FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Released: September 14 2012 @ 9pm

Subject:               Recent Middle East Events

Contact:                Daniel Botelho

                 Candidate for the MA 9th Congressional District

                              danielbotelhoforcongress@comcast.net

In light of recent events in the Middle East I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and the senseless violence groups have demonstrated around the region. It seems no matter what  the United States does in relation to humanitarian aid or tactical support to help bring conflicts to an end as quickly as possible our sons and daughters suffer.

We are at a point in our history that even with one of the best trained, well equipped, and extremely dedicated armed forces; our nation building agenda has backfired. I truly feel that with no clear mission our governing body is setting the men and women of our military up for failure across not just the Middle East region but the world.

Our lack of focus has led to a confrontational China; striking deals with Saudi Arabia for exclusive oil exports in exchange for a missile defense system. As well as taunting Japan with a fleet of Naval War ships whose sole purpose is to rival our own.

In the Middle East we must come to the realization that no matter how hard we try bringing democratic ideals to a people who govern themselves solely with rules of faith is extremely difficult.  Rules of law separate from religious principles allow for discussion and even disagreement, but societies solely governed by religious stand points will perpetually breed extremists based on a very narrow often male dominated belief structure.

For that reason I would call for the closing of our Consulates and evacuation of ambassadors and supporting American personnel from hostile hot spots in the Middle East. I would support sending in our troops to get all of our people out and for an appropriate show of force if needed to achieve that goal. The people of this region who incite violence view our compassion as weakness and although my heart goes out to the good people of the region who are stuck in the middle, I can no longer turn the other cheek.

In my thoughts the evacuation of consulates and other American interests in areas with great Anti American sentiment would last as long as needed. Such areas would include Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Egypt, Pakistan and Syria. Additionally all foreign aid to such locations would be suspended including any percentage of foreign aid given to the UN that would be allocated to those types of locations.

In this regrouping we would strengthen our relations with dependable allies in Europe, Australia and Japan and send a clear and stern message to China. Honor your trade agreements and Japan’s sovereignty or lose your largest trading partner.