By Barb Shelly, Kansas City Star editorial page columnist
Barack Obama's speech today, delivered at an Egyptian University, will go over well with the burgeoning young population of the Muslim world. He stressed education for women, governments loyal to their people rather than parties or causes, and essential freedoms, including religion. He pledged more educational exchanges between college students from the U.S. and Muslim countries, and he promised to extend science and technology opportunities to Muslim nations. All good things.
I think the speech will cause consternation in Israel, with its blunt condemnation of the settlement policy. Obama called the occupation of Palestian lands "intolerable."
And in the U.S.? A mixed reaction, as always. I hope Americans appreciate the president's effort to understand and reach out to the Muslim world, and to communicate America's principles to those nations. Some will not like his rejection of the Iraq War, or his statement that the attacks on 9/11 "in some cases led us to act contrary to our traditions and ideals" -- a reference to torture and intelligence techniques. Many at home will not like Obama repeating his pledge to close the detention facility at Guantanamo. But the point of this speech was to extend a hand to the people of the Muslim world, and Obama achieves that by rejecting policies they find reprehensible.
The speech included the always-important reminder that Islamic extremists "killed people of different faiths, but more than any other they have killed Muslims." Can't say that enough.
The one thing I wish he'd left out: The promise to completely remove U.S. troops from
Iraq. I'm just not sure that's going to be possible.
Overall, this was a thoughtful speech by a president who has taken pains to study the Muslim world and who understands that the U.S. must rachet down the tensions with Muslim nations and peoples.
He proposed no great strategy or new course of people for Israel and Palestine. But for young Muslim people wanting a place in a world that values ideas, education and equality, I think he established himself as an ally.
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Jim50 said: "OH, very good BigSteve. I told up you I liked you the best."
That had a real Hannibal Lecter ring to it. Ew. The multiple personality disorder problem, all the while accusing others of mental illness, makes the whole thing even more twisted.
a question, Jim50
When did you stop beating your wife?
That's the standard example of the loaded question:
http://www.fallacyfiles.org/loadques.html
A question like 'why do you hate Israel?' like most loaded questions does not deserve an answer.
I do like you the best
That's the standard example of the loaded question:
http://www.fallacyfiles.org/loadques.html
A question like 'why do you hate Israel?' like most loaded questions does not deserve an answer.
OH, very good BigSteve. I told up you I liked you the best. But after less than 24 hours as "Barf" (I really thought they'd go for that name) I have apop admitting he is really Interface and that he/she/they hate Isreal. Meanwhile, why do YOU hate Isreal so much? Sorry, the logic with IT stands. He's mental. I personally think some childhood trauma. He must insult people to make him think he's better than others. He really needs some help. We should pitty him (and apop, his alter ego). I wonder when 5 IQ is going to pop up and show us how "smart" he is that he figured out Barf is really Jim50.
Good bye. You never know when I'll pop up again and get you to trip over your own verbal feet again proving what hateful people you really are.
Interface spends all day
Interface spends all day here doing nothing but insulting people and calling everyone names. Don't waste your time on him.
The quality of any discussion is immediately brought down to gutter level when he participates in a thread, which is pretty much 24/7.
Actually the discussion is raised a notch
The quality of any discussion is immediately brought down to gutter level when he participates in a thread, which is pretty much 24/7.
It is a pleasant change of pace to read intelligent and reasoned replies for a change instead of "liberals suck" and "Obama is a socialist".
Apop
The quality of any discussion is immediately brought down to gutter level when he participates in a thread, which is pretty much 24/7.
It is a pleasant change of pace to read intelligent and reasoned replies for a change instead of "liberals suck" and "Obama is a socialist".
Why are you always Interface's b@@ch? Don't you have any pride or at least some self-respect?
Obama did what he does best,
Obama did what he does best, he spoke to his audience. His ability to speak to his audience is one of his greatest assets. What he needs to learn in using this ability is that, in this world on facebook, you tube and the internet, what he says to one audience can appear to contradict what he has said to another audience. He is a great speaker and he achieved his goal, he was firm but was less rigid that the last U.S. administration.
Now we must wait and see if our enemies take his reduction in rigidity as softness.
What have they ever done for us?
The bulk of our foreign aid goes to Israel and Egypt. It is time to demand something in return from these countries. The president should have made it very clear that the days of plenty are over. They cannot simply do as they damn well please and expect American taxpayers to keep writing the checks. We've got some major financial problems here at home which take precedent.
They still take our money
In spite of the drop in the US dollar's value, the Israelis still accept several million of them every day in aid!
LOL
LOL
LOL
Funny. So do the "Palestinians". LOL
Didn't say they didn't
LOL
Funny. So do the "Palestinians". LOL
In case you didn't notice I was answering this question about Israel:
"What have they ever done for us?"
It is also important to note that the amount of money sent to Palestine is dwarfed by the millions sent every day to Israel, that the Israelis spend on weapons to kill the Palestinians.
Reality bites. Once again.
???
LOL
Funny. So do the "Palestinians". LOL
In case you didn't notice I was answering this question about Israel:
"What have they ever done for us?"
It is also important to note that the amount of money sent to Palestine is dwarfed by the millions sent every day to Israel, that the Israelis spend on weapons to kill the Palestinians.
Reality bites. Once again.
