Obama: U.S. not your enemy

[Peikko 1,575]

I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries," Obama said, according to a White House transcript. "My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy."

The Al Arabiya interview, directed squarely at Muslims around the world, revived a vision of personal, symbolic international change that was in the air when Obama - with his far-flung family members, and complicated story - launched his campaign. It was a vision, and an aspect of his story, that the candidate buried when, in 2007, was forced to combat whispering campaigns about his own faith.

Some days he just feels more Muslim oriented on some days than others.

But by giving his first interview to the Arabic network, Obama signaled his continuing belief in his personal power as a symbol of America against the temptations of Islamic militancy. He even dismissed "bankrupt" ideas and policies that don't improve children's health care, jabbing at "nervous" Al Qaeda leaders in language that echoed his campaign against George W. Bush.

Children's health care is the real issue behind our differences? Obama must be getting most of his novel thoughts through his crack pipe again.

"What I told him is start by listening, because 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 said. "What we want to do is to listen, set aside some of the preconceptions that have existed and have built up over the last several years. And I think if we do that, then there's a possibility at least of achieving some breakthroughs."

Obama learned a lot about religious tolerance, women's rights, censorhip and carpet weaving.

"Will the United States ever live with a nuclear Iran? And if not, how far are you going in the direction of preventing it?" asked the interviewer, Al Arabiya Washington Bureau Chief Hisham Melhem.

Obama responded only generally, expressing disapproval of an Iranian bomb but not the flat condemnation that is standard from American officials.

He'll express his disapproval as the mushroom cloud looms over Tel Aviv.

" I cannot respect terrorist organizations that would kill innocent civilians and we will hunt them down."

Obama's new catch and release policy on fishing for terrorists.

"Israel is a strong ally of the United States. They will not stop being a strong ally of the United States. And I will continue to believe that Israel's security is paramount," he said. "But I also believe that there are Israelis who recognize that it is important to achieve peace. They will be willing to make sacrifices if the time is appropriate and if there is serious partnership on the other side."

Still looking for serious partners. Good luck.

It's posts like these that make Alien so special to VJ.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Its amazing that so much information about an individual's views can be read in between the lines of paraphrased commentary

Edited January 27, 2009 by Paul Daniels

[alienlovechild 75]

Yea you're right... he should just say screw diplomacy & extend the Bush doctrine since it has worked so well over the past 8 years

Which version of the Bush doctrine are you referring to Ms. Couric?

Obama has no experience in diplomacy and kissing foreign azz only goes so far. Hopefully, Iraq can handle it's own affairs soon because Obama's gonna drop them faster the fall of Saigon. Meanwhile, the military mastermind is shooting at Afghans and Pakistanis with more than diplomatic papers and talk on kid's health care. Face it. Obama is the Iranian's wet nuclear dream where Obama will dazzle them with commemorative Obama collector plates in return promises not to make more nukes later.

[Peikko 1,575]

Yea you're right... he should just say screw diplomacy & extend the Bush doctrine since it has worked so well over the past 8 years

Which version of the Bush doctrine are you referring to Ms. Couric?

Obama has no experience in diplomacy and kissing foreign azz only goes so far. Hopefully, Iraq can handle it's own affairs soon because Obama's gonna drop them faster the fall of Saigon. Meanwhile, the military mastermind is shooting at Afghans and Pakistanis with more than diplomatic papers and talk on kid's health care. Face it. Obama is the Iranian's wet nuclear dream where Obama will dazzle them with commemorative Obama collector plates in return promises not to make more nukes later.

Another classic post. You are on a roll today kiddo.

[pedroh 21]

Yea you're right... he should just say screw diplomacy & extend the Bush doctrine since it has worked so well over the past 8 years

Which version of the Bush doctrine are you referring to Ms. Couric?

Obama has no experience in diplomacy and kissing foreign azz only goes so far. Hopefully, Iraq can handle it's own affairs soon because Obama's gonna drop them faster the fall of Saigon. Meanwhile, the military mastermind is shooting at Afghans and Pakistanis with more than diplomatic papers and talk on kid's health care. Face it. Obama is the Iranian's wet nuclear dream where Obama will dazzle them with commemorative Obama collector plates in return promises not to make more nukes later.

that's the thing.. Bush made everybody think diplomacy=@ss kissing.. which is not.. plus, he has the Clintons, they do know how to manage international diplomacy, so I think he's cool

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Well the Bush doctrine has pretty much failed.

