# Protesters storm US embasy...in Cairo?? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 11, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420 "2012-09-11T18:53:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Rune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e68b1a/32.png) [@Rune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rune)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/61 "2012-09-12T13:12:10Z")
Three Libyan policemen were also killed. Anyway, it is hard to imagine such an amateurish movie could cost $5 million. A couple of teenage kids with an iPhone camera and iMovie on the mac ought to have done it. You Americans are also way richer that I thought when a silly project like this can attract that kinds of money. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/62 "2012-09-12T13:22:27Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > Not a good analogy. A better one would be someone thousands of miles from the U.S. setting the flag on fire and shouting “Allahu Akbar.” If some Iranian posted a youtube video of him wiping the American flag with his ass and lighting it on fire while making fun of Jesus I doubt you’d see anyone here swamp an embassy. I’m 100% certain there would be no attacks on the Iranian embassy in the US. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/63 "2012-09-12T13:28:21Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I call bullshit on that claim. Which one? [At least one of the threats was substantiated](http://minnesotaindependent.com/4441/flowery-language-woman-tied-to-myers-death-threat-fired-from-florist-job). ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/64 "2012-09-12T13:34:06Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > No thanks. Why would I want to learn anything from brainwashed imbeciles? And I do mean what I wrote: - bolding mine. Meaning _both sides_. I don’t think I’m going out on a limb when I’m suggesting that **Ibn** simply meant that you learn a little about the beliefs of the vast majority of the hundreds of millions of Muslims who are not imbecilic murdering bastards. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/65 "2012-09-12T14:09:45Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > My question: if Obama makes light of this “Makes light?” You think he’s going to overlook _the murder of a U.S. ambassador?_ Ok, I admit I’m cheating a little- [I already knew what he said.](http://www.bonanza.com/listings/New-Bamboo-Flexible-Screen-Room-Divider-with-Stand/84640741?gpid=21297750541&gpkwd=&goog_pla=1&as=score_threshold_1&gclid=CN6uurWWsLICFQjf4AodWxgAKA) > [@Obama](#): > > I strongly condemn the outrageous attack on our diplomatic facility in Benghazi, which took the lives of four Americans, including Ambassador Chris Stevens. Right now, the American people have the families of those we lost in our thoughts and prayers. They exemplified America’s commitment to freedom, justice, and partnership with nations and people around the globe, and stand in stark contrast to those who callously took their lives. > […] > While the United States rejects efforts to denigrate the religious beliefs of others, we must all unequivocally oppose the kind of senseless violence that took the lives of these public servants. > [@Sec. of State Clinton](#): > > We condemn this vicious and violent attack that took their lives, which they had committed to helping the Libyan people reach for a better future. > [@ralph124c](#): > > will his action be interpreted as a “green light” for future outrages? Well, no, because the people who get whipped into a frenzy over stuff like this don’t care what diplomats say or do. If they’re offended, someone has to pay. I can’t think of and type of statement that would deter people like this. > [@](#): > > If he acts tough, and demands official apologies, reparations, compensation, etc., will that also be inflammatory? It sounds like those things are being given without Obama asking. The Libyan government isn’t happy about this either. > [@CNN](#): > > Libya’s Prime Minister Abdurrahim el-Keib apologized “to the American people and the government, and also to the rest of the world” for the “cowardly criminal act.” > […] > Libyan Deputy Prime Minister Mustafa Abushagur said Stevens was “a friend of Libya, and we are shocked at the the attacks on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.” > “I condemn these barbaric acts in the strongest possible terms. This is an attack on America, Libya and free people everywhere,” Abushagur said on Twitter. > […] > Libya’s governing party condemned the attack as a “criminal and cowardly act” and vowed to “track down the perpetrators and to maintain the country’s security and the safety and security of its guests,” Libya’s official LANA news agency reported. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/66 "2012-09-12T14:47:57Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > I don’t think that was a common chant in Northern Ireland during the troubles. The one I always heard was “Fuck The Pope”. I also doubt anyone ever went into the wrong neighbourhood to spray such a slogan on a wall. They’d spray it on the walls in their neighbourhood where such a sentiment would have a lot of support. Thanks for the correction. I won’t pretend to be an expert on the situation in Northern Ireland, merely point out that, at least then I don’t know about the present, but making nasty comments about either the Pope on one side, or the Queen on the other were extremely common chants and doing so did provoke violence. I think you’d also agree that someone caught trying to spray paint “Fuck The Pope” in the wrong neighborhood would certainly be taking their life into their hands. That said, I think all can agree that such statements and claims might have been the excuse used for the violence, but the real reason was the centuries of interwined Irish and British history(not meant as apologia for either Republican or Loyalist violence). Similarly, while this movie, or several years ago some cartoons might have been the spark that caused the violence, it’s fair to say that they weren’t the principal cause, but the real cause was the recent history of the region. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/67 "2012-09-12T14:48:35Z")
Well, I didn’t see that coming. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/68 "2012-09-12T14:54:04Z")
Even today–at least, if the so-called documentaries on TV can be believed–merely marching through some neighborhoods while carrying a particular flag can provoke violence. By the way, I’m glad to hear that the Libyan government is taking the current situation seriously. Let’s hope that they can identify, apprehend, try, and punish the murderers. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/69 "2012-09-12T15:06:06Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > I don’t think I’m going out on a limb when I’m suggesting that **Ibn** simply meant that you learn a little about the beliefs of the vast majority of the hundreds of millions of Muslims who are not imbecilic murdering bastards. Yes, that’s what I meant. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/70 "2012-09-12T15:11:01Z")
In post #68, I meant that one could provoke violence _in Northern Ireland_ by merely marching through some neighborhoods. ---
