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Subscribe to RSSCONCORD, N.C. -- Michele Bachmann condemned the Arab Spring and blamed President Obama for allowing it to happen by "showing weakness" and by compromising the United States' relationship with Israel.
Why do you think there was an Arab Spring, she asked at a GOP fund-raiser at a local barbecue restaurant here. She went on to tie the uprisings to what she described as signals from the White House that America was abandoning Israel.
And in a new historical analogy, Bachmann drew a comparison between the fall of the Shah of Iran -- who Bachmann says Jimmy Carter "turned his back" on -- and President Obama's present-day relationship with Israel.
Bachmann also linked the rise of "Radical Jihad" to the fall of the Shah and the 1979 Iranian revolution.
Minnesota Congresswoman and GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann said the Arab Spring is linked to President Obama "demonstrating weakness" with the American-Israeli relationship.
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Does the MN wild eyed ding bat even know the definition of Arab Spring?
With her past record of historic events (you know how the 'shot heard round the world was fired from NH) - this idiot would be best served keeping her trap shut!
ALL OBAMA'S FAULT 24/7 is growing tiresome & ineffective!
Tell us WHY we should VOTE for YOU Michelle other then we'll get to keep 100% of OUR money! lmao!
Kind of like the 2008 version:
ALL BUSH'S FAULT 24/7.
Arab Spring is going about as bad as expected.
Egypt is going down - huge famine coming.
Turkey is trying to start a war with Israel.
It's bad, but there really is little Obama or any western nation can do. The middle east is a crap hole. It always has been and always will be.
Julia Roberts has High Paid Make up Artists that do alot to make her look halfway Decent. There are others that claim to look a little like Ms Roberts that make up just wont help..............
just saying. YAWN.. Popcorn anyone.
Arab Spring. Recovery Summer.
Two more accomplishments to add to Obama's list of.
Fund raising at a barbeque 'restaurant'?
....well, no Pork anywhere around, unless its pulled pork! lol
Spanky your on target with this one. You can not walk into a tribal society that has been around for thousand of years and snap your fingers to change their ways. It would be best to stand back and watch and try to contain any spillage to other nations in the area.
steveiam,
Sorry to hear that your make up just ain't cutting it. Try Cover Girl...
WCA - what you talkin' 'bout - it's still all Bush's fault.
Guess that's why Mayor Ed Koch just gave a rousing endorsement to President Obama...
Who the hell does she have as advisors?
Salamanders?
And I blame Michele Bachmann's low approval ratings on Michele Bachmann.
Which began the minute she started opening her mouth.
Her and her groupies are really "out there". As is her husband.
What did it have to do with Israel? Did anyone ask her to elaborate on that point?
Spanky, WCA were to you think we would be today if we had not gone to war with Iraq over a lie,
Uh oh Feisty, You posted first again the RWNJs are joining to go into a poutrage... again!
Not the economic turmoil we are in currently. But hey the GOTP they will never admit to any culpability.
Pat---sorry about your Red Sox. At least we can all root against the Yankees!
Bachmann---another "Emperor's New Clothes" candidate.
Former New York Mayor Ed Koch: Obama is willing to 'throw Israel under a bus to please Muslims'
That was the headline a few weeks back.....
I guess consistency and honesty is problematic for most democrats. Nothing new there.
"It's bad, but there really is little Obama or any western nation can do. The middle east is a crap hole. It always has been and always will be."
Don't anyone spread this around, but I think the good 'counselor' and I might agree on something, here.
Tis the Season
"Spanky, WCA were to you think we would be today if we had not gone to war with Iraq over a lie,"
And here's what none of 'em get, Tis: Even if Romney, or Perry, or 'unkown-at-this-time' gets the win next time, we are STILL going to be blaming Bush. Probably even after THEIR first term. I mean, if the shoe fits......
Steeler - I welcome and appreciate your rooting against the Yankees!
Go Tigers! Verlander on the mound tomorrow night.
Good time to be a sports fan in Detroit:
Tigers in the Playoffs.
Lions 3-0
Red Wings just around the corner.
What Michele Bachmann says is important why? LMAO, Get real, she is running for a job at Fox News and nothing else! Foreign policy to her is a science book!
