[Video & Newspaper Updates] Breaking: “In first televised interview as president, Obama speaks with Al-Arabiya”
By SusanUnPC on January 26, 2009 at 10:42 PM in Current Affairs, Gaza, George Mitchell, Iran, Iraq, Islam, Israel, Middle East, Palestinians, Saudi Arabia, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
Obama’s first interview as president
(Al-Arabiya TV exclusive)
Hisham Melhem (our bureau chief here in the DC office)
conducted this exclusive interview with president Barack Obama.
(I like what he says at the beginning of part 2, about the “bankrupt” ideas of Al Qaeda.)
Jake Tapper has the lead print story on-line, and CNN’s Anderson Cooper is covering the breaking story as well as showing snippets of Obama’s first interview as president, made to the MidEast popular television outlet. Updates:
(1) This ties in, of course, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s naming of George Mitchell as special envoy for the Middle East, and her immediate order that Mitchell depart immediately on an extensive tour of the region — which signals, to me, that Secretary Clinton and President Obama have decided to immediately target the region’s plethora of problems and extremist influences; and
(2) The Washington Post story, “Obama Voices Hope for Mideast Peace in Talk With Al-Arabiya TV” emphasizes Obama’s “expressed optimism yesterday about the prospect of peace between Israel and the Palestinians, but he said a peace accord will take time and require new thinking about the problems of the Middle East as a whole.” From the WaPo:
“All too often the United States starts by dictating — in the past on some of these issues — and we don’t always know all the factors that are involved,” Obama told al-Arabiya. “So let’s listen. [Mitchell is] going to be speaking to all the major parties involved. And he will then report back to me. From there we will formulate a specific response.”
Mitchell will be on the road until Feb. 3, according to the State Department. He will travel to Israel, the West Bank, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, France and England. He also hopes to go to Istanbul, the site of talks between Israel and Syria. …
[..]
[Obama's] comments were a stark departure from those of former president George W. Bush, who often described the Middle East conflict in terms that drew criticism from Palestinians.
By contrast, Obama went out of his way to say that if America is “ready to initiate a new partnership [with the Muslim world] based on mutual respect and mutual interest, then I think that we can make significant progress.”
The president declined to reveal where he plans to give his first major speech in a foreign country. In the past he had said he would speak in a Muslim capital sometime within the first 100 days of his administration.
And he reiterated a point from his inaugural address: He plans to reach out to Muslims around the world who are willing to “unclench your fist” but will go after terrorists who continue to be bent on destruction. …
“Now, my job is to communicate the fact that the United States has a stake in the well-being of the Muslim world, that the language we use has to be a language of respect. I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries,” Obama said in the interview.
He said that the United States must be “willing to talk to Iran” and that he would lay out a “framework” for those discussions over the next several months.
Wood said Mitchell will not have contact with Hamas, the militant group that controls the Gaza Strip, but he did not rule out the possibility that Mitchell would also visit Syria or travel to Gaza. … READ ALL.
I tuned in just as Cooper was referring to the pleas of Prince Turki of Saudi Arabia, former head of intelligencce in Saudi Arabia and briefly Ambassador to the U.S., telling President Obama that the Arab countries couldn’t sustain their relationships with the U.S. as long as there was so much bloodshed and violence pouring out of the Gaza area. The heavy onslaught by Israeli military forces has enraged Muslims across the entire MidEast and Asian regions. [IMAGE: The photo of a Palestinian whose face has been gravely disfigured by shrapnel. The man's legs were also crushed. It is critical to understand that the peoples of the Middle East are seeing far too many of these photos and videos, including those of dead children which Larry Johnson posted last week. These images have a profound effect and it is natural for people in the region to assume that the U.S. is as responsible as Israel for these maimings and killings.]
As Cooper pointed out, it is highly signficant that in this interview, Obama mentioned that many members of his famiy are Muslims and that he spent part of his youth in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country. He is certainly the first U.S. president to be able to make that claim, and — who knows — it may help.
It is notable that, during the election cycles, Obama never brought up his familial ties to the Muslim faith because he knew that that would alienate voters. Perhaps now that he is president, and he is also worried that his standing in the Middle East is that he won’t be any different than George Bush, he feels compelled to risk discussing his background more frankly. (With the immediate dispatch of George Mitchell and this TV interview tonight, it sounds as if there is a lot of intelligence “rumblings” being heard, and that the administration feels it must act, and act quickly to change the mindset of ME and European Muslims.
Here is Jake Tapper’s initial report:
As special envoy to the Middle East, George Mitchell heads off to the region to begin work on negotiating a cease fire between Israel and the Palestinians, President Obama has sat for his first formal TV interview with the Arabic cable TV network Al-Arabiya, ABC News has learned.
The interview was taped this evening and is set to air at 11 pm ET, as Mitchell is in the air and on his way to the region.
Based in Dubai, Al-Arabiya estimates that it has a potential audience exceeding 23 million in the Gulf region.
I remember Prince Turki vividly from the great book and winner of the Pulitzer non-fiction prize, The Looming Tower. (I can’t recommend this book enough; there are sections of the book that describe in detail how Turki handled grave crises within Saudi Arabia, including the near destruction of Mecca by a group of extremists.] Turki is portrayed in such a way in that book that I would regard his warnings as critical for the U.S. to heed, particularly if he issued a stern warning to the U.S. I am hopeful that both President Obama and Secretary Clinton have heeded his admonitions that something must be done to change the course of events, and the reactions of the Israelis.
By the way, I checked Al-Arabayi’s Web site but don’t see any reports or video yet.
I must say that, from what I’m hearing, Obama is doing a great job.
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Oh my God…it’s starting. The Anti-Israel crap. Guess what? We SHOULD have had an AMERICAN President so he had an OBJECTIVE point of view on the Palestine/Israel situation. Do people not GET IT? Obama isn’t OBJECTIVE because of his Muslim family and history. How in hell can he ever see Israel objectively? Why doesn’t he do what any MAN would do, and any AMERICAN? Tell HAMAS to drop the rockets or face serious retribution. This country is a JOKE.
^ I guess you didn’t watch “60 Minutes” last night.
UBM…Why is it that everyone here constantly tells you to STFU????
not everyone, speak for your own ignorant voice. You don’t speak for me.
I will disagree with UBM on my own terms.
I want UBM to treat people here with respect, and I recognize that many are angry. That is his karma to deal with, but you..don’t speak for me.
Gotta love how you can’t speak for yourself, but have to cloak yourself in a self-appointed, “us” that is more fabrication than real.
This is way above Hussein Oba-mohammed’s pay-grade. He was funded by petro-dollars from the place where throwing shoes is an extreme insult, but blowing yourself up to kill children is heroic.
Music inside Winston’s head:
They’re coming to take me away, haha!
They’re coming to take me away, hoho!
Hehe, haha, hoho, to the funny farm!
