Transcript of Obama's Speech at Cairo

[MrsAmera 41]

I think the major issue - relating to Palestine is that some believe Obama will go up there and say "yes that's right no more Israel we're going to kick them all out." It's foolish to think any American president or non-Muslim/Arab country leader will say that and the longer people believe this to be the only solution the longer the conflict will be prolonged. I don't even believe that most leaders of Islamic/Arab countries believe that to be the solution. The sooner that an agreement for a 2 state solution can be reached the sooner the conflict can be resolved. I'm no Israeli sympathizer and I think what is happening to the Palestinians is awful but don't bury your head in the sand and think that there will ever be a complete reclaiming of those territories....

[doodlebugg 10]

obscene, insulting, degrading and hollow. that's from my first read through. i'm sure i'll grow even more disgusted with subsequent readings and the sycophantic media fawning that's sure to follow.

a good analysis http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article10576.shtml

and for those who understand Arabic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk7QWOPY404

Well sure that's a perfect analysis and it's dead on true as to what a US President *should* address but you'd really have to be a total idealist to believe he'd diss Israel like that. I don't for one minute think that there would ever be a man/woman strong enough to stand up to them since after doing so they and their political party to some extent would take a HUGE fall afterwards. To me, this is the perfect time to do this and I'd hoped that *maybe* Obama would have the balls to do it since what the heck the country's financial situation is in the crapper anyways but apparently he's not.

I just think it was a nice gesture to talk publically from Cairo and I like the fact that he is trying to reach out to muslims, however ineffectual that try may have been.

[sandinista! 1,816]

obscene, insulting, degrading and hollow. that's from my first read through. i'm sure i'll grow even more disgusted with subsequent readings and the sycophantic media fawning that's sure to follow.

a good analysis http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article10576.shtml

and for those who understand Arabic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk7QWOPY404

ei never disappoints. thank God they get it.

this is a quote from another message board i read, but i thought it was perfect.

"Where were the shoes?

Surely there is something surreal about seeing a hall full of Muslims applauding a US President who has ordered air strikes on two Muslim countries that very day. Are these people all insane?

Obama said "This cycle of suspicion and discord must end" but what he meant was "This cycle of suspicion and discord must end, but the bombing will continue." Cue applause.

Excuse me for being cynical . but again I think Obama is more dangerous than Bush--he is not only a better speaker, he is smarter. I see this trip as a page from The Israeli Playbook,--the continuing Israeli policy of feigning negotiations, and at the last minute backing away and blaming the Palestinians, as happened at Taba."-promise4

i have to wait until later this evening for my translator to arrive home, but i'll check out the youtube video too.

obscene, insulting, degrading and hollow. that's from my first read through. i'm sure i'll grow even more disgusted with subsequent readings and the sycophantic media fawning that's sure to follow.

What would you have wanted him to say instead?

taking responsibility for the wanton murder of 90 afghan children last month and vowing it will stop would have been a good start for me. and so much more.

[aisha kandisha 0]

I think the major issue - relating to Palestine is that some believe Obama will go up there and say "yes that's right no more Israel we're going to kick them all out." It's foolish to think any American president or non-Muslim/Arab country leader will say that and the longer people believe this to be the only solution the longer the conflict will be prolonged. I don't even believe that most leaders of Islamic/Arab countries believe that to be the solution. The sooner that an agreement for a 2 state solution can be reached the sooner the conflict can be resolved. I'm no Israeli sympathizer and I think what is happening to the Palestinians is awful but don't bury your head in the sand and think that there will ever be a complete reclaiming of those territories....

I don't think anyone here has said they expect Israelis to be kicked out so not sure who you are suggesting is burying their head in the sand.

Obama insisting a 2-state solution is the only viable outcome is as arrogant as Bush imposing a 'democracy' on Iraq. Many people believe it is too late for a 2-state solution. Saree Makdisi outlines in detail why this is so, and why the only viable, long-term equitable solution would be a single state. Regardless of what opinions we have, it shouldn't be us or the leadership of the U.S. determining whether it is a one-state or two-state solution.

[aisha kandisha 0]

Surely there is something surreal about seeing a hall full of Muslims applauding a US President who has ordered air strikes on two Muslim countries that very day. Are these people all insane?

an invited audience.

Excuse me for being cynical . but again I think Obama is more dangerous than Bush--he is not only a better speaker, he is smarter. I see this trip as a page from The Israeli Playbook,--the continuing Israeli policy of feigning negotiations, and at the last minute backing away and blaming the Palestinians, as happened at Taba."-promise4

i have to wait until later this evening for my translator to arrive home, but i'll check out the youtube video too.

Ha, you are not far off from what the video says. He says the words may sound like honey coming from Obama's mouth, but the policy is not really different.

