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THE UNITED NATIONS -- President Barack Obama today urged Arab nations undergoing radical changes to commit to democracy and tolerance, which he said were not exclusively American or Western values but ones to which all successful nations must adhere.
He made his speech here at the United Nations General Assembly against a backdrop of spiking violence in the Middle East and a domestic election with a newfound focus on foreign policy.
On Tuesday, President Obama spoke to the United Nations general assembly in an emotional speech about the recent violence against Americans. NBC's Chuck Todd reports.
Standing in front of the Assembly's familiar green marble, the president condemned the violent reaction across several Arab nations to a video featuring the prophet Mohammed that led to the deaths of U.S. ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three others.
But he said that in order to end such bloodshed, new leaders must support the principles of freedom and self-determination, which Obama called “universal values” -- no matter how tempting the thought of clamping down on protests or funneling anger towards a foreign target.
President Obama addresses the United Nations General Assembly, spotlighting the Arab Spring's impact while calling on world leaders to resist the temptations of cracking down on dissidence and harboring extremists.
“True democracy -- real freedom -- is hard work,” he said. “Those in power have to resist the temptation to crack down on dissent. In hard economic times, countries may be tempted to rally the people around perceived enemies, at home and abroad, rather than focusing on the painstaking work of reform.”
The president, who has been criticized by Republican presidential opponent Mitt Romney for not responding to the protests against the video forcefully enough, noted that real change would not come just through putting “more guards in front of an embassy or to put out statements of regret.”
He added that leaders must respect freedom of speech, noting that while millions of Americans took offense to the anti-Muslim video, censuring such expression would be futile in today’s information age, and responding with violence was unacceptable.
“In 2012, at a time when anyone with a cell phone can spread offensive views around the world with the click of a button, the notion that we can control the flow of information is obsolete. The question, then, is how we respond. And on this we must agree: There is no speech that justifies mindless violence."
Former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who is a Romney campaign surrogate, joins The Daily Rundown's Chuck Todd to talk about foreign policy and the differing views between Obama and Romney on it.
And Obama said that just as all nations should respect Muslim traditions, the inverse must also be true.
“The future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam. Yet to be credible, those who condemn that slander must also condemn the hate we see when the image of Jesus Christ is desecrated, churches are destroyed, or the Holocaust is denied.”
He continued, quoting Gandhi: ‘Intolerance is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit,’” he said, garnering applause at the last line.
Don Emmert / AFP - Getty Images
President Barack Obama delivers his address during the 67th United Nations General Assembly meeting August 25 at the United Nations in New York.
As he prescribed broad solutions for the entire Middle East, the president also gave his vision for specific conflict-ridden countries, though he did not offer any new policies or changes to existing ones.
Obama said he was committed to stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. “The United States will do what we must to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” he said.
And he repeated his call for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to step down, one year after he stood before the same assembly to urge U.N. Security Council sanctions against the country, which members China and Russia are still blocking.
He also reaffirmed his vision for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: “The road is hard but the destination is clear -- a secure, Jewish state of Israel; and an independent, prosperous Palestine.”
While the president shied away from overtly political rhetoric, he did tout what he perceives as his accomplishments in foreign policy, an area seen as his strong suit but one which Romney has been increasingly critical.
“The war in Iraq is over, and our troops have come home. We have begun a transition in Afghanistan, and America and our allies will end our war on schedule in 2014. Al Qaeda has been weakened and Osama bin Laden is no more. Nations have come together to lock down nuclear materials, and America and Russia are reducing our arsenals.”
And the president urged listeners to put aside “political debates” and focus not on what divides the world but unites it.
“When you strip that all away, people everywhere long for the freedom to determine their destiny; the dignity that comes with work; the comfort that comes from faith; and the justice that exists when governments serve their people -- and not the other way around,” he said.
“The United States of America will always stand up for these aspirations, for our own people, and all across the world.”