Where life is beautiful all the time!
They’re coming to take me away, hahahahahaha…
Music inside Johnny Smithfield’s head:
I could wile away the hours
Conferrin’ with the flowers
Consultin’ with the rain
And my head I’d be scratchin’
While my thoughts were busy hatchin’
If I only had a brain.
I like that. Touche, mon cher (et fou) ami!
correct, winston. let’s hope that prez hussein doesn’t let his arab buddies run our foreign policy.
Radical Muslims have killed and mane so many Americans and here we have our President looking for points telling an Arab news agency that he has Muslim roots, as if this is the golden ticket to wipe all that has happened before his presidency.
I would of hope our commander in chief was American first, country and its citizens first, protect and serve first, but it seems as if that holds no standing now, its better to say one has Muslim family ties than American roots.
It is so sad what has happened to my beloved country!!
His father, who cut and run, was a great Muslim while his mother, who raised him, was a typical white person.
Hey, you are wrong. It was his grand-mother who raised him. My Bad.
well, it’s the thought that counts, and it was spot-on.
It seems it will not help. After all, many of the Muslims that were promoting him during the election did it because they believed he was a Muslim.
But if actions aren’t pleasing them, if obviously doesn’t matter.
You know, it’s like the realization we were all saying during the election. He’s actually campaigning that just the election of him would be enough to solve our problems. To be able to say “stop, I’m black, or I’ll say stop again”. Not a winning strategy, and only the naive/ignorant American Obama supporters believed his tales. lol The rest of the world has been around and pay attention a lot longer and more aware.
And, that is also why the man said what he did. But, we also know they are purposely trying to push Obama to push a pro militant Islamic position, that’s his first test. What will he do? Get suckered in by a bunch of thugs threatening and giving ultimatum’s like Obama himself does. lol
But, clearly who he is isn’t helping…they want to see him create a pro Hamas agenda. And the Pro Hamas factions are going to use all their means like Obama did with his supporters.
Like this picture shows. Obama has had two bomb strikes in Pakistan mountains by drone and now he bombed Afghan and killed 16 civilians. They are looking at actions, not words.
http://images.salon.com/opinion/feature/2009/01/26/obama/story.jpg
No bull pucky! The true Obama is revealed. America does not want or need a muslim president, especially one that is Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces.
I’m sorry but I do not care or want the world to love us. God help us all!
America doesn’t have a Muslim president. Maybe it has one that Muslims won’t automatically assume is their enemy, however.
“State of Denial” suits you.
SOD’s right. You’re hyperventilating for no reason over a non-issue.
right, because they hate anybody who isn’t a male muslim, of their particular sect and tribe. god help this country if letting the muslim world tell us how to live.
they hate everybody, muslims hate muslims too. just look how the muslims countries hate each other
What part of APOSTATE do you not understand? To many hardcore muslim Obama is a traitor to his religion that is punishable by death.
/snark on-Yeah, this is going to go over just peachy in the Muslim fundie world. Maybe Obama can take the Gitmo prisoners to the WH and give them the Freedom Medal too. Why, I bet that would make the Middle East muslims really love us then! /snark off
But they let a muslim soften their own islamic rules if that’s done to fight other religions. then they aren’t traitors
So now it’s okay to use his middle name and it’s okay to talk about his muslim background? Barry will do and say anything if he can get something out of it.
And I can’t help but feel he’s playing a game of “suck up” to the muslim world. It may just backfire on him…and on us.
This is bad, not because of what Obama is doing but because he is telling these people that his family, specifically his father, was a Muslim. They will immediately question his faith and why he turned away from it and embraced Christianity. They have a word for this in their religion. I forget what it is called, but in certain regions, it punishable by law.
It won’t help at all, it may make it worse.
It is called APOSTATE.
It’s called INFIDEL.
We have to hope this isn’t a huge miscalculation on the part of his administration. If he wants to send a message the US is an honest and impartial broker in peace initiatives in the ME, I’m not sure presenting his Muslim bonafides would be any better than a president who has strong ties to Israel addressing a Jewish audience at this point in time. Diplomacy is a balancing act and every move he makes will be scrutinized by the whole world for some sign of which way the wind is blowing. Would it have been better if he had used diplomatic channels to convey his message to all of the parties involved, at least in the beginning?
When did anyone not believe his own words, from Audacity of Hope….I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.
Really??
True- this was said- BUT… it was in the context right after 911… meaning he would stand by American-Muslims if they were to face backlash. (He is still icky.)
“Audacity of Hope” was published in 2006; 5 years after the “backlash” against Muslims that never really occurred in the USA due to the vigilance of the Bush administration, and a focus on al Qaida rather than the whole middle east. Our military had been at war for about 3 years with Iraq and the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
So that statement,
wasn’t said about the terrorist tragedy of 9/11, in fact, Mr. Soertoro/Obama was probably listening to his minister damning America and gloating that “chickens had come home to roost” after 9/11. It is a disturbing phrase in many ways. Patriotic Americans have always put aside loyalties to their ancestral countries to protect and defend the United States. No president has ever chosen ties to a religious background over duty to Country and Soertoro/Obama held the office of United States Senator when he stated that he “would stand with Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.”
He is fond of oblique phrases with no substance so we must see it as a political statement from a politician who rarely took an unpopular stand or made an unpopular vote that he is willing to put his political future on the line to unequivocally support Muslims over Country and to “stand with Muslims” against his government is a very strong stand considering he felt no urge to “Stand with We the People against George W. Bush when “political winds shifted in an ugly direction” and help Us impeach him.
This man who screamed racist bigot at anyone who dared to mention his ties to the Muslim religion during the campaign now openly admits to the Muslim media that, yes, I have a Muslim background. So here we are again, putting our Country and our lives in the hands of a man who lies to get what he wants and the question is what does he want? Many believe, like Cesar and Napoleon, he wants the whole world.
The only thing that could possibly make Obama’s interview worthy is if he scolds the muslim people for condoning Hama’s sending rockets from highly populated areas in the Gaza, Israel did not choose where Hama punks fired their missles from and what is Israel to do, sit back and allow Hamas free reigns becau.se they cowardly fire rockets from hospital and school yards in Gaza?
Also, Obama using infomercial diplomacy may fool many americans, but the rest of the world doesn’t fall for the fake pretender and his toting family associations being muslim is a crock, just ask his half brother who lives in a shack and the rest of his muslim family he has done nothing for, except confer with the mass killer cousin who burned women and children in a church in Kenya seeking power!
As for Indonesia, those are just Obama words again, prove it Obama, show your true name and religion while in Indonesia along with your citizinship when there, prove with facts and not words that have been pathological lies since you entered politics!
Obama is playing with fire and is a loose cannon thinking his stories and lies will be accepted by the rest of the world, sorry Obama the world prefers proof and not pizza and beer and bands to be forced to listen to your exhausting words that hold no meaning!
