Collarspace Discussion Forums


Home  Login  Search 

Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weakness?


View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
 
All Forums >> [Community Discussions] >> Dungeon of Political and Religious Discussion >> Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weakness? Page: [1] 2 3 4   next >   >>
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weakness? - 2/26/2012 4:18:39 PM   
erieangel


Posts: 2237
Joined: 6/19/2011
Status: offline 		Sunday, on two separate news shows on two networks, Santorum accused Obama of being weak for apologizing to the Muslim world for the Quran burning in Afghanistan. Santorum claimed there was no need for Obama to apologize because the burning of the holy books was "inadvertent".

The way I see it, the military made a mistake. Obama then apologized for that mistake as commander in chief.

I guess Santorum either A) has never made a mistake or B) has never apologized for that mistake because hey, it was a mistake.

Profile   Post #: 1
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 4:31:00 PM   
SoftBonds


Posts: 862
Joined: 2/10/2012
Status: offline 		I remember when Ann Coulter was making offensive statements about the entire arab world, while our troops were in harms way. Obviously there is no way to measure the negative affect on our military operations her comments caused, or to calculate how many American soldiers came home in a casket instead of whole and healthy because of her. But needless to say she never really apologized, just some mealy mouthed "I'm sorry, I'll use a different insult," apology.
It is hard to overemphasize the extent to which face and trust are as important, or more important, than money and guns in the parts of the world where our troops live and work. A person who would like to be friendly towards the US can be forced into opposition for the darnedest reasons, and faith is at the top of the list.
So let me ask the question this way. If Obama's apology did show weakness, how many of our soldiers lives would it have to save to make it worth is?
Or the opposite question. How many mothers have to get a letter saying they will never again be able to hug their son. How many wives need to tell their children daddy is never coming home, to save the US's reputation?
Because when we disrespect a religion (unless, of course, we apologize), we get the followers of that religion angry at us. Some of those folks then start shooting. And the folks who get shot at are, IMHO, some of the best people we have in this nation. Folks who asked the question "Am I willing to die for my country," and answered "Yes." I would hope that no president would spend those lives carelessly. Maybe an apology isn't so much to give, to save the lives of our soldiers?

(in reply to erieangel)
Profile   Post #: 2
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 4:41:20 PM   
TheHeretic


Posts: 19100
Joined: 3/25/2007
From: California, USA
Status: offline 		I think much more than an apology is needed. We should demonstrate to the muslim world our committment to the protection of their holy book by immediately beheading any detainee caught defiling a Koran by writting messages in it, to pass around the jailhouse.

Of course, I also think there is no such time as "too soon," to get the hell out of Afghanistan.

_____________________________

If you lose one sense, your other senses are enhanced.
That's why people with no sense of humor have such an inflated sense of self-importance.


(in reply to erieangel)
Profile   Post #: 3
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 4:42:45 PM   
kdsub


Posts: 12180
Joined: 8/16/2007
Status: offline 		What in the hell are we still doing there? Those people hate us...and I'm not too fond of them. I say leave them to the 6th century and tell them if we have to come back we will bomb them to the 21st century.

No...he should not apologize for an obvious mistake...but...we should do what the people of Afghanistan would like. If that wish is for us to leave their country then lets leave as quick as we can.

We accomplished our mission and we have no business trying to change their way of life to suit us.

Butch

_____________________________

Mark Twain:

I don't see any use in having a uniform and arbitrary way of spelling words. We might as well make all clothes alike and cook all dishes alike. Sameness is tiresome; variety is pleasing

(in reply to erieangel)
Profile   Post #: 4
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 4:57:28 PM   
TheHeretic


Posts: 19100
Joined: 3/25/2007
From: California, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: SoftBonds
Because when we disrespect a religion (unless, of course, we apologize), we get the followers of that religion angry at us. Some of those folks then start shooting.



Well, not quite. Let's keep this honest. When we get followers of a particular religion angry, they start shooting at us. And they get "let's go kill people in the streets" angry over cartoons. Think the Mormons are thrilled with all the mockery of their faith, these days? Any deadly riots and bombings going on in Salt Lake City? Did the theater in New York where, "The Book of Mormon" is playing have any beheading outside the backstage door?


