You're right, in some ways, of course. The language of diplomacy is pretty wishy-washy, overall. But there it is. Right now, we're balancing a lot of spinning plates on little sticks. Actually, we're always doing that.
That's why diplomacy is such a tough gig. Yes, it's all mushy, but that's what happens when you're negotiating with two different sides, I suppose.
Right now, the Muslims are all ticked off by these political cartoons. At the same time, we're trying to do lots of things that involve Muslims and Islamic governments to cooperate with us. So, we indicate that we don't support blasphemous depictions of Muhammed, while saying that we support freedom of the press.
Again, unless we're ready to flatten the whole middle east, what choice do we have? We have to negotiate here. If we're not working toward establishing democratic types of governments in Iraq and Afghanistan, then let's get the heck out of there and let these idiots blow themselves to smithereens.
It just isn't simple. It's never simple.
In this case, it needs to be. Islam needs to be told in no uncertain terms that Western values are non-negotiable.
The problem is, all State does any more is spin, instead of stand up for our core values.