What? do we have any meaningful relationship aside from being their biggest petro customer? Obama right now is a Bush III, but he is trying really hard to be Jimmy Carter II. Radical Islam will see his olive branch as a sign of weakness. Unless that is what he wants… an excuse to show the world what he would do if provoked. In which case, this may well be just bait.
Members of his family are Muslim - you mean Ralia Odinga? The one who wanted to install shariah law? Oh awesome.
heh heh.
Yeah. Lets see if Al-Arabiya will take it from there and research who are those members of his family that ARE Muslims?
I just finished reading a reportage from an Italian journalist, who had always been more pro-palestinian than pro-Israel in the past. This journalist was able to sneak in Gaza during the recent flare-ups between Hamas and Israel and he says: THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS HAS BEEN GREATLY EXAGERATED BY HAMAS AND THE U.N. who has taken the numbers given by Hamas, without any counter-accounting. He says,among other things, that the victims are, at most, 500/600 and they are mostly militants. He also gives a full account of the atrocities committed by Hamas against their own people, forcing them to shield the militants who forced their way into their homes, mosques, schools, hospitals. The intent was to have as many civilians killed or wounded so they could accuse Israel of war crimes. Anyone who understand Italian can ask for the direct link. It was on the most read Italian newspaper “Corriere della Sera” and the name of the journalist is Lorenzo Cremonesi.
i wouldn’t be surprised. they (muslims/arabs) think that dying fighting against israel will send the “martyr” straight to allah. “martyrdom” is better than living, according to a lot of those whack jobs.
I’m not surprised, nobama4me. I’ve always thought the news was skewed and Hamas was winning the PR war. But the fact remains that some resolution has to be found to end the mess. If it takes Obama admitting his Muslim background so be it. I’m totally on Israel’s side, but the endless strife is serving no good end. Hamas is completely illegitimate in my mind, a bunch of crazed thugs [no, I don't believe Carter's statement that they're a trustworthy group, anymore than I would sign on with the mafia].
But the blood and misery has to end sometime. We have to outwit them, convince the Palestinians themselves that their best interests are not in the hands of proven criminals. Opening some sort of negotiation and dialogue is a start.
It’s a beginning, hopefully. But we shall see.
The Palestinians cant continue a relationship with the United States because of the bloodshed in Gaza?
That makes no sense at all, they are blaming Israel for the all the bloodshed when the Palestinians themselves were forcing women and children to stand in harms way and be bombed to death, just so they could show those pictures on television and blame the Israelis for targeting innocent civilians!
They want to wipe Israel off the map, I certainly hope we don’t fall for these kinds of pathetic tactics, when they are purposely killing their own people for propaganda.
The war in Gaza has nothing to do with Palestine keeping a relationship with the United States, but they trying to make them one and the same.
It wont work, either they play by the rules or they get sanctioned, just like everyone else.
I frankly think Palestine needs to back off of Israel and allow them to be left alone, they were bombed repeatedly before they ever took up arms.
Palestine deserves no special treatment, if anything they need to be taught a lesson, but then one war at a time right?
Not the Palestinians per se. Turki is a member of the royal family of Saudi Arabia. He has been sounding the alarm to the new administration about the entire Middle East and Europe. Turki is a brilliant man who’s dealt with the Muslim extremists. You can read al about his experiences in The Looming Tower — which is a truly great book.
Imho, while I do not endorse Obama or think that much of him, it was smart of him to make a statement to the ME tonight on a highly popular ME station — over the voices of the Al Qaeda monsters who want to portray Obama as another Bush.
I don’t. I think the statement, ‘many members of my family are Muslims’ is a reckless statement, very stupid.
Say a white guy found himself in a hood, confronted by gang members… Would the statement… “some of my best friends are black” really buy you anything in that situation? Or, would it just tick them off? Maybe it’s just me… I think it will provoke them in a covert passive aggressive manner. But, I don’t think it was an accident. This man meticulously weighs his words. Remember “lipstick on a pig”? Again covertly passive aggressive. It’s a developing pattern.
““some of my best friends are black” ”
It is a key phrase that indicates the need to validate one’s own cred. I’ve been in the “hood” plenty, and there isn’t a need to validate oneself. That phrase would tick people off, but having worked in several of my city’s toughest areas, the fear of the area is usually amplified by over-hyping the crimes in the area, that though horrible when they happen, ignore the exceptions.
For years my local television stations had me convinced that there were parts of town I just didn’t want to go to. Then my work stationed me right in the middle of them. And now that I’m 20 years later than that set of experiences, it was mostly hype.
Most gang members I ever encountered fed off of two things, fear and aggression. If you acted afraid, they’d reinforce it, and if you acted aggressive (which was a mask for fear) you’d get it back. I was neither afraid of them, nor aggressive towards them. It was their neighborhood, regardless of my presence, and I’d treat them with as much respect as I would if I went into a small town baptist church, with manners and respect.
007, I worked in a “hood” for five years, until the gang task force told me I needed to leave or else wear a gun in my own clinic. I was fine with the local adults, even to the “real” gang members I was told I was hands off. But the teenage wannabe “gangsters” turned out to be the biggest problem in the end.
Yes, that’s what I was getting at with Obama’s “Muslim” statement. Do I think he’s Muslim… I think he’s a self serving politician and nothing more. But, in this case, I think he appears both weak and passive aggressive at the same time.
I think Obama is green and needs to be validated. By not having his father to pat him on his back, starting from such a young age, he still needs that affirmation. He may have needed it from his mother too, I don’t know, but clearly he needed it from his father.
And, I was pretty damn unnerved the first time I got stationed in our supposedly toughest ‘hood’ here (in the 4th largest city in the US). It was notorious on TV for violence, but my experience there conflicted with the reality.
It reminds me of the book written by Barry Glassner, “The Culture of Fear”. The book shows how people have unreasonable fears about kidnapping, child molesters, killer bees, lurking black males, and obviously now we see the tie-in with “terrorists”.
But what I’m most aware of is how the Nazi regime portrayed American’s to Germans, big fat head brutes, and the same in return to see the Japanese portrayed as bats with fangs or blood thirsty. Propaganda is very powerful. By creating a strong image of us v them, especially with hyperbole, you cannot easily escape the images after a while.
There is a rememdy: critical thought and doubt.
Just as the Republicans put out a lot of propaganda about Hillary for 15 years, and it was capitalized on by Obama and his surrogates in the primaries. I cannot tell you how many people thought “They didn’t like Hillary” or that she was “divisive and polarizing” — they didn’t even know why they said it — it just became part of the culture because she was spoken of that way for so long.
Then they saw her campaign over these months and got to know her — and most of them were scratching their heads, wondering what they thought they didn’t like. Then they changed their minds and voted for her.
Ani, exactly.
