Virtually every leader in the Western World- and others

[cali]

are saying the same thing as Obama just said. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human rights said almost exactly what Obama said. Ban Ki-Moon also said much the same thing.

I really don't know why people think he should be jumping in and calling for Mubarak to step down.

[uppityperson]

1. Because if he doesn't he is a 2 faced sell out that panders to those who hate us all

see?
:sarcasm: just in case

[Proud Liberal Dem]

2. +1

:rofl: but right on the money!

[silverweb]

3. Diplomacy is very tricky.

It's a high-wire tightrope walk without a net. The wrong tone, the wrong inference can set relations between governments back months or years.

A lot of people just don't get that and most could never do it. Diplomacy is nowhere near as simple as just publicly choosing the "right side." It's a whole ritual dance, with signs and nuances that we never see.

[Name removed]

4. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JI7]

5. because western leaders taking sides is always a good thing for middle east

[DJ13]

6. Theres safety in numbers

Never take a stand.

[riverwalker]

7. he is playing it right

1. Tha fact that he even made a statement at all, is saying to the Egyptian people: I am watching, you are not alone.
2. To Mubarak, he is saying: No violent crackdown, restore the internet, or you end up like Romania's Nikolai Ceausescu.

[treestar]

8. Some just do not get the concept of diplomacy

almost as bad as Republicans who always want everything taken care of by "nuking them."

They want everything to be a last stand.

Obama would never do right by them. Neither would the country (look at the glee over wikileaks - they think we should be allowed no diplomatic confidentiality).

[cali]

11. no kidding. the rank stupidity and ignorance

on this subject, as displayed so flamboyantly here today, is just depressing.

[dipsydoodle]

9. The issue

has actually got sweet fuck all to do with anyone outside of Egypt so I'm not sure why anyone is saying anything.

[DURHAM D]

10. Those of us who remember what happened in Iran in 1979

with the overthrow of the Shah and the subsequent take over by the crazies realize that nothing about this situation is simple.

JFTR - the Shah is buried in Cairo.

[seabeyond]

13. god no. are people really saying obama should tell the leader of another country what to do?

really

[JuniperLea]

14. Too many still want a maverick cowboy in office...

I cannot believe what I'm seeing.

Obama just can't win. He started this thing, donchano.

If he goes along with the rest of the world leaders in a united front, he's doomed. I believe he would be equally doomed if he had tried that mavricky stuff. He can't get a break. I'm sure he's responsible for the obstruction he's up against as well.

[renegade000]

15. what?

you mean we shouldn't be declaring Mubarak a member of an 'axis of evil' and then sending the CIA to facilitate an ouster? why do you support dictators? :sarcasm:

but yeah, in all seriousness, i don't get the harsh reactions to the neutral words either. what are heads-of-state supposed to say? if you vociferously back one side, and they lose, you're not exactly doing yourself any favors. unless of course, you intervene somehow to ensure your side won, but i thought we didn't like that tactic. at this point, the international community is kind of damning Mubarak with faint support.