billion dollars a day to a debt he expects your childrens to repay. Free speech.., at the UN. What a joke.
Agreed today the Libya president came forward and said the protest was not about the film as Obama is sticking to, covering his own tracks.But from a preplanned terrorist attack.On the same day 11 years later.
CNN is engaging in a cover-up for the Obama Administration, because they know that if the truth about this comes out prior to the election, it won't look good for Obama.
To be clear, it is a scandal. Reuters and CBS are doing a good job covering this, as is the European press, but CNN is completely dishonest.
Obama tried to cover up his incompetence, he left to campaign in Las Vegas immediately after the attack (shows where his priorities are), he sent Susan Rice around to the media to give the US public false information, and finally as the truth began to come out, they owned up to some of it. Obama still tries to blame the video. CNN covers it up, and pounces instead on issues that do not effect our ambassadors, military and citizens. CNN = propaganda for Obama.
This "speech" can't undo the fact that Chris Stevens was murdered – virtually unprotected – on Obama's watch; Obama didn't bother to attend security briefings; and what is WORSE jetted off to Las Vegas to FUNDRAISE!
The fact is, it was nothing to do with the video, and EVERYTHING to do with the fact that the Ambassador – the President's Representative in Libya – was assassinated on the anniversary of 9/11 and was largely due to Obama's foreign policy.
And for Fareed's information, CHINA, a huge problem for America economy and trade-wise was IGNORED? Pfffft!
Indeed! Such a farce! A charade! Opps! Don't look now but me thinks yon curly wig fell off whilst ye were hammering thy fist with old timey rage.
Of course Obama will not reveal everything about the murder of our ambassador, nor would I want him to. The US does have covert forces and military actions that need to be kept secret.
I'm sorry if this sounds juvenile, but a mind is a terrible thing to waste on a conservative. Why have one when you can't think on your own.
Where is CNN's coverage of the Lybian President's comments that Obama was and is completely wrong in his statements about the assault on our Embassey? Obama has failed a commander and chief. Just look at all the countries that hate us now. Yes, hate America!!!
Of course they are hiding all of his many failures. The supposed smoking gun video of Romney got played 19 to 1 against Obamas video supporting socialism. Everytime something happens bad for Obama the media runs to save him. The Libian president again today made it clear the attacks and murders were planned and carried out on 9/11 and were not about an video. They can't say the truth because it will show just how ignorant Obama really is. The president of Isreal asked for a meeting two weeks ago and was told no time for you, but Obama had time to meet the Islamic brotherhoods leader, have a face to face with a pirate, do Letterman and the View. Please America open your eyes and get rid of this impostor.
When we want ot hear form some anchor clanking supposed fly-boy we'll slap a squid.
Until then, keep your ignorance to yourself.
You obviously have no clue what "an Officer and a Gentleman" means.
He is the epitome of huff & puff...
"I read the news today...oh, boy...." ....and saw the video of Libya's president stating the receent attacks "were preplanned" and that the attacks "had nothing to do with that movie...." Who to believe, who to believe? I side with the President of Libya. True or not - who would know better re:the facts at this point?
Hey, ROMNEYCAN..... so the deaths in Libya are Obama's fault... happened on his watch. Does that mean that the nearly 3,000 people that were murdered on 9/11 are George Bush's fault? Happened on his watch? Just sayin'.
What? Obama said nothing! Iran is closer to nuclear weapons and the Arab world abounds with violence. You people are blind!
I totally agree. Do you just check out CNN to see their latest propaganda? I don't rely on them for the truth or news anymore, just do a daily fact check and bias check.
Who is the greatest liar with the most hot air? Fareed or Obama?
50/50 There's nothing to choose between them. And it seems CNN like it that way!
Very Very close but Obama is the greatest seller of Manure ever. CNN (aka the obama network) and their sister channel MSNBC help him sell it to the whole nation.
Agreed. The horse muffin production by Zakaria is nearly equal to that of the prez,
Zakaria consistently outperforms all other CNN analysts. He gets to the heart of the issues and chooses his subject matter well.
HE IS COMPLETELY BIAS!!!
Are you serious? He is one of the most biased journalists. I don't believe a word that comes from his mouth.
Well known plagiarist.
Yes by plagarizing other peoples work
Of course he is biased. He is an opinion writer. It is his job to be biased.
I wonder who wrote this article
I guess Fareed wrote and article on his own for once. That explains his poor conclusion and bias. Spend less time at the Chris Matthews leg tingle party and more time in the real world.
It's so typical for people like Fareed to cover for obama's failed policies - because he looks like them
Fareed,
Wow, he looks presidential but doesn't act like leader. Obama is not, nor he is he a big advocate of fee speech...he had to remind the world that he can't control speech like the alleged video no one ever saw. That is the cause of the Arab Fall...not his failed approach that started with the Cairo speech or the NASA outreach that wanted to thank the Muslim world for its contributions to math and science. The failed intelligence warnings that led to the bump in the road...oh a killing of a US ambassador and some other brave people...a "leader" who would rather meet with Letterman, Beyonce and Jay-Z than the leader of Israel as we move toward a nuclear showdown with Iran? Those people outside the embassy were yelling we are Osama Obama! The president would never admit that his incessant bragging about getting Osama might have been a contributing factor could it? "We got Osama and saved GM!"
You can call this a good or great speech Fareed, but we need a leader that will take on the world's most dangerous actors and show that strength gets respect and not appeasement. Your bias is disheartening...please give the president the "Neville Chamberlain Award" along with the "Nobel Peace Prize" ...only the prior is deserved in your poor evaluation of his speech.
Stephen really?
Liberals...always attack the messenger and never address the issue....
Isaac really.
fee speech
This was the first clue that your post was going to be
a Republican rant.
Thanks for proving me right.
Biden rants all of the time...Obama gives speeches – he never listens to anyone or talks with anyone, but he will talk AT everyone...eloquently....
Hammerdown, look at the second sentence in the second paragraph of Fareed's column.
"And Obama has made some missteps including the inexplicable decision to not meet with any foreign leaders this week during the U.N. General Assembly."
That's how we know Obama hasn't met with leaders at the UN.
@hammedown: when people have low intellect to tackle the issues at hand they tend to start name calling and spell checks. Typical yellow bellied libertard.
The mere fact that Obama had a great opportunity to meet with so many international leaders of other Nations and chose not to....
^ President Obama has meet with as more leaders in his 1st 4 years than Bush did.
Romney, known in Britain as Mitt the twit, can't step foot outside the country without making a fool of himself. (which he does when he stays home too for that matter)
If Obama meets with some world leaders at the UN, but not others, then you just switch your fake whining to the idea that whomever he didn't meet with was "snubbed".
Obama will have plenty of time to meet with world leaders after November, and he will have the strongest possible hand to advocate for American interests as a President who know longer has to run for re-election.
As usual, Obama has a far sighted and long term vision. It simply goes over your, and Mitt Romney's head.
Which, is why Romney is losing.
That's how you play your hypocritical game.
The King of Jordan said Americans are making too much of Obama not meeting with world leaders during the UN summit. And I think he's correct.
I am a canadian and see president Obama as a reliable and firm ally of Canada. He has a firm grip on the helm and is thoughtful in all his actions. He is a true visionary leader, whuich is exactly what a head of state shud be. I sure wish he was our head of state!
Amen to that.
Canada...they are the ones who have legalized drugs and throw you in jail for quoting the Bible, right?
Joe... I certainly hope that people who walk around quoting a two thousand year old fairy tale do get thrown into jail.
Richard, You can have him. How much do you want us to pay you to take the Kenya born bozo?
Agreed! If Obama became PM in Canada, the Canadian dollar would once again become worth about $0.80 of the USD, as it should be.
We wish he was in Canada too. Unfortunately, we are stuck with him here.
Read the first 10 words of your rant and I knew you were a republican.
Artie – don't pretend you're Christian when your democratic platform throws God out of it....Amen
I think you are confusing fear with respect. Bullies are feared, not respected. Is that how you want us to be viewed?
That is exactly what would happen if the foreign aid proposal Romney put forth is enacted. The US government cannot be run as a private business.
