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As this is being written, violent protests have occurred in more than a dozen Middle East and North African countries.

The wildfire of anti-American protests started on September 11, 2012,  11 years to the day after Islamic radicals brought down the Twin Towers and killed nearly 3,000 Americans.  But, today there is a difference – a very ugly difference.  Today, we face these attacks with an Administration ill suited to the task and seemingly preoccupied with damage control.  In that effort of political self preservation, the Obama administration insults the intellect of the American people and insults the memory of four brave American representatives killed in the Benghazi, Libya assault.

First, we have an apology coming from the U.S. Embassy in Egypt – an apology that actually preceded the assault on the Embassy and the burning of the American flag.  The subject of the apology:  an obscure video released on YouTube in July, 2012, ridiculing the Prophet Mohammed.  Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney quite correctly took issue with Obama’s apology.  But, Obama has apparently been moderately successful in distancing himself from the Embassy’s statement, saying that he did not authorize it – while, at the same time, ridiculing Romney for “shooting before he aims.”

Well, how about that?  Any person who has ever served in a sensitive position in the military, or in the government in general, will tell you that there are protocols for virtually everything – particularly, statements made in the international arena.  The idea that an Embassy would release a statement essentially apologizing , on behalf of the United States, to a large religious block without presidential approval is stunning.  It is particularly odd that a statement amounting to an apology did not come from Obama.  The number of apologies he has made for our Country suggests strongly that somewhere in Washington there is an apology czar combing the wires for stories in any part of the world that could warrant a U.S. apology!

Then there is the obvious – and again I call on those who have served in the military, or in law enforcement.  Given the tensions in the Middle East – given the recent political transitions in Egypt and Libya – how is it even possible that this administration would not have increased security (with U.S. forces) for at least the preceding week and the week following the anniversary of 9/11?  Was this an oversight, or was as it the result of sheer hubris on Obama’s part?  Whatever the reason, four brave men were murdered.  They might have still been alive today, if this very basic step had been taken.

Now, while Romney continues to be the subject of over the top political attacks based on his stand against the initial Embassy apology, the White House is in effect repeating that apology. White House Press Secretary Jay Carney points out that the protesters were not protesting against Obama’s policies, or his administration.  They were protesting against a low budget video released in July, 2012 and amazingly causing people in Egypt and Libya to become sufficiently enraged to burn the American flag and kill four Americans – but, not until September 11 – a day that also “lives in infamy.”  That’s not enough.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had the audacity to repeat this theory in the presence of mourning family members of the four dead Americans.

While President Obama spoke today, during the arrival of our four murdered patriots, it is beyond comprehension that he reportedly first called the mourning families from his plane on the way to a campaign event in Las Vegas, that he has allegedly missed (presumably, by choice) 65% of his security briefings and that he refused a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in favor of an appearance on the David Letterman show. Even now, he continues to campaign – or, is he simply doing his best to avoid calls for a decision – to make this another “Present” vote?

This Administration seems thoroughly convinced that whatever they say to the American people will be believed and embraced without discussion or analysis.  Their behavior is no longer just insulting.  It is dangerous.

If these things are not sufficiently bizarre, former President Jimmy Carter has weighed in, saying that Obama should follow the example he set in handling the Iran hostage situation.  Those who remember can tell you that Jimmy Carter did not handle the Iran hostage situation.  He displayed weakness for the world as Barack Obama does today.  The election of President Reagan was singularly responsible for the release of the hostages, as the timing of their release overwhelmingly proved.  Perhaps, if we are fortunate, the election of Mitt Romney will have the same effect throughout the Middle East.