Larry and I share the conversion story, sans I didn’t give her an intel briefing. I just didn’t question the stuff being spewed enough. But when someone factually lied about one of those records, I decided,…well, better go fact check those “cattlegate”, “travelgate” “white water” and other allegations and know what I found of course..zip, zilch, nada!
But then I also had to a work up on her and Obama and look at the accomplishments between the two, to decide the quality of experience as well as the amount of experience. For her..I had 5 pages, size 12 print, all single liners, for him…less than one took care of it.
Basic strategic thinking can solve most things, but propaganda is just one of those things that only requires critical thinking.
one more thing, I have never voted in a primary, and her case was so compelling I did that goddamned Texas two-step..but I damn sure showed up at the caucus.
I attended my first Democratic campaign, for her, and then returned to my life long party…of independence.
I voted for neither party, with a write in.
She earned it.
and…keep up the great writing, you really add to this blog. Grazie, spaceba, danke, shukran, xe xe, thankye, dhanyvad, and all.
i’ve worked in “the hood” too, and i’m not going to make any excuses for the disfunctionality there. regardless of how an “outsider” deals with it, there is a serious cancer of disfunctionality on many communities in america.
a person shouldn’t have to worry about making the wrong move or wearing the wrong colors or whatever, and getting shot, assaulted or harassed. that is just f-ed up.
“i’m not going to make any excuses for the disfunctionality there.”
why would you? sorry, you’ll have to explain that, because I have no such motivation in me to do that, so I can’t relate to your need to express that. esplain…
“serious cancer of disfunctionality on many communities in america”
yes, including those who think they are the epitome of healthy and wealthy.
“a person shouldn’t have to worry about making the wrong move or wearing the wrong colors or whatever, and getting shot, assaulted or harassed. that is just f-ed up.”
Yes, and it is also partially myth. I didn’t have to wear anything special, or worry about making the wrong move. In fact, I’ve been in more danger in areas that were believed to be obviously safe than the time I spent in fifth ward or 3rd ward.
You got Docelder. I don’t want to say what they mean right now, I’ll let the MSM get on that hot potato, but I know they have a deep meaning to those listening with stake or an axe to grind. Muslims know exactly what that means because their religion teaches them what that means.
What is “hot potato” about it?
What is it you think “Muslims know” and what is it you think their religion teaches?
They are just the third of the Abrahamic religions. All three have taught to kill non-believers, nothing special about any of them in that capacity. Of course most don’t know how to read the texts without engaging in anachronistic revisionism, because the times they were written in are gone, well sorta.
can’t speak for lark, but as i mentioned before, i am quite familiar with the bible, torah, quran, etc., and you are right that there is plenty of barbarism and appeals to/excuses for violence against non-believers with the christian and jewish texts, but that is not really the important thing.
the important thing is how those texts are currently interpreted, and the reality is that the interpretation of scriptures by jews and christians has been moderated by their adherents living for centuries in western, liberal cultures.
very little such moderation and evolution has occurred in muslim societies. we just saw here on NQ a few days ago that a leading saudi cleric has decreed that it is perfectly acceptable for girls as young as 8-9 years old to be “married,” i.e. sold or bartered to a male relative, quite often.
“just saw here on NQ a few days ago that a leading saudi cleric has decreed”
yes, and I guess you forgot Warren Jeffers and the other “leading” voices like Ted Haggard, Jimmy Swaggard, and Jim Baker.
Pat Robinson who call for assassination of a foreign leader.
The amount of charges against Christian preachers for molesting children is appalling
http://www.theledger.com/article/20090121/NEWS/901210265/0/NEWS02
Victim recounts clergy abuse in Southington
http://www.newbritainherald.com/articles/2009/01/15/news/doc496ffd5a12681287828135.txt
Weleetka Pastor Charged With Abusing Kids
http://www.koco.com/news/18484639/detail.html
Ada preacher accused of child molestation
http://www.adaeveningnews.com/local/local_story_358160652.html
but, how about just narrowing to ones who believe its ok and say so…
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/352947_pastor28.html
Robbin Leeroy Harper, 60
“He told the pre-teen — as well as 7- and 8-year-old victims — that he was showing them pornographic material and teaching them to perform oral sex on him as preparation for marriage, according to court documents.”
If you want to have some credibility for critical thought, use some. You keep mentioning things that are all attempts to validate your ignorance of Muslims, your generalizations, use of extremes, and ignorance of the Christian examples that abound in our country.
To live in a country filled with Catholic abuse stories, pastor abuses, and other extremes, then focus only on the extremes in Muslim society you see, just shows that you aren’t willing to be honest.
Say what you want, but I’ve got your number on this. You can ignore Christian abuses and try and explain them away, but the convictions and confessions don’t lie.
how quickly you ignore the plethora of abuse accusations and confessions in the Christian churches.
how conveniently you pick extreme examples to try and validate some superiority over Muslims when you omit the examples found in Christianity and Judaism of the same behavior.
Don’t forget Warren Jeffers, Ted Haggard, or the countless preachers on trial and in prison for child abuse and molestation. The numbers are sickening and you ignore them. You can ignore them, but there are countless charges and cases going on right now against pastors, youth ministers and priests who are not simply professing it is ok, they are acting on it, have acted upon it.
Don’t play religious games with me, because you’ll quickly find I don’t play favorites. There are too many skeletons in the Christian closets to start this crap that “a leading saudi cleric”…blah blah.
When you can admit that if you actually had intellectual integrity you’d count Christian examples right along side your Muslim examples, you’d have different context than your anti-Muslim propaganda preaches to your brain daily.
You use self-validating facts and ignore the contradictions that undermine your case.
With such a brain, it is a shame to see you play biases so much that you look blind. But so be it, you’re your own person.
When Pat Robertson, Joel Osteen and their followers start to openly and publically execute homosexuals and adulterers then maybe I’ll share some of your faux outrage over modern Christianity.
grow up, 007.
And for every extreme you can show about Muslims, I’ll send you an equal amount of Christian and Jewish extremists.
I have no preference or restraints against pointing out the extremists or nutjobs from any of them.
“i mentioned before, i am quite familiar with the bible, torah, quran, etc”
easy to say, but you don’t demonstrate it very well. Most of your comments come very anecdotal references. You make them sound official, then when I push a little you quibble down to “well that’s my experience”. Remember it was just a few weeks ago, you said, “Average Arabs” and “Average Palestinians”, then admitted you’d never even been to an Arab country.
You claim to speak Arabic, be fluent enough to read it, yet you haven’t experienced the cultures first hand. Never been to Dubai, UAE, Qatar, but…somehow you are an arab expert.
No wonder you freak over my use of the word bigot.
Love your hypothetical question Docelder. In that predicament, I guess you have to really phrase it cleverly in order to defuse the situation. Some suggestions:
1–Many of my favorite family members are black.