Good Post!
10 SIgns you've been propagandized : 1.) YOu have a strong reaction about things which do not even touch you personallly. 2.) regardlesss of the topic you find a way to bring it back to your own obsessive interest.3.) It's been a reallly long time since you changed your opinion (this is because no new information is permittted past the threshold. 4.) THe people you hang out with always agreee with you (even if they roll their eyes every time you start up. 5.) You find yourself strongly supporting things that, should they be enacted would actuallly have a negative impact on you.6.) something that seems of vital importance on one day will be totallly forgottten on the next. 7.) Your mind focusses on negative events that have not and , in many cases, willl not happpen.8. You feeel that you are the subjecdt of manipulation by people who are in opposition to your real programmmers.9.) Nothing ever reallly just "happpens" – whether it be an act of nature, or whatever, it always occcurs becuase of unseeen sinister forces. I'd include but I'm a lazy Liberal 47 per center and would like to hear sugggestions for number 10/.
Why can't we give likes here? – I'd give you 20!
And Romney can do better? I fly internationally all the time and Romney is viewed as a weak inarticulate individual. If Romney take the presidency, America will be seen as weak. Sorry, but my vote goes to Obama.
Well said, Stephen.
Really?
Fareed,
Thank you for your intelligent responses to world issues. Your response today, however, as to why Obama has not met with world leaders at the UN–that he is cerebral and does not want to spend time schmoozing–was very disappointing.
What do you call The View? That is true schmoozing–and inappropriate at this time in our world. Please do not fall the way of CNN anchors who feel compelled to constantly reframe Obama's actions. There is so much anxiety on the network now because everyone feels "forced" to give a positive light to anything Obama does–and it demeans CNN. President Obama can take criticism just like everyone else. His actions are his choices and he is strong enough to receive negative commentary without trying to forcibly balance his behavior with a positive frame. Please just be yourself–you are a treasure. Everyone expects Fox to be a skewed conservative voice, but CNN is viewed closely throughout the world. Every time I see and hear CNN anchors and commentators make extreme positive comments regarding Obama, I cringe. I don't know who is controlling the station, but CNN looks afraid to speak about issues honestly and fairly. The construction of "arrogance" applied to Romney could just as easily been applied to Obama. Image construction should not be part of the democratic process in this country. Where do we go for unbiased news? It is a terrible time. I can barely watch CNN anymore. The station should respect its viewers and trust Americans to vote based on balanced presentation of facts. Please do not become part of this push to constantly reframe Obama. It makes him look weak and makes CNN look like anything but the flip side of Fox. You are the one person on this program I still respect.
Thank you from my heart,
Christine
Obama has not met with world leaders at the UN–
And we know this how ?
What goes on out of site of the camera ?
World leaders never talk behind closed doors ?
Netanyahu wants Obama to draw a line in the sand regarding Iran.
No leader of ANY country who has half a brain
would paint himself into a corner.
Smart leaders keep thier options open,
and thier mouths shut.
Its called "diplomacy".
Because HE said he would not meet with any of them!
Hammerdown, look at the second sentence in the second paragraph of Fareed's column. that's how we know Obama didn't meet with leaders at the UN.
Netanyahu wants Obama to draw a line in the sand regarding Iran.
No leader of ANY country who has half a brain
would paint himself into a corner.
______________________________
Netanyahu is completely out of line, in trying to twist the arm of an American President.
President Obama should certainly visit Israel, *after* the election.
I have no doubt the one reason why the President didn't schedule other meetings is because it would lead to the claim that Netanyahu was specifically snubbed.
The President should have the strength and confidence to meet with other world leaders at a place and time of his choosing.
He is the President – whenever he wants to meet with them, they'll be there, and waiting and happy to have him give audience to their concerns..
Too little too late.. This speech comes 2 weeks after these terrorist attacks, and make no mistake, that's exactly what it was.. MSNBC has an article ab an interview with ABC the president-elect of Libya made, and he specifically said this had nothing to do with the movie, and was clearly terrorism...
One must ask, why did Obama give this speech two weeks late to the United Nations, and not immediately (or almost immediately) to the American people?
Obama is a joke, and you all know it... if you don't, then good luck to you.
Fair reporting is based on the news that is out there......dont expect news organisations to report "unfairly" in order to balance the equation...romney spoke of the 47%, Romney, issued the Libya statement, Romney refuses to release his taxes....those are the facts. Obama as president of the US represented the US at the UN....that is a fact. How would you rather the news organisations report these facts?
Romney attacked our own embassy while it was under attack.
It shows that he is a crass political opportunist of the lowest order, who doesn't care about America.
Now you understand how he could protest in favor the Vietnam draft as a teenager, and then flee the country to live in France in order to avoid being drafted himself.
Romney is the worst Presidential candidate ever. He is unpatriotic. He is a coward. He is utterly phony.
Obo is too busy playing "eye candy" on the View. He is such a disgrace! President? Not by any stretch of the imagination. He and Hillary have turned the entire Middle East into a powerful Muslim Brotherhood genocidal time bomb and Obo is out playing Rock Star. How embarrassing.
AnniRIch – you fit the ten signs of a propagandizwd Rightie perfectly plus you give me the idea for a real tenth sign. Eveything is always to the extreme nothing is ever "Not that goood" it's always, "the worst it's ever beeen." ANd there are no gradations betweeen pooor and excelllent. People you don't like falll into several broad categories, regardlesss of their own characteristics – e.g. "commies" "Marixsts" "Traitors", etc. etc. ANd eventualities that you imagine are as real to you as if they had reallly happpened e.g. a Muslim U.S. A.
Freedom of speech is not "free"
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/13034180-osama-bin-laden-reaches-to-libya-and-pakistan-from-from-his-watery-grave
Is our Mittens learning? Sheesh, Obama is no apologist, just ask Osama. Mitt and the GOP seem to be willing to say anything anywhere, and at any time, regardless of its veracity and its impact on the United States. Sabre rattling is a fear mongers game. Not a World Leader's.
Progress for Romney already coming from his new double down on "aggressiveness"; he has moved from flip flop to flop for consistency, and he is now increasing momentum by doubling down. Unfortunately the momentum is also down....
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/13017922-its-the-dishonesty-stupid
Mitt is less than competent as a politician; can't juggle more than one ball at a time. And his wife is already complaining and the “hardest” part is yet to come..... It seems they thought they just had to show up and everyone would be relieved to relieve the Obama's at the helm of this Nation...
I want to see a new Congress in Obama's hands. Let's give him a clear mandate and the tools to execute a recovery. A strong one. America has been loitering with the GOP for too long.
Mitt has written off half of all Americans. Yet he knows not who they are.
I guess he sees them as irresponsible and an expense to America; not his America. I suppose he sees not a “self made” man or woman among them. They didn't build this country? Romney owes them an apology, yet; he wouldn't know an apology if it punched him in the nose.
Mitt sees the Presidency as not to help the needy; but rather, to help those who don't need it. These people are the old and less fortunate, maybe even some thrown in the street after the pillaging of American companies. Mitt and Bain cheated the American Treasury and buried their treasure in the Caribbean. What does Mitt really believe?
What is more shocking is that it is possible to write off half the country and still get elected in America! Because of the political duopoly and the blind faith of GOP followers. Plus the GOP's efforts to disenfranchise many Americans; a fraudulent attempt to prevent “fraud”.
America needs Obama. It is actually Obama's footprints that remain at the RNC; and it is Obama who will move America Forward and rebuild the nation.
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/12989871-from-breaking-to-building-a-nation-the-change-is-you
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/12889195-footprints-at-the-republican-national-convention-in-tampa-florida
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/13017922-its-the-dishonesty-stupid
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/12903382-michele-obama-and-bill-clinton-lay-out-at-the-rnc-just-how-much-obama-believes-in-america-does-mitt-romney-believe-in-america-or-something-else?clear_cache=true
As you both know, in politics and foreign policy (and all personal relationships) there is a time to listen, a time to talk, a time act, and a time to just plain shut your mouth. Romney is clearly clueless on when is the right time for anything.
