Could rhetoric from the White House get worse than yesterday’s much-maligned talking point that better jobs could stop Islamic terrorists like ISIS?

Oh, yes — it can get worse. A lot, lot worse:

Efforts to counter violent extremism must let people "address legitimate grievances through the democratic process," says POTUS. — Mark Knoller (@markknoller) February 18, 2015

WTH? Exactly what are ISIS’ “legitimate grievances”?

Knoller is quoting from an op-ed by President Obama in today’s Los Angeles Times. An excerpt (emphasis ours):

More broadly, groups like al Qaeda and ISIL exploit the anger that festers when people feel that injustice and corruption leave them with no chance of improving their lives. The world has to offer today’s youth something better. Governments that deny human rights play into the hands of extremists who claim that violence is the only way to achieve change. Efforts to counter violent extremism will only succeed if citizens can address legitimate grievances through the democratic process and express themselves through strong civil societies. Those efforts must be matched by economic, educational and entrepreneurial development so people have hope for a life of dignity.

And the mocking has begun in earnest:

@redsteeze Did Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev have "legitimate grievances"? — Erin (@sqwerin) February 18, 2015

"ISIS adherents have legitimate grievances but Republicans can piss off." -The President of the United States — Le Shoebart (@theshoebart) February 18, 2015

@sqwerin @redsteeze Apparently jihadis have had 'legitimate grievances' for the last 1,400 years. When will their grievances be satisfied? — Vile Koch Myrmidon (@heatpacker) February 18, 2015

@redsteeze Before you behead me, can you please fill out this form explaining your legitimate grievances. Thanks. — SA Jones (@GFVAMom) February 18, 2015

Hi @edhenry @jonkarl Can you ask Earnest what Obama means by ISIS or Boko Harwm having "legitimate grievances." https://t.co/LTLWm7AR4C — Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) February 18, 2015

@redsteeze @edhenry @jonkarl Boko Haram & ISIS have legitimate grievances but those f'in Teabaggers were TERRORISTS! — Equality 7-2521 (@Major_Skidmark) February 18, 2015

@markknoller The Germans and the Japanese thought they had legitimate grievances too. — SA Jones (@GFVAMom) February 18, 2015

@markknoller By all means, let's address "legitimate grievances" of sub-humans who shoot 13 y/o kids for watching soccer, rape 6 y/o girls. — — Bonk — (@BonkPolitics) February 18, 2015

What are "legitimate grievances" and who is the arbiter of grievances? — Erin (@sqwerin) February 18, 2015

@redsteeze Boko Haram legitimate grievances? What, like how Nigerian girls're still getting an education despite the looming mayhem? — Poppy ❁ (@Aletheiaquester) February 18, 2015

And we’ll end it with this:

Will there be a Festivus Pole at the summit? — Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) February 18, 2015

Ha, yes! The key to defeating ISIS is Festivus and the airing of the [legitimate] grievances. Who knew it would be so easy?

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Update:

How off his rocker is Obama? This brutal ‘legitimate grievances’ perspective reveals answer

Related:

Twitchy coverage of ISIS