2–My wife is black, and she just asked me to go to the store to get some arugula.
3–I have all of Fukadelic’s records!
4–Hey Homies! How ’bout the way we kicked Hillary’s butt! Bro’s befo’ ho’s! Worked hard for my man, the Big O!
5–How about a rap-off?
I think I’d get myself killed, unless I got them laughing so hard I could slink off unnoticed.
O–I forgot my ace in the hole:
Throw down
The Secret Obama Hand Signal!
what a bunch of fools (obama and the people who elected him). obama is a fool if he thinks that his being muslim is going to make any muslim country/group change its position toward the US. they will only use it to extract concessions, which obama will be stupid enough to give them. america will get nothing but more trouble in return.
I think is much much worse than that, you’ll see. I am so afraid of this buffoon.
The only people with brains in this country are TERRIFIED of Obama. Period. He’s not one of us, he’s Muslim, he hates America and has said so many times. What’s it going to take for people to wake up?
why would anyone with brains be terrified? That isn’t a sign of intellect, but emotion. Brains are used to overcome the animal state of fear. Fear is vital for safety and longevity, but to be come overcome “terrified”, especially of Obama, doesn’t seem at all the character of someone with “brains”.
And he is not a Muslim. A pandering politician? I think so. Green on too many levels, seems so, and I think so. But this Muslim baiting McCarthy crap is the sign of gross bigotry and blind chauvinism.
Who else has to flash their, “i’m not a muslim” card to the jingoists left in this country?
Anyone with brains is scared to death. Period. Most of my family’s friends have left the country with their money, or are in the process of doing so. He’s a bad guy with too much power. That is a recipe for danger. Period. What part of that do you not get? Are you an Obot? Just curious. Because boy do you go on the attack when you hear things you don’t like.
“Anyone with brains is scared to death.”
maybe if you’re prone to being afraid. I’ve spent too many years training to be afraid. I don’t need to be afraid of anything, even my bills or the death of family. It happens, and being afraid won’t stop it. We all die.
“Most of my family’s friends have left the country with their money, or are in the process of doing so.”
Must be real patriots then! I didn’t leave the country when Bush was president, no matter how incompetent and corrupt he is. My home.
“Period.”
I love how you put emphasis on this word, ‘period’ as if that makes what you say more factual by adding it. Your absolutist arguments demonstrate much about your intellectual vs emotional reactions.
“What part of that do you not get? Are you an Obot?”
Could you fathom an argument without me being one? I’m not an Obama supporter, but I don’t to increase your options out of courtesy for your brainstem.
“Just curious.”
No, you’re just accusatory, and need me to be something you can define so you can rail and rail your bigotry with a known target. And I’m not a known target. You’ll have to use your brain to figure out my politics, and I assure you that you’ll be incapable of doing so with your current accusatory strawman red herring ad hominem attacks.
“Because boy do you go on the attack when you hear things you don’t like.”
POT, KETTLE, BLACK, OAIF.
And, he IS A MUSLIM. Can you prove he’s not? Maybe you are one of the ones that believes the fake BC on Obama’s website is the real deal. ROFLMAO. Yeah, he’s a CHRISTIAN. Let’s watch Christmas at the White House next year.
Thanks for proving my point.
Yes, the first Christmas… that will be interesting won’t it? The press will want to see the decorations, and want to know what the kids got for Christmas. Sometimes the little things tell a lot. A lot of little things will tell everything.
If Obama can turn around the economy, keep us safe, rebuild our infrastructure, enact policies to reverse global warming, and get universal health care passed, I won’t care if he’s sacrificing goats on the South Lawn in the name of Ishtar.
You cannot be taken seriously when you call for people to disprove a negative.
“Maybe you are one of the ones that believes the fake BC on Obama’s website is the real deal. ROFLMAO. ”
Maybe you are one of the ones who has to assert a stawman argument because you haven’t the intellectual capacity to be honest. So, bring in the birth certificate, or…hey, why not bring in the self-destructing Building 7, or Area 51. Can you prove they DIDN’T capture an alien body?
Prove those planes weren’t remote control, go on, prove they weren’t!
You’re a walking joke OAIF
stawman? get an education first.
“And, he IS A MUSLIM. Can you prove he’s not?”
Prove he’s not? Oh, that’s golden. Golden!
I was wondering whatever became of OIAF.
hello again, TT; just wanted to mention that when a person is opposed to certain *behaviors and practices* with good reason, it does not fit the definition of the word “bigotry.” i mean, it is bigotry to disagree with certain republican ideologies? is it bigotry to be against Nazis? i hope not. in the same way it is not bigotry to be opposed to people who do not respect women’s rights, religious freedom, democracy, gay rights, separation of church and state, science, you name it.
it is no more “bigotry” to be opposed to the common practice of islam than it is bigotry to be opposed to christian fundamentalism. and btw, “mainstream” islam IS fundamentalism.
“just wanted to mention that when a person is opposed to certain *behaviors and practices* with good reason, it does not fit the definition of the word “bigotry.””
I agree. Bigotry is when a person is absolutely unable to hear another view because their own ideology blinds them. The person above is such a person.
Disagreement, even vehemently is not bigotry.
“it is bigotry to disagree with certain republican ideologies?”
Depends on whether you can give the ideology a chance. There are left wing bigots who treat “conservatives” the same way.
I’m neither a liberal or conservative.
When conservatives tell me they want less government, I can absolutely guarantee I’ll make them look like a leftist pinko with how little government I want. And if a Lefty says they want diversity and tolerance, I’ll simply show them a Conservative and watch them go apeshit.
It swings both ways.
I’ve learned to listen to conservative and liberal views to find where we agree. But some refuse to agree because the moment they hear either side’s view, they shut down.
I’ve had reasonable conversations with people who adamantly believe in “America Number One” even though I don’t believe that shit. Nor will leftists be able to convince me that America is the cause of all the world’s woes because it ignores the responsibility of other countries.
“is it bigotry to be against Nazis?”
Depends on what you mean? I’ve also talked with neoNazis who try like hell to shove their ideas down my throat, but because I don’t want to approach them with a blind mind, I find where I can get them to talk and open up. It isn’t hard, I just have to drop my preconceptions.
Standing against bad actions isn’t bigotry, so stop muddying down the waters as to avoid the point made about the original comments.
“btw, “mainstream” islam IS fundamentalism.”
is this from your latest internet blog research? Because sorry, that is bullshit.
Fundamentalism isn’t mainstream just because you can’t distinguish reality from a spotlight fallacy. You still going by that “average arab” stuff you were talking before?
When did you last sit with a “mainstream” muslim? or did you just read them on blogs?
Of course not. It would be bigotry, however, to insist that all non-Jewish Germans were unquestioning followers of Adolph Hitler, believing to the core in the rightness of his every word.