This has all gotta be too much for our thin-skinned president! He must be really be worried that he's on longer the 'annoited one' lol! Michelle better clue him in with a reality check before he really loses it!
Fiesty may not be able to ever critically think on her own and be objective but I hate to say it she is right on this one. Bachmann is nuts on this issue and I would hesitate to put blame on any American president for the actions within a foreign country but if there was a finger to point it wouldnt be on Obama. He certainly has done nothing to stop it but should he? My guess is that Bush had more impact on the Arab Spring with his stated goals of middle east democracies and US intervention in Iraq than Obama did. I am not sure I even understand why popular uprisings within other countries are ever our business regardless of the stated goals of the insurrections unless they are to harm US interests. For example, if its intended goal is to create a fundamentalist islamic state to wipe Israel or US off the map someday. Otherwise, let the Egyptian people determine their own fate.
Arab Spring is the work of President Obama?
If so, maybe we should be applauding a briliant statesman instead of attacking him. Unfortunately, I don't believe that U.S. policies had much to do with events at all - nor would any other reasonably well-informed person. Michelle Bachmann is playing an intercontinental game of "Twister" (or "Twisted Logic") to connect all the dots with this, and her complaint about the Administration's policies toward Israel are equally unfounded.
Essentially, the Arab Spring was born in Tunisia with successful and relatively bloodless uprisings there. It has been all along a spontaneous popular series of events responding to decades of autocratic rule and excessive disparity of wealth between a small upper class and a vast, increasingly-poor lower class in every nation. In fact, if anything the events of the Arab Spring serve as a warning that continued economic injustice - particularly if increased by Tea Party policies - and persistent lack of opportunity for younger Americans may also provoke unrest across our own nation.
I was in close communication with a young professional Cairene as the uprising started in Egypt. The U.S. had nothing whatsoever to do with that.
Our support for U.N. intervention in Libya has substantial underpinning rlatled to our alliances with Britain, France and italy, who have far more significant historical ties to the nation.
The uprisings in Syria are a dramatic and bold commitment of the nation's people to seek freedom from the proto-fascist yoke of the absolutist government and the Ba'ath Party. Again, where is the role of President Obama in that? Nowhere - although some have urged the U.S. to help halt the terrible response of the regime that is killing its people by the thousands.
The entire equation of the Middle East and North Africa is complex and fraught with risks for the United States. Any intervention or overt action brings consequences, and potentially many of those would be extremely harmful for American intersts. The President has followed a thoughtful and cautious course, while the uninformed, utterly stupid statements of such as Bachmann show those proponents are simply unqualified for public office.
John A, I agree with the substance of your post but calling Obama a brilliant statesman is the epitome of hyperbole. You obviously havent traveled overseas because thats not how foreigners view Obama and certainly not too many people in the US do either. He made a great choice with Hillary as Secretary of State but his actual inability to make tough quick decisions and the constant need to be liked overseas has hurt his foreign credibility. Europeans generally like him and certainly much more than Bush but they also see him as a patsy. They think Putin and the Russians have constantly taken advantage of him. They also see him as likeable with no real spine. He certainly has handled Israel and the issues there with an incredible lack of understanding and the Asians primarily see him as a nonentity. Because he really doesnt stand up to anyone, the Asians basically do what they want and find him easier than Bush but they did what they wanted with Bush too just less overtly. Do you really think Obama has done anything to stop North Korea? I dont travel to South America so have no clue how they feel. Your clear lack of knowledge and objectivity shows through your hyperbolic comments.
Just when ya think Michele Bachmann couldn't say anything crazier... First off, how is it that movements for freedom and democracy are a bad thing? Wow!
She obviously has no clue about Iran's history and how the US thwarted their earlier desire for democracy (and control of their oil) by putting a despot, the Shah of Iran, in power. She has no clue about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and US role or current positions of the president on that matter either. I hope she runs as a third-party candidate, as she has zero chance of winning and would split the vote--probably from Romney.
John A. does an excellent job of explaining the foundation of the Arab Spring above. I would add that technology is a variable as well. The third-world is now painfully aware of their situation vis-a-vis the rest of the world thanks to smart phones with cameras and other technology. The TV series "Dallas" had an impact in Latin America for those who may recall. And such things cannot be put back in the bottle.