In fact, I would go out on a limb and say that since the end of WW2 there isn't one single offensive war that the US has fought that couldn't have been resolved (just as effectively) through other means.

WW2 was the last "just" war.

[nowhereman 1]

Yea you're right... he should just say screw diplomacy & extend the Bush doctrine since it has worked so well over the past 8 years

Which version of the Bush doctrine are you referring to Ms. Couric?

Obama has no experience in diplomacy and kissing foreign azz only goes so far. Hopefully, Iraq can handle it's own affairs soon because Obama's gonna drop them faster the fall of Saigon. Meanwhile, the military mastermind is shooting at Afghans and Pakistanis with more than diplomatic papers and talk on kid's health care. Face it. Obama is the Iranian's wet nuclear dream where Obama will dazzle them with commemorative Obama collector plates in return promises not to make more nukes later.

STEP 1: Take your meds

STEP 2: Google "DIME" (Diplomacy, Information, Military, Economics)

STEP 3: Google "Bush Doctrine"

STEP 4: Take more meds

[alienlovechild 75]

STEP 1: Take your meds

STEP 2: Google "DIME" (Diplomacy, Information, Military, Economics)

STEP 3: Google "Bush Doctrine"

STEP 4: Take more meds

STEP 1: Wake up

STEP 2: Get some coffee

STEP 3: Realize Bush is out of the White House and your conspiracy theories are history

STEP 4: Prepare your sacrifice at your household Obama shrine (don't forget to add you signature statement that you only agree with Obama 99% of the time).

STEP 5: Go back to bed

[nowhereman 1]

STEP 1: Take your meds

STEP 2: Google "DIME" (Diplomacy, Information, Military, Economics)

STEP 3: Google "Bush Doctrine"

STEP 4: Take more meds

STEP 1: Wake up

STEP 2: Get some coffee

STEP 3: Realize Bush is out of the White House and your conspiracy theories are history

STEP 4: Prepare your sacrifice at your household Obama shrine (don't forget to add you signature statement that you only agree with Obama 99% of the time).

STEP 5: Go back to bed

STEP 5: See your shrink about doubling your dosage... the current meds aren't working.

[alienlovechild 75]

STEP 5: See your shrink about doubling your dosage... the current meds aren't working.

I need 'em after reading your DIME posts with you believing nobody has tried these aspects before and being unable articulate how they can be used now.

Don't feel bad that you failed the Palin style quiz on the Bush Doctrine. This from the same crowd that heckled Palin on it during the campaign. Not an issue now, eh?

[nowhereman 1]

STEP 5: See your shrink about doubling your dosage... the current meds aren't working.

I need 'em after reading your DIME posts with you believing nobody has tried these aspects before and being unable articulate how they can be used now.

Don't feel bad that you failed the Palin style quiz on the Bush Doctrine. This from the same crowd that heckled Palin on it during the campaign. Not an issue now, eh?

You are a complete tard... I've explained DIME & the Bush doctrine in previous posts. The fact that I know the acronym and I'm pretty sure you didn't means you should probably stick to topics you actually know a little about.

[kaydee457 13]

This is what Jimmy II gets for his trouble.....naive to say the least!

He's being used for propaganda by the Iranians just as his dumb mentor, Jimmy Carter, in 1978......

Oh, I just got an idea! Maybe he should send Jimmy Carter to the Middle East as an emissary to talk to Hamas? You know, try to reason with them.....And following all the propaganda photo sessions they can send Jimmy boy packing. Oh wait, Jimmy already did that on his own defying a sitting President when told not to do so!

What this naive, inexperienced President doesn't understand is that these people HATE us, and NO amount of friendly overtures towards them by us will curtail their mission.

This egotistical dumb-####### President of ours needs to take the advice of people a lot smarter than he in these matters.

Obama should apologise to Iran: Ahmadinejad

TEHRAN (AFP) – Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad demanded on Wednesday that US President Barack Obama apologise for "crimes" committed by the United States against Iran over the past 60 years.

