General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI think Mitt felt threatened by Obama's slight gaffe about Egypt not being an ally, and so...
...and so immediately he went out and announced that Americans in the top quintile of income earners are somehow "middle class," just to up the gaffe-ante. Damn you, Mitt Romney, some day the president will catch up to your stupidity tally!
But seriously, to be fair, from way up there in the billions, suckers making a mere quarter mil probably do look like the hoi polloi.
on edit:
Attention all would-be defenders: Save your electrons. I cry nolo contendere. As a matter of legalities among nations, alliances do not end with changes of government. When the president has to be factually corrected, as seen here, it may not be a gaffe, but it is something other than the truth. And that was my little joke about Mittens having to rush out and up the ante on who can say the most wrong things. Repeat, "little joke."
I love you all, my little Francises, but let's lighten up, okay?
justiceischeap
(14,040 posts)The Egyptian president called for MORE riots, it would make sense to me that after doing that, the US would have to question whether Egypt is an ally or not.
Bucky
(54,065 posts)Follow the link if you doubt. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2202959/State-Department-corrects-Obama-Mr-President-Egypt-IS-American-ally.html
But at the State Department briefing, spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, who was clearly squirming, was forced to declare that Obama was wrong.
Initially, she tried to hew to the White House talking points, saying: 'Well, obviously for parsing of the Presidents comments, Im going to send you to the White House.
'But as a matter of fact and practice, the word ally generally is used with a treaty ally, which is a different matter than the fact that we have a very close and longstanding partnership with the government of Egypt, and we are working together to support their democratic transition.'
They're not a particularly good ally at this moment, but alliances don't come and go during tiffs.
Incitatus
(5,317 posts)to not take our support for granted
aquart
(69,014 posts)Egypt got off its butt almost immediately. The lag was how long it took to sink in.
rock
(13,218 posts)is that he was making a distinction between "called" and "being." Or to put in the old cliche: with friends like that who needs enemies?
White House spokesman Tommy Vietor told The Cable Thursday that the administration is not signaling a change in that status.
"I think folks are reading way too much into this," Vietor said. "Ally' is a legal term of art. We don't have a mutual defense treaty with Egypt like we do with our NATO allies. But as the president has said, Egypt is longstanding and close partner of the United States, and we have built on that foundation by supporting Egypt's transition to democracy and working with the new government."
Vietor referred to Obama's Wednesday phone call with Mohamed Morsy, during which Obama pressed the Egyptian president to ensure the safety and protection of U.S. personnel and facilities in Egypt. Morsy agreed to do so, according to a White House statement on the phone call.
"The President said that he rejects efforts to denigrate Islam, but underscored that there is never any justification for violence against innocents and acts that endanger American personnel and facilities," the statement said. "President Morsi expressed his condolences for the tragic loss of American life in Libya and emphasized that Egypt would honor its obligation to ensure the safety of American personnel."
- more -
http://thecable.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2012/09/13/white_house_clarifies_obama_s_statement_that_egypt_is_not_an_ally
Muslim Brotherhood Offers Condolences
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/09/13/1131619/-Muslism-Brotherhood-Offers-Condolences
aquart
(69,014 posts)You really have no idea how earthshaking Obama's comment was, do you? Should have been watching Rachel. She got it in one.
DURHAM D
(32,611 posts)Bucky
(54,065 posts)But at the State Department briefing, spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, who was clearly squirming, was forced to declare that Obama was wrong.
Initially, she tried to hew to the White House talking points, saying: 'Well, obviously for parsing of the Presidents comments, Im going to send you to the White House.
'But as a matter of fact and practice, the word ally generally is used with a treaty ally, which is a different matter than the fact that we have a very close and longstanding partnership with the government of Egypt, and we are working together to support their democratic transition.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2202959/State-Department-corrects-Obama-Mr-President-Egypt-IS-American-ally.html
aquart
(69,014 posts)We can take our money and go home anytime we want. She wasn't contradicting Obama. We've been there for them SO FAR. Ball's in their court.
rock
(13,218 posts)Could be sarcasm/irony.
Note: not the same if Mitt said it. He doesn't understand the distinction in lying, being truthful, sarcasm, and irony. He just says words he thinks sound real good.
julian09
(1,435 posts)aquart
(69,014 posts)It shook the hell out of the Egyptian leadership.
At that level of power, you don't have to raise your voice or be impolite to terrify.
Bucky
(54,065 posts)I prefer facts, but to each his own.
He told them to defend our embassy or get stuffed. You didn't hear that?
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)avebury
(10,952 posts)EC
(12,287 posts)he was telling Egypt to get their shit together if they wanted aid.
malaise
(269,157 posts)seabeyond
(110,159 posts)a new govt..... i think they need time to prove they are an ally and to say anything else is irrespnsible
aquart
(69,014 posts)Rachel went wide-eyed when she heard it.
Very polite, offhand threat, but a threat nonetheless.
seabeyond
(110,159 posts)avebury
(10,952 posts)BanTheGOP
(1,068 posts)Yes, I'm talking about the republican Party. He should be putting out the truth with regard to world istability, and how it's all caused by the American republican's Party lust for power, control, and wealth, at the expense of the vast majority of the world's poor. This should be his ONE MAIN TALKING POINT. If he puts the blame where it belongs, then it will be easier for others to see who is truly to blame, and the problems will be solved faster.
WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)GusFring
(756 posts)Anyway, she should be fired
DURHAM D
(32,611 posts)GusFring
(756 posts)I think you're a Palin voter. You probably will write her name in.
Bucky
(54,065 posts)Ha ha. You really stepped in it. Don't expend effort conversing with those who don't want a conversation.
JI7
(89,264 posts)of foreign policy. it's not all one or the other, black/white .
he said not an ally, but not an enemy either.
brush
(53,843 posts)I saw the president's answer about whether Egypt was an ally and he, in my opinion, answered quite correctly that Egypt has a new government and we were waiting to see whether they were or were not an ally. It would have been foolish of him to say they were an ally and then watch the new government come out with a staunch anti-American stance. I would say it was also a subtle but not so subtle message to the new Egyptian government that if you want to continue getting the billions in aid and protect from us you better protect out people and embassy from radical thugs, In other words, act like an ally.