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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offensive views around the world with the click of a button, the notion that we can control the flow of information is obsolete.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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Trying to sound tough after his first response was a wimp one.
I believe that Walgreens has a special delivery of chapstick to the Whitehouse every Monday morning. I wonder if the Iranians have stopped laughing yet after watching Barry's UN speech " I mean it, I really do, I'm not kidding this time, don't make me tell you again, etc etc etc"..Americas New Foreign Policy
SCREW IT!!!! We should be an obnoxious offensive country. That's how little we think of ourselves. No more of that shining beacon on the hill stuff....we should stay in the gutter.
The light has gone out for about 1/2 of America already.....Should Obama prevail this time, the light will go out all over
GermanyAmerica. But who here is listening?Bear, I served in the Army for 10 years and I KNOW that this is the greatest country on the planet. I have been to a lot of decent and not so decent places and the USA is still the greatest. That being said, it saddens me to see a President apologize for the exercise of freedom of speech. When that is done it justifies the irrational reaction of the Muslims who planned and executed our ambassador. Being American does mean "not having to say you are sorry".
US Army '82-'92, Desert Storm Vet 1/41 Inf 2AD(fwd)
I served in the Navy and have also seen a lot of the world. Sometimes you have to find the good in very bad places. We served around the same time and saw some of the same places.
This is absolutely wrong. This is why America is seen as arrogant and part of the reason we have so many enemies around the world.
Here's the thing about free speech, I have every right to say what I want. And you have every right to react. Violence isn't acceptable and needs to be dealt with. But the reality is that we often apologize for free speech.
In fact, by criticizing the president for exercising free speech, you're condemning it yourself. So quit being ridiculous. His comments were appropriate as long as they're followed with action to kill/capture the bastards responsible for the attacks.
Truly amazing here today, reading the posts that come from the left - I now have proof that you will defend Obama at any cost at all....
You are so blinded by the man that you are missing the facts, and there is nothing at all that can change it. Acts of war get dismissed as bumps in the road, and somehow you see this as a good thing.
Total failure to properly secure embassies on the anniversary of 9/11, with or without prior warning, and somehow you are all okay with that.
Obama clings to the lie that a video started the rioting in the middle east, and you all cling to that as if it was true, and this is also somehow a good thing.....
Obama proclaims that the future should not belong to those who defame (wrong word, I know, but you get the point) the prophet of Islam, after the followers of this prophet have killed three Americans in the diplomatic corps, and somehow you think this is a good thing?
Obama tells the UN that America has gotten to be a superpower only by stealing the resources of poor countries...and adds as an afterthought the entrepreneurs...and again, somehow this is a good thing to you left leaning folks.
Add to that the immense failure that Obamas foreign policy has been - if anything, the Middle East is worse now than it was four years ago, the continuing apology tour, his inability to work with foriegn leaders, or even meet with them.
Add to that the ongoing train wreck that his domestic policy is - starting the war on women, economy still a total shamble with no improvement in sight, divisive thinking like no time in the US since the Civil War, the most hated legislation in my lifetime (Obamacare), and the total lack of regard for the constitution.
Still, you on the left continue to worship this President like he is actually the messiah.
Obama's coming was predicted in the Book of Revelations!
This country has a policy and constitution that seperates church and state.
Congrats, Prog1 -
You successfully avoided any point I raised, and responded to a non sequiter of a response.
Of course, I am used to that from the left.....
You are wasting your time talking to prog1 he isnt that bright.
USAF -
I am beginning to see that, but thanks.
I am used to that too, unfortunately.
So sayeth the "Great appeaser and apologist".
It's been working so far..... We seem to have a spineless lot of "leaders" since Eisenhower. Hubris is NOT a substitute for a spine with a brain attached to it..
You't did not learn anything from fighting two useless wars in the Middle East did you?
Prog1 -
Appeasement and apologising have worked SOOO much better, havent they?
Daddy Bush's war provoked the trade center attack. In the last 12 years this country has done every disgusting thing that we accuse our enemies of: torture, pissing on dead Taliban bodies, killing of innocent people, we have become like our enemies and it is in large part due to fighting unwinable wars for long periods of time. We fought for years to build an Iraqi nation that is now best friends with Iran. So yes the wars have been total failures in any you measure. There are better ways to do things.