Does the former Kat Stevens strike you as a mindless fanatic? He’s widely admired and respected by mainstream Muslims. Are we to assume that the majority of mainstream Muslims are completely devoid of basic human decency? That Jews, Christians, and Muslims have no fundamental human values in common?
We might as well judge all Christians by referencing some bigoted hell-and-brimstone Christian fanatic–someone who advocates blowing up abortion clinics, for example, or who insists gay people are fundamentally evil and damned by God to the eternal flames of Hell.
Whoops! My original post was swallowed before I even finished. So, I’ll try again.
I hope this isn’t a “hug a terrorist” moment. But even I think Barack Obama is smarter than that.
True, I don’t like the fact that he’s willing to extoll his bonafides with an international outlet when he was so unwilling to even speak to the Muslim factor during the election.
But if it helps open a door for negotiations in the Middle East, I’ll let it pass. For Israel’s sake, for the Palestinian’s sake, we need to get this thing rolling. The whole region has been on hold for 8 years with nothing but blood and misery. On both sides. It can’t stay as is without more of the same.
So, we shall see.
What has this country come to? It seems as though I am living an unpleasant dream. This does not feel like the America of my birth–it feels somewhat as though I am now living in a foreign land in my own country! Maybe this is why I could not for the life of me develop a bond with Obama and I’m a black person. The problem is that he is not like me. I voted for Clinton and when that didn’t work, I voted for McCain–anyone except Obama would have been okay with me. They were the Americans in the race. What Obama is, I have no idea!
It’s strange, and reflected in the Oscar nominations too. They nominate this pop film “Slumdog Millionaire” when AMERICAN stories like Milk, Grand Torino get ignored.
It’s the “we’re ashamed of who we are” year.
I saw “Slumdog Millionarie” and really enjoyed it. And I saw Grand Torino last night. It was great [I'm a Clint Eastwood fan and if this is his last acting performance it was a fine one to go out on]. I laughed myself sick, and then was touched by the ending.
But what makes both movies enjoyable is that they’re very “human.” People struggling with themselves, with outside influences, with change. That’s a human story. It’s a 21st century story.
So, no. I don’t thing we’re ashamed of being “who we are.” We’re just admitting that the world is bigger than we are. And that’s not a bad thing.
Check the movies out. You’ll see for yourself.
I saw all those movies. I’m saying Slumdog Millionaire was a fun movie, but that Grand Torino was not even nominated for original screenplay, to me, is political. Maybe it’s the white guy gun-toting protagonist. I thought it was a wonderful story.
Actually catfish, I read it was a distributor problem. It didn’t hit enough screens quickly enough and didn’t get the buzz it deserved.
And that’s too bad because it is/was a really good film. I haven’t seen Milk yet but will. I understand Sean Penn is extraordinary.
word, Frichy. i still don’t know who obama is.
God bless you.
Obama statement to AL Arabyia is going to haunt the rest of his 4 years. During the election he hid is family roots, and claimed that he was a Christian. Now, he telling the Arabs that his family is Muslim. This guy is going to be worst than Bush. One minute he is a Christian and next he his family is a Muslim. Who is he trying to fool? I hope the press takes him on the next time he appears in front of them. Someone please this fraud a question.
Only a died in the wool MORON missed that ABC interview in which he stated “his Muslim faith.” LMFAO. Then there are the costumes and robes he has been photographed in. His claim that “The Muslim Prayer is the most beautiful thing in the world.” That he would “stand with the Muslims” if he had a choice. Or it was his education in Jakarta at a Madrass school. It’s UNBELIEVABLE that only now people are finally “getting” that he is nothing but a Muslim and always has been. Guess what? He really wasn’t hiding it from the stupid freak voters in America. Now, we PAY FOR IT.
Seattle, I was somewhat surprised to see you flirting with this bigot. Then again you did flirt with OIAF. Do you need new sheets or something? If you flirt with things like this will they produce a new pillow case?
This bigot lost me when she startted blaming the problems in America on immigrants. The only ones who can say that without a sense of irony are the Native Americans.
I must say that, from what I’m hearing, Obama is doing a great job.
Stay tuned, SusanUnPc. While I take your meaning to be BO is “reaching out” , it is interesting that President Clinton and Prince Turki were classmates at Georgetown.
I also have to question Prince Turki’s relationship with the Pakistan’s intelligence service and his role in funneling Saudi and American money to Afghanistan and the CIA.
I do not agree with you that BO is doing “a great job” on this. This the Europe tour reduex.
Well the good news, teakwood, is you are a rational person when it comes to debate, so the ability to articulate why you believe BO isn’t doing a “great job” will be above a drool. And thus we’ll probably read it.
will be above a drool.
awww. and I was trying so hard for the bat guano effect.
I actually believe that BO has been prevented from using this narrative effectively during the election cycle and perhaps if he had an once of honesty, it would mean something. But that narrative will do nothing but divide the country at this point.
I would not presume to know what he is up to, but if it saves a life…even one, then it was a good day.
LOL
you’re one of my long time favs here…never change…unless you have too!
Why is it “natural” for others to assume that the US is responsible for Gaza? Is Israel then responsible for the Afghan and Pakistan civilians we (Obama) murdered a few days ago?
Did someone REALLY say Obama “is doing a great job?” WOW…WTF?
Yep, sure did. Now what?
I don’t know. I guess some people are busy making crap up about Cheney to notice that this country is going into a financial tailspin with Mr. Muslim Magoo helming the ship. Quite frankly, intelligent people are looking forward and really scared of what they are seeing. Great job? In three days Obama’s ratings have tanked 15% and sliding further downwards. Since the Inauguration, more and more intelligent people are leaving the Democratic Party. Great job? Hardly.
oh contraire!
http://www.gallup.com/poll/113968/Obama-Initial-Approval-Ratings-Historical-Context.aspx
The new Gallup poll shows
Obama at 68% in his first week compared to:
Bush 57% same time
Clinton 58%
Bush Sr. 51%
Reagan 51%
Carter 66%
Nixon 59%
Kennedy 72%
and Eisenhower 68%
SO…what poll are you looking at? The Dick Morris poll? The Michael Savage poll?
What poll are you so confused about?
this is just more proof that the MSM is giving the obamessiah a free ride, and many people are still under the influence of the koolaide. if prez hussein turns out to be 1/10 the president bill clinton was, he’ll be doing damn good.
how is that proof?
You’ll find proof in anything then. Do you spend time looking at french fries on your plate to see if it might contain a hidden muslim meaning?
And you ignored what the poll pointed to, because it doesn’t help you with your blind comments.
“In three days Obama’s ratings have tanked 15% ”
If they’ve tanked…how is he doing so well? OIAF is making the case that Obama tanked 15%, but this poll came out today, so is he suddenly at 68% from 83%? or is OIAF unable to keep up with facts, as you are?
