To explore whether the statement represented an apology, we sent it to the four experts we interviewed for our previous fact-check on Romney's claim about Obama's apology tour. Here are the comments of the three who responded:
•John Murphy, a communications professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who studies presidential rhetoric and political language, said Romney was wrong to label it an apology.
"First, the statement does not use the word ‘apology’ or ‘apologize’ and does not use any synonym for that word. There is no statement here that says, ‘We are sorry.’
"Second, the grammar of the statement condemns the actions of a third party. An apology, to be pedantic, is when the first party says to the second party, ‘I have offended you and I am sorry.’ This statement condemns a third party -- misguided individuals -- that does not officially represent the United States. The term ‘individuals’ dissociates them from the U.S. Therefore, it's impossible to say that this is an apology from the U.S. to anyone.
"Third, the statement does not apologize for the right of free speech; it affirms it. It condemns those who abuse the right of free speech, but it claims that this is a universal right, as is religious toleration. So, the statement does not like what the misguided individuals said and did, but recognizes they have a right to do it."
"It's a condemnation," Murphy said, "not an apology."
• Lauren Bloom, an attorney and business consultant who wrote The Art of the Apology, said that Romney is "once again allowing his emotional allergy to apology to interfere with his judgment."
Bloom said that "if there's anything more central to American values than respecting each individual's right to worship as he or she pleases, I'd be hard-pressed to say what it might be. The statement that ‘respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy’ not only is true, but is as clear an expression of one of our most cherished values as I can imagine."
She said the embassy statement is "not an apology -- quite the contrary, it's a confirmation that the American people recognize the right to worship freely and will not accept religious bullying in the name of free speech. To say that someone who deliberately insults others in the name of religion has acted wrongly isn't an apology -- it's simply a recognition that those insults go too far."
• Rhoda E. Howard-Hassmann, a professor who studies international human rights and maintains the website Political Apologies and Reparations, a database of documents on apologies, said the statement is "not an apology."
Rather, she said, "it is a condemnation of ‘abuse’ of the universal value of free speech. A condemnation is not an apology. … The Embassy statement also reaffirms two American values: the American value of respect for religious beliefs and the American value of democracy.". . . "
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. . . of gray? Not in Mitt Romney's (and his current defenders') world. . .
After seeing the photo of Libyans holding a sign stating that "Chris Stevens was a friend to all Libyans", I decided to change tack a bit.
If you want to have a tough-talking, take-no prisoners, shoot-from-the-hip, show-no-mercy-type of president, vote for Mitt Romney.
If you prefer a rational, sympathetic, empathetic, thorough, fact-loving, humanitarian, logical, intelligent and reasonable president, DON'T.
====================================================================
(from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/11/mitt-romney-consulate-attack_n_1875906.html)
The Romney campaign's statement seemed to be an attempt to capitalize
on the appearance that the Obama administration -- which has overseen
the Arab Spring, and the rise of Islamist governments in both Egypt and
Libya -- was capitulating to the sensitivities of an unruly Muslim
crowd, rather than backing the right of an American citizen to release a
disrespectful film.
But
the statement criticized by the Romney campaign came early in the day,
before the attacks on the two embassies, and was put out not by the
White House, but by the Cairo embassy itself.
The White House later disavowed the statement as not approved by Washington, according to a senior administration official speaking to Politico.
Obama campaign spokesman Ben LaBolt also commented on the statement
from the Romney campaign. “We are shocked that, at a time when the
United States of America is confronting the tragic death of one of our
diplomatic officers in Libya, Governor Romney would choose to launch a
political attack,” LaBolt said in a statement.
(from http://www.mediaite.com/uncategorized/cnn-sort-of-calls-out-mitt-romney-and-newt-gingrich-for-lying-and-politicizing-libya-tragedy/)
CNN’s Brooke Baldwin and John Berman did an excellent job of keeping
the facts straight as they interviewed former Speaker Gingrich on the
subject, no mean feat given Gingrich’s comical contempt for facts. Early
in the interview, Gingrich opined that the protests in Libya and Egypt
were the result of “collusion and a fair amount of planning,” which may
or may not turn out to be true, but which there is no evidence of. When
Berman asked the Speaker “Do you have any proof that there is a
connection right now?” Gingrich prefaced his response with a long,
derisive laugh that tells you everything you need to know about the
former Speaker and Romney surrogate’s regard for facts.
“Look, I don’t have access to the NSA listening devices,” Gingrich responded.
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(from factcheck.org)
". . . Paul Ryan’s acceptance speech at the Republican convention contained
several false claims and misleading statements. Delegates cheered as
the vice presidential nominee:
Accused President Obama’s health care law of funneling money away
from Medicare “at the expense of the elderly.” In fact, Medicare’s chief
actuary says the law “substantially improves” the system’s finances,
and Ryan himself has embraced the same savings.