You miss my point, Prog1 -
I did not say the wars were a good idea, at any time.
I am just saying that this disastrous course of apologising all over ourselves is even worse, by all measurable standards.
You also miss the point that the goal of any muslim, particularly a muslim extremist, is world domination for Islam. They are our enemies, very simply put - or did you need more than two decades of examples to proove that point?
You are also apologising for things done in a state of war, which I understand in no way at all.
I agree - there are better ways to do thing - but apologising to an implacable, resolute enemy is NOT the better way.
The relegious extreme have the same goals.
Prog1 -
Survey says.....wrong answer......
Modern christianity does not support conversion by the sword, nor does any other major religion on the planet, except Islam.
How many laws are the relegious extreme trying to get passed in this country at the present time? What do christians want to happen to people who disagree with them or will not vote the way that they want them to? Violence has many forms.
Prog1 -
Buzzer sounds.....wrong again.
The laws you are unseuccessfully trying to equate with the Islamic belief that conversion by the sword is the right thing are completely different.
Try again with reality and facts.
What does it matter how they get there their goals are the same.
We have formed the debate here a week in advance to the actual words exchanged between the two men. Do we continue to plunge this Nation deeper into national socialism-nationalization of industries i.e. banking, automotive, energy, healthcare, etc. or do we return to the Common Sense of Thomas Paine and our Founders? Can a nation of dependents, back-grabbers, and victims restore America's place in the world? Can we stand another four years of apologizing for being America? This is the most pivotal election of our lifetimes and perhaps as great as the election of 1860!
Are we a failed experiment in governance or just at a very low point in our history as a people? Will we allow the cancerous growth of Federal government to kill the body politic and the American Spirit? Will the Land of Opportunity be no longer because we no longer have the will to be self-determinate?
Stop. THink. Vote R&R this Nov. for your Country.
This joke of a president doesn't scare these maniacs and he doesn't inspire those who would rise up against them. He is worthless.
It would help if you conservatives could remember that this country from the very beginning was built by progressives and liberals. Conservatives have come very close to destroying this country two times. Once when they decided to fight for England during the Revolutionary War and once when they stated the Civil War in which conservatives fought for the states to have the right to protect the vile institution of slavery.
Prog 1 -
Perhaps if you could find an argument less than 150 years old, it might just help.....a little.....
Conservatives continue to try to turn back time. They will not pass the equal pay for equal work bill they will not pass the violence aganist women act and both of these would give much needed protection to women and just in the pat few weeks they have come up with this legitimate rape concept so they still want to stand in the way of progress.
Interesting that after bringing up the Civil War and the Revolutionary war you accuse republicans of trying to turn back the clock......
So were the pilgrims liberals then because they fled England to find "religious freedom?" I'm pretty sure their value system was not the same as liberal's values today. Quit mixing up your terms and your history prog.1 and use relevant facts and not archaic examples that don't apply.
At that time a true conservative would probably have been afarid to get on a ship because they thought they would sail off a cliff.
Buzzer sounds again, Prog1 -
Another wrong answer.....
In fact, conservative are not afraid of change, as you imply - they just want logical change.....'
And I note you are still trying to proove your point, just 300 years ago.
Try current events.....
The concept of legitimate rape is a republican concept just recently created by the conservatives and what kind of people believe in this? Maybe the Taliban?
Of course, the Islamic countries will rush to embrace democracy, simply because Obama says they should. If nothing else, his speech shows how out of touch with reality he is. Most of the Islamic countries are monarchies, feudal in nature, which have repressed their citizenry for centuries, and they have no desire whatsoever to suddenly become democratic and allow distribution to the masses of the billions earned from selling oil to nations like the USA. Furthermore, they have no desire to make peace with the infidels (us) who, according to their jihad, are to be crushed, decimated, and ultimately wiped off the face of the earth, leaving only the Chosen Ones (the Muslims) on the planet.
Obama is either one of those misguided souls who would stand on the steps of the White House bleating about how Muslim nations should embrace democracy while Muslim troops are marching up Pennsylvania Avenue, burning and looting everything in their path, or, he is a Muslim sympathizer who knows full well what the Muslim agenda is, and agrees with it. You decide.