Proof? How is this proof? your burden of proof is scouring blogs for proof that Arabs are all bad, not worth living next to, so what credibility do you have about “proof”?
Okay, so he has a 68% approval rating and Carter had a 66% approval rating in his first week and ended up losing a second term. So the point is..?
Uh-oh. All the “Obama’s a Secret Muslim” nutjobs were drawn to this post like flies to honey.
And what, pray tell, came out in this interview that was so “secret”? He lived in Indonesia? NO! Really? His sperm donor father was a Muslim? Who knew?!? LMAO!
I agree with Susan. It is important for our leaders to reach out and take a more even-handed approach in the Middle East. I heard Hillary is planning a trip next week to the region. Perhaps this interview was a way to set the table…
He’s not a “secret” Muslim. You are right. He didn’t hide it from anyone. Just the brain dead who don’t read.
He’s not a “secret” Muslim. You are right. He didn’t hide it from anyone. Just the brain dead who don’t read.
Did you watch the swearing in ceremony of Tim Guetnner tonight? He mentioned he had grown up in several countries as a child, including India.
I heard Guetnner may be a secret Sihk separatist who will funnel funds from the Treasury to the fighters in Kashmir? Curse Obama…does his deception know no bounds???
Was Geutnner ever enrolled in an Indian school as a Sihk? Obama was enrolled as a muslim though…
OK, the “enrollment document” you cite as proof Obama was “enrolled as a Muslim” also lists his birthplace as Honolulu. So which part of this document am I suppose to believe? Was he a Muslim born in HI, or a Christian born in Kenya/Canada/Indonesia?
The ignorance of some of the people on this blog is staggering…
Prove he ISN’T a Muslim. Dissect the 10,000 items that prove he IS…and then DISPROVE them. Come on. I am sick of the Obot lies. Please, show us exactly the proof YOU have that he ISN’T Muslim. Because we have his own words that he is. And that his family is. Now, where is your proof?
Because we have his own words that he is. And that his family is.
Maybe you’re right. I had heard Wahhabism brand of Islam was really big in Topeka, Kansas in the 1950’s. That’s where his family (you know, the people who actually raised him) were born and lived.
I had thought through a lot of theories during the election cycle. I was convinced, that our government had overlooked something dire… etc. Where I wound up is believing that were this the actual truth, someone would have brought the truth out. But, if his family that raised him were intelligence “assets” of some sort… then this presidency makes more sense to me in some ways. That is where my comfort level thinking about all of this ends by the way.
“But, if his family that raised him were intelligence “assets” of some sort”
yeah, that’s the ticket! The Dunhams were really known as al-anon. They were secret agents for the Ayatollah. Yeah, that’s the ticket!
It is so easy to see the xenophobia when you can put into historical context. We’ve been here before, and it is damn sad we’re here again. These folks who love to use the name Hitler in reference to Obama, or to remind you of horrors so you can’t speak a word of criticism against Israel (a state), are in fact living relics of the days of the duped Germans who believed rolling into my country of Czechoslovakia was in their best interests. It is no different than their tacit approval of the extermination of gypsies, homosexuals, freemasons, and jews. They weren’t like them, so …they were bad. And these sort of despots use this crap to breed hate.
Being critical of Obama is highly important because he’s in a very powerful and important position. It is vital that we keep a clear set of eyes on his actions because they have consequences. But to go all apeshit with conspiracy theory hogwash only distracts from handling his real errors, because they won’t seem as important as it would if he suddenly dropped his Armani suits and showed you his Arab garb.
This blindness is nothing new. But it is dangerous to properly assessing real errors. To hell with hyperbole.
There are some very realistic voices here on NQ that are critical of Obama and make excellent observations about his flaws and the consequences. Then there are the ones who are using NQ to find an audience because Stormfront and FreeRepublic must be too in agreement with themselves.
“Prove he ISN’T a Muslim.”?
Disproving is a game for fools. Disprove you aren’t OIAF.
“Because we have his own words that he is. And that his family is. ”
And your comment is based on a misspeak that has been your banner of war, what a lame crusade. My family is filled with Catholics, Baptists, Presbyterians, and Jews, so what. I’m none of them outside the Jewish blood on one side. Their religious choices are in the past, and their own.
My proof is simply that he has clearly stated he is a Christian. Now, you are the one who is accusing him, and thus the burden of proof is on you.
If I tell you that I am a “insert belief system” and you blab on and on that I’m a “Muslim” it doesn’t suddenly throw a kafeyah on my head any faster.
Your rabid rhetoric is just a modern McCarthy bigotry intended to have neighbor turn on neighbor and make sure nobody is a Commie. It is a pathogen of ignorance that you live in.
Demonstrate proof outside the “muslim” comment on ABC, because if that is what you are basing your whole argument on, you’re a nut.
In fact, watching the Stephanopolis interview again, it is easy to see that he is responding to the smears from people like you who keep calling a Muslim and he’s stating that McCain hasn’t gone there.
Chew on these words some more because you can’t seem to digest them, You Are a Bigot. Your a modern red scare merchant who uses the star and crescent instead of the hammer and sickle.
That crap worked on people in the 50s, but we’re smarter than that now.
Actually do this…Make sure you remind everyone you are a Republican, continue with this ignorant blather, and see what the mid-term elections look like. Forgive me for not letting you cut your own groups chances for rebound…sorry for having gotten in your way. You are far more effective at destruction to your cause than any argument I can present. Bravo!
It still utterly amazes me how people here still think Islam is a happy fuzzy feel good religion.
What amazes me is that those who say they support Obama and diplomacy are the first to call others names when they disagree. Ever hear of “walking the talk?” If you believe in Obama’s message, then why do you come to this site to pick fights? Nobody I know ever changed their mind or attitude because someone yelled and called them names. Think about that.
[...] exclusive interview with president Barack Obama. I will not post it, but you can read the article here. As well as here for different points and analysis. Read it for yourself and be the judge and [...]
I think he’s playing with fire. I too used to think what’s so bad about Muslims? The truth is the moderate Muslim leaders are hard to find. And how will this play in middle america? Insulting America to a foreign journalist your first week in office?
Jeeze, this guy’s turning me into a right wing reactionary.
i hear you.
Do you not have a center? Why is it so easy to turn you into a “right wing reactionary”?
Discussing how piss poor leaders from the US mishandle policy (like BushCo not being able to tell the difference between Shia and Sunni, or secularists and fanatics)…the same as “insulting America”?
Wrap people up in easy to control memes and nothing remains true. I can speak out about the government and not insult America itself.
BushCo screwed up a lot. But Obama didn’t say BushCo screws up. He said America — too often — screws this up.
Maybe you should go abroad to get some other perspectives. Which nation should we emulate? Should we be more like Canada? We screw up. But we are always out in front trying to get it right.
Do you have a center? Seems you’re very default left. Nothing wrong with that.