Yeah Kirk, that's why you get answers like "improved sharply", "positive image" and "right choice" when foreigners are asked about America under Obamas leadership and why he is more popular abroad than here at home. Just what countries have you been visiting? Arab maybe, cause his popularity is down in the Arab world which may just be a good sign.
Pat, Boston
Bummer about the Sox.
I don't mean to correct you; but I don't think Marcus is 'out' here. Yet.
King of my hill, those statements and answers are not at all inconsistent with what I said are they? I have been to Asia extensively and in Europe, its generally London, Spain, Germany and Switzerland. Yes I have been to Dubai but thats it. Because Bush was considered a cowboy in Europe and generally disliked, there is no doubt that Europeans like Obama much better. Not sure I said any different did I? Being popular and being a brilliant statesman are two mutually exclusive descriptions dont you think? Europeans are in general very distrustful of Putin and Russia's current move back to quasi dictatorship and they really dont think Obama has stood up to Putin. They also dont think he really has stood up at all but is more interested in being liked. Not sure they are wrong. Do you think he has handled Israel well? Do you think he has been a strong statesmen in Asia on economic policy? on North Korea?
By the way being better on foreign policy than Bush is not a very high bar to exceed and doesnt rise to the level of brilliant.
Arab Spring is the result of the neo-conservative interventionist agenda.
The only thing worse than Obama agenda is the neo-conservative agenda. They did cause the mess, and we're still paying for it.
And ole Hope and Change only extended their policies.
[Bachmann condemns Arab Spring, blames it on Obama]
Yeah, because spreading democracy is such a "socialist" thing to do.
But you really have to give credit to Hillary Clinton as well for these epic changes in the Middle East. She will go down in American history as one of the greatest Secretaries of State to ever grace the title. With all that's happening, Israel is slowly losing it's title of the regions bully. Time for Israel to @!$%# or get off the pot, as the saying goes.
[Turkey is trying to start a war with Israel.]
Spanks, you've become quite the fatalist now, huh "counselor"? In a word...bull@!$%#...no one is trying to start a war with anyone...Israel is now going to experience a little "prodding" by her neighbors to let her know that the crap isn't going to be tolerated much longer. The time for negotiating is over...actions speak louder than words.
...and it's long overdue if you ask me.
The jury is still out on the Arab Spring, so I will neither celebrate nor condemn it. If secular democracies end up in place of thug dictators, that will be a wonderful thing, and good for the cause of world peace. If Muslim theocracies end up replacing relatively benign thugs like Mubarak, it will end up setting back any chance of permanent Middle East peace, which is already on shaky enough ground, thanks to the childish antics of the Palestinians and Israelis (and unlike Bachmann, I support a Palestinian state, but I do believe the Palestinians have to recognize Israel's right to exist before they can be given formal UN recognition) as well as the bad actions of the bad actor Ahmadingleberry in Iran who has probably been involved on both sides of some of the uprisings .
I think self determination is probably a good thing, but if the determination is for an Iranian or worse, Taliban style, theocracy to rule a state, everyone will lose.
Ms Bachman thinks the Arab Spring is yet another hand soap and aye she hates it too.
...it's a manly smell and she likes it to.
Ray, that's some funny there. Thanks!
Bachmann who is she again, sister to Palin, no sister to eye of newt.
When will Bachmann's DISTRICT wise up and boot her--ignorant, grasping, lying--ass?
Good point. I wonder this about Bachmann, David Vitter, a whole crap load of Republicans -- Joe Walsh is losing his district and we'll see what becomes of him. Especially when they are not from red states. Were they really able to get every Teabagger in the state into one district?
Our resident Middle East expert "The Spankster" has spoken: "Famine in Egypt and a Turkish Israeli War". Riddle me this Spankster: Why has the Egypt just AFFIRMED their 30 year Treaty with Israel? And how do you know that there will be famine? What direct evidence can you cite that the Turkey will go to war with Israel given the fact that they are begging to get into the EU? And lastly why did your boy John Mccain so vociferously support and then later condemn the Presidents' Libya policy as not going far enough?
Methinks you are suffering from a bad case of schizophrenia or haven't taken you meds today.
What on earth would a famine have to do with political changes, good or bad?
