Barack Obama apparently said to Bob Woodward in an interview for the latter's book:
“We can absorb a terrorist attack. We’ll do everything we can to prevent it, but even a 9/11, even the biggest attack ever . . . we absorbed it and we are stronger.”
This has some fervent Obama opponents hopping around in a fury, it seems. Why? Isn't it just another version of the patriotic "We won't give in to terrorists" mantra?
Originally posted by FMFIf Bush talked about absorbing a terrorist attack, the media would still be talking about how he is out of touch.
Barack Obama apparently said to Bob Woodward in an interview for the latter's book:
[b]“We can absorb a terrorist attack. We’ll do everything we can to prevent it, but even a 9/11, even the biggest attack ever . . . we absorbed it and we are stronger.”
This has some fervent Obama opponents hopping around in a fury, it seems. Why? Isn't it just another version of the patriotic "We won't give in to terrorists" mantra?[/b]
If Obama was talking about cancer and how using chemotherapy made someone sick at first but eventually the person got stronger, then the quote would be acceptable. No one wants to hear how a terrorist attack that ruined lives, cost billions and made everyone permanently feel more vulnerable was absorbed and we are stronger. It is just a moronic quote.
Originally posted by FMFI was not trying to give my views on Obama. I understand what Obama was tring to say but I think it is ridiculous insensitive. (Republicans are often accused of having too little compasion for people once they are actually born and that's why I compared it to a Bush statement).
Look, dislike for Obama isn't really the issue I wanted to raise with this thread. In what way is his quote different the other varaints of the the bog standard, patriotic "We won't give in to terrorists" statements?
Everyone in New York (and maybe everywhere) remembers exactly what they were doing that day, people who lost loved ones, what the sky line used to look like. There is now military presence where there was none before and more security in all sort of places. It cost billions of dollars and simply destroyed lives. There are real worries about diseases from absestos. I'm willing to talk about absorbing a 1% increase in the price of McDonald fries; we still suffer from 9/11.
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Originally posted by quackquackYou failed.
I was not trying to give my views on Obama. I understand what Obama was tring to say but I think it is ridiculous insensitive. (Republicans are often accused of having too little compasion for people once they are actually born and that's why I compared it to a Bush statement).
Everyone in New York (and maybe everywhere) remembers exactly what they ...[text shortened]... talk about absorbing a 1% increase in the price of McDonald fries; we still suffer from 9/11.
Originally posted by quackquackYes, I understand your adamant opposition to Obama and your contempt for what he said. And I understand that your implicit view that you understand New York's suffering - and your suffering - better than Obama does and I do. But you still haven't answered my question. In what way is his statement different the other varaints of the the bog standard, patriotic statements such as "We won't give in to terrorists" and "we won't let terrorists change the way we live" and "when Americans act together and/or in adversity, we are stronger" etc.? If I were a patriotic American I would view Obama's statement as indistinguishable from other defiant responses to the atrocity. Just calling Obama "moronic" is not an answer.
Everyone in New York (and maybe everywhere) remembers exactly what they were doing that day, people who lost loved ones, what the sky line used to look like. There is now military presence where there was none before and more security in all sort of places. It cost billions of dollars and simply destroyed lives. There are real worries about disease ...[text shortened]... o talk about absorbing a 1% increase in the price of McDonald fries; we still suffer from 9/11.
Originally posted by FMFObama did not say he won't give in to terrorists. His instead uttered something that is 100% ridiculous -- that 9/11 making us stronger. It makes up permanently weaker. I think a comment indicating an absolute unwillingness to accept terrorists and those who assist them would have been far more appropriate.
Yes, I understand your adamant opposition to Obama and your contempt for what he said. And I understand that your implicit view that you understand New York's suffering - and your suffering - better than Obama does and I do. But you still haven't answered my question. In what way is his statement different the other varaints of the the bog standard, patriotic st ...[text shortened]... r defiant responses to the atrocity. Just calling Obama "moronic" is not an answer.
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Originally posted by TerrierJackI am not a public figure. It does not matter if my message is understood and I certainly am not the issue. Obama's message is either excessive insensitive to Americans or as a whole or he just failed to articulate appropriately.
You failed.
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Originally posted by quackquack"What does not destroy me, makes me stronger." - Friedrich Nietzsche
Obama did not say he won't give in to terrorists. His instead uttered something that is 100% ridiculous -- that 9/11 making us stronger. It makes up permanently weaker. I think a comment indicating an absolute unwillingness to accept terrorists and those who assist them would have been far more appropriate.
Seems you're weaker in the knees than that.
Originally posted by quackquackIt seems perfectly fine to me. And all you've really said so far is that it's "ridiculous" and "moronic" and "insensitive" (which has probably got more to do with you claiming it's "ridiculous" and "moronic", and the fact that Obama said it, than the statement itself). I can get this kind of 'analysis' at www.freerepublic.com whenever I want. Obama and the vast majority of patriotic Americans in-hyperbole-mode would say that 9/11 made their country "stronger". I've heard victims' relatives and talking heads saying such things on TV ad nauseam over the last 9 years. "Makes us stronger", "We will not rest", "Everything changed", "Nothing will change" blah blah.
Obama's message is either excessive insensitive to Americans or as a whole or he just failed to articulate appropriately.
Originally posted by TerrierJackI don't want to speak for Nitzshe, but I believe he was talking about the personal struggles not blowing up New York City's largest office building.
"What does not destroy me, makes me stronger." - Friedrich Nietzsche
Seems you're weaker in the knees than that.
I don't advocate getting raped, losing body parts or having your cities be the victim of a terrorist attack, even if you can survive. It just does simply does not make one stronger.
Originally posted by quackquackSo every bad thing that happens to you makes you weaker? What a defeatist attitude.
I don't want to speak for Nitzshe, but I believe he was talking about the personal struggles not blowing up New York City's largest office building.
I don't advocate getting raped, losing body parts or having your cities be the victim of a terrorist attack, even if you can survive. It just does simply does not make one stronger.
Originally posted by FMFI don't think it is that big deal, but I do object to the "absorbing terrorist attack" phrase. Human lives should not be thought of as schock absorbers for the country. There was real permanent loss of life, money and freeedom. You can object to my word choice but how would you finish this sentence: to say that 9/11 made the United States stronger is (ridiculous? moronic? insensitive?)
It seems perfectly fine to me. And all you've really said so far is that it's "ridiculous" and "moronic" and "insensitive" (which has probably got more to do with you claiming it's "ridiculous" and "moronic", and the fact that Obama said it, than the statement itself). I can get this kind of 'analysis' at www.freerepublic.com whenever I want. Obama and the vast ...[text shortened]... ill not rest", "Everything changed", "Nothing will change" blah blah.
Originally posted by quackquackShared outrage. Resolution and determination. Solidarity. Lessons learned. The gauntlet has been thrown. Enemy identified. Revenge plotted. The nation behind the men and women in uniform. Unity. Never again. We will not change who we are, even after THIS... indeed we are MORE determined than ever. An America stung is an unstoppable foe. Never surrender to terrorists. We stand as one. The world is with us. We have taken a hit. People have lost their lives. You picked a fight with the wrong people. There will be retribution. We will mourn our dead. And then we will act. We are stronger because of this.
[a terrorist attack] just does simply does not make one stronger.
quackquack: "It makes up permanently weaker."
Well. Suit yourself then.
Originally posted by KazetNagorraI'd conclude this way: you life is enriched when you avoid major tragedies and have more time and energy to focus on your normal activities.
So every bad thing that happens to you makes you weaker? What a defeatist attitude.
P. S. if 9/11 realy made us stronger do we owe Osama a thank you note?