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Obama is the first American President in over 2 decades not to meet with World Leaders at an UN event.
I find it amazing with the Israel/Iran situation that BO has passed up several opprotunities to meet with Netenyahu. And he has NEVER been to Israel.
It should be important for our current president to meet with them with all that is going on right now, but for political purposes Obama didn't want that because if he meets with them then Romney gets to.....he didn't want Romney to have a chance to look presidential.....
2 decades is another Fox lie.
Bush met with foreign leaders at the UN in 2004. So, that would be eight years.
Megyn Kelly reported this.
"The interview begins with O'Reilly asking about the nature of pepper spray itself, to which Kelly says "It's a derivative of actual pepper, it's a food product, essentially."
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/11/hey-megyn-kelly-how-about-you-try-some-pepper-spray.html
So in her mind- because 2004 was in the 2000-2010 decade and Obama chose not to meet with foreign leaders in the 2010-2020 decade (so far just 2 years in)...
"Obama is the first American President in over 2 decades not to meet with World Leaders at an UN event, ESSENTIALLY."
Never said "2 decades". I just said it was important for him to meet with other leaders. Is this not correct?
Intrepid .... the latest apologies came with the $70k of our taxpayer money we just spent airing tv ads in Pakistan apologizing for the video he keeps saying caused the attacks. Well, at least on the days he isn't saying it was terrorism. Hard to keep up now which days he blames the video and which he blames terrorism.
You don't remember Cairo in '09 and the Arab countries apology tour?
I agree there are appropriate times that a country should apologize for wrong doings. But trying that with the radical Islamists that want nothing more than to kill us is an exercise in "pissing into the fan".
In your example of apologizing for opressing a people is correct. Apologizing to radical islamists that want to kill us because they don't agree with our culture is naive.
I thought you Obama haters might appreciate how he's doing in today's polls:
RCP Average
9/11 - 9/24
--
--
48.6
44.6
Obama +4.0
Bloomberg
9/21 - 9/24
789 LV
3.5
49
43
Obama +6
Rasmussen Tracking
9/22 - 9/24
1500 LV
3.0
47
46
Obama +1
Gallup Tracking
9/18 - 9/24
3050 RV
2.0
48
45
Obama +3
Politico/GWU/Battleground
9/16 - 9/20
1000 LV
3.1
50
47
Obama +3
National Journal
9/15 - 9/19
1055 LV
3.0
50
43
Obama +7
Associated Press/GfK
9/13 - 9/17
807 LV
4.3
47
46
Obama +1
Hartford Courant/UConn
9/11 - 9/18
1186 LV
3.0
46
43
Obama +3
Monmouth/SurveyUSA/Braun
9/13 - 9/16
1344 LV
2.7
48
45
Obama +3
NBC News/Wall St. Jrnl
9/12 - 9/16
736 LV
3.6
50
45
Obama +5
Pew Research/PSRAI
9/12 - 9/16
2268 LV
2.4
51
43
Obama +8
just wait 'til the debates begin and you will see double digits in the president's favor.... losers! lol
The average is within the margin if error....why are you celebrating?
Presidential polls just make money for pollsters. Reagan was down double digits to Carter in October polls and smoked him. It will be close whoever wins.
Rasmussen (+1 in margin of error) has been the most accurate of the bunch. Most, if not all, of those use "registered" voters which is very inaccurate. I wouldn't bet either way at this point.
I agree!
Actually, Reagan was ahead in many polls going into the election. Polls are much more sofisticated and acurate now.
Yes. However, they are not putting independents in the polls which doesn't make them as credible.