Remember in November!
Redwood -
Are you suggesting that the Islamic countries are not going to fall in line with the messiah simply because he spoke unto them?????
Great googly moogly man - it is obvious you are a racist!
(chuckling)
Denounces "violence" in the "middle east." Even the headline is crap. It was a TERRORIST ATTACK on AMERICAN SOIL! This wasn't a couple of middle eastern extremists killing each other. It was a terrorist attack! Quit playing it down, Obama!
Of course, this wont stop the Obama campaign from claiming there have been no attacks on American soil under Obamas watch.....
Obama is the reason that there is violence in the middle east its his policies that have caused this issue.
Its Obama's policies that have caused this violence.
So when BO was a teenager in Hawaii, his policy killed those Marines in Beirut?
No when Bo was an adult running the US his policies killed those people as s clown.
Middle East violence & anti-West terrorism has been around since Munich in 72.
And you deal with it not by kissing thier a ss but by taking them out.
Then how come the Bush dynasty kissed the ASSes of the Bin Laden's for all those years, and then NOT TAKE HIM OUT at Tora Borah? Explain that genius.
Today's headline in the "Oceania Chronicle" states: Obama shouts Alahu Akbar!
Its allah akbar.
Go look it up moron.
I couldn't care less if he shouted Allie Kazammm
I want to hear the moron shout...."I RESIGN" from the White House roof.
Dont have to lived in the middle east for 8 years dumb ass. Its Allah Akbar, God is great.
Obama ir trying to fix years of the war criminal in chief's policies. Bush created enough enemies to last this country a 500 years. Daddy Bush's policies directley resulted in the trade center attack so there has to be another approach that has a better chance of working. Thr Middle East is a complex problem with simple solutions but one thing is for sure, we will not will by fighting. The crusades were a failure and should be a teaching point for modern Western Civilization.
Obama is fullof @!$%# and is weak they want us out of the middle east and Obama is giving them exactly what they want fool.
Really, Prog1?
You are going to equate a terrorist attack of unprecedented levels on this country with the crusades?
Or even try to equate the crusades with the current wars in the middle east?
To attempt either only shows your ignorance, and your poverty of understanding.
On the other hand, you do well parroting the DNC approved talking point of blame a Bush at any cost, even to the point of blaming "Daddy Bush" for hte current situation, despite the administrations that have occured since then.
You are obviously a liberal Obama apologist of the first order, and so can not be reasoned with.
Good luck with that.
And while Richard was playing in a foreign sandbox things at home were falling apart. THAT is what should have been learned in the history lesson.
Google the "Gates of Vienna" or the "Battle of Vienna".
The successful defense against the Ottomans(muslims) at the gates of Vienna
One thing for sure should have been learned and that is that it is hard for Western Civ. to prevail in the Middle East and you just don't go starting wars in the Middle East. Even if you win you lose. You do anything but start a war with the Arabs in their backyard.
If you listened to this mans speech closely today then you will know why he cannot be relected.
But yet you cant verbally articulate the reasons "why", so instead you mumble a flawed opinion.
The violence in the middle east is not an opinion the violance in the middle east is a fact that Obama has caused through his weakness as president.
MacDeezy -
Defending the prophet of Islam, in the face of an act of war. Apologising for freedom of speech offending people.. Referring to the deaths of americans as bumps in the road.
Claiming that America rose to greatness because we stole the resources of underprovileged nations.
All of that is decisively unamerican, and makes Obama unsuited for another term.
And that is just from today.....
Mac...
How about......
He's a commie
He hates America
He makes Jimmy Carter look like George Washington by comparison
His only saving grace is that he is completely incompetent or we'd be out of business as a Country.
Should I go on????
You have a very weak and limited understanding of history and the true nature of what's causing anarchy & terrorism in the Middle East, and I'll leave it at that.
Yes Bob.....go on. List more reasons why people should laugh AT YOU.
Do you have anything useful to say are you just going to parrot Obama's talking points.
From reading the above comments, MacDeezy has nothing to say other than "you must worship at Obamas feet".
Good for him....wrong, but good for him.
Sure do, it's just that you & your knuckledragging friends here are so close minded and hard headed that it impairs your ability to be rational. I can give a detailed & thorough explanation of just about anything you want, but what good would that do?