[SaadBell 0]

I agree, this is a wonderful start, as far as Obama being more dangerous than Bush, you are kidding right. I can see some of your point, Bush was lower functioning, whereas Obama is higher functioning, but more dangerous? I think Chaney and his gang are the one's that are dangerous. It is known that Bush got information that there was going to be a terrorist attack within a short time, and than 9/11. He stood back and did nothing, and his father was at a meeting with his Saudi friends, the Carlisle group all present when the first plane hit the world trade center. I bet that was a interesting chat in that room. Bush's are oil money, they are receiving millions from oil and Saudi, so the Bush's are not thinking of your best interest, they are thinking about their best interest. I think Obama is a breath of fresh air, is he going to do everything I think needs to be done? NO, but at least I agree with some of his agenda. Just my personal thoughts. I would love to see drug war end, empty the prisions, and get violent offenders in there, as of now, predators are getting a free ride, they can plea down, because the prisions are overflowing with non-violent drug users with mandatory sentences. So the pervs walk, go and check out what and who is living in your neighborhood, you might be surprised. Florida has registered sex offenders online, you can see where they live, how far are they from you, and what kind of perverted things they are known for. So yea I see a lot I personally would change, and that is just the first thing I would do.

Edited June 5, 2009 by Ganja_Girl

[sandinista! 1,816]

Surely there is something surreal about seeing a hall full of Muslims applauding a US President who has ordered air strikes on two Muslim countries that very day. Are these people all insane?

an invited audience.

Excuse me for being cynical . but again I think Obama is more dangerous than Bush--he is not only a better speaker, he is smarter. I see this trip as a page from The Israeli Playbook,--the continuing Israeli policy of feigning negotiations, and at the last minute backing away and blaming the Palestinians, as happened at Taba."-promise4

i have to wait until later this evening for my translator to arrive home, but i'll check out the youtube video too.

Ha, you are not far off from what the video says. He says the words may sound like honey coming from Obama's mouth, but the policy is not really different.

an invited audience screened to make sure they'd all been lobotomized?

he has big plans for af-pak too! billions of dollars headed their way. roadside bombings in af. are up 80% over last year. i'd be willing to bet that most afghans and pakistanis would be perfectly willing to tell the us to shove their billions of dollars up dc's collective ####### if it would get us to stop our compassionate, freedom loving bombs from falling on their kids.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Hubby's not impressed. I'm not impressed. My family's not impressed, but most Palestinians aren't impressed by promises and talk anymore. I agree with chemaatah. I think this man is dangerous, if for no other reason than that too many are easily seduced by his words while ignoring his hypocrisy. Beyond that, he's dangerous because he believes that the power of his personal charisma is enough to change the course of events, and allow him to justify the means to an end. He's narcissistic; everything is all about him, and the way the adoring media makes it all about him, he may be right.

Ugh!

If he ever does anything that doesn't circumvent the Constitution in ways that give him more power, and he actually accomplishes something positve, I'll give him kudos. But, loving the sound of his own voice is doesn't mean a hill fo beans to me.

Edited June 6, 2009 by Barza Woman

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

Hubby's not impressed. I'm not impressed. My family's not impressed, but most Palestinians aren't impressed by promises and talk anymore. I agree with chemaatah. I think this man is dangerous, if for no other reason than that too many are easily seduced by his words while ignoring his hypocrisy. Beyond that, he's dangerous because he believes that the power of his personal charisma is enough to change the course of events, and allow him to justify the means to an end. He's narcissistic; everything is all about him, and the way the adoring media makes it all about him, he may be right.

Ugh!

If he ever does anything that doesn't circumvent the Constitution in ways that give him more power, and he actually accomplishes something positve, I'll give him kudos. But, loving the sound of his own voice is doesn't mean a hill fo beans to me.

Well spoken!

[Ihavequestions 419]

Just as it's easy to take one verse from our Holy Books because it suits us and ignore the rest, it's easy to hear one line from this speech and ignore the bigger message: We ALL have a duty to stop the hate.

Whether you love him or hate him, one man can't fix the world.

[HLM 1]

Just as it's easy to take one verse from our Holy Books because it suits us and ignore the rest, it's easy to hear one line from this speech and ignore the bigger message: We ALL have a duty to stop the hate.

Whether you love him or hate him, one man can't fix the world.

Couldn't agree more! Arab leaders have been such a disappointment for decades and always blamed the US for everything that goes wrong. I honestly think if Obama does keep his word and does walk the walk then the Arab leaders will have to work so hard to really see the progress.

[Ihavequestions 419]

Couldn't agree more! Arab leaders have been such a disappointment for decades and always blamed the US for everything that goes wrong. I honestly think if Obama does keep his word and does walk the walk then the Arab leaders will have to work so hard to really see the progress.

The leadership of any society are people who are a product of that same society. The finger pointing and blaming is not just an "Arab" problem, it's a global problem. Everyone, universally, will have to work hard to see change and progress. We have to ask ourselves, individually, if we, on a personal level, are willing to work alongside of our leaders and do the work that's necessary to affect the necessary change. If there is no change, there will be no progress. The fundamental FIRST STEP is to stop the hate because when the hate stops the ignorance and intolerance will stop as well.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

All these platitudes and bumper sticker slogans sound good, but what do they mean in terms of action? Seriously, what can Obama do to make real change? He can't force them to do anything they don't want to do. People complain about the US levying sanctions, tariffs, withholding aid, sending in operatives to cause disruptions and discord; Bush and his predecessors did that with Saddam before invading Iraq, and most people hate him for it. The bottom line is that the Arab/Muslim world is made up of sovereign countries. All that can be done from the outside is talk. The impetus has to come from their own people. Obama and his followers may believe he's good, but he ain't that good.