Mitt Romney: America Needs To Be More Like Hezbollah
Yeah, you read that right. The man who wants to be president prefers our country to be like a terrorist organization.
Republican presidential candidate Gov. Mitt Romney has cited the social welfare network of the Lebanese Hezbollah terror group as a role model the U.S. should copy to help promote "goodness" and "freedom" around the world.
Sections of Hezbollah's social welfare network, including schools and camps, are routinely used by the terror group to indoctrinate students in anti-Israel propaganda, instruct in military tactics and promote Shiite Islamic beliefs, including the waging of a final, apocalyptic world battle against "evil."
In remarks caught on camera by C-SPAN, Romney stated, "Did you notice in Lebanon what Hezbollah did? Lebanon became a democracy some time ago, and while their government was getting under way, Hezbollah went into southern Lebanon and provided health clinics to some of the people there, and schools.
"And they (Hezbollah) built their support there by having done so. That kind of diplomacy is something that would help America become stronger around the world and help people understand that our interest is an interest towards modernity and goodness and freedom for all people in the world. And so, I want to see America carry out that kind of health diplomacy."
Israeli security officials say Hezbollah's social infrastructure works to endear the group to the local population to help generate domestic support since Hezbollah also functions as a Lebanese political party. The security officials state Hezbollah's civilian infrastructure in southern Lebanon, including hospitals and apartment buildings, is routinely used by the terror group to store and utilize rockets, weapons and other munitions.
Hezbollah has built schools in southern Lebanon that reportedly are used to recruit youngsters to the group's guerrilla army. Some of the schools reportedly train students in military tactics.
***UPDATE***
Here's the video.
***UPDATE***
The Romney camp went into full freak-out mode. They issued this statement today.
"Governor Romney believes that bloodthirsty terrorist organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas have smothered the progress of the people and nations where they have built their networks, Lebanon serving as an example. These terror organizations cannot and should not be allowed to gain an advantage with the citizenry in Muslim nations just because they mask their terror agenda with an offering of some vital services. America can make great progress and provide more stability by creating partnerships with moderate Muslim governments to perfect the institutions of democracy and showcase the wonders and benefits of American democracy, such as our healthcare technology, educational institutions and free market commerce.
"By working with moderate Muslims to break down and defeat terror organizations like Hezbollah militarily, we can then turn to a new 'Marshall Plan' approach that strengthens the foundations of freedom and prosperity in burgeoning Middle East democracies."
- Romney Press Secretary Kevin Madden
h/t: LGF