For the record, I did NOT VOTE for Obama in 08, but I will in 2012. That must chap your hides, but the sophisticated ones like the cut of my jib.
Could have fooled me, but somehow I dont believe you.
Yup, I've noticed it's easy to fool people like you.
Get ready to be pissed..... I teach High school history & corrupt the youth of America.
For the record, MacDeezy -
Does that make you a late onset victom of white guilt? Or do you actually, for some unfathomable reason, believe that Obama has made even one single thing better?
If it is the latter, then please letme know - I am actually curious....
Macdeezy you couldnt explain your way out of a wet paper box.
Now I am really not impressed a teacher.
Yes he has, and I was critical of him his first year. But here's a few things: Gave the order to kill Osama Bin Laden. The stock market has roared back since he took office (my portfolio has grown 80% in the last 3 years). Establishing & enforcing (hopefully) Financial regulations to keep our economy on stable ground. I really can keep going. Should I?
Now it's your turn USAF. Impress me. I haven't read one original thought coming from you.
Let me clue you in, the stock market profits where all made overseas not in the US. Obama didnt kill Osama it was Navy Seals and the financial regulations you tout have stified our own markets so badly along with Obama care companies refuse to hire because of it.
That comment coming from a school teacher I will take as a compliment.
MacDeezy -
Your portfolio has recovered from a historic crash....good for you...and that is because of Obama?
It scares me that you teach history to children...
Regulations to the financial sector....boring - any president would have done that in the face of the situation...no credit there.
Osama dead - another boring DNC talking point - any president would have given that order at that time - again, no credit.
Got anything better than that, or are you willing to admit he is actually an empty chair taking credit for what are actually things that would have occurred regardless of the occupant of that chair?
Really, overseas? The EEM (Emerging market ETF) has not moved in 2-3 years. Apple stock (U.S. company) was trading around 190 bucks in 2010, now its about 700. Do you know anything what you're talking about?
You don't read. I said "gave the order" to kill Osama. But very typical to twist and distort what really was said. I neither hear nor read any sophisticated arguments against President Obama. Just racist, and politically misguided views. The GOP is full of wacko's, and you're eventually gonna go extinct like the Whigs & the Federalists.
Straw man arguments is all your side has. If 'any president' would have given the order, then why was Bin Laden allowed to escape from Tora Borah?
You really shouldn't be scared that I teach. I get some of the lowest performing students every year, and I get significantly better results on state standardized tests than EVERYONE in my department. So try again.
Regulations to the financial sector....boring - any president would have done that in the face of the situation...no credit there.
Interesting because Herbert Hoover didn't. The nation had to wait for FDR. And then suffer under economically regressive, supply-side deluded policies championed by Bush that put us in this situation
Where did everyone go? No comebacks? C'mon, you guys had a 3 to 1 advantage. Not one response?....................evidently I win.
Doesn't this moron know yet that everyone's laughing at him and not with him??
So much for that supposedly high intelligence this empty suit is supposed to be blessed with.
Bob -
Its always good when everyone in the media claims you are the smartest person in the room at all times, but when it comes time to proove it.....
Well, we have the first and only term of Obama to tell us how that works out, dont we?
The leaders in the middle east are just biding thier time they know if this a ss clown gets another 4 years that the US will pull even further back. Its Obama's policies and weakness that is fueling this violance.
ass clown.....LOL
Please someone do a "JFK" on this lying sack of crap Obama and his family of Baboon & Chimps !!!!
Wipe your Ass with the Quran pages and BURN that Cult Quran Cover...
As much as I dont like Obama I wont go that far, do yourself a favor dont say that again.
Sharky
don't hold back..
tell us what you really feel!
You are absolutely right USAF49
Sharky -
While I disagree with virtually everything Obama stands for, I can wish no violence against him or his family - in fact, that is completely unreasonable, and totally wrong.
Do yourself a favor, and just vote against him in November
Watch what you say, because big brother is watching and you can go to jail for what you said.
Obama's NOT my President !!!
Calm down - No one is threating this piece of Islamic Crap! I can DREAM can't I?
Just like MLK - "I have a Dream"
The term used above calling the US a Regime is right where we are headed if we keep the current administration in office. Obama is a Socialist. Look it up!!!