The hardline leader also called on Washington to withdraw its troops from across the world as a proof of Obama's policy of change.

"You were standing against the Iranian people in the past 60 years," Ahmadinejad said during an address in the western region of Khermenshah that was broadcast by state television.

"Those who speak of change must apologise to the Iranian people and try to repair their past bad acts and the crimes they committed against Iran."

As to the troops, he said he expected two kinds of "deep and fundamental" change.

"Meet people, talk to them with respect and put an end to the expansionist policies. If you talk about change it must put an end to the US military presence in the world, withdraw your troops and take them back inside your borders."

Ahmadinejad said the advocates of change must "stop supporting the Zionists, outlaws and criminals."

He called on the United States to "stop interfering in other people's affairs" and said Washington should "let the American people decide their own future ... Stop pressuring them," he added, without saying to what he was referring.

Ahmadinejad said he welcomed change but the "change has to be fundamental."

"If someone wants to talk with us in the language that (George W.) Bush used ... even if he uses new words, our response will be the same that we gave to Bush during the past years," he added.

Tension between Washington and Tehran has been high over the latter's nuclear programme.

Bush refused to hold talks with Iran until it stopped its nuclear work, but on Monday Obama extended a diplomatic hand towards Tehran to break the deadlock.

In an interview with Al-Arabia television, Obama promised to lay a framework for his policy towards Iran.

"As I said in my inauguration speech, if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us.

"It is very important for us to make sure that we are using all the tools of US power, including diplomacy, in our relationship with Iran."

Also on Monday, Washington's UN ambassador, Susan Rice, pledged "direct" support to Tehran if it halts the nuclear programme.

Ahmadinejad said Tehran would "wait, see and listen to what they (US) say and then consider what they do."

"If there is a real change, we will welcome it."

The five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- plus Germany have offered Tehran economic and energy incentives in exchange for halting its uranium enrichment programme.

But Tehran is pressing on with the work, insisting that its nuclear programme is peaceful and solely geared toward electricity generation.

The Security Council has already adopted four resolutions -- three of which included sanctions -- requiring Iran to suspend enrichment

Edited January 28, 2009 by *entitlements_yay

[nowhereman 1]

This is what Jimmy II gets for his trouble.....naive to say the least!

He's being used for propaganda by the Iranians just as his dumb mentor, Jimmy Carter, in 1978......

Oh, I just got an idea! Maybe he should send Jimmy Carter to the Middle East as an emissary to talk to Hamas? You know, try to reason with them.....And following all the propaganda photo sessions they can send Jimmy boy packing. Oh wait, Jimmy already did that on his own defying a sitting President when told not to do so!

What this naive, inexperienced President doesn't understand is that these people HATE us, and NO amount of friendly overtures towards them by us will curtail their mission.

This egotistical dumb-####### President of ours needs to take the advice of people a lot smarter than he in these matters.

Kaydee your boy W was infamous for not listening to anyone but Cheney & Dumsfeld, so your assertion that Obama should "take the advice of people a lot smarter than he in these matters" is hypocritical to say the least. Here's a short list of individuals (all former Secretaries of State) who agree that we should at least attempt diplomacy (and there are many others):

Colin Powell, Madeleine Albright, Warren Christopher, James Baker and Henry Kissinger.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

This is what Jimmy II gets for his trouble.....naive to say the least!

He's being used for propaganda by the Iranians just as his dumb mentor, Jimmy Carter, in 1978......

Oh, I just got an idea! Maybe he should send Jimmy Carter to the Middle East as an emissary to talk to Hamas? You know, try to reason with them.....And following all the propaganda photo sessions they can send Jimmy boy packing. Oh wait, Jimmy already did that on his own defying a sitting President when told not to do so!

What this naive, inexperienced President doesn't understand is that these people HATE us, and NO amount of friendly overtures towards them by us will curtail their mission.

This egotistical dumb-####### President of ours needs to take the advice of people a lot smarter than he in these matters.

[Heracles 417]

lol The liberal brain.

Obviously groups that deliberately target and kill other people, including children, are the types to sit down and have a discussion.