I don't like the film. I have never seen nor would I waste the time it takes as to make so much as a mouse click to even go near it for I know I don't like the film. Films that have content which demeans another faith community or the humanity of anyone should be condemned universally and unequivocally. It has no place in the pantheon of any film ever made. Do you understand how much I detest this kind of filmmaking? NO I DETEST IT MORE THAN THAT. It has given a FEW people out of the BILLION who follow Islam to throw rocks, Molotov cocktails and generally create a ruckus that the Western Media conflates to the point of idiotic coverage until the next pretty young white girl is missing.
What it has shown though is something we should all look at and take note.
1 These rioters are playing the cable news networks like violin virtuosos. They need only a few to be interviewed by reporters on the ground and scream irrationally into the camera something that includes we will never stop assaulting you Americans until we get what we want. Well then we have a problem Because we will never stop allowing idiots to speak their minds. The 1st Amendment is that dear to us that all of will gladly die for it as it is the standard bearer of all that we are - a free people always free to express ourselves. Where it intersects with the rights of others to live and prosper in that freedom is where we draw the line and call it hate speech. That line is constantly fluid as our values mature. So no matter how asinine that movie was or is and offends it did not meet that threshold.
2. Governor Romney has failed his 3am call. I'm referring to the very effective ad that ran during the 2008 campaign. In it the Clinton supporters ask the very valid question who was more qualified to deal with a situation half way around the world? The question was targeted at of course then Senator Obama but the answer is that both Senators Clinton and Obama would be the right choice and Governor Romney should not be disturbed.
3. While all of this is going on what the media lost sight of is their responsibility to cover the most significant story. If it bleeds it leads was the old saying in journalism. Here the STORY is the heroic and ultimately tragic story of four American men giving their lives for their country without hesitation. That's the real story. They were appropriately given a proper welcome and then eulogized, with great compassion and with the families present, by both Secretary Clinton and the President Obama. That should be the only story. I have listed it third because sadly that's what happened. It was the least important story according to the 24/7 media. That's just wrong.
President Obama is a great President and his leadership during this week was a testimony to just that. I hope at some point those who at this very moment at the Voter Values Summit who are smirking and laughing at his expense, will someday realize how lucky they were to be living as an American while this man was their President. I don't know if it will ever happened for all who decry his Presidency but it will for many. The condemnation of President Obama this week especially has been a tissue stream of lies and deliberate misinformation on the part of the Romney campaign. Shame on them and shame on all who won't take a moment and step back and look at the facts on the ground and make an American determination about this President and not an irrational, ignorant and hate filled assessment of this good man and remarkable leader.
In the meantime I wish to thank and honor the significant and selfless service of Ambassador Chris Stevens and the three men who gave their last full measure of devotion to this miracle of a country and its people. As President Obama said as he opened with his remarks at their homecoming that their is no greater love than the love that is given by those who die so others can remain alive as the scriptures say. I don't why I am so blessed to be an American.