Accused Obama of doing “exactly nothing” about recommendations of a
bipartisan deficit commission — which Ryan himself helped scuttle.
Claimed the American people were “cut out” of stimulus spending.
Actually, more than a quarter of all stimulus dollars went for tax
relief for workers.
Faulted Obama for failing to deliver a 2008 campaign promise to keep
a Wisconsin plant open. It closed less than a month before Obama took
office.
Blamed Obama for the loss of a AAA credit rating for the U.S.
Actually, Standard & Poor’s blamed the downgrade on the
uncompromising stands of both Republicans and Democrats. . . "
Of course the other side takes advantage of the 'spin' quite frequently as well. When will it end?
Romney's misrepresenting Obama's welfare plan. The need for fact-checkers. Serious and terminal illness, helplessness and grief. Willful ignorance. Political polarization. The approaching end of summer. Droning, monotone, musically elementary folk singers who are hugely popular. Office politics. Lack of leadership. Bad poetry. Higher prices. Senseless killing. Theistic religions with archaic tenets. Endless, mindless drivel from the media about stupid people who have money but no sense.
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(from http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-08-13/ryan-farther-reaching-than-romney-on-taxes-without-detail)
". . . Yet Ryan, 42, goes further than Romney, who would cut
individual tax rates by 20 percent, drop the corporate tax rate
to 25 percent and eliminate the estate tax and alternative
minimum tax. In his 2010 “Roadmap for America’s Future,” Ryan
proposed eliminating taxes on corporate income, estates,
dividends, interest and capital gains. He would simplify the
individual income tax system into a two-rate structure topping
out at 25 percent and impose what is effectively an 8.5 percent
value-added tax.
“You could not do that without substantially shifting the
tax burden to the middle class and below” and reducing tax
burdens on affluent households, said Edward Kleinbard, a tax law
professor at the University of Southern California. “Those are
just inescapable facts.”. . . "
(excerpted, paraphrased & abbreviated from http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/08/13/681111/paul-ryan-has-acted-on-every-anti-gay-belief-mitt-romney-has/?mobile=nc)
'. . .In fact, Ryan has a voting record to reflect every anti-LGBT position that Romney has taken. Here’s a recap:
Banning state-level same-sex marriage Supporting a federal constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage Defending discrimination against same-sex couples (Defense of Marriage Act) Ryan voted to limit funding to the Justice Department that might be used to oppose DOMA by the Obama administration Opposing federal non-discrimination protections-voted to kill the Employment Non-Discrimination Act in 2007-then, ultimately voted for it. Opposing repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Opposing hate crimes protection. . . '
[For those of the 'right' persuasion who profess to be "Christian", beat these quotes out of your bible. ]
John 13:34-35 ESV A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 Timothy 5:8 ESV But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 John 3:17-18 ESV But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
Philippians 2:4 ESV Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Matthew 25:40 ESV And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Galatians 6:9-10 ESV And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Matthew 25:31-46 ESV “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ...
James 1:27 ESV Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
John 3:16 ESV “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Matthew 25:40 ESV And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Galatians 6:9-10 ESV And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Matthew 25:31-46 ESV “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ...
James 1:27 ESV Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
John 3:16 ESV “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Luke 4:16-21 ESV And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. . .
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. . . of the problem in our current political process. . .
(a recent, random Tweet . . . )
". . . Obama for America: Stay Up on the Latest Presidential Dispatches
Election day is still three months away, so if you haven't picked your pony, it's almost time to put your money on either Obama or Romney. Just in time to help you decide, the incumbent has released a…"
Contrary to popular belief, and what the press tells us, there are in fact, several other available options.
(from http://2012.presidential-candidates.org/)
Declared 2012 PFP & Socialist Presidential Candidate
Political Activist Stewart Alexander
In terms of hedging your bets, the 59-year old former radio talk show host has it down pat and probably created a little bit of history for himself in the process. Alexander has declared his candidacy for the Oval Office seat with two different political parties; the Socialist Party and the Peace and Freedom Party. This will be Alexander’s first attempt for the office after a failed Vice-Presidential bid in 2008.
Declared 2012 Libertarian Presidential Candidate
Former Governor of New Mexico Gary Johnson
The former Libertarian Republican Governor does not attend church, is pro-choice, anti-big government, pro-immigration, an outspoken critic of the war on drugs and favors legalizing marijuana. He led New Mexico for eight years, during which time the state saw no tax increase, and he vetoed over 750 separate pieces of legislation to keep the government from growing. However, his views on civil liberties, foreign policy and drugs may be difficult for many conservatives to reconcile with.