_____________________________

If you lose one sense, your other senses are enhanced.
That's why people with no sense of humor have such an inflated sense of self-importance.


(in reply to SoftBonds)
Profile   Post #: 5
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 4:59:26 PM   
SoftBonds


Posts: 862
Joined: 2/10/2012
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: TheHeretic


quote:

ORIGINAL: SoftBonds
Because when we disrespect a religion (unless, of course, we apologize), we get the followers of that religion angry at us. Some of those folks then start shooting.



Well, not quite. Let's keep this honest. When we get followers of a particular religion angry, they start shooting at us. And they get "let's go kill people in the streets" angry over cartoons. Think the Mormons are thrilled with all the mockery of their faith, these days? Any deadly riots and bombings going on in Salt Lake City? Did the theater in New York where, "The Book of Mormon" is playing have any beheading outside the backstage door?



You are right, other than Christians and Muslims, I haven't seen that behavior from religious folks...

(in reply to TheHeretic)
Profile   Post #: 6
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 5:02:39 PM   
tazzygirl


Posts: 37833
Joined: 10/12/2007
Status: offline 		Its Santorum... consider the source

_____________________________

Telling me to take Midol wont help your butthurt.
RIP, my demon-child 5-16-11
Duchess of Dissent 1
Dont judge me because I sin differently than you.
If you want it sugar coated, dont ask me what i think! It would violate TOS.

(in reply to erieangel)
Profile   Post #: 7
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 5:06:00 PM   
DarkSteven


Posts: 28072
Joined: 5/2/2008
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: erieangel

Sunday, on two separate news shows on two networks, Santorum accused Obama of being weak for apologizing to the Muslim world for the Quran burning in Afghanistan. Santorum claimed there was no need for Obama to apologize because the burning of the holy books was "inadvertent".



The fact that there have been riots and killings over there indicate that Santorum's view that it's not a big deal, is not universally held.

I believe that the need for an apology is related to the hurt felt by the injured party, not what the injuring party would feel. In other words, the fact that a Catholic doesn't hold the Quran in high regard is irrelevant.

I also believe that it doesn't damage US power overseas if we apologize for our mistakes. And that Santorum is fumbling for issues if he thinks this is worth mentioning.

Finally, the fact that our cultures are so different does, like other posters have mentioned, mean that a lot of friction is inevitable and that we're likely misplaced there.

_____________________________

"You women....

The small-breasted ones want larger breasts. The large-breasted ones want smaller ones. The straight-haired ones curl their hair, and the curly-haired ones straighten theirs...

Quit fretting. We men love you."

(in reply to erieangel)
Profile   Post #: 8
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 5:27:11 PM   
kalikshama


Posts: 14805
Joined: 8/8/2010
Status: offline
quote:

The fact that there have been riots and killings over there indicate that Santorum's view that it's not a big deal, is not universally held.

I believe that the need for an apology is related to the hurt felt by the injured party, not what the injuring party would feel. In other words, the fact that a Catholic doesn't hold the Quran in high regard is irrelevant.


Agreed.

Perhaps this will speed us out of there.

2 U.S. Officers Slain; Advisers to Exit Kabul Ministries

The official cautioned that no one was “panicking,” but that the initial reaction to the growing hostility from Afghans was to convince more officials that the pace of the American withdrawal needed to quicken, and that the sooner the mission became one of training and counterterrorism, the better.

“You look at this as clearly and objectively as you can; what you see is that we’re in a weaker position than we were maybe two or three or four weeks ago,” said the official, who asked not to be identified because he was discussing internal deliberations. “I’m not sure anyone knows the clear way forward. It’s gotten more and more complicated. It’s fraught.”

(in reply to DarkSteven)
Profile   Post #: 9
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 5:28:54 PM   
SoftBonds


Posts: 862
Joined: 2/10/2012
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven


quote:

ORIGINAL: erieangel

Sunday, on two separate news shows on two networks, Santorum accused Obama of being weak for apologizing to the Muslim world for the Quran burning in Afghanistan. Santorum claimed there was no need for Obama to apologize because the burning of the holy books was "inadvertent".