Odumbo is a disgrace to all Americans. He does not have time to come out and talk and get laughed at by all of those world leaders at the UN meeting, But he makes the time to be made a fool of at the "VIEW" , with all of those women! All of his babbling there made absolutely no sense, just like everything else he does and says! Useless Carney and Gibbs still say that if he was white, he would have been replaced a long time ago. Just about everyone on this site says that we have to flush this big toilet in DC, and get all of those useless "t**ds out!
dandy...I disagree. Obama is not a disgrace to all Americans. In fact, at least 47% of Americans absolutely love him. Obama is not dumb or incompetent. He and his well organized, well oiled liberal machine is doing everything they have wanted to accomplish this past four years. They have more people dependent on the government than ever before, have gone through a long laundry list of American way of life and ruined every aspect they could, and have made it all but impossible for the Republicans or anyone else to fix. Look at heathcare, education, the constitution, NASA, military, foreign policies, the economy, jobs, and not to mention the most divided nation since the civil war. Obama is shrewd and contriving and has been very successful doing what he has wanted. In the eyes of the libs he is an outstanding president, and I would say should not be taken lightly or as a fool.
Hardworking Americans should not be forced to foot the bill for countries under the influence of Islamic extremists. When President Obama, as the nation’s Chief Diplomat, fails to protect our foreign service personnel and our diplomatic facilities, Congress has to step in. As Winston Churchill famously stated, if you face danger ‘promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half.’ Contrary to the image of weakness projected by the Obama White House, Congress must send a strong message: the United States will not back down and will not yield from our belief that freedom is a God-given right for all people. The United States is proud to stand with any nation willing to stand against terrorism, and this legislation will fortify each nation in their resolve to combat extremism.
When are we as a nation going to learn that we CAN NOT negotiate with these countries. Vote ALL the idiots out!
Kansas Bob....Congress has to step in
Yes, like that is going to happen. Look at all the things that have happened in this country that should have had congress step in and they haven't. We have had laws sent through congress without them reading them. We have had classified leaks. We have had Fast and Furious. We have had Obuma hand out unlawful executive orders. We have had the Administration sue Arizona of all things. Congress is a total failure, Republicans and Dems alike. What a joke.
Hey, why don't you move to a third world country. All this whining...go stay in somewhere else if America is so bad. Maybe Latin America or Southeast Asia where there is NO RIGHTS.
Who listens to an empty chair that appears on some bitch TV show instead of meeting with world heads of state? Heck, the world should be denouncing Obama for incompetence in foreign policy!
every time obama opens his trap he lies like a trooper, he truly does try to lead from behind, obama's a Muslim who has sympathy for the Arab nations and deceit for America. The lies bleed from his eye's, the hate he has for Israel steams from his head. If you look at obama with a love in your heart, you can see & feel the hatred he has for the free world. Obama is the spokesman for all that is bad.
Call it what it is and stop the bull @!$%# Obama its terrorism.
Freeloader.
“The United States will do what we must to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,” he said.
Exactly what will the United States do when? Obviously Iran is trying to build a nuclear capability and will do what ever it takes to get it done.
There is a matter of credibility. For example the President very emphatically promised that GITMO would be closed within one year of his becoming President. He said that he had the power to close it and it will be closed. It is still open.
The President said that the White House dog will be a mutt, "like me" , from a shelter yet the dog they got is a pure bread that has never set foot in a shelter. The President is suppose to be the most powerful man in the free world. If he cannot keep his word on something as trivial as the White House dog then one would think that he may not keep his word on anything else. The President is in the habit of saying things that sound good at the time but are really just bs.
He has done nothing and will do nothing when they get one this is the most weak knee'd president since Carter.
This is coming from the guy who cant figure out if Eygpt is an ally or not.
Whining freeloader.
So the Liberals chosen one to get the US out of Iraq and Afganistan is all but declaring war on Iran. At least untill this election is over.
@elliot-3020456
Calm down kid...it's going to be alright. This isn't kindergarten. You don't have to post huge big bold letters to get your nonsense read. lol
psss...don't forget your meds (I can see you foaming at the mouth)
An inspiring speech by an inspiring man.
You haters here can save the time you waste on posting, I know who and what you are, garbage. I throw out the garbage.