Declared 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate
Katheryn Lane
The 45-year old Indiana-born mother of three believes in the need for the neutrality of a presidential candidate. However, she realizes that under the current political system, the deck is stacked against any independent running for the office, which explains her reason for registering her candidacy under the Republican banner. Lane also believes that her status as a non-career politician, coupled with her first-hand experience in the private sector, makes her uniquely suited for the job.
Declared 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate
Andy Martin
The self-professed People’s Attorney General and Internet Powerhouse is famously remembered as the source of the chain mail and online reports questioning the citizenship of President Obama and the claim that he was a Muslim. The 66-year old Martin filed his papers as a candidate for the next presidential election on Feb 8, and was quoted two weeks later saying, “Obama
plays for keeps. He plays rough, and that's the only way to beat him, and I'm the only one that is tough enough to do that."
Declared 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate
Jimmy McMillan
The former mayoral, gubernatorial and senatorial candidate for the Rent Is Too Damn High Party announced his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination on December last year. Explaining his decision not to contest the Democratic nomination, a party he was formerly registered with, karate expert McMillan was quoted as saying "the rent is too damn high." The flamboyant Vietnam veteran also gave some words of advice to President Obama, “If you don’t do your job right, I am coming at you!"
Declared 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate
Career Flight Attendant
Tom Miller
Tom Miller feels that the country is being destroyed from within chiefly through a series of failed fiscal and immigration policies; a state of affair brought forth by an entrenched political elite. Miller sees himself as a representative of the people, as envisioned by the Founding Fathers themselves, and offers a solution-based approach to tackle the multitude of issues facing the nation. Ultimately, he hopes to re-empower the American people around the concept of small government.
Declared 2012 Democratic Presidential Candidate
Current President of the United States
Barack Obama
Born to a Kenyan father and an American mother, the former constitutional law professor, lawyer, community activist and financial writer came into national prominence with a show stopping keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, befitting his reputation as a brilliant orator. In 2008, after a hard fought win against Hillary Clinton to secure the Democratic nomination, the then Senator from Illinois crushed Republican John McCain to become the first African American to claim the presidency, concluding his meteoric rise to the pinnacle of American politics.
Declared 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate
U.S. Representative from the State of Texas
Ron Paul
The former medical doctor officially announced his candidacy for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination on May 13, 2011. The 75-year old Texas Congressman will once again center his campaign on the theme of liberty, human rights and financial market reforms. With his small but vocal pockets of supporters spread all over the country, the Libertarian leaning Republican is set to be one of the most controversial characters on the campaign trail.
Declared 2012 Independent Presidential Candidate
Stephen Rollins
Stephen Rollins is an actor, writer, producer, director and business owner. The 37-year old, who once played for the New Jersey Rock n' Rollers in the RHI league, has a vision and a goal to restore our American Identity and return the country to its glorious roots. It is time to restructure our budget, tax code, education, and energy plan. It is time for someone with a bold plan and the will to fight for bold solutions. Let’s put party politics aside and do what’s right for this nation. Let’s restore our American Identity. It is time for Stephen Rollins.
Declared 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate
Former Governor of Massachusetts
Mitt Romney
John McCain's defeat to Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election signaled the reemergence of the former Massachusetts Governor as a serious contender, and clear favorite, for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. The Harvard man has been comfortably leading almost every poll since then. He was knocked off his perch for about two months by Texas Governor, Rick Perry, during the summer of 2011. However, he has since recovered and has once again returned to his seat at the top of the leader board. While his ideology and personal beliefs may be subject to debate, his knack for business is beyond question – and his across the board appeal makes him a dangerous opponent for President Obama.
Declared 2012 Republican Presidential Candidate
Matt Snyder
Matthew Bradley Snyder is a supporter of people, not parties. He believes in the passion that stirs the heart of the common man. It is not political ambition, but personal experience, that enflames that passion. A president should exude it, not emulate it. Snyder is a true representative of the people.
Declared 2012 Democratic Presidential Candidate
Pro-life Activist
Randall Terry
At a glance, it may seem a little odd for a pro-life and anti-LGBT candidate to run for the Democratic nomination. A closer look however, would tell us that an estimated 30-40% of Democrats actually shares the 52-year old Terry’s views. And for those who consider this as nothing more than a publicity stunt by an anti-abortionist radical, think again. Randall Terry is planning to spend close to $3 million for a 30-second slot in the 2012 Super Bowl.
Declared 2012 Independent Presidential Candidate
Danny Woodring
Danny Earl Woodring, a 63-year-old Vietnam vet (DAV) and recipient of the Purple Heart, has joined the race for the presidency as a write-in independent conservative. The telco consultant is running his campaign exclusively from the internet and welcomes assistance from volunteers. The father of five and grandfather of eight currently resides in Palm Bay, Florida, with wife Ina.
