President Obama,
How can you call your foreign policy that of 'soft power' when the world sees a hard kick to the stomach of a female protestor from a uniformed Egyptian soldier?
How can you call it 'soft power' when we hear the harsh crack of a pistol indiscriminately fired into a crowd of Egyptian youth?
What part of the baton falls 'softly' on an unconscious civilian lying at the feet of soldiers?
I hope to hear soon of your immediate suspension of military aid to the Egyptian government.
The recent videos on websites such as the NY Times show clearly a marked increase in brutality. I would hope that you see these videos for yourself. And rather than asking for explanations of the duplicitous Egyptian junta (i.e. see the Egyptian PM press conference denying use of violence despite video evidence), simply announce that 'America will oppose, not aid, an organization that brutalizes civilians'. That ought to send a chill down the Egyptian general's backs...and if not, a Tomahawk might make a stronger draft.
To put it in simple terms, America cannot fight a war against terrorism, while our 'allies' terrorize civilians themselves. Indeed, throughout history (and your term) far more civilians have died at the hands of 'conventional' armed forces than have died at the hands of unconventional extremist 'terrorists'. Sadly, American arms and assistance have killed and maimed while your government has stood by to determine 'what we ought to do'.
Unfortunately, I fully expect that you will again not take the steps required to protect Egyptian civilians, and by doing so again you will not fulfill your constitutional duty: which is to promote democracy and protect American civilians from retribution for the actions of American presidencies both past and present.
It pains me (though not quite as much as a baton would) that the governing principles upon which you based your candidacy have not been evident in the governance of the Executive branch - especially in the areas of Foreign Policy and the Environment.
For the record, I have included a link to the relevant NY Times blog post:
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/...
With little Regard,
