Earlier today, an angry Cairo mob stormed the U.S. embassy, ripped down the American flag, and flew in its place a black al Qaeda banner. The mob is reportedly angered about a documentary film that supposedly offends Muslim religious sensibilities with critiques of the Prophet Muhammad.
While CNN and Fox News have both mentioned the developing story, MSNBC has not as of the time of this publication, a review of our DVR systems shows.
U.S. embassy officials have reported issue a condemnation, not of the mob which stormed the embassy, but of filmmakers who dare to criticize Islam. From CNN.com:
U.S. embassy officials issued a warning to Americans in Egypt, telling them to avoid the demonstrations which "may gather in front of the U.S. Embassy, or Egyptian government buildings such as the People's Assembly and Ministry of Interior."
"It is unclear if large numbers will take to the streets, but clashes may occur should two opposing groups come into contact with one another," the embassy said in a statement. "Large gatherings and non-essential travel in and around Downtown and Garden City should be avoided this afternoon."
The U.S. Embassy said that it "condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims -- as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions."
"Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy," the statement said. "We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others."
The embassy attack was covered by CNN this afternoon starting in the 1 p.m. Eastern hour. It appears Fox News didn't get to the story until the 5 p.m. Eastern The Five program, when it was mentioned by co-host Greg Gutfeld around 5:06 p.m. and again by Bret Baier at the bottom of the hour as he teased stories forthcoming on the evening's edition of Special Report.