What do you say to the President of Egypt or any of those other countries that watched or even inflamed attacks on American Embassy's? Do you reward them with a private meeting with the President of the United States? What do you say to Netanyahu who insults you at every turn and blatantly intrudes in American Politics? Do you reward him with a meeting? Which leader do you meet with that doesn’t offend another leader? Imagine if Obama met with Egypt but not Israel how that would have played out on the world stage and the political stage or imagine just the opposite how that would have fanned Mideast unrest needlessly. And just what do you think Republicans would have made of him meeting with leaders of countries that just attacked our embassys?
Most people – especially parents – understand you don’t reward badly behaving children by giving them a trip to the toy store. What you do is you give them a tongue lashing before the whole world and ignore them while you go off and have a good time on the View. You treat them like the child they are and NOT give them a moment on the world stage in a picture op with adults. And, as anyone knows you don’t build relationships or effect foreign policy in the glare of media and especially in the midst of an election. Indeed, it would have been irresponsible to do other wise.
I want you to consider that with just a few words made seemingly offhanded – “not our ally” – President Obama was able to get Egypt to rein in the attacks on the American Embassy. That, my friends is demonstration of real diplomacy when exercised by a really smart guy.
I want you to also remember that while Boehner and the Republicans held the country ransom over the deficit he was able to maneuverer them into cutting their own throat with the sequester. In case you didn't get it Obama turned a hostage takiing by the Republicans to getting rid of the Bush tax cuts and cutting the deficit by trillions of dollars while blaming it all on the Republicans. That my friends is real brilliance in action.
That both of you – especially you Fareed – don’t get this was the perfect time both for foreign policy and for politics to keep your mouth shut is very disappointing.
Does anyone really think Republicans would not have stood in the way of everything even if Obama and Boehner were best buddies? Oh, and you know that personal relationship that you both pushed, how’d that work out between Bush and Putin?
That was inspiring, so many truths in so few paragraphs. A rational analysis in a sea of rhetoric.
When someone uses liberal talking points like "holding the US for ransom"...I know that it is just a liberal pushing an agenda. Obama wants to steal from the rich "fairly" (whatever that means)...and make everyone poor....get everyone on the government coffers. Thank goodness that Congress has been able to stop some of Obama's spending....he would have sunk us by now....
joe blow....an apt description.....
You didn't even bother reading what 1zb1 wrote. It's a brilliant piece.
A very clear analysis – thank you!
This is the best explanation I could ever find in any comments sections. Your comment almost spoke my mind.
I wouldn't be surprised if you are one of the advisers of the President (under the moniker 1zb1)
Keep it up.
Are you a full time troll?
How can you tell someone to shut their mouth and then have such long-winded, short-sided rhetoric to follow. #hypocrite
And what if the criticism is just and true? Do you understand the difference between a parent and a statesman? Do you understand that you cannot dialogue without conversation? Do you understand that you have to listen to the other side, regardless of how ridiculous, in order to work out compromise? Of course you don't because you believe you're right and everyone else is wrong. Hypocritical liberal arrogance much? The fact that you believe that obama has the stature and right to treat other world leaders like children fully illustrates your complete and utter ignorance. No wonder barry holds you in thrall.
You say the repubs are 'holding hostage', or that they are 'obstructing' progress whereas many of us see them as merely sticking to what they believe in. If refusing to alter their morality and beliefs is considered 'obstruction' then all the power to them. The truth is that you attempt to fault them for standing up for their beliefs while you freely drop yours in favour of whatever politically correct winds are blowing. Your post was only 'brilliant' to those already convinced that a steaming pile of dog crap is a pile of gold.
Just tell Obama to stop trying to generate confidence in private sector hiring with is smart alek pep talks. This is a waste of time. The best way for him to generate hiring confidence would be to start packing now.
Smartest thing anyone has said on here....
I have to admit that I have been troubled by the American People. Whether in 2010, or now I have to wonder how could there be even one thoughtful American who would vote for a Republican, and especially right now who would vote for Romney.
Take the likes of JAL and Joe Blow. They are the perfect personification of the Republican Party and Mitt Romney. They have absolutely nothing of value to say. Pathetic efforts at one liners and no facts, and often outright lies is all they've got.
Apparently the American People are smarter then I gave credit to. If the polls are any indication more and more Americans from every portion of the country is seeing Romney and the Republicans for what they are. They are seeing the JAL's and Blow's of the nation for what they are: Just empty, hateful people with no ideas, and bad ideas.
There are many people in America that believe Obama has changed the country for the worst.
One part of American he has destoyed is PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN.
For many of us, this is not the America we grew up to love. He is dismantling much of the heritage our country was built on. You may not agree, but he has lowered the standards and respect the office once held.
I only commented on Obamas ability to create confidence in hiring. This isnt time to mess around with paralysis through analysis. Seen Europe lately? They are protesting again. What is to become of the Arab Spring, if they dont get good jobs...SOON! You dont know me, so save the other drama for your mama.
How can someone have no ideas and bad ideas?
And by the way, I love Fareed and I always take his views into account (he is a democrat btw). Face it, Obama cant get private sector hiring confidence up. Concede that, or you are not shutting your mouth or listening, as you put it in another post.
The mere fact that Obama had a great opportunity to meet with so many international leaders of other Nations and chose not to is a clear sign of his inability to be a good and balanced leader. If I were President, I surely would have taken that time to introduce myself and meet with as many world leaders and I could have. It would have such can amazing opportunity to broaden my awareness of other people's countries and dreams and plans. As leader of a great and developed nation, I would have loved to have met some of the leaders of the smaller nations to know their desires regarding trade, enterprise, human develoment and plans for energy, infrastructure, education, etc. But Obama probably knows that these nations had no desire to just listen to him drone on and on so he just went in did his usual thing and bolted out of there. Too bad. It would have been a great time to have just listened for a change. There's not much about his style or approach that I respect or admire. Then again ther is no pressing reson to put my faith in any man that doesn't even put his faith in his own country.
There is this nice little device called a telephone.
I hear Obama not only knows how to use it,
but he uses it often.
Obama talks with world leaders often.
If he chose to flaunt those leaders in front of a camera
you would scream "PHOTO-OP".
I will take quiet diplomacy over cowboys and indians anyday.
Well said!
The presidency isn't some kind of graduate seminar. The time for the president to learn about other countries of the world is before s/he takes office. Your imaginative visualization of the presidency is sweet.
Of course Mytt Robmey wants to take full advantage of the situation in the Middle East. This way he gets to make me look like a wimp over there so he can beat me in November, the fool! This jerk will say anything to get elected, no matter what!!!
Fareed,
WIth all due respect, your GPS needs recalibration. That speech was awful and just another bunch of enpty words. The US will not be viewed with respect until we DEMONSTRATE that we can handle that respect. going on "The View" was not a step in that direction. I'll give you a great example:
Back in 2008 right after the election, I was in Paris on business. Many of the people I met were beside themselves with joy that Obama had been elected and I got aksed numerous times if the people of the US were as happy as they were.
Fast forward to 2012. I was over there in August and saw many of the same co-workers who were now hoping the American people were going to vote him out. They see him as an "empty suit" to quote one person and another told me that Clint's empty chair was a perfect way to describe our "celebrity in chief".
Until he's out, the US will be seen as the "empty chair" of the world and he's to busy schmoozing to even sit in it.
The View appearance was scheduled well in advance upon invitation and reaches regular Americans during an important campaign and picking and choosing particular leaders to meet with always ends up snubbing other leaders so I don't mind that the POTUS didn't do that. He said what he wanted to say and he defended Free Speech and our ambassadors. Done.
The view doesn't reach "regular Americans" – it reaches liberal housewives who like gossip
AGAIN... too little, too late, and he said it on the UN instead of sitting in the oval office, staring into a camera, and talking to the American People... Isn't he our President too? Or is he just the leader of the 'free world', just as long as those living there aren't American?
Romney is scheduled to appear on The View. also...
add housewives to those insulted by the Republicans -
If you mean by DEMONSTRATE, another military event/war, I'm not rushing to go down that path AGAIN. I have stepson in the military so this is not just a filppant conversation piece for me. I am grateful to President Obama for not going in "guns ablazin'". This is real life, not reality TV. Let's continue to be cautious and if action is needed, I am confident our President will do what's needs to be done. Thank-you for your input
As a retired teacher, I've attended too many funerals of former students killed in those stupid wars.