The fact that there have been riots and killings over there indicate that Santorum's view that it's not a big deal, is not universally held.

I believe that the need for an apology is related to the hurt felt by the injured party, not what the injuring party would feel. In other words, the fact that a Catholic doesn't hold the Quran in high regard is irrelevant.

I also believe that it doesn't damage US power overseas if we apologize for our mistakes. And that Santorum is fumbling for issues if he thinks this is worth mentioning.

Finally, the fact that our cultures are so different does, like other posters have mentioned, mean that a lot of friction is inevitable and that we're likely misplaced there.


Unfortunately, I don't think this was Santorum fumbling for issues. There seems to be a group of people on the Right who feel that the US is incapable of doing anything wrong, and therefore should never apologize. They have attacked presidents before for apologizing for our past actions.
Santorum is trying to make sure he gets those votes.
I think the US has made mistakes. It is my nation, but if we don't acknowledge our mistakes, how can we learn from them? Imagine a middle east where the US had not overthrown the democratically elected government of Iran and imposed the rule of a Shah, who was so unpopular it led to a revolt led by religious leaders and the current Iranian regime.
Imagine a world where the US had not funded a group of Islamic militants led by a guy named Osama Bin Ladin in opposition to the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.
Heck, imagine a world in which the US didn't force the Seminole Indians to move out of Florida at a cost of millions of lives?
My country, right or wrong, doesn't mean my country is always right...

(in reply to DarkSteven)
Profile   Post #: 10
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 5:30:17 PM   
Hillwilliam


Posts: 19394
Joined: 8/27/2008
Status: offline 		If it were a stack of Bibles being burned by Muslims, Santorum and Gingrich would be frothing at the mouth and trying to call out the Delta Force.

_____________________________

Kinkier than a cheap garden hose.

Whoever said "Religion is the opiate of the masses" never heard Right Wing talk radio.

Don't blame me, I voted for Gary Johnson.

(in reply to kalikshama)
Profile   Post #: 11
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 5:46:37 PM   
searching4mysir


Posts: 2757
Joined: 6/16/2011
Status: offline 		FR

He wants to apologize for burned Korans in another country but has no problem on trampling on First Amendment rights in regards to the Cotnraception Mandate.

He's just a common hypocrite in my eyes, and always has been.

(in reply to Hillwilliam)
Profile   Post #: 12
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 5:50:30 PM   
kalikshama


Posts: 14805
Joined: 8/8/2010
Status: offline
quote:

He wants to apologize for burned Korans in another country but has no problem on trampling on First Amendment rights in regards to the Cotnraception Mandate.


That's been in place since 2000 - the only thing new is the lack of a copay.

(in reply to searching4mysir)
Profile   Post #: 13
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 5:53:19 PM   
tazzygirl


Posts: 37833
Joined: 10/12/2007
Status: offline 		Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I do not see how he is prohibiting the exercise of religion.  Care to explain?


_____________________________

Telling me to take Midol wont help your butthurt.
RIP, my demon-child 5-16-11
Duchess of Dissent 1
Dont judge me because I sin differently than you.
If you want it sugar coated, dont ask me what i think! It would violate TOS.

(in reply to searching4mysir)
Profile   Post #: 14
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 6:03:23 PM   
Winterapple


Posts: 1343
Joined: 8/19/2011
Status: offline 		FR
It wasn't a sign of weakness it was a sign
of decency, civility, strength and intelligence.
Santorum was naturally thrown by this as
he is so obviously lacking in all these
departments.
Civilized people apologize for their mistakes
when they effect other people no matter how small.
And people were hurt by this, not physically
but hurt and offended.
As commander in chief it was correct for
him to apologize. It also offered a chance
for him to restate before the world what did
and did not happen. In all ways he acted
from a place of strength.


