President Obama made a statement calling this incident “a credible terrorist threat against our country” that was directed against “two places of Jewish worship in Chicago.” He indicated that al Qaeda’s affiliate in Yemen — al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula — is responsible.
The President elaborated that intelligence indicates AQAP continues to plot attacks against our homeland and our allies. He added that the government of Yemen had pledged its full cooperation. I’d note that, however genuine that pledge may be, it is not very reassuring in light of that government’s weakness and past performance. Indeed, President Obama acknowledged the need to strengthen and secure Yemen so that terrorists don’t have the time and space they need to plot and launch attacks.
President Obama had strong words of praise for U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials, indicating that they had been instrumental in thwarting this plot. He promised not to “waiver in our resolve to defeat al Qaeda and its affiliates, and root out violent extremism.”
I only heard the end of the president's brief remarks, but didn't he say "...root out violent extremism wherever it occurs?" Did he mention Islam at all in these remarks (other than al Qaeda)? Just wondering....
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhat is it with his marble-mouthed speech when it comes to religion? "Places of Jewish worship" could be distilled down to "synagogue" and no one would have been outraged. Has he ever called the GZM a "place of Muslim worship"?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseCall me cynical, but the thought that this is a ruse by Obama to pump up his numbers before the election has crossed my mind.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseCurious detail from his statement before the press corp this afternoon...
Obama has not settled on a possessive pronoun for himself/the executive branch:
1) He referred to Brennen as "MY top" counter-terrorism official.
2) He says "WE" are doing all we can.
3) He says that we will protect "OUR citizens."
That first one makes him look like the petty tyrant.
The second, like the patronizing nurse ("how are we feeling today?")
And the third makes him look like a not-so-petty tyrant: "our citizens"? Didn't used to be "THE citizens of the United States"?
Mr. President, Sir, please don't call me dude.
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