Obama's Cairo speech

[SaadBell 0]

I like Obama's speech, truly, make it a law that one must smoke at least a blunt, if they could just get that in their system it would change the world. No more wars or fights, everyone just hanging with each other, but for some reason humans love to fight, since the stone age, we just want to taste blood for some reason. All the wars are the same just different names and of course different reasons, but take that all away it is basically like kids in a school yard fighting over some candy. Land is always a big one to have war over and religion, well that I never understood, not a lot of compassion, hard to feel love from any religion when you see your friends dying next to you, it appears that the problem with a lot of religion is that they preach love and compassion, yet have no problem sending young men into wars, it is like saying one thing, but doing another. I hope one day we could just stop this madness and get working on some important things like stopping world hungry.

[Susita 175]

I like Obama's speech, truly, make it a law that one must smoke at least a blunt, if they could just get that in their system it would change the world.

Yeah we'd also run out of natural resources, LOL.

"The Munchies" will become a pandemic, lol.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

What a waste of time to give a damn about Obama's speech. He does a lot of speaking He loves the sound of his own voice. So what? His entire campaign studiously avoided mention of his Muslim ties, moving hijabi women out of camera view, playing down his time Indonesia with his Muslim stepfather. He professed his Christianity at every whisper of Islamic roots, and dispatched surrogates to threaten commentators with racism if they used his middle name.

He's a big damn hypocrite. He's not gonna close Gitmo anytime soon, and he's all about if you're not with me, you're against me. So far, his administration has been thuggish and clumsy. Flying a possee to NY for dinner and a show on the public's dime, then grabbing a microphone to announce how everyone's gonna haveta sacrifice for benefit of the next generation, as the layoff of auto workers, the suttering of uncompensated auto dealers begins at his command.

Now, it's off to Paris for another date night. Yea, he's really, really worried about us Muslims. He's still bombing them in Iraq and Afghanistan. Didn't he promise to end that, too? I'm not holding my breath.

[~PalmTreeGurl~ 154]

Tamara- so what did you want him to do? to start war with Egyptians? I still don't get what you are saying because you say I don't believe they're all extremists/terrorists...but you can't deny that there are some who are....so what do you want him to do regarding them? even though no matter what you believe the majority are not and that's whom he is addressing....Do you think Egypt is not holding those terrorists down? Since the 9Os there has been only two attacks since then and everyone was caught. Egypt worked so hard -of course with ignorance to human rights- to control those ppl and infact did for the longest time.

But I will say this yes the view of America is distorted to most Egyptians and they were very happy to finally see America lending a hand rather than a hammer on the head! A lot of ppl are already changing towards America and yes it is very smart because extremists will have no where to go if this change keeps taking effect. I don't think making enemies will fix anything.

Obama is trying to set a new tone & I applaud him for that. The Bush administration alienated a lot of muslims with their rhetoric & they even alienated many Americans with their rhetoric... for example the "if you aren't with me you are against me" speech or the ####### (I think this was mostly Cheney) that if you disagreed with the president you are being unpatriotic (which is pure BS & total hypocrisy, since Cheney is now blasting Obama for his policies).

Like or not, agree with it or not, but our country has lost a lot of credibility worldwide because of the actions & policies of the Bush administration. Critics see Obama's overtures towards the muslim world as a sign of weakness, but I think it is just the opposite... it takes guts to admit mistakes & try to mend frayed relationships. If we are to be successful in the war on terror we need the cooperation of moderate muslim nations... this isn't a sign of weakness but rather a matter of practicality.

I agree.

Nowhereman and susita83 are right on! I am glad some people are taking a sagacious look at the issue. Politics is complicated. I am surprised that Tamara has the audacity to say what she said. Terrorists do NOT care about their image; Obama is addressing the majority of Muslims who ARE innocent of these violent acts yet are mistreated/discriminated against. No it's not my fault that Americans didn't do their homework on the issue and choose to be fed by the media that all Muslims are the same! It is the same as the stereotypes that people have made about Catholic priests; so I have the right then to think all priests are pedophiles? Well after all they did that to their religion didn't they? My husband studies crime and US crime statistics show that African Americans make up 45% of the prison population when they are only 13% of the general population. Only an ignorant racist would argue that black people are inherently violent. Like the previous posts have argued; the issue of terrorism is very complicated and there is a need for an interdisciplinary approach to the problem rather than biased and shallow opinions.

Regarding Obama addressing the Egyptians: they are not being mistreated or discriminated against by the Americans. 99% of muslims are innocent in America or throughout the world just like 99% of Catholics are too. I just dont see Obama addressing the world full of Catholics bcz of what their preists did. Im starting to think that a good bit of muslims seem to think they are so mistreated in America or by Americans and it just isnt so. Over a billion muslims in the world and it seems like they are the Hot Topic this day in age about them being so mistreated in life. Im just not buying into that. Terrorism and extremism is what we should be going after and stop giving everyone else a pity party.

[nowhereman 1]

The Bush administration alienated a lot of muslims with their rhetoric & they even alienated many Americans with their rhetoric... for example the "if you aren't with me you are against me" speech or the ####### (I think this was mostly Cheney) that if you disagreed with the president you are being unpatriotic (which is pure BS & total hypocrisy, since Cheney is now blasting Obama for his policies).