_____________________________

A thousand dreams within me softly burn.
Rimbaud




(in reply to Hillwilliam)
Profile   Post #: 15
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 6:04:46 PM   
Owner59


Posts: 17033
Joined: 3/14/2006
From: Dirty Jersey
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: TheHeretic

I think much more than an apology is needed. We should demonstrate to the muslim world our committment to the protection of their holy book by immediately beheading any detainee caught defiling a Koran by writting messages in it, to pass around the jailhouse.

Of course, I also think there is no such time as "too soon," to get the hell out of Afghanistan.

There`s no doubt that the con leaders know this kind of stuff puts our troops at EXTRA risk on top of all the other dangers they face everyday there.

Considering it`s already gotten some our GIs killed,they should shut the fuck up.

Shame on them.

"Gingrich, Palin Critical of Obama's Apology for Quran Burning"

http://www.christianpost.com/news/gingrich-palin-critical-of-obamas-apology-for-quran-burning-70256/

"Santorum: Obama Wrong to Apologize for Koran Burning"

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/02/santorum-obama-wrong-to-apologize-for-quran-burning/


It seems like in republican-world,everyone is trying to out awful each other to be the meanest and nastiest guy .Weird,how that`s a common theme among cons and thought of as strength.


< Message edited by Owner59 -- 2/26/2012 6:11:34 PM >

_____________________________

"As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals"

President Obama

(in reply to TheHeretic)
Profile   Post #: 16
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 6:17:30 PM   
Lucylastic


Posts: 40310
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: kalikshama

quote:

He wants to apologize for burned Korans in another country but has no problem on trampling on First Amendment rights in regards to the Cotnraception Mandate.


That's been in place since 2000 - the only thing new is the lack of a copay.

facts mean nothing apparently

Regarding the OP, no Obama wasnt wrong to apologise. sinking to the depths of SOME(muslims) is not a civilised response from "the best country in the world",but that is what is claimed by the rabid right, until it comes to war..in one of the debates topics the other night, Santorum described a situation, that could so easily have been moulded to the right wing candidates threats, nuclear attack or war with iran and sabre rattling. just by changing the religions and the countries around. Ron Paul was the only one who had the perfect response.
Apologising seen as a weakness by the weakest of all, and probably the reason the right in the race right now, think they can lie and accuse, knowing they will never apologise for anything.

< Message edited by Lucylastic -- 2/26/2012 6:29:27 PM >

_____________________________

(•_•)
<) )╯SUCH
/ \

\(•_•)
( (> A NASTY
/ \

(•_•)
<) )> WOMAN
/ \

Duchess Of Dissent
Dont Hate Love

(in reply to kalikshama)
Profile   Post #: 17
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 6:21:20 PM   
Hillwilliam


Posts: 19394
Joined: 8/27/2008
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: searching4mysir

FR

He wants to apologize for burned Korans in another country but has no problem on trampling on First Amendment rights in regards to the Cotnraception Mandate.

He's just a common hypocrite in my eyes, and always has been.

What has health care to do with the subject at hand? I smell a redirect.

_____________________________

Kinkier than a cheap garden hose.

Whoever said "Religion is the opiate of the masses" never heard Right Wing talk radio.

Don't blame me, I voted for Gary Johnson.

(in reply to searching4mysir)
Profile   Post #: 18
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 6:24:26 PM   
subrob1967


Posts: 4591
Joined: 9/13/2004
Status: offline 		Heres the apology President Obama should have offered.

_____________________________

http://www.extra-life.org/

(in reply to erieangel)
Profile   Post #: 19
RE: Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weak... - 2/26/2012 6:43:24 PM   
xssve


Posts: 3589
Joined: 10/10/2009
Status: offline 		I don't think anybody can be surprised anymore by the fact that Santorum will have us in a nuclear war by the end of his first year in office, god wills it.

_____________________________

Walking nightmare...

(in reply to erieangel)
Profile   Post #: 20
Page:   [1] 2 3 4   next >   >>
All Forums >> [Community Discussions] >> Dungeon of Political and Religious Discussion >> Is Obama's apology for Quran burning a sign of weakness? Page: [1] 2 3 4   next >   >>
Jump to:





New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts




Collarchat.com © 2025
Terms of Service Privacy Policy Spam Policy

0.141