There is one important thing that many Americans do not understand about the Arabs: “the Arabs never and never forget. If you kill someone’s father 500years ago, they will keep killing other people’s fathers 500years after”. The Arabs needs no friend from outside themselves, because it’s not in their blood.
The Jewish knows better than everyone else.
“The Arabs needs no friend from outside themselves, because it’s not in their blood. ”
Utter horseshit. I’ve made friends with Arabs for years.
My simple hope is that O is not trying to play poker injecting the history of his family, which was denied or buried during the voting year. It isn’t smart to deny then use a tie to specific heritage as a means for advantage in the world political stage. This is not to be toyed with, for our voters, nor for the Middle East as a whole. It isn’t something you can “cram” about the night before and act your way through it. That is my concern, and my experience in poker is, someone will always call your hand; best to be sure you aren’t bluffing when the stakes are beyond comprehension. It is insulting as a voter to have been denied this information, and makes perhaps a presumption on the part of any Muslim related community that placation is all that is needed. He has to be careful he isn’t sending the message, “Americans believe what I say, as you should as well”. This may be perceived as a challenge or and insult as well.
This was my favorite part of the interview; clear, concise. Speaking of the terrorists, Obama said:
“There’s no actions that they’ve taken that say a child in the Mu.slim world is getting a better education because of them, or has better health care because of them.”
Actually, that is not entirely true. My understanding is that Hezbullah and Hamas do have community development activities which is why they have a following. They are ahead of the curve in using such enticements to lure followers.
If I remember correctly, it is one of the pillars of Islam to take care of the widows and orphans. Kind of like tithing. It’s always been done.
TT007, you made 25 posts out of 110 comments here between 1:01:12 and 7:38:55. Maybe it’s time to start your own blog.
Who will know/care if he has his own blog?
Precisely.
Susan, too soon to say he is doing a great job.
He lacked political courage and conviction to embrace his Muslim heritage during the campaign. Disregarding that, what does his latest maneuver suggest? Instead of telling the Muslims to grow some spine against extremists in their midst, he is saying “that the language we use has to be a language of respect.” When has the US not done that? Were there hate crimes, riots against Muslims here after 9/11? Were there riots in India against Muslims after 11/26? He is creating a new attitude and a new problem by saying that. It is as though he is redefining the problem for which he has a solution. His solution is to throw a bone to the Muslims worldwide and to say can’t we all get along? These Muslims are already pathetic in feeling they are victims of the western world when they are victims of their own army/extremists, woeful leadership. He is making himself (and the US) weak by assuming some kind of new responsibility for their own woeful behavior.
What is this partnership that Obama is seeking with the Muslim world? He keeps saying it over and over I wish he would explain just what the hell that is.
That is a good question. I think it deserves to be answered.
Maybe it is like always, they put up the money and we put out our brains. They pay we do the work. I don’t know. What is it?
It’s too soon to say if this interview will help or hurt. If we’re able to strike a peace accord between Israel and the Arab world, then I might look back and say that it helped. If six months from now, extremists attack us again because they take this and the closing of Gitmo as a sign of Obama’s weakness, then we all know how the world will judge Obama. Kennedy tried to reach out to the USSR when he first took office, and all it got us were missiles in Cuba. Time will tell, but all this speculation and name calling back and forth isn’t going to change the outcome. It’s done. We don’t have a delete button in life. The outcome will be what it will be.
Personally, I think it was too soon. I think Obama should have let Hillary and Mitchell go in and do their thing first, but Obama’s hubris always seems to get in the way. But, for the sake of the world, I hope I’m wrong and maybe this was a gesture of good will that will be perceived as just that.
We all want peace. I think if Obama gets THAT message out to the world, and helps Muslims understand that we want to peacefully co-exist, but the terrorism has to stop for that to happen, that will make the difference. But we can’t have a leader out there blaming AMERICA. We’ve had our problems in the past and we still do, but to say that the one country on earth that truly promotes a diverse way of life gives these terroists a license to kill is mind boggling to me. You may disagree and that’s okay. My point is that our foreign policy has never been against MUSLIMS, even under Bush. Bush in his own way felt he was liberating the people or Iraq from a tyrant, and whether or agree with how he did it, I don’t think there’s any American out there who doesn’t think that Bush somehow felt he was justified in the war. Obama needs to make it clear to the Muslim world that while he may not agree with President Bush, American policy has never been anti Muslim, but we will not tolerate extremists coming into our country or any other country and killing Jews or Christians. If we’re going to have peace on earth, we need to stop blaming each other and start looking for common ground. I’m not sure that’s the message Obama gave in this interview, but we will see.
It all well and good for Obama to say he is not anti- Muslim but he still has to explain exactly how far is he willing to take America and Americans in this quest to show the Muslim world that we are these good loving people.
Is Obama going to agree to their religious requirements, allow them to wear their special garments, teach Arabic in schools, give them pray time from work and special praying areas? These are just some of the minor things they want people to accept, there is an entire list of things they would like, but how far is far Obama has to say what he is willing to do.
It’s an entirely different culture and style to how we live, they come to this country and when things don’t suit them they are not happy and find our culture and beliefs difficult to understand. Where is there going to be the half way ground in all this, Obama can talk the talk but before anyone gets on board with his nonsense he has to say just what it is he wants us as Americans to accept from these people, until that time I have no idea what the hell this great partnership that he is seeking means.
I think one needs to step back and ask why, in the first week of his presidency BO is granting his first interview with an Arab station. After all the posturing in the campaign and the denial of any close Muslim ties and the refusal of the LA Times to release the Khalidi video and the media’s refusal to use his middle name as if it were some kind of incendiary insult to him, I think this makes a pattern for his alliance with the Arab world, not to mention his indoctrination by Wright at that church and Ayers and Farrakhan around the corner from his house in Chicago. All of this and now he’s talking to an Arab station right out of the gate. Either his delusions that now he’s not only Lincoln, JFK and King but the peacemaker between the Arabs and Jews are intensifying or he’s a total, naive idiot who doesn’t know that he’s playing with fire.
I think Obama is trying to un-demonize Americans to the Arab street. All groups, including our own government, who wish to exercise power often demonize those that stand in their way. Our own media doesn’t show us half of what those street demonstrations scream about America and it doesn’t help any would-be moderate leader in those countries to be seen as “friendly” to us while we are seen as the evil satan. An interview showing a compassionate, rational president may help.
What we really need is to be free of our insatiable thirst for oil. Think anybody would be interested in these desert nations if they weren’t sitting atop the fuel of choice for the world?
As far as the Islamic religion, it has such a wide range of interpretations. I’ve seen sophisticated, cultured, modern Moslems and know also that the Taliban Mullahs are at the other end of that arc and would likely stone the more modern co-religionist. We need to stay focused on discerning who is friend and who is foe and condemn or befriend accordingly.