I spend a lot of time in Europe – and I have yet to meet a single European who thinks Obama should be replaced by Romney. Not one.
I think in Western Europe, Obama would still get about 95% of the vote.
You know you're a teabagger when you don't have enough wallspace in your trailer to display your Sarah Palin crosshairs poster collection.
Palin is better than Biden any day....
Then why wasn't she elected? Why isn't she running right now? Why does her voice sound like fingernails on a chalkboard?
With the republicans already politicising meeting of foreign leaders (read Netanyahu) Obama did the right thing, keep it straight. After all he does not need bilats to talk to any leader.....
Fareed whoring for a job in a second Obama debacle. Sorry Fareed, not going to happen and President Romney certainly would pay you no heed.
There is no way in hell that there will ever be a President Romney...
Farid is a puppet
Why is no major media group talking about certain nations soliciting the UN even today on restrictions regarding freedom of speech?
............. OBAMA AUDIENCE WAS THE WORLD AND HIS SPEECH HIT A ' GRND SLAM '...................
Totally agree....
............................... REPUBLICANS MIGHT AS WELL THROW IN THE TOWEL................OBAMA PROVED AGAIN AND AGIAN , THAT HE IS ONE OF UNITED STATES GREATEST PRESIDENTS.................................................................
hahaha!!! thanks so much for the laugh buddy!!! Please do explain your logic behind this statement? (insert crickets chirping here). Ya thats what I thought.
Obama has proven that he can kill a country while hypnotizing them with beautiful words and swagger....by the way, not to say that he blames everyone else, but has he ever taken responsibility for anything?
What FoxNews doesn’t like to report about President Obama:
Immediately started reversing the 800 thousand job losses/month of the prior administration.
Created over 4.5 million private sector jobs.
Cut taxes for all working Americans.
Cut taxes on small businesses 18 times.
Cut taxes 25 times in just first year. 26 straight months of private sector job growth.
10 quarters of economic growth.
Raised GDP by 2.9%.
Saved over 1.4 million auto industry jobs.
Expanded US manufacturing sector for 29 straight months.
Increased Medicare fraud prosecutions by 75%.
Saved taxpayers $10.7 billion in Medicare fraud.
Ended Iraq war.
Ended discrimination in the military.
Created business tax incentives for businesses to hire our returning veterans.
Held insurance companies responsible for actually insuring.
Helped parents keep 2.5 million college age children on their family health insurance plan.
Decreased dependence on foreign oil to below 50% for first time since 1997.
Increased US oil production to highest since 2003. Increased natural gas production to highest in 30 years.
Doubled auto fuel efficiency by 2025, effectively halving the price of gas.
Increased renewable power generation by 2.3 million homes.
Credit CARD Act reduced households accruing late fees from 50% to 28%
Yeah.. private sector job growth.. guess 1 new hamburger flipper at McDonalds will count as private sector job growth.
We'll need more fuel economy to help with the higher gas prices since we'll be Brazil's best customer..no reason to have a pipleline bringing oil from Canada..
I am impressed.. we were able to spike the football again regarding Bin Laden.. how many times is that.. shocked we didn't tell the world that GM is still alive....yeah the terrorists are "weakened".. especially in Egypt and Libya..
hmmm this Kool Aid tastes good!!!!
WOW, you are totally brainwashed!
ANYONE BUT OBAMS 2012
You know you are a dem when you dont pay rent and swipe your Link card to buy groceries at the local Casey's palintwit.
Sorry,
Most welfare recipients are white Republicans
in southern states.
Keep 'em stupid, and keep 'em voting.
Right about welfare-dependent Southern whites voting Republican. I live among them. It's the Republican "God" talk that keeps them voting against their own interests.
.............. WHY WOULD AMERICA TRADE IN A FARARI FOR A YUGO ? WELL THATS WHAT GOING TO HAPPEN IF MITT ROMNEY GETS VOTED IN.........................................
..........AFTER OBAMA I HEARD OBAMA SPEECH AT THE U.N.....................NOW I SEE WHY HE WON THE ' NOBLE PEACE PRIZE'..........................
Because he's a BS artist??
Yes, a good speech. Words. That's all you're going to get from Obama.
I'm not really impressed that he can read a speech someone else wrote. And I'm not going to believe that he feels foreign policy is important while at the same time blowing off the leaders of foreign countries to promote HIMSELF on "The View."
Please America, put an end to this catastrophe.
Romney will be appearing on The View also...
Easy to talk the talk, now walk the walk Obama. All you are is all talk. Funny how CNN blows everything up for Obama and downplays all the big things Obama has totally failed with. Then they turn around and act like Romney is so horrible when its so clear he is a way better choice when it comes to protecting our country and growning jobs. OBAMA = FAIL!
tea bagger nonsense...
Wow great comeback! That reminds me of something Obama would say when he cant view the tele-prompter.
what was new? more empty threats to do something? meanwhile Iran keeps moving forward with nukes
what a weakling!
Warmonger like you are whats wrong with this country.
You know you're a teabagger when the only cable channel you get is the 24 Hour Nascar Channel.
how does this guy still have a job with a major news organization? why is an op-ed at the top of a major "news" organizations web site?
Because he has a better world view than most of us.
You may disagree with his opinion; but expressing your disgust just expresses your intolerance.
Obama usually gives good speeches. Whether or not this one was good is a matter of opinion. The question isn't, how good was the Obama's speech? The question is, how good is Obama's foreign policy? Attacking Mitt Romney all day won't change the fact that the world still hates America even though Obama said in 2007 “I truly believe that the day I’m inaugurated not only does the country look at itself differently but the world looks at us differently.” Simply put, he was wrong.
John – the world – at least many parts of it – DOES see American in a much better light since Obama's election.
I travel extensively in Europe and Asia – believe me, if America elects Romney, we will once again be the laughing stock of the world – just like back in the "good ole days" with Bush.
WHEN did Pres Obama minimize Chris Steven's death???? I never picked up on this at all. I think Obama covers what should be covered when it is appropriate. Should he hold ten news conferences on the same subject? I saw Obama and H. Clinton in the hanger speaking when the bodies were returned to the US and there was no minimizing then! Obama is one person, there is so much he can do in a day, and I am certain he would much rather be working in Washington DC than traipsing all over the country campaigning. We need campaign reform all right! Don't start until six months before an election, or a shorter time if possible. Anyone who hasn't decided on who to vote for by then shouldn't vote anyway.
When he suggested it was a "bump in the road".
'bump on the road' – path to democracy is hard and there will be bumps on the road.
Stripping mere words out of the context is very easy and helps paint YOUR view, isn't it?
You know you're a teabagger when you have to borrow a computer from your trailer park manager.
Well, that is Mr. Zakaria's opnion.
Personally, I think too many people are confusing eloquence and charisma for leadership.
Huh? Oh, CNN. Never mind.
Obama is in rare form. He, once again, managed to blame a film trailer for the carnage on about ten occasions, suggesting his own record with regard to foreign policy was sterling and championing truth, justice and the American way. He really is a "super" President. Just ask him.
Actually. Barack Obama should be very ashamed of himself! He is nothing but a war criminal by ordering people killed day after day with those ungodly drones of his plus the super deadly Apache helicortors! He's enough to make anyone with any sense of morality ashamed to even be an American. Furthermore, he needs to be indicted and prosecuted at the I.C.C. in Holland but won't. I see a lot of ignoramuses here cheering him on, nonetheless!
It was a powerful speech. It addressed issues with mastery and compassion while being honest and definite.
All this President ever does is talk. He says all kinds of things – he never does any of them though. He says Iran can't have nukes – but he does nothing to prevent it. He says he is going to keep unemployment low – but he doesn't get that done. He says he will be a fiscal watchdog and then spends more money in 3.5 years than Bush (who spent like a drunken sailor) did in 8.
Sorry – all he does is talk, talk, talk . . . and never actually does anything.