Funny, I remember asking Interface why he seems to dislike Isreal so much. Why are you claiming you answered? So, you are saying you hate Isreal because they take money from us. So, if we stopped giving them money (or they refused it) you'd like them? Are you answering for Interface too? Does Interface also hate Isreal because they take money from us? What about all the other countries that take money from us. Do you hate them too? What about the "Palestinians". They take money from us (my point, remember). Do you hate them for that too but just not as much in proportion ot the amount of money we give them? Barf is very confused now.
Maybe you should try not hating so much. It makes life better.
Barf doesn't bother with reality
Funny. So do the "Palestinians". LOL
Nope.
http://www.ifamericansknew.org/stats/usaid.html
We do provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, but on a scale that's simply dwarfed by the millions per day we provide to Israel for military funding:
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/crs/45198.pdf
Barf is confused
Barf is confused. Are you saying the "Palestinians" don't take our devalued money? Did Barf say anything about amounts or the intended purpose of the money? “Humanitarian”? Sure, right. Those rockets they lob, 6000 of them last year, aren't cheap. Why, Interface, why do you seem to hate Israel?
Yep, you did
In response to apop's point that the Israelis take several millions of our dollars daily, you said that the Palestinians did too.
Don't be stupid. People notice.
Now, now, Interface ... be nice
In response to apop's point that the Israelis take several millions of our dollars daily, you said that the Palestinians did too.
Don't be stupid. People notice.
Interface, insulting people is not a way to go through life.
I said the "Palestinians" took our under valued dollars.
And you still haven't told us why you seem to hate Israel so much. Interface, why is that?
one might ask Barf/Jim50
Why he hates America so much.
Of course, I never said anything against Israel -- just that Israel's and America's interests don't go hand in hand, and we should be questioning why so many billions of our tax dollars are going to fund their war against the Palestinians.
Here's a link to the full text of Obama's Cairo speech
For those interested:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/06042009/news/worldnews/full_text_of_obamas_speech_to_muslims_172557.htm
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democracy is our watchword
That's why the US supports the monarchies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
FOr all of the presidents
FOr all of the presidents out reach what is the muslim world giving us in return? Condemnation of extremist, nope. A method for dealing with a nuclear Iran, Nope. Demands on the Palestinians and the other muslim countries to formally recognize and accept Isreal, Nope. Human rights anyone, how about tolerance for non muslims in the muslim lands, we do need diversity right.
I am not sure what the President accomplished with this speach except to make it clear that he is putting the muslims over the israelis.
Why?
Why is it okay now to use his middle name but wasn't a year ago?
Barb, care to respond? I thought not.
probably
because of nimrods like yourself, Jenniferm.
Now that folks are actually familiar with the guy, the asinine strategy of trying to scare middle America with the guy's middle name kind of falls flat.
Oooooooo
because of nimrods like yourself, Jenniferm.
Now that folks are actually familiar with the guy, the asinine strategy of trying to scare middle America with the guy's middle name kind of falls flat.
Name calling...right off the bat. Typical.
At least it was not quite
The apology for America speech he gave in Europe, Mexico, etc. Something to be grateful for, I think.
As Predicted..
the big 0 starts the process of tossing Israel under the bus. What still amazes me is that Jewish people vote D... Stupid is as stupid does...
as for that
Likely has something to do with the fact that those who vote here are AMERICANS, grunt.
Our economic and national security interests are not at all in lockstep with those of Israel -- and indeed, turning a blind eye to Israel's policy moves, and indeed funding many of those moves, has had a net negative impact on our own position in the world.
American Jews Who Voted for Obama
Likely has something to do with the fact that those who vote here are AMERICANS, grunt.
Our economic and national security interests are not at all in lockstep with those of Israel -- and indeed, turning a blind eye to Israel's policy moves, and indeed funding many of those moves, has had a net negative impact on our own position in the world.
Not quite sure what kcgrh is trying to say here. OK, so Jewish Americans voted for Obama -- are you trying to say they are stupid? I'm sure they'll be delighted to know that you think you know and care more about Israel than they do.
Interface thinks everyone
Likely has something to do with the fact that those who vote here are AMERICANS, grunt.
Our economic and national security interests are not at all in lockstep with those of Israel -- and indeed, turning a blind eye to Israel's policy moves, and indeed funding many of those moves, has had a net negative impact on our own position in the world.
Not quite sure what kcgrh is trying to say here. OK, so Jewish Americans voted for Obama -- are you trying to say they are stupid? I'm sure they'll be delighted to know that you think you know and care more about Israel than they do.
Interface thinks everyone is stupid and a moron and an idiot and a nimrod and a loon and whatever other name calling the Star allows. People have noticed.
And Apop thinks Interface gives intelligent and reasoned responses.
I think you can find comparable behavior in middle school or prison.
You Are Soooooooo Right Flop
Why would we support Israel where there is democracy and freedom when we can support such peace loving nations as Iran and Syria.. You're right, I's interests are not our own... NOT.
I'm sure you're correct
In your apprehension that he alienated Israelis and that he pleased his Muslim audience. I am also pleased that no act of 'man-made disaster' occurred while over there. In fact, I am simply pleased all over, even feeling a tingle up my leg when I learned how diverse he was in his Cairo speech, because diversity and acceptance of everything and everyone regardless of anything is very important to have an inclusive, diverse society where no judgments are formed and nothing wrong can ever be done.
Amen.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/23334.html
"The president, who left the room to applause from an audience carefully chosen to reflect diverse perspectives, invoked the “Holy Koran” twice, and the “Holy Bible” once."
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/23334.html#ixzz0HSowGfUN&B
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