Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Obama Silent after American Sailors Attacked in Istanbul
Three US Navy sailors were assaulted and had bags placed over their heads during a stop in Istanbul, Turkey, according to US military officials. The incident, captured on video, occurred Wednesday when sailors from the USS Ross were attacked by an estimated 10 to 20 members of the Turkish Youth Union, according to local Turkish press accounts. Captain Greg Hicks, a spokesman with US European Command told CNN : "US Navy officials are working with the embassy and NCIS to investigate the incident. The three sailors were unharmed and are safely back aboard. They did not require medical attention."
The assailants appeared to be neo- nationalist radicals, shouting slogans like "Yankee Go Home," according to local press accounts. They did not appear to be tied to ISIS, which is based in neighboring Syria. "The incident does not reflect the hospitality nor the welcome reception our ships receive in port in Turkey," Hicks went on to say, and added that leave for sailors from the ship was canceled for the remainder of the day. The United States Embassy in Ankara condemned the attack through its officia Twitter feed : 'We condemn today's attack in Istanbul, and have no doubt the vast majority of Turks would join us in rejecting an action that so disrespects Turkey's reputation for hospitality." There are 2,000 US troops stationed in Turkey, most stationed at Incirlik Air Base in southern Turkey. There are questions about how the gang recognized the sailors, since US military in Turkey and other sensitive countries are not permitted to wear uniforms off base or ship, wearing civilian clothes to prevent harassment and more serious incidents. ~~~~~ Only the US Navy has thus far acknowledged the incident that underscores the volatility in Turkey, a longtime US ally that increasingly is at odds with Washington on foreign policy, especially over how to handle ISIS in neighboring Syria. In the video, one of the Turks is seen saying the Americans looked like members of the US Army. The Turkey Youth Union is opposed to working with the United States and to becoming a member of the European Union. One of the gang was videotaped saying : “We define you as murderers, as killers… and we want you to get out of our land.” The sailors appeared to be in their late teens or early 20s. They were able to get away without suffering injuries. US Naval Forces Europe/Africa said : “The US Navy is currently working with the Turkish National Police and US Embassy staff to investigate this incident. The US Navy will continue to coordinate with Turkish authorities to review security procedures for future ship visits.” ~~~~~ Dear readers, we are still waiting for a comment or some form of recognition from the White House or President Obama that the incident occurred. Even a statement that none of the sailors was hurt would have been reassuring for the US military and Americans. After the President being AWOL during the long Benghazi night, one would have hoped for a prompt comment from him today. But, we are well aware that Barack Obama is often absent when he should be present. Too bad.
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Obama has demonstrated over the past nearly 6 years his absolute disdain for the military and anything associated with it. So why should we expect the simplest of comments dealing with the 3 sailors.
ReplyDeleteTurkey wants to be a NATO member, an EU wannabee, but is a supporter of ISIS, a hater of Kurds. But welcomes European Tourist money and Holiday home investment freely. If the west for one moment thinks that Turkey is an "ally" they're sorely mistaken.
ReplyDeleteIt should be interesting to see what consequences, if any, result from this attack on American military members.
Up until Obama became president when a man was elected to the office and took the oath of office they became the ‘PRESIDENT’ of all the people. With Obama - he has failed to abandon campaigning, failed to assume the presidency, failed to be the leader of the country and not just a hardened democratic who won an election or two , he has failed to be granted the real title of President by the people.
ReplyDeleteObama is not, has not, and never will be considered President of the United States. He is in the eyes of the people a staunch activist democratic. One who never understood the office, and one who doesn’t understand the people?
The assault on those 3 sailors in Turkey the other day is just an unimportant happening. I sure he sees it as something not worth his attention because as not assuming the presidency he has also failed to become ‘Commander-in-Chief’ of our military.
He is what he has always been a ruffian Chicago democrat that had a chance to grasp the golden ring as he passed it on life’s Merry-Go-Round, but never reached out.
Too bad for us all … Too bad for our soldiers who depend on the governments loyalty.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu slammed Israel for its "attacks" on Jerusalem, vowing to defend the city and its holy sites, even if doing so alone.
ReplyDelete"Nothing will prevent Turkey from protecting Jerusalem and the al-Aksa mosque," Davutoglu addressed his party at a weekly faction meeting on Wednesday.
Had time and proximity not been on the side of the 3 American sailors, they would have been pawns (possible dead pawns) for Turkey in Davutoglu effort to be a major player in the Islamic terrorist’s grand scheme of things.
We need to learn the lesson that Turkey or Davutoglu is not a friend of the West at all. We should stop supporting his regime.