Mr. Obama is a great speech maker, he is very charismatic, and can connect with people. Too bad he is incompetent. He has been talking tough for 4 years as the situation with Iran deteriorates. I'm sure he scared them to death. Thank goodness we will have a new president in January!
If eloquence automatically meant good governing, this country would be in far better shape.
That was stepping up? Wow, not where I come from it wasn't. Not even close. Obama barely paid lip service to the issues and was utterly unconvincing while still blathering about a stupid movie. Puff piece to the max. Go back to detention Fareed.
Obama still blames the terror attack on the video and the media goes right along with him. Where is your integrity and truth in reporting?.
You know you're a teabagger when your idea of a big Friday night is hanging out at the gun, knife and ammo department at Walmart.
Ahh Faraud. You're back! Who did you copy today?
He didn't say anything new. "We will do what we must!". What does that mean? Does he want to start a war? He should just say it.
CNN encourages journalism so long as it's supportive of the Democrats. Obama's a loser impotent and weak. Just admit it.
Don't be too hard on Zakaria for writing this piece because the odds are someone else wrote it before he did.
Obama continues to look & act presidential. Romney continues to look & act foolish.
You are an idiot and so is Obama. He is the worst President this country has EVER seen. Hope you enjoy your socialist government. Guess you just want to be taken care of. Fool.
In all honesty, the last FOUR presidents have been the worst this country has ever seen, but who would've ever thought 1/2 the nation would support the current Marxist? It's like strangling one's self and smiling while doing it.
Bill bill bill boy oh boy you don't have a clue do you?have you checked all the states that are purely republican, (gov, sen, congressmen,and state sen etc) they are nanny states they are divided into rich, and po. the rich gets a tax break and the po pays for them. No jobs only food stamps and benefit cards,and yes white people do get them too, and they are gop voters. The REIGNOCANS (RETHUGLIKKKLANS) are such hypocrits that they would have you believe that they do not get food stamps just lies and more lies. and bill you maybe one of them.
When is Mitt Romney going to reveal he is deeply invested in China, including CNOOC who are presently trying to buy a large chunk of Canadian oil sands?
GMAFB; you have a guy in the White House that is doing his darndest to destroy our country and you're worried about Romney's money. Are you that dumb or is the communist MSM getting to you?
It is VERY close to election time, WHAT DID YOU EXPECT HIM TO SAY???? Everything he does and has done for the past three miserable years he has done for himself and his "Brother Muslims." Thanks for the analogy, Obama DOES continue to ACT like a president instead of BEING ONE!!!!
romney/ryan are jokers.
That's right TONY. Obama and Biden are the Jokes.
5 ***** TO YOU FAREED.. THAT'S WHAT REPORTING IS ABOUT!!!!!!! SHORT., FACTS AND TO THE POINT... JOB WELL DONE.***** LET'S HEAR YOUR VIEW ON MITT , WANTING TO KNOW WHY THE WINDOWS ON AIR PLANE IS NOT OPEN .... MAY BE YOU CAN EDUCATE HIM
You know you're a teabagger when all four tires on your F-150 are mismatched sizes.
Just the mention of the video in his speech did more damage than any defense he did for free speech. But I can expect you and MSNBC to be polishing his shoes
He did not defend free speech. He stated that the future must not belong to those who would denigrate the prophet mohammed. In short, he stated that the future holds no place for those who want to exercise their rights to free speech if it goes against the wishes of his muslim friends.
And if he really means that he is also against denigrating remarks about Christ, why is the U.S. government funding so-called "art" that has a cross soaking in some pervert's urine?
These republican haters are just hateful.......hahahaah , that's why your guy ( Romney ) will never ever see the inside of the Whitehouse....and that's a real fact , so hate on that @mike belson !!!
I am amazed that someone with so much policy and political savvy as Fareed does not see the problem faced by Prez Obama when it comes to choosing who should get a meeting with him and who shouldn't.
Common why are they always lying ? We are tired of it
WANNABE US president Mitt Romney has dropped another clanger last night— asking why planes don’t have windows that OPEN.
He said his wife should have been able to open a window on the tarmac in Denver to get FRESH AIR because of a fire on board.
The Republican candidate — who in July said London wasn’t up to
hosting the Olympics — amazed listeners by moaning: “When you have a
fire in an aircraft there’s no place to go. You can’t find any oxygen
from outside to get in the aircraft, because the windows don’t open.
“I don’t know why they don’t do that. It’s a real problem. So it’s very dangerous.”
As most people know opening a window would fuel the flames with
oxygen. And if one accidentally opened in the sky, passengers could be
sucked out.
President Obama’s rival made his latest blunder in California last night.
GUY DOES NOT KNOW BASIC SCIENCE !!!! dumb as a post.
What? I'm so sick of this garbage. He brought up the video how many times? Enough CNN...enough already. That was not what America needed at the UN.
Hmmmmm, where have I read this before???
Very good speach, who wrote it? Here is the rub, what are we going to put in place as a guide line to have as a response if and when this happens again? What are the rules of engagement, and I don't necessarily mean military intervention, there are other means. What responsibility should You Tube have in all of this also? You Tube actually poured gas on a existing fire and expected nothing was going to happen, come on! We have no rules of engagement as to consequences to actions by Extremists or idots wo run You Tube or who else. How is Obama going to catch ALL those who killed those in that Embassay, and how long will that take?
Mitt Romney said his job is not to worry about 47% of the American people. As President I doubt Romney would have been capable of worrying about Ambassador Stevens.
Vulture/voucher would have us in 4 additional conflicts.
Obama delivered for the entire country yesterday. Nobody on the other side of the world wants a nuclear armed Iran either.
If China/Russia were worth a flip, they'd squash both Iran and Syria situations. But they know we're occupied babysitting our little brother. And it always seems little brother bibi is dragging us into the schoolyard to back up his big mouth.
So to be consistent with recent Republican practice of opposing anything Obama says, we can expect Romney to condemn free speech.
“Yes, we are appalled by this appalling video, but a core principle of free societies is that things don’t get banned just because we think they are appalling.” Why is Zakaria praising him for defending free speech? Obama's statement is pretty wimpy. He should have said: "Tough crap if this video offends anyone. We have free speech in this country...people have said – and will continue to say – things that will offend someone, somewhere. Spend one minute searching the internet for things that are offensive to Muslims and you'll find a thousand. So cut the crap...quit using this second rate movie as an excuse for bloodshed."
He didn't say "tough beans world!" and start flipping the bird because that's not how a speech is delivered in front of *anyone*. He made a strong statement of our core values and principles without being offensive. That's a *good* thing.
President had a very good speech in UN. During past 4 years he took National Security very serious and successful… Safety of our people and security of USA is always our No1 priority. USA as world lieder must be there were action is: Iran, South China Sea, Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia… I have NO doubt that Pr. Obama will be re-elected this year…
Fareed,
Let's do the math. If Obama gets reelected, then the United States will have had three, sequential, two-term presidents, Clinton, Bush, and now, Obama. Each president took 6 – 12 months to campaign for his second term. That means that at the end of Obama's second term, for the previous 24 years, we have had about 22 years of full-time presidents...
I advocate a 7year, 1 term limit for the President of the United States...
Let candidates be candidates and presidents be presidents...
Fareed, I agree with you. President touch both dominstically and Internationally. He was clear, tough and yet made his message come across as we respect and dont under estimate us. I say Mitt Romney is horrible, fake, dishonest and poor leadership for this country. He will get the cult votes from far right, but he will never get the true American votes.
Did Fareek write this opinion piece or did he steal this from someone else as well?
More empty words from our President. When exactly will he take any actions in preventing Iran from creating nuclear weapons. Iran knows just as everyone else does that he will do nothing as they continue in their course for nuclear weapons. Do we just let a terrorist attack on american soil and a murdered ambassador pass on by with an apology for a video that a teenager could have made with a home video camera? The president wont even admit it was a terrorist attack when the rest of the world knows that it was. President Obama's presidency consists entirely of hollow words and empty promises. I had really high hopes for him from the start, but he has turned out to be a severe disappointment.
Dan, the only difference between you and I is that I never had those high hopes. Unfortunately, he has performed exactly as I expected.
I guess you don't keep up with the news.
After investigating the facts, Obama said it was a terrorist attack.
But I guess you'd rather spread lies. Why?
Sounds like the majority of you should stick to Fox News. Why are you reading CNN news if you think it is all fluff and stuff? Go to your own little world and look for Russia from your windows.
You know you're a teabagger when you boink your cousin every Sunday right after church.
" it was high time that the president also said “Yes, we are appalled by this appalling video, but a core principle of free societies is that things don’t get banned just because we think they are appalling.” "
Are you seriously taking this as anything other than political spin? If you think that there is any other reason than minimizing damage to his re-election campaign, you are truly living in a fog. Take off those rose-colored glasses, my friend. Obama would NEVER have even bothered with this if it was not re-election time.
wow cnn.......give it a rest.........hussein o'bummer, the kenyan goat herder does not impress me one bit....
right on! additionally, his offical birth certificate is from Kenya. Snope it. He also has an illigitimate 19 year old son. Snope it. WAKE UP AMERICA.
translation of Obama rant........"I want all of my musslie bros. to cool it for a few days so that I can prepare to appear on trhe View with Whoopie. No more killing of MY ambassadors or MY Nave Seals at least until I'm done preparing for the Lettreman show. Oh, I forgot, I got a tee time on Friday so stay cool. Together, we are dismantling America one step at a time. I captured and killed Osama. I was asleep when you got my ambassador. I, I, I,.......".
Don't you have to dig a new latrine behind your trailer right about now?
This writer obviously did not hear the same Islam-pandering speech that I heard.
We know he gives good speeches! We also know he makes or passes on actually carrying out anything that actually works
If you asked Obama about the last call in the Greenbay game you would assess him as an expert referee as well. Any deliver a speech in an attempt to nullify critique AFTER the critique is known. Now protecting our embassador is a much bigger issue. Suggsting the massacre was a bump in the road was genuine. Frankly, if Obama gets re-elected it just reinforces the level of stupidity of most of the electorate. Farred happily follows the horse with a shovel.
I thought Obama gave a good speech. We know he can read good speeches off of teleprompters. But actions speak louder than words. It took a scheduled UN speech for him to finally acknowledge and publicly denounce the 9/11 terrorist attack on our Libyan embassay......14 days after it occurred. 2 weekds after the President of Libya did so! That is not leadership and that is not action.
People are so gullible. Finally the Obama says something in a speech that people want to hear, that Romney's been saying all along, and they PRAISE obama. Better late than never. Hey, say what people want to hear 5 days too late but, c'mon isn't he great!!! Isn't he a great President!!!!
WRONG!!!!!!!
Another Obama speech - YAWN! That's all the guy is good at - all speech, no action. Time to go, loser!
You can now stop with the propaganda and misinformation CNN....Games up.
As someone who has voted strictly for Democratic presidential candidates since casting my first vote in 1972, I am sickened by the media's sycophancy toward the President. Bracak Obama's failures in the MidEast are highlighted by the shocking negligence - from top to bottom - of the Administration regarding the threat of terrorism in Libya, particularly on 9/11/12...and made even more disheartening by the President's characterization of the events there and elsewhere as "bumps in the road." How many more innocent people need to be murdered in Syria before the President at least embraces the idea of a no-fly zone there? Fareed, if you were not "in the tank" for the President, you would have to at least take note of these facts–not to mention signal failures with respect to Iran, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Even Bush 43 did better.
I am so proud of this President. One main reason is because he is a well thought President, he is not quick to speak, but knows when to do it. What upsets the Republicans is the fact they can't break him. If the Republicans will stop talking about being a "conserative Christian" and start acting like one, they too will understand why this President is not so easily broken and maintain a level head. Mitt scares me as an Independent, I will not vote for someone who has made too many quick judgements without thinking first. American will wake up and see this sooner than later.
I take no political parties , but I am also realistic and down to earth and understand that everybody is human. everybody criticize the president for everything that goes wrong but can you at least sit back for a minute and see what has happened during his time in office ? took troops out of Iraq that was a big one the american people wanted, ordered the mission that lead to the killing of the biggest enemy of the united states and still needs to keep dealing on a day to day basis with economy, ceremonies , and other presidential duties that I can guarantee you none of the people that take the time to write a post here can do in a lifetime probably including me too. you all criticize him on this matter but I wonder what you are going to say next week when he is debating mitt romney on different diverse matters that most people dont even know hoy to start talking about them . like I said I take no political parties and the reason being is that we have to unite and stop all the negative talk that goes on why? because he is The President and the fact is, he desides with the consent of The House and The Senate on the desicions for the United States so keep on writing here things that really dont even matter instead of getting on the street and making a change yourself. hope this changes your day and start thinking positive instead of focusing on negative stuff that is going to lead nowhere.
In Iraq, he basically followed the timetable for withdrawal that had been set by Bush and announced years back. So Iraq doesn't count.
FAREED
...............THE ONLY REASON OBAMA GOING TO WIN THE ELECTION IS BECAUSE AMERICA STILL HAVE A BAD HANGOVER FROM 8 YEARS OF BUSH..............................................
Barack and Fareed - GET A ROOM!
I totally agree with your summation, Fareed. The President looked Presidently, spoke the truth and reaffirmed that the US is with transformation of the Arab world, even if this is not always smooth sailing. The reality is that Romney and the Republicans live in the past. The world has changed more in the last 10 years than in the previous 4o years! Romney would like to emulate Reagan but that was over 40 years ago! Obama made his first speech in Cairo telling the Muslim world that the US too has changed. This gives him legitimacy to lecture to them on pluralism and the need to stop radicalism in Islam. Clearly, this is their problem and the US can do no more than nudge moderates to regain the agenda from the Mullahs. However, for the Islamic world to take the US more seriously, rather than merely confronting Iran, the US should show more balance in dealing with Israel
@ gita, who said ". . . for the Islamic world to take the US more seriously, rather than merely confronting Iran, the US should show more balance in dealing with Israel."
-------
Show balance how, what!? Also explain how the Palestinians have "shown balance," how Amadinnejoke "shows balance," how Pakistan has shown balance in view of the millions we give them, ditto Egypt, Syria, etc. I really would like to know.
So, in order for the US and muslims to become friends, in your eyes, the US should push away Israel?
I am sitting here just shaking my head.
I truly do not understand your mode of thought at all.
You are joking, right?
Ahh the Obama shill is back. Has this man ever written anything critical of the president. I take everything Mr. Zakaria says with double grain of salt because of his obvious bias.
The difference between a statesman and a politician. Romney goes to the middle east and angers the Muslim world by talking about how colture is important. Obama says the same thing by addressing the issue of violence perpeturated by extemists. One angers and the other focuses on the issues.
Why is it the southern states are literally awash with neanderthals, teabaggers, birthers and other assorted cretins while the north (where I reside) remains so civilized?
Unlike the muslim world where everyone, except some women, are lying, deceitful, murderous, abusers with extra chromosomes.
speech is a product of one's intentions, source of hinduism denial of truth or obedience to truth absolute, hinduism absurdity of free speech without accountability is the way of hindu's, criminals to avoid accountability for their hindu criminal intention's, base of punishment for any legal system around the globe. Defense of hinduism, absurdity of free speech by hindu ignorant Obama has no merit in domain of truth absolute, but his own hindu criminal kind, hindu Jew's, criminal self centered justified by nothing else but hindu Judaism, filthy self centrism, denial of truth absolute, GOD, foundation of American consti tution. To learn more visit limitisthetruth,com and click on word Choice on website to open file.
HONESTLY, this guy Mr. FAREED ZAKARIA must be the GREATEST TURNCOAT, PLAGIARIST JOURNALIST of all time !!!.
The more I read from my former countryman, the more I see his BLATANT DISHONESTY and BURNING desire to say anything as long as that helps him CLIMB THE LADDER.......
Now he's busy BURNISHING HIS CREDENTIALS to land the job of the next US. SEC. OF STATE (by Hook or Crook!) which President is supposedly contemplating.
And why did I say that he was a TURNCOAT journalist.
Here's what he had ASTOUNDINGLY said only last year; I quote:
"The Danger comes from us (the US) and NOT them (Al-Qaeda & Muslim radicals). Ref: Reflections on 9/11 and its Aftermath” CNN-GPS Sept 9th, 2011.
GOD SAVE AMERICA if this man were to become the next US. Sec. of State!
Amit, what publication did you steal all those ideas from?
Dear Friend Joe Bob:
Just do a Google search on "Amit-Atlanta-USA" and check how many 100's of my responses you can see on CNN, Time, Dawn (Pakistani newspaper), The Guardian, London Times etc.
A periodical called Sanatan Prabhat published by an extremist hindu organization called Sanatan Sanstha in India is the source of @Amit-Atlanta-USA inspiration. It spews anti christian and anti minorities propaganda and feeds them to followers such as @Amit-Atlanta-USA. Check it out.
Dear Muslim Friend Vinnie:
Just FYI being a Hindu myself I love Christiniaty, go to Churches, and consider Lord Jesus as Gof just as my own Hindu Gods!
Freedom of religion does not exist without freedom of speech.
Mr Fareed.... hurting someones believe ..Is that freedom of speech?
you are praising Obama's speech! its only because you are not a free Journalist.
May God bring on the right path.
"Obama said that we should 'remember that Muslims have suffered the most at the hands of extremism' and that 'the future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam'. " How about that, Zakaria?
If people still cannot see through this President and his pro Islamic platform then there is no hope for them and they deserve what they get if he is re-elected.
You said it right!
I had myself been a Obama supporter but am increasingly jittery of an Obama 2nd term given his responses to the recent Muslim violence, his treatment of Israel, and in the light of what he told Russian President (now PM) Medvedev that he will have greater leverage in a 2nd term with no more elections to fight!
Having said that the GREATEST MUSLIM APOLOGIST ) who's Hoodwinking Americans (Mis) guiding Pres. Obama is CNN's Mr. FAREED ZAKARIA.....who's in reality a SUPPORTER OF ISALMIC RADICALS who poses a GREAT DANGER to America.
So, if any one has any doubts about which way US policy to the Muslim world is headed???????????????????
Just imagine the HEIRARCHY!
1) PRESIDENT – Mr. Barack HUSSAIN Obama
2) US SEC. OF STATE: The DECEITFUL Islamist Mr. Fareed Zakaria (as it's strongly rumored to be...if Obama wins re-election).
3) US AMABASSADOR TO THE OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference): MB terrorist supporter RASHAD HUSSAIN (another fellow Indian Muslim like Mr. Zakaria!)
4) US GOODWILL AMBASSADOR TO THE MUSLIM WORLD: IMAM RAUF (Imam of the 9/11 CARDOBA VICTORY MOSQUE- Decietfully renamed – Interfaith Center to tide over New Yorker's opposition!)
5) DY. CHIEF OF STAFF at the US STATE DEPT – HUMA ABEIDIN – Daughter of MB activist Saleha Mahmood Abedin
GOD SAVE AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is no secret that Hitler and his Nazi cronies sought inspiration from Indian extremist groups including the branding of his Nazi Party by adopting the Swastika, a traditionally Hindu symbol and representation of Hindu god Ganesha, as its marketing tool. The thesis being that like the Norwegian massacre the Jewish holocaust orchestrated by Hitler was inspired by the inherently violent cult of Indian Hindus and the manifesto of its then extremist/terrorist groups still in existence today. These groups are now the successors to and carrying out the vision of Al Qaeda all over the world albeit in a clandestine manner.
Wow! You can tell the election is getting closer and Romney is falling further behind--some people are really "losing it". I think it is obvious that in 41 days we will re-elect our President Barack Obama so a lot of people need to "chill'"
Obama salutes the Syrians for fighting for their freedom against their government and then tells the Palestinians to negotiate for whatever little pieces of their own land that they can get back from the murderous racist apartheid state of IsraHell....talk about a hypocrite!,,,,Palestinians need to fight for their freedom like George Washington and the Revolutionaries did against the British.....
And Obama finally getting around to standing up for free speech would have meant something if he did it the day the attacks happened, instead of waiting until he got pounded by the media enough to realize it was becoming a political liability.
Random Guy, it's a valid point, but I imagine he was also trying not to inflame the situation and get anybody else killed.
How many of you CNN types are auditioning for a position in the next Obama Administration? It is pathetic what CNN has become. Yor network should be ashamed of such outright bias.
When are you Republican'ts going to realize that RMoney has already lost? We're just waiting for it to be official. If you ever want a chance at the Oval Office again you need to grow some cojones, give the boot to the Tea Baggers, and find your way back to center. Hell, Reagan wouldn't even be nominated by the GOP these days. Return to your roots and you might be able to save your party
Fareed, just because obama apologizing AGAIN) in front of the untire UN for America's mistakes, you think that makes it a grreat speech? Come on Fareed, at least be somewhat objecctive and not so blatently partisan. obama spent at least 5 minutes on America's failure in allowing free speech and only about a minute on Iran and their ambitions. THen he echoed the Iranian line about the 'noise' form Israel? Pretty sad whrn obama suports the Iranians. Sorry Fareed, just another apology tour by obama.
Fareed is the Ar ab version of Ruben Navarette.
Obama is just a well paid errand boy
Fareed, you're a joke. You're the only "journalist" commending Obama for what has been a widely panned fluff speech at the UN.
I did not hear fluff. Obama spoke favorably of diplomacy, but sternly warned that there is a finite window for it. Furthermore, he plainly stated that the USA will do whatever is necessary to prohibit Iran from becoming a nuclear power. There is no fluff here. I rarely hear such plain spoken speach from politicians. Do not confuse warnings as fluff, as there is nothing to suggest that the president does not intend his exact words at the U.N.
Fareed: Please ignore the imbecile and hateful comments here. Many of us respect your experience, wisdom, and international expertise (even if sometimes we *respectfully* disagree).
Of course, I agree with you (and the President) for standing up for the first amendment, even though it will cause us short-term pain from radical Muslims.
He supports freedom of speech when it is critical and hateful towards Christians and Jews but not Muslims.
Obama delivered an effective, well-targeted speech at the U.N. B. He has the election in his hands. Most dissappointing are the reader comments about this presidential election. The is little wonder why this country is mired in such turmoil. The electoral population has no idea (nor apparent concern) about what is really at stake. Churchill said it best, "the best arguement against democracy is a five minute discussion with the average voter." His comment is so telling today, that is it appears he looked directly into the next century and reported what he saw in the hearts of humanity.
Yes, how DARE we criticize Dear Leader! He is vastly superior to us all, PBUH. I know exactly what is at stake in this election and I will proudly vote for Romney.
"The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam." That is a direct quote from Obama's speech at the UN. Not that it is going to get reported here. How can you write a story claiming Obama robustly defended freedom of speech when he specifically denounced those who speak less than favorably about his prophet, his religion?
As a typical politician, Obama had something for everyone including the Islamists. As a defense of western culture and values, it was pretty weak
Them that don't give free speech make the earth dummy like so thay can ezely in slave an unjustly steel.pnm.
OB is a good man an has dune good no metter how any one tryed to trick him he most likely can be 1 if not the beat peraz. We've had.pnm.
"The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam" – A quote from our Muslim-In-Chief from his UN speech. To bad he is more concerned about upsetting Muslims that already hate us over protecting US citizens rights and safety...
New, More Dangerous Hindu Extremist Groups Emerge in India
Christians concerned as rightwing factions splinter to form militant outfits.
PUNE, India, October 29 (CDN) — After more than a decade of severe persecution, India’s Christian minority is growing increasingly concerned over the mushrooming of newer and deadlier Hindu extremist groups.
Gone are the days when Christians had to watch out only for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) and its youth wing, Bajrang Dal, which are closely linked with the most influential Hindu extremist umbrella organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). With voter support faltering for the RSS’s political wing, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), moderate and extremist sections within the Hindu nationalist movement are blaming each other, and militant splinter groups have emerged.
Claiming to be breakaway factions of RSS, new groups with even more extreme ideology are surfacing. The Abhinav Bharat (Pride of India), the Rashtriya Jagran Manch (National Revival Forum), the Sri Ram Sene (Army of god Rama), the Hindu Dharam Sena (Army for Hindu Religion) and the Sanatan Sanstha (Eternal Organization) have launched numerous violent attacks on Christian and Muslim minorities.
Fareed, I guess a continuation of obama's apology tour is all that is needed for you to think its a great speech?
Hi Fareed,
you are the most shameless, spineless, disgusting white ass kissing low-life scoundrel. You don't know anything and just say and write as the wind blows. You are the third world slave to the white people. Get a life jerk.
I thought that was bills spot?.pnm.
'The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam' – Barack Obama.
So much for the support of free speech.
And then he hurried off to 'The View' because talking to world leaders is for chumps...
Fareed, I was not so impressed with Obama's speech. It was regurgetive. I was hoping he would make no mention of the Israel and Iran conflict . This conflict is best to be completely left to Iran and Israel to work out w/o any other country getting involved. Otherwise, he did do a good job in presenting the US as powerful, proficient, intellegent and diplomatic.
Kevin I have similar problems at home now. And these are realy, truely literal. I took in a repressed doggy while my own doggy was previously prety comfortable with me. But I just had to save this new dog who was mistreated. Everyone I consult on training the dogs to live together says I should leave them alone to settle their possition betwean themselves. They say thats the body language between the dogs. However, I am afraid that one of them will get hurt. I know that dogs have different pack rules and they should settle them in between themselves. However I do not have the courage to let it.
Most Europeans have shy smiles while smiling or laughing may be taken as a lack of coolness in an Middle Eastern man it can be taken as something next to stupidity or a lack of maturation and manly pride. In Middle Eastern Men smiles disapear as the beards and mustaches grow.
Americans smile, laught and look in the eye. In USA looking in the eye and being honest is importent. That's why American smile is important as it was in "Once Upon a Time in America".
But still WHAT ABOUT WIKILEAKS. Should not the comman people have their share of laugther on that?
Let him finish the job without hindrance from a Republican Congress. He will not make the same past economic mistakes of the Republicans.
Gaffey Romney is inexperience in handling America's responsibilities in global politics. Gaffey is just not the man for the highest office in the world.
Really? Did you come up with this brain fart of a column during your trips to Iran and North Korea seeing how the better half lives?
The very best summary with a truly objective point of view given the politics of the moment I have read in a long time from American journalism. Thank you too for pointing out for all of us that freedom of speech is an inalienable right and any American leader worthy of his salt will defend it regardless of political party or political gain by not doing so. Bravo.
Neither Fareed or Certainly Not News should be considered "America Journalism"
Reading the right wing comments here, it's just more of the same, everything is liberal media and only their network has the truth. Unfortunately, time and time again Fox viewers are proven to have less information about current events than people who don't even watch the news (that's a fact, and sorry but it's true). We all see the Fox buzzwords, socialism, communism, muslim, blah blah blah, the second anybody even see's one of those words the general response is to pass over it and laugh because you know whoever wrote it is clueless.
I understand the defense of free speech and all but not when it is clearly meant to incite. No one is under the illusion that the producer of this "movie" didn't know it would incite.
Why is he now hiding? He should show up and defend his free "speech". It's high time people take responsibility for their actions. Otherwise, it has a way of ruining it for everyone else. Now, 4 innocent people have paid dearly for this "free speech"! How about the rights of the dead, do they matter?
AMERICANS NEED TO KNOW. BODY OF LIES FROM BENGHAZI TO BARACK. By now, it is well known that something is very wrong with the official narrative pertaining to the controversial video known to everyone as Innocence of Muslims. The official government script we are asked to believe is that this video supposedly caused the September 11, 2012 attack on the … READ MORE: http://bwcentral.org/2012/09/b...
Obama Bin Laden is more worried about getting hispanic votes and lets illigal immigrants who came in the country leach off all our hard working tax money that could be used for so much other constructive things we need. Obama is on the verge of ruining Medicare, which we pay for everyday, for his 2 second put together Obamacare junk! Obama is not a leader and cannot protect this country. He cuts millitary spending so we our left vunerable so he can fund his family vacations and golf. Obama is horrible. READ THE FACTS not CNN! He's a muslim and doesnt even have a valid birth certificate! Get him out of office and a REAL AMERICAN in there to protect us and grow jobs. OBAMA = FAIL and CNN will say anything to back him. ROMNEY 2012! Wake up America!
We subscribe to the school of thought (as propagated by many commentators on this forum most prominent being @krm1007 ©™) that UN, NATO, Eurozone have all played their roles but have become redundant in current times. We need to think out of the box. A global democratic body embodies our political aspirations. We can't go back to the old paradigm that gave us several world wars. An elected world government should emerge based on democratic principles of one person one vote. There will be no veto powers. The center of seat will be based in developing countries
New, More Dangerous Hindu Extremist Groups Emerge in India
Christians concerned as rightwing factions splinter to form militant outfits.
PUNE, India, October 29 (CDN) — After more than a decade of severe persecution, India’s Christian minority is growing increasingly concerned over the mushrooming of newer and deadlier Hindu extremist groups.
Gone are the days when Christians had to watch out only for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) and its youth wing, Bajrang Dal, which are closely linked with the most influential Hindu extremist umbrella organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). With voter support faltering for the RSS’s political wing, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), moderate and extremist sections within the Hindu nationalist movement are blaming each other, and militant splinter groups have emerged.
Claiming to be breakaway factions of the RSS, new groups with even more extreme ideology are surfacing. The Abhinav Bharat (Pride of India), the Rashtriya Jagran Manch (National Revival Forum), the Sri Ram Sene (Army of god Rama), the Hindu Dharam Sena (Army for Hindu Religion) and the Sanatan Sanstha (Eternal Organization) have launched numerous violent attacks on Christian and Muslim minorities.
To all Liberals,
Why do you guys rail against watching fox news????? WHERE else would you get the OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY???? What ever happened to getting both sides of a story (and there are ALWAYS 2 sides to a story) before coming to a conclusion???
In my opinion, it is past the point of drinking the Kool-Aid. Anyone that does not see the bias (corruption) in the media is half blind and it's proven every time they bash anyone with the NERVE to hear the other side of the story. What a shame.
I watch fox, cnn, msnbc, cbs, nbc, abc news and read extensively online and I'm quit AMAZED that the people are not outraged at the blatant bias in the media and the failures of our current silver tongue in chief.
I challenge all liberals to watch fox news and at least LISTEN to the other side of the story instead of taking that time to bash me and others for watching fox news. If you do take up my challenge and still think this president walks on water, then we can at least agree to disagree.
I make this challenge due to the fact that ALL liberals or democrats I speak with ADMIT they refuse to watch fox news lol wow. So, they completely bought into the narrative the democrats have instilled in them that fox news lies. Have you never thought to yourself, Hmm why wouldn’t they want me to watch that channel and ONLY that channel? Hint, THEY WILL TELL YOU THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY, WHICH IS NOT ALL PRO OBAMA.
Please think for yourself and that’s impossible using one side of the story!!!!
A DOOR KNOB COULD DO A BETTER JOB AS PRESIDENT THAN OBAMA (ESPECIALLY WITH THE MEDIA PROTECTING IT)
Alex the Veteran: Freedom of speech? As long as it doesn't expose USA's true actions I guess. After the Wikileaks leader or not for exposing the truth?
Hmmm.....deal with problems at home, or meddle with affairs abroad...decisions, decisions. A new chapter of responsible leadership is what the world needs. It is no longer or ever was the best idea to leap without looking at every angle...at every viewpoint, and irresponsible or hasty reactions will only deepen troubles at home and abroad. Wisdom, perseverence, and patience takes precedence. The old ways don't work because people aren't easily mislead anymore, and patriotism now comes with being informed....no more blind support...people crave the truth...and their lives depend upon it.
Obama, Forever!
So Fareed thinks Obammy stepped up, eh? Does that mean that Obammy plagiarized part of his speech?