Comments on: Christopher Stevens was neither killed by a film, nor by U.S. policy

By: Rakiba

Rakiba — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:51:12 +0000

A free and equal exchange has to be free and equal. The rest of the world owes the Middle East a fair chance for equality in government, arts, science, human rights. That means less meddling and probably less cash support but more open markets. The Middle East and North Africa get to sink or swim on their own ability and if they elect authoritarian governments, if sexism and discrimination are rampant, and intolerance of free ideas remains, that would be no ones fault but their own.

By: Greg Pollock

Greg Pollock — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 20:43:11 +0000

This has to be struggle within Islam, Aristeides, not just American guilt. It is time for that struggle now. Sorry for being so aggressive. Time to evoke my gettng crazy rule and not return to this thread.

By: Greg Pollock

Greg Pollock — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 19:46:11 +0000

Nor could more be expected of some thought in both Judaism and Christianity. When roads to salvation are singular, sentiment is often singular as well. But denial of violence is no small gain.

By: Greg Pollock

Greg Pollock — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 19:41:32 +0000

One does not tailor policy to militants; nor do militant acts necessarily reflect a Muslim majority. To claim that drones should be eliminated to appease militants is perverse as well. As is asserting that a militant position leading to the Libyan attack samples Muslim belief, and that Yeman determines thought in Benghazi. You show no evidence that drones hae been used in attack in Libya now, which is not to say it hasn’t happened. No doubt they are used in survalience; no doubt some don’t like that. This does not condone what happened to the ambassador. Why should the violent determine all thought?

By: aristeides

aristeides — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:44:14 +0000

It’s totally perverse to ignore the factors related to US military activity in the mideast when considering the ongoing unrest. It’s totally perverse to ignore the use of drones in Yemen when considering the attacks on US installations in Yemen, and perverse to suppose that militants in Libya aren’t well aware of this activity.

I have no idea why you choose to minimize or deny the effect of the ubiquitous US military presence in the mideast or challenge the widely-reported news that the Benghazi airport was closed following militants firing at US drones. It’s just perverse.

But the reports are consistent with others that allege the militants behind the Libyan violence are pro-Qadaffi forces that oppose the US for its role in toppling the dictator.

You can keep blindly denying these reports or take them seriously, I don’t care.

By: Greg Pollock

Greg Pollock — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 06:33:45 +0000

The US deployed many, well over 30 I’m sure, cruise missles into Libya after Gaddagi said he would go “door to door” in Benghazi. Each missle cost, I think, about one million US$. The US ambassador to Libya is dead. The use of drones in Yemen does not influence a majority or even plurality of Muslims in Benghazi. You are hyjacking this event for political righteousness. You are not asking how this well supplied attack began. Nor do you offer any evidence that drones in Libya have done anything at all. Shame.

By: aristeides

aristeides — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 00:08:31 +0000

There is a general feeling of resentment of US interference in the region, and drones are part of it. Particularly, as I said, in Yemen, where drone attacks have caused numerous deaths. This is hardly an unwarrented comment. It would be foolish to deny it.

By: Greg Pollock

Greg Pollock — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 20:26:48 +0000

Aristeides, above: “It was reported today that a Libyan airport was closed today because militants were firing rockets at US drones.” If reported, there should be a link to such. I am no fan of drones. But a claim that a general feeling against drones is cause of this protest/violence is unwarranted without further evidence.

By: Sharon Ellis

Sharon Ellis — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 17:05:46 +0000

The ambassador was killed by ignorance; nothing less and nothing more. This is what happens when neither side is informed; they aren’t informed about one another and culture, nor are they informed about the source of the evil, which is NOT Islam.

The US has blundered about the world, stealing resources and destroying the environment (the US military is the world’s largest single polluter, and the face of America is that of her armed forces) and using heavy-handed tactics to ‘destroy terrorism.’ It used to be ‘communism,’ remember?

The empire needs an enemy. The problem is that the enemy often strikes back. It’s time to stop the drone attacks and to promote peaceful educational initiatives…if that’s possible after the hatred and anger agains the US that American policies have instigated.

By: litvac120

litvac120 — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 16:01:50 +0000

Reply to Aristeides
In the near future America will begin to withdraw. It’s
way too overextended, but I am
sure when this happens you and
your friends will scream about abandonment of some of your favorite causes.What you want is to control where
and how to get involved.
litvac120