A senseless movie clip is obviously being used as a motivator to commit crimes against Americans in Muslim countries and nations with high Muslim populations. It has been reported that some of the rioters have been using relatively sophisticated weapons such as rocket propelled grenade launchers (not exactly the kinds of weapons in the hands of most rioters). Relying on television reporting, I can only conclude that these riots are not spontaneous but are the work of Al-Qaeda and other associated groups.
Some people are comparing the attack on the embassy in Libya to the hostages taken by Iran in 1979. They are incorrect. Republicans who are condemning Obama should recall the death of American marines in Lebanon during the Reagan presidency. 241 American servicemen were killed in that October 1983 massacre. Major motivation for that bombing was the ill will generated by the Multinational Force (MNF) among Lebanese Muslims, especially Shiʿa living in the slums of West Beirut and around the airport where the Marines were headquartered. That MNF group was there to bring peace to that war torn nation. President Reagan ordered the marines to begin withdrawing from Lebanon immediately after the bombing. Their withdrawal was completed on February 26, four months later.
There was no serious retaliation for the Beirut bombing from the Americans. We never seem to learn!
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