Now were all painted as racists or Muslim haters by people like you. That's hardly progress.

Like or not, agree with it or not, but our country has lost a lot of credibility worldwide because of the actions & policies of the Bush administration. Critics see Obama's overtures towards the muslim world as a sign of weakness, but I think it is just the opposite... it takes guts to admit mistakes & try to mend frayed relationships. If we are to be successful in the war on terror we need the cooperation of moderate muslim nations... this isn't a sign of weakness but rather a matter of practicality.

The U.S. doesn't earn any credibility with pointless gestures with flowery speeches. Still waiting for the Arab world leaders to admit to any mistakes for decades. If you don't know that's there intelligence being shared between countries you're still thinking like a grunt. There's a difference what Arab governments say and what they do behind the scenes. How many Arab or Muslim countries broke diplomatic relations over Iraq or Afghanistan? How many pulled out their economic holdings in the U.S.? Is it because they like us or they are being pragmatic in knowing which country can make a difference?

Lastly don't bother with the "you're calling all Muslims terrorist" #######. Posting that on everyone who disagrees you is just a tactic to stifle other opinions which is what you claimed Bush did.

Alienchild ####### are you talking about when you say "people like me"? I am pointing out things that Bush & Cheney said & did and somehow I'm at fault? I'm sorry that I offended you with the truth.

As for "pointless gestures & flowery speeches" changing a mindset is the first step to real change, so it absolutely does mean something. Of course it has to be followed up with action, but its a start. As for lecturing me on what Arab countries do & don't do unless you have a PhD in Middle Eastern studies there's a real good chance I'm more educated on the subject than you are, so please keep the lecture to yourself. As for your attitude about Muslims as an example you said "He (Obama) can't speak louder than the actions of Muslims themselves" when Obama said it was part of his responsibilities as president "to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear." That suggests that you are lumping muslims into one category does it not?

As for disagreeing with me I don't have a problem with that at all, but I do have a problem with twisting what I say & not admitting the truth when its slapping you in the face. The quote "everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own fact" definitely applies.

[nowhereman 1]

Tamara- so what did you want him to do? to start war with Egyptians? I still don't get what you are saying because you say I don't believe they're all extremists/terrorists...but you can't deny that there are some who are....so what do you want him to do regarding them? even though no matter what you believe the majority are not and that's whom he is addressing....Do you think Egypt is not holding those terrorists down? Since the 9Os there has been only two attacks since then and everyone was caught. Egypt worked so hard -of course with ignorance to human rights- to control those ppl and infact did for the longest time.

But I will say this yes the view of America is distorted to most Egyptians and they were very happy to finally see America lending a hand rather than a hammer on the head! A lot of ppl are already changing towards America and yes it is very smart because extremists will have no where to go if this change keeps taking effect. I don't think making enemies will fix anything.

Obama is trying to set a new tone & I applaud him for that. The Bush administration alienated a lot of muslims with their rhetoric & they even alienated many Americans with their rhetoric... for example the "if you aren't with me you are against me" speech or the ####### (I think this was mostly Cheney) that if you disagreed with the president you are being unpatriotic (which is pure BS & total hypocrisy, since Cheney is now blasting Obama for his policies).

Like or not, agree with it or not, but our country has lost a lot of credibility worldwide because of the actions & policies of the Bush administration. Critics see Obama's overtures towards the muslim world as a sign of weakness, but I think it is just the opposite... it takes guts to admit mistakes & try to mend frayed relationships. If we are to be successful in the war on terror we need the cooperation of moderate muslim nations... this isn't a sign of weakness but rather a matter of practicality.

I agree.

Nowhereman and susita83 are right on! I am glad some people are taking a sagacious look at the issue. Politics is complicated. I am surprised that Tamara has the audacity to say what she said. Terrorists do NOT care about their image; Obama is addressing the majority of Muslims who ARE innocent of these violent acts yet are mistreated/discriminated against. No it's not my fault that Americans didn't do their homework on the issue and choose to be fed by the media that all Muslims are the same! It is the same as the stereotypes that people have made about Catholic priests; so I have the right then to think all priests are pedophiles? Well after all they did that to their religion didn't they? My husband studies crime and US crime statistics show that African Americans make up 45% of the prison population when they are only 13% of the general population. Only an ignorant racist would argue that black people are inherently violent. Like the previous posts have argued; the issue of terrorism is very complicated and there is a need for an interdisciplinary approach to the problem rather than biased and shallow opinions.

Regarding Obama addressing the Egyptians: they are not being mistreated or discriminated against by the Americans. 99% of muslims are innocent in America or throughout the world just like 99% of Catholics are too. I just dont see Obama addressing the world full of Catholics bcz of what their preists did. Im starting to think that a good bit of muslims seem to think they are so mistreated in America or by Americans and it just isnt so. Over a billion muslims in the world and it seems like they are the Hot Topic this day in age about them being so mistreated in life. Im just not buying into that. Terrorism and extremism is what we should be going after and stop giving everyone else a pity party.

I agree with you, but I'm pretty sure this message is different than your original post.

[Immigrant2009 0]

I think Obama was trying to say, Hey my country doesn't hate and prosecute your religion or folks, but does hate the extremist who justify causