Some Questions for the
President
Last week, on September 11, two
American embassies in the Middle East were attacked, an ambassador and three
other Americans were killed, and in the week since, the violence has spread
throughout the region. All the while,
back here at home, we have been the victims of some of the worst media
malpractice one could imagine.
On the evening of September 11, I
switched from Fox News to MSNBC for a few minutes to get a different
perspective. All I got was five minutes
of one anchorman (who will go unnamed) pontificating and wagging a
condescending finger at Mitt Romney for his statement in response to the
crisis. Not a word about the crisis
itself or the current administration, which is actually charged with dealing
with it. It seems the “mainstream media”
(i.e. the media wing of the Obama reelection campaign) was in full spin mode.
To be fair, I have not been able to stomach any more of that nonsense, but I suspect someone
out there is doing a more responsible job of reporting. Though the continuing cries of media foul
play make me suspect it’s not what it ought to be.
Therefore, if so many in the media
refuse to do their job, I have a few questions I would suggest for President
Obama:
1) Mr. President, your Middle East
policy has been called conciliatory and even appeasement by some of your
critics. Some have suggested that you’ve
put more pressure on Israel that any other nation in the region. Should you have taken a stronger position with
Islamic nations in the Middle East? You
seemed quite enthusiastic about the so-called Arab Spring as well. Now radical governments appear to be filling
the vacuum. Were you wrong in your
assessment of what was happening in the Middle East?
2) Is it true that Marines were at the
embassies but did not have live ammunition?
If so, who made that decision and what was the justification, especially
on September 11?
3) Reports are that Israeli Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu desired to meet with you during this crisis but
your schedule wouldn’t permit. Is this
true, and if so, how did you possibly find time for David Letterman instead?
4) Do you have a plan or desire for
stopping Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weaponry? Netanyahu believes they are six months
away. Does our intelligence agree with
that and if so, what is your plan to stop it?
5) Why is Sudan refusing to allow our
Marines to protect our own embassy? What
is your plan to ensure that our people are protected, and will you possibly even defy the
Sudanese government on this matter?
6) When you relayed the message to Russia that you would be more "flexible" after the election, what EXACTLY did you mean?
6) When you relayed the message to Russia that you would be more "flexible" after the election, what EXACTLY did you mean?
To be fair, Mr. Obama may have legitimate answers to these
questions. And I do not pretend to know
what the answers are. Rash judgment is
not a virtue. Of course, neither is
naivete, especially as we are trying to elect a President. My purpose is not to accuse the President,
but to seek answers to these questions.
We can not count on the press, his most loyal constituency, to ask tough
questions until we demand that they do.
Prayer for Peace from Blessed John
XXIII
Lord Jesus Christ, who are called the Prince of Peace, who
are yourself our peace and reconciliation, who so often said, "Peace to
you," grant us peace. Make all men and women witnesses of truth, justice,
and brotherly love. Banish from their hearts whatever might endanger peace.
Enlighten our rulers that they may guarantee and defend the great gift of
peace. May all peoples of the earth becomes as brothers and sisters. May
longed-for peace blossom forth and reign always over us all.