Yes, I would agree...he can give a good speech that sounds inspiring; but, he never follows it with action. And, not all of his speeches are inspiring....
Unemployment...it's not his fault.. it's Bush's
The Economy...not his fault...it's Bush's
Foreign policy--specifically the middle east uprising....not his fault...a movie started it.
None of these topics....which are important....are really his forte evidently.
He wasn't elected to give excuses as to why he can't fix something. A leader fixes things that are not right.
He was elected to lead...and he is not......he is still making excuses as to WHY he can't fix it. If you can't fix it, then get out of the way and let someone else lead.
The President needs cooperation from Republicans in Congress to fix the economy. They are more interested in denying the President a second term than in rebuilding our economy.
The house, with a republican majority, has passed bills that the Democrat controlled Senate won't even bring them to the floor for a vote. The Senate hasn't even proposed a budget in three years. I believe compromise usually starts with the controlling party's williness to bend. The controlling party is not willing to bend on anything. Isn't it the job of the president to try to reach middle ground? Where was the middle ground on the healthcare debate. I don't believe ANY suggestions were sought from the opposing party.
Furthermore, the President had the majority in both houses; he chose to concentrate on passing a massive entitlement program and NOT concentrate on the economy. He knew he could always use the excuse that the Republicans were putting up road-blocks. EXCUSES, EXCUSES.....I don't buy it. Reagan, Clinton and even Bush passed bills with Congress being controlled by the opposing party. Why can't Obama?
obama is a POS. No need debating that. It is obvious.
it's amazing what the obama base is willing to ignore all for the sake of their entitlements and wealth redistribution. yes, capitalism may not be a perfect system, but it brings prosperity, wealth and liberty to the greatest number of people. if you want to see what a socialist society will bring you, just vote for obama again. but be informed about it, look around the world first.
The financial crash is inevitable. Unless we cut $1 trillion a year NOW, nothing can save us. Be prepared friend. It will be ugly.
Public streets and highways are socialism. So are public schools.
Public streets, highways, also known as infrastructure, is something the government can and should address. However, this administration concentrates on social engineering projects.....
TRUTH:
Starting in 2014, my company will be required to either offer health benefits to each of its employees or suffer the consequences of paying a "penalty" (tax?) of $2,000.00 for each employee over 50 (minus 30) that is not covered. The company currently employs 70 people. It is a service based company, and like most companies of this type, profit margins are razor thin. Its' business model cannot support the approximate $350,000 in yearly expenses to provide benefits, nor can it support the $80,000 in additional yearly taxes (sorry..."penalties") if it does not. Therefore, there are only four options:
1. Close the doors and go out of business (1.4 million businesses declared bankruptcy under Obama last year alone...)
2. Lay off enough employees to bring the head count to under 50
3. Cut full-time workers' hours to under 30 per week so that they can be considered "part-time"
4. Raise prices enough to cover these "penalties" and risk becoming non-competitive due to prices being too high......revert to #1 on list.
This is not "misreading" Obamacare. Any accountant can validate that this is exactly what each and every small business is facing. Should the company lay people off and put many employees, most who have done an excellent job over the years, out of work? Should it tell them they now earn less due to a reduction in hours? Should it declare bankruptcy and close the doors?......I am certain that there are millions of small businesses facing the same reality and I am also certain that this couldn't possibly be good for our already struggling economy. ......where is the "good" in this??
If you don't have any healthcare freeloaders in your company, you won't have a problem.
Hope is gone, that is the biggest flaw in the PPACA that MUST get fixed. However, healthcare is essential to life, and the USA has the most broken and expensive healthcare system of any developed country in the entire world. Steps must be implemented to reduce US healthcare costs, such as tort reform and regulations on healthcare litigation and methods to greatly reduce the numbers of uninsured who cannot pay thus forcing their costs to be passed on to paying consumers including the insured and those on Medicare and Medicaid which, in turn, destroys these very necessary programs and bankrupts the country.
Your employees can participate in the cost of their health care insurance.
