On That Culture Fracas

Mitt Romney got smacked around for referring to "Palestinian culture".

But the Libyan Ambassador in Washington can refer to it:

AMBASSADOR AUJALI: Thank you very much, Secretary Clinton. Standing beside you here in the Department of State, it shows the world how much the Americans are standing by the Libyans and the Libya revolution. You do support us during the war, but you have to support us during the peace. We are going through a very difficult time, and we need the help of friends.

It is a very sad day for me, since I learned of the death of my dear friend and colleague, Ambassador Chris Stevens. I knew Chris for the last six years. We play tennis together, we drive in one car, and we had some traditional Libyan food in my house....we were shocked by the death of four American diplomats. It is a very sad story to tell. But I am sure that it is our responsibility, and the responsibility of the Libyan people, that we have to protect our people, we have to protect the Americans in the first place...Our religion, our culture, never tells us that this is the way to express your view. It is – in fact (inaudible) a terrorist act...

So, if in a positive framework, one can mention culture but if one is critical, one cannot?

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