First, let me begin with a link:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/11/mitt-romney-consulate-attack_n_1875906.html?utm_hp_ref=elections-2012
I find it totally amazing that the Romney campaign is trying to criticise the Obama administration over this. Really? Wow. I seriously don't think that the Romney campaign has a clue.
Ok. Here comes my not professional opinion. Ready?
When one is dealing with a group of fanatics, violence will only beget violence. Hate-filled language will only beget hate-filled language.
Have a look at this quote from the article:
"The violence took a domestic political turn, in part thanks to a statement released early Tuesday by the staff of the Cairo embassy, which condemned the film and the "continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions." "
The statement was written by a member of embassy staff. AND clearly that member of staff understands this type of situation. By doing the opposite of 'backlash', the situation is potentially diffused. If you just yell back at someone who is yelling at you, the yelling will only get louder. If you say, "Yes. I see you have a point. That is very difficult and frustrating. I can see why you are so upset." That is a statement that can't be cause for further fighting and yelling.
Living where we live, we work/volunteer/go to school with people from many different cultures. In many cultures, there is a concept that may be unfamiliar to many Westerners - 'saving face'. Meaning, that to apologize for something comes across as very very weak. If you say you are sorry, you really lose face. This changes how disagreements are settled. That means there's not 'compromise' in the way a Westerner thinks of compromise.
So, in order to diffuse a situation, common ground must be found. Than, find a common goal and work towards that. Focus on what is shared and the same rather than what is separate and different. It is clear to me that the embassy staffer 'gets' this. Find the common ground and say, "Hey, I understand what you are saying." Understanding is not agreement. And, there is deep deep wisdom in 'turn the other cheek'.
I can not fathom Romney running US foreign policy. Wake up and smell the coffee people. Romney isn't that much smarter on foreign policy than the average American Joe. But, the American president needs to be.
Peace.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/11/mitt-romney-consulate-attack_n_1875906.html?utm_hp_ref=elections-2012
I find it totally amazing that the Romney campaign is trying to criticise the Obama administration over this. Really? Wow. I seriously don't think that the Romney campaign has a clue.
Ok. Here comes my not professional opinion. Ready?
When one is dealing with a group of fanatics, violence will only beget violence. Hate-filled language will only beget hate-filled language.
Have a look at this quote from the article:
"The violence took a domestic political turn, in part thanks to a statement released early Tuesday by the staff of the Cairo embassy, which condemned the film and the "continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions." "
The statement was written by a member of embassy staff. AND clearly that member of staff understands this type of situation. By doing the opposite of 'backlash', the situation is potentially diffused. If you just yell back at someone who is yelling at you, the yelling will only get louder. If you say, "Yes. I see you have a point. That is very difficult and frustrating. I can see why you are so upset." That is a statement that can't be cause for further fighting and yelling.
Living where we live, we work/volunteer/go to school with people from many different cultures. In many cultures, there is a concept that may be unfamiliar to many Westerners - 'saving face'. Meaning, that to apologize for something comes across as very very weak. If you say you are sorry, you really lose face. This changes how disagreements are settled. That means there's not 'compromise' in the way a Westerner thinks of compromise.
So, in order to diffuse a situation, common ground must be found. Than, find a common goal and work towards that. Focus on what is shared and the same rather than what is separate and different. It is clear to me that the embassy staffer 'gets' this. Find the common ground and say, "Hey, I understand what you are saying." Understanding is not agreement. And, there is deep deep wisdom in 'turn the other cheek'.
I can not fathom Romney running US foreign policy. Wake up and smell the coffee people. Romney isn't that much smarter on foreign policy than the average American Joe. But, the American president needs to be.
Peace.
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Be peaceful and respectful.