Friday, September 21, 2012

We Humbly Apologize For Your Bad Behavior

We're running apology ads in Pakistan now?  The stupid "Innocence of Muslims" video inspired a mob freak-out, and I'm pretty sure this Obama-Hillary Clinton video is going to make everything OK ... not!  Get ready for more hate, this time spiked with contempt.  The haters will go on hating, because at the end of the day, their problem isn't with a video.  The video's just a catalyst for a far bigger problem.  

You know, I'm reminded of John Wayne as Captain Nathan Brittles in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon:  "Never apologize.  It's a sign of weakness."

2 comments:

Eric said...

Right. The Totten and Friedman articles you linked both point to a concern I've repeated here: how the American response bears on regional liberals and liberal reform. Expand that group to the region's non-Islamist groups under threat.

The Obama administration needs to be much better at fighting the Gramscian 'war of ideas' that is the cornerstone of the Islamists' political strategy.

I'm fine with not glorifying the youtube clip. However, Obama should be using the controversy to counter-attack with a 'teachable moment': Obama should be proseltyzing our core liberal values and first principles to the region and the world. The view of America is one thing; improving the strategic position of regional liberal reformers matters more. By not advancing our values and principles, we are beating a retreat on the Gramscian front and leaving liberal reformers in a weaker position they can't afford.

Mad Minerva said...

I'm fine with not glorifying the youtube clip. However, Obama should be using the controversy to counter-attack with a 'teachable moment': Obama should be proselytizing our core liberal values and first principles to the region and the world.

That's it exactly!