Vern Wuensche
Wuensche ran for President in 2008, garnering a tenth place finish in both the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries, despite spending only $36,000. In 100 days, the owner of Houston’s third oldest construction company, visited over 6,000 local businesses and churches in 242 towns in both states. He believes that businesses survive and thrive chiefly through the caliber of those who runs them and thus, these executives are perfectly qualified for a public office shorn of proven management experience
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. . . Wednesday in Virginia, (Mitt) Romney said that "if the court upholds it, if they say look it passes the Constitution, it still is bad policy and that'll mean if I'm elected we are going to repeal it and replace it."
“LOOK IT PASSES THE CONSTITUTION”????? (Is that the best you've got MITT???!!!)
(from factcheck.org)
With the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act on June 28, voters are guaranteed to continue hearing the same old false claims about the law from politicians. And President Barack Obama and presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney wasted little time in taking to the airwaves to rehash plenty we’ve fact-checked before. Obama even threw in a few new claims.
Obama reiterated his “if you like your plan, you can keep your plan” refrain, despite the fact that at least a few million workers won’t keep their employer-sponsored plans, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
The president also exaggerated the benefits of the law, such as the number of young adults who were able to join their parents’ plans, thanks to the law, and the number of individuals who will receive rebates issued by insurance companies that didn’t spend enough premium dollars on health care.
Romney repeated a number of distortions, saying that the law would “cut Medicare” by $500 billion and that it “adds trillions to our deficits.” That’s a reduction in the future growth of Medicare spending over 10 years. And CBO says the law would reduce the deficit.
Romney said the law is a “job-killer.” But CBO says the law would have a “small” impact on jobs, mainly affecting the amount of labor workers choose to supply. Those getting subsidies, for instance, might work less hours since they’re paying less for health care.
Romney claimed the law “puts the federal government between you and your doctor.” The law would set minimum benefits packages, but medical services will not be government-run, nor does the law allow for rationing of care.
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I well know the importance of a healthy economy. I know its importance to me personally, to my family and to the future of the country. But it seems to me that the (it's not THE LIBERAL, its just THE) press, not to mention numerous and sundry consultants, economists, pundits and 'forecasters' (which may very well be redundant), are exploiting the details of our current crises and consequently, stirring up some sh. . . . . . let us say anxiety.
Case in point (from MSNBC). . .
"The Labor Department reported Friday that the unemployment rate edged up to 8.2 percent, its first increase in 11 months, as American employers fretted over Europe, higher pump prices and the persistent problems in the housing market. . . " It's first increase in 11 months!!! The first ANYTHING doth not constitute a TREND. And there's the "F" word (no not that one), I mean "fretted". Who would know better about "fret" that these guys/girls who cultivate it like Jimmy Carter does peanuts.
". . . Non-farm payrolls rose by 69,000, the lowest increase in a year and well below the 150,000 jobs that economists had expected. . . " Economists EXPECTED. So what? Until they tell my why, how and everything else about why they expected that, why should I fret about what they say?
". . . "It's an awful number. Not only is it awful in its numerical terms, it comes at a very skittish time in the markets because of the European crisis," said Rick Meckler, president of Libertyview Capital Management. . . A number like this brings concern about a global slowdown. The time has probably come to for some new government action in the U.S., Europe and China," . . . " YEAH! Prolly IS, Rick. (Who the hell is THIS GUY? C'mon press. What makes Libertyview special?) Of course Rick is upset!!! And furthermore, ". . . the time has PROBABLY come to(sic) for some NEW GOVERNMENT action in the U.S. . . "???? I do believe Rick may be a Socialist. (Strange line of business for a Socialist.)
". . . The news came after a government report Thursday that showed the U.S. economy expanded at a 1.9 percent annualized rate in the first quarter, below the initial estimate of 2.2 percent and much slower than the 3.0 percent pace clocked in the fourth quarter. . . " 1.9%; 2.2%; 3%??? A fraction of a percent here and a fraction of a percent there and pretty soon we're talking 3.1%!!!!
". . . "Today's weak jobs report is devastating news for American workers and American families," Romney said in a statement shortly after the data was released. . . " Exactly what I expected Romney would say. What else is new?
". . . The Obama administration said that while the jobs data was unacceptable, Congress needed to act to help the economy. "Congress has to take some action because while we see the unemployment rate where it is, it's not acceptable," Solis told CNBC. . . " (Hilda Solis, U.S. Secretary of Labor) Well put Hilda. What does Congress do anyway?
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