I would agree that the healthcare system is broken. However, healthcare is not a right....it is a responsibility.....it reduces Risk for the individual to have healthcare....like house insurance or car insurance...Even if it was a policy that didn't cover dr.s visits; our family has made health insurance a priority....even when we couldn't afford it....we had to forgo other things like vacation's, or cable tv....use coupon's at the grocery store.....
When our son dropped off our health insurance, he took out a policy that cost him $135 a month.
To Mr. President and the writer of this story,
First, it has never been about the silly 14 minute trailer of a non existent movie. It is just terrorism plain and simple!!!!!
I 'am not offended by this film. I have not seen it nor have any wish to see it. Gee, the same as most of those that protest there. Most there have not seen it either.
Lets see all the traditions of Islam I should respect Mr. President;
1. flying planes into buildings
2. flying planes into the ground
3. car bombs
4. underwear bombs
5. shoe bombs
6. suicide bombs
7. public hangings using a crane
8. public floggings
9. public beatings
10. raping news reporters
11. public stoning people to death
12. chopping heads off
13. Rewards for killing people they do not like
Well a bakers dozen is enough for starters. My gosh, do I see a pattern here for the religion of peace?
Of course, Islamist extremists are hate-filled, intolerant, murderers who will resort to butchering innocent people, so were the extreme, right-wing Nazi Fascists for that matter. But the fact remains, Islamist extremists use any method or tool available at the moment to recruit suicide bombers and other minions to carry out their violent aspirations. Videos like this are well known terrorist recruiting tools.
After 911, the most horrendous attack on American soil ever, Democrats in congress rallied around the Republican president to punish and stop the culprits. It was absolutely amazing how there was no criticism of the Repub president even though he did NOTHING to prevent the attacks as was his most important responsibility. There were numerous terrorist attacks INCLUDING embassy attacks between 2001 and 2009 and big bipartisan efforts and cooperation in Washington to stop it. History has proven over and over Democrats and Liberals are much more patriotic and truly concerned out their countries well-being than politics, and it is being proven again in the 2012 presidential election campaigns.
"Standing in front of the Assembly's familiar green marble, the president condemned the violent reaction across several Arab nations to a video featuring the prophet Mohammed that led to the deaths of U.S. ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens and three others."
It was NOT the movie! It was a planned terrorist attack that killed our ambassador and three others.
Since the movie went viral before the attacks isn't there a possibility that the movie had some influence on the whole thing. The movie was running repeatedly on Egyptian state TV beginning September 8.
It is still unclear if the attacks were pre-planned, or opportunistic. The investigation is still on going.
Jumping to conclusions without proof is irresponsible.
The I guess the administration and others are jumping to conclusions, because the President's press secretary said it was pre-planned, the Libyian government said it was....the President is still holding on to the "movie" theme.
I think he's talking about in Russia. He's behind Stalin, Kruschev, Bresnif and Joe $hit the Rag Man.
That is a racist comment.
Obama ignores attacks from right; continues to act Presidential...
I don't know about your hands but we all know you don't have a visible brain.
Yea ...I agree hand ... Going on the "View" and discussing his feelings with Joy and Woopie...was very Presidential especially while there was a meeting at the United Nations the same day that he "blew" off.
What part of not seeing world Leaders..while the Middle East is Burning ..and Iran having major issues with Israel was "Presidential".? How can you defend that?....
In August 2012 over 386,000 Americans gave up looking for jobs in one month....after 4 years of Barack and an 8.1% unemployment rate
Why didn't Oblumbles just denouce all @!$%#s too and cover himself and the entire democratic party including "Invisable Brain" above ?
@!$#s = a$sholes
Well, I think Madonna got it right...Obama is a Back Muslim. That explains his actions in the Middle East, his distaste for Israel and his acceptance of the Arab Brotherhood.
....So I guess one day there will be peace in the middle east, and we will no long need to baby sit and care for Israel ....