**Author:** ![pinkyvee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6de8d8/32.png) [@pinkyvee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkyvee)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/71 "2012-09-12T15:46:32Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > “Makes light?” You think he’s going to overlook _the murder of a U.S. ambassador?_ I’m not loving your previous flippant comment about _“yawns and humor”_. I know you wrote that comment before you learned there was a murder of a US Ambassador. I know you meant nothing much by it. But, it bugs me because our son is right now in Europe preparing to deploy. He can’t say where. He says “Real soon Mom”. I’m overly sensitive right now. I’m probably better off turning off the news and taking an Ativan. Sorry Marley. Your freedom of speech is just fine by me. It’s me, not you. Goddamnstupidfuckingidiots. I have a headache and a heartache. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/72 "2012-09-12T15:52:23Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > I think you’d also agree that someone caught trying to spray paint “Fuck The Pope” in the wrong neighborhood would certainly be taking their life into their hands. > > That said, I think all can agree that such statements and claims might have been the excuse used for the violence, but the real reason was the centuries of interwined Irish and British history(not meant as apologia for either Republican or Loyalist violence). I’m not aware of any sectarian murder that was spurred though by someone painting a sign or shouting a slogan. Civilians were typically murdered at random, basically in the wrong place at the wrong time, not because they had done something to offend the terrorists who killed them. Slogans like “Fuck the pope/queen” were part and parcel of the divide and the violence it fostered but not, to the best of my knowledge, ever a direct cause of people going out and killing. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/73 "2012-09-12T15:53:44Z")
> [@pinkyvee](#): > > I’m not loving your previous flippant comment about _“yawns and humor”_. I hope your son stays safe and I’m sorry for all the worry you have going on, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with what I wrote. I said I want to see more Muslims ignore or mock these obvious attempts to upset them. It’s a better response than furious protests (nevermind terrorist attacks). ---
**Author:** ![pinkyvee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6de8d8/32.png) [@pinkyvee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkyvee)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/74 "2012-09-12T16:14:12Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I hope your son stays safe and I’m sorry for all the worry you have going on, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with what I wrote. I said I want to see more Muslims ignore or mock these obvious attempts to upset them. It’s a better response than furious protests (nevermind terrorist attacks). Marley, I apologize. I misunderstood what you wrote. I’m not thinking straight right now. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/75 "2012-09-12T16:16:06Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > By the way, I’m glad to hear that the Libyan government is taking the current situation seriously. Let’s hope that they can identify, apprehend, try, and punish the murderers. Unlikely. Libya is an anarchic swirl of armed militias. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/76 "2012-09-12T16:16:30Z")
Take care and try to take it easy, **pinkyvee**. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/77 "2012-09-12T16:30:15Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > I don’t think I’m going out on a limb when I’m suggesting that **Ibn** simply meant that you learn a little about the beliefs of the vast majority of the hundreds of millions of Muslims who are not imbecilic murdering bastards. Well excuuuuse me for thinking this thread was devoted to the particular kind of Muslim imbecile that does this kind of thing…and the equally stupid Christian fundies that troll them. I mean, $5 million bucks is best spent on ridiculing other fundies as opposed to hmmm…say, feeding the poor? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/78 "2012-09-12T16:47:51Z")
> [@pinkyvee](#): > > I’m not loving your previous flippant comment about _“yawns and humor”_. > I know you wrote that comment before you learned there was a murder of a US Ambassador. I know you meant nothing much by it. But, it bugs me because our son is right now in Europe preparing to deploy. He can’t say where. He says “Real soon Mom”. I feel for you. Though not in your exact situation, my own son just joined the Air Force straight out of college and the whole situation in the MENA region has me on pins and needles. That said, I made a [similar comment](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15482036&postcount=32) upthread and agree with **Marley** that extremists need to get a sense of humor. You know, beats the hell out of killing people every time. > [@](#): > > Goddamnstupidfuckingidiots. Without a doubt. Best of luck to your son. ---
**Author:** ![pinkyvee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6de8d8/32.png) [@pinkyvee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkyvee)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/79 "2012-09-12T16:58:27Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > I feel for you. Though not in your exact situation, my own son just joined the Air Force straight out of college and the whole situation in the MENA region has me on pins and needles. > > That said, I made a [similar comment](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15482036&postcount=32) upthread and agree with **Marley** that extremists need to get a sense of humor. You know, beats the hell out of killing people every time. > > Without a doubt. > > Best of luck to your son. Best of luck to you and your boy. Be proud. Ours is a combat medic. After 9/11 he announced he was determined to be a “fireman” and save lives. As parents, sometimes think this sort of childhood announcement doesn’t mean much. Well, I was wrong. He was/is determined to save lives. In my current screwy-emotional-thunderstorm following yesterday’s 9/11 events, I misread Marley’s comment to mean that Americans should yawn and laugh when the US flag is pulled to shreds at a US Embassy. I could not have been more wrong. I need to take it easy. Sorry Marley. Like I said, it’s not you, it’s me. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2012, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420/80 "2012-09-12T17:03:28Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > I’m not aware of any sectarian murder that was spurred though by someone painting a sign or shouting a slogan. Civilians were typically murdered at random, basically in the wrong place at the wrong time, not because they had done something to offend the terrorists who killed them. Slogans like “Fuck the pope/queen” were part and parcel of the divide and the violence it fostered but not, to the best of my knowledge, ever a direct cause of people going out and killing. I’ve never been there, but stop me if I’m wrong, but didn’t the police regularly regulate marchs during “the marching season” because of fears that specific slogans, signs or marchs would provoke violence? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/protesters-storm-us-embasy-in-cairo/634420.md?page=5)