This election is REALLY important. I know Romeny is not the best choice but Obama is BAD. He is bad. Something is not right about him. PLEASE do some homework before you cast your vote this election. The Obama administration is banking on the fact that we dumb women don't understand what is really going on. Ladies make sure you are not being conned.
We may need to make changes to the tax laws but why am I not hearing about governement spending? That is the real problem. Government spending. He wants to the government to run everything in your life. Do not let this happen. Do not let them expand government.
Obamacare is going to be the biggest tax increase in US history. We need them to stop spending and what is being spent needs to be kept here in the US. Read what the medical community thinks about ObamaCare. It isn't good. Have you ever had to go to a hospital run by the government? Everything they do is a huge amount of red tape and waiting. This is what is going to happen to us if we don't stop it. Please check it out.
Sure I'm not the first to say, 'He nailed it good'. Listen to his speech and imagine, if you can, be hard to do, any of the others the Emerson Perry bunch making such a speech. Romney making it, that idea is laughable
Congrats, Harold.
You are now the second biggest lapper of the Obama Kool Aide I have read today on this vine.
Obamas speech in front of the UN represents his greatest admission of his actual goals to date, all of them totally unamerican.
And you bought it, hook line and sinker.
Again, I admit that Obama is good at giving speeches and kudos to the lower level government speech writer that wrote it. But simply being able to deliver a speech does not make him a good politician does it?
First off, there will never be peace in the middle east. Second- We caused most of the tension by putting dictators in Arab lands. The spring uprising was not for democracy, it was about the Taliban causing riots and using the U.S. to help oust the dictators and then take over each country. We interfered in the middle east not for their interest but ours. It took them a while but now the dye is cast. Once the Taliban takes over, the oil supply will be cut to the U.S. China and Russia are both helping Iran for a reason.
The founding fathers did not want us to get involved in foreign affairs. Greed took over and now we are going to pay the price. You can also thank the CIA for overthrowing leaders we did not like.
Carter lost Iran and Obama lost the rest.
This will be Obama's legacy.
Actually, the phrase "All of the above" for energy policy is Obama's. Romney's plan doesn't have a catchy nickname.
Less Oil Imported in 2012 Than in 15 Years
So far in 2012, the U.S. has imported less oil than at any time over the last 15 years (during the entire George W. Bush Administration). You have to go all the way back to 1997 to find a year when the U.S. imported less oil.
Domestic Oil Production Increased
What is even more surprising is that oil production has increased under the Obama Administration. This has also contributed to lower demand for oil and petroleum product imports. In 2008, the U.S. was producing 5 million barrels of crude oil per day. In 2011, production was up to 5,658,000 of crude oil per day.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/natalie-pace/oil-imports_b_1854832.html
on private land why federal land was shut down, no new permits or oil leases domestically. Failed solyndra and now another 129 million to a solar company in california...How's that wind, solar and electric car stuff working for u libidiots.
"It is a bump in the road" So with 4 people murdered and the middle east is of fire he is being "Eye candy" for the the View while we the leaders of these countries are here.
And people want this piece of candy to have 4 more years to ruin our country I guess that shows who is watching the View.
Tolerance? Democracy?
These words coming from "The One" whose failed Foreign Policy fomented the violence in the first place ring hollow.
Obama is a danger to not just the U.S. but to the rest of the World as well.
This Amatuer has de-stabilized the Middle East back to a Pre "67" time frame only worse now with Iran on the verge of developing Nuclear weapons and Ahmadinejad calling for Israel to be eliminated.
He single handedly undid the Camp David accords and turned Egypt into another terrorist state and set them back to the dark ages where Sharia law will be enforced by the Muslim brotherhood dominated government.
All of this rests squarely on the shoulders of Obama.
He needs to be voted out of office come November before he can do any more damage.
Sharkey-3942236
Sharkey......."Self-Deport" is your best option, just ask Gov. Romney....
1st.-Learn to spell Moron! 2nd.-I think, as a Jerimiah Wright fan, your handle should be"GodDammAmerica".
Don't preach to me you Moron Liberal Piece of Crap! Go eat your FREE Cheese you Rat....
The Monkey in the W.H. is "NOT" my President !!!!
Bring it on !!!