I don't know but apparently the Spankster has his guns and bible at the ready and can make such predictions.
[Methinks you are suffering from a bad case of schizophrenia or haven't taken you meds today]
You forgot the Turd Blossom has become...inconsequential...
in·con·se·quen·tial
[in-kon-si-kwen-shuhl] adjective
1. of little or no importance; insignificant; trivial.
2. inconsequent; illogical.
3. irrelevant.
It's part of his and joanna agent smith's "don't give the president ANYTHING!" campaign. Even if it means absolute BS'ing to deny or accuse. It's been completely hysterical to watch over the months.
Oh, for God's sake!
When does this Michelle Bachmann person find time to post on First Read under the psuedonym of 'JoAnnaSmith'???
One of your best, drive-by!
Shhh......Steeler, no compliments!
Ooops, too late. NOW I'm gona have to reveal to all the busy-bodies how many Volts I have stashed in the ol' Jay Leno sized 'auto-stasher' buidling.
DBO,
Classic! I will be laughing about this one constantly! Does explain why she's always late for her rallies. Divas are bitchy that-a-way.
My cousin was an Israeli tank commander during the Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon in 80's. He is a member of the labor Party.
Please note that the Labor Party is opposed to new settlement activity. FR will not allow me to post the link to their platform but you can google it.
Another riddle for our resident experts Spankster and Rob in MA: Why do you continue to mis characterize Israeli politics vis a vis American foreign Policy?
The Israeli state is not a monolith.
Dear Congresswoman Bachmann,
Please feel free to pick up a history book!
Sincerely, Da Noid
Da Noid
"Dear Congresswoman Bachmann,
Please feel free to pick up a history book!"
Sincerely, Da Noid
.....and READ the damned thing!
I recommend Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States! That would really get her knickers in a knot!
"We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo by Walt Kelly
I didn't think my instructions had to be so specific, but, you're right, I should remember my audience.
I appllaud the Arab Spring and thank Obama for it- I do think he is responsible, but in a good way. As far as Israeli support, amongst Jews in Israel, the poll on if he supports Israel is yes, by a 74% to 26% percent margin. Yes, just ont the national news this week, and thats the people actually living in Israel (search it yourself, don't contradict me without checking).
Michelle Bachmann is just trying to appeal to her base....all 12 of them.
Arab spring really here is a geography lesion. Tunisia, Libya and Egypt all have a few things in common. Drum role please! They all are a part of Africa and they are not Arab nor are they a part of the Arabian peninsula. The event started in Tunisia and spread east wards not started in the east and went westwards. Now what had Obama to do with any of this, answer not one damn thing. Africa is nor has it ever been homogeneous in color. Every Muslim in not an Arab if fact Arabs make up a minority of Muslim in the world.
Wow, the Arab Spring is a bad thing? Wasn't it a good thing in Iraq? I guess only when it serves our purposes. Finally regular people are taking to the streets in those countries and tired of the oppression. Good for them. How is that when predominantly caucasian countries (like Russia) have a "spring" it's called a liberation? Russia and its territories collapsed under the weight of their own repressive regimes. What should the president have done with Libya or Syria? Continue to support dictators? According to Bachmann, yes - as long as it's in our best interest, screw the people of those countries.
You give Bachmann too much credit. She is too ignorant to support a dictator because that dictator supports the US. Bachmann is just trying to get back in the news by bashing the president, and of all things trying to act like she has foreign policy gravitas. The sad thing is there are far too many Teapublicans who are just as ignorant who will embrace her crazy talk.
Real people also took to Wall Street the last few weeks.
Until the police came and arrested them. You should check out some of the youtube footage, it was as peacable an assembly as they get.
And they got slammed to the ground and violently arrested.
Pretty awesome how that 'land of the free' well is drying up pretty quick under ole Hope and Change.
Patriot act? Check
Violently breaking up peacable assemblies? Check
Keeping our torture island open? Check.
Waging 3 wars? Check
Creating a polit bureau for 'fixing' things? Check.
Suspension of Habeus Corpus for suspected terrorists? Check!
Obama is the best Republican President EVER!!!
Hillary 2012.
The right to re-dress wrongs is a constitutional right for all!
Save this video for yourkit bag if Micelle goes beyond the first round. Here is a woman who prefers dictators to democrats and Tryanny to democracy. She may talk a great game in oIwa and New Hampshire where citzens can meet a question their leaders-but she's agisntthatintherest of the world-and says so.
Can't you just see that ad: of the Libyan prisons and torture instruments with Michelle's voicover codneming the arab spring? What woud you support-totrue or freedom...? And Mihcelle's against freedom
It's fortunate that even the right wing disregards most of what this woman says. I am amazed that she continues to spout off and make ridiculous statements like this. Israelis are applauding Obama's forceful, adamant speech at the UN against a Palestine quest for statehood. Even when they were polled about Obama's stand on Israel back in 2009 they were only negative because he was trying to get both sides to agree on peace and Israelis believed he was too hard on Israel. I say, all Tea Party candidates should just be quiet and stand down regarding anything to do with foreign policy. They have no desire to participate in the world so they should just stick to what they care about most. Tax cuts for the wealthy. That's the only thing a Tea Partier is informed about. Michelle. You're making yourself look stupider and stupider.
Huh? Michelle thinks that people risking their lives to overthrow dictators in quest of democratic rule is a bad thing? Isn't that kind of like what we did in 1776?
Michelle better refresh herself on the talking points: it wasn't that long ago that other Republicans on Fox were crediting Bush and the Iraq thing for the Arab Spring.
And she really thinks that propping up our puppet the Shah was a sustainable strategy?
Is she had any friends at all, they'd be telling her to quit opening her yap to reveal what a world-class idiot she is.
Great points, she is just plain clueless. Not surprising she got the wrong Madison when she was talking about the Declaration of Independence...
Arab Spring: The product of Face Book, Twitter and the inter net. Can't see how President Obama could control that.
Gee -- I thought Bachmann was all about freedom and democracy? so in reality -- she's just another in the long line of republican hypocrites.
Besides--she's a dominionist! She thinks we should "return" to our "christian roots" and make our country a theocracy. And guess whose version of "christianity" would be the orthodox...why the most fringey of the evangelicals of course. All others need not apply. How will they determine who is among the orthodox? BRING ON THE INQUISITION AND THE WITCH HUNTS! If you are mainstream christian, catholic, etc--you are the spawn of satan, as are any others who don't fit into their version of religion. If you think we are miserable now--just wait--it can get much worse! No freedom or democracy for you!
"We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo by Walt Kelly
Hey Michelle -- it's over for you. You may keep your seat in the House but that's about all. Your presidential hopes (actually -- they never existed at all ) have disappeared like a fart in the wind.
This woman has lost touch with reality. Don't the Arab people deserve freedom and democracy. Don't the Arab people deserve a leader to represent them all. She better put in her papers to get her seat back in congress, because she will not be the GOP nominee. And by the way, the Jewish people are not fooled by the christians and their crazy talk about this being a christian nation. You fool only yourselves.
When, in the last 30 years, has reality had anything to do with a Republican ?
How can she condemn the Arab Spring?! Does she even know what it is?!
Civilian revolutions against oppressive regimes and joining the free democratic nations is a bad thing?!?!?!?!
OMG I'm just speechless....
Did anyone tell Bachmann she was toast and she had already crashed and burned? She keeps trying to gain in evangelical forums votes to keep her viable but, a FOX News poll show's Mitt Romney's 23% to Rick Perry's 19% and Cain with 17% leaves 41%, of which 3% is Bachmann's, down from 8%. Huntsmann is at 4%, leaving 34%! Could the remaining 34% be for Obama over this cookie cutter, out-of-the same cloth set, since there is discord over GOP selection? Someone please get the memo!
The modern Jihad against the West began with the the defeat of the Ottoman Empire by the Allies in WWI, the partitioning of the Empire among the Allies and the end of the Caliphate.
bat@!$%# craaaaaaazy!
There is a obvious problem Ms. Bachmann continues to claiming that the debt crisis was a goodthing. Problem we got down graded and people lost money. People who lost money in that fiascal are not happy with the made up crisis nor with her continuing supporting it. Her number have continued to drop along with her constant lack of fact checking.
Bachmann is another idiot of the tea party and a damn fine example of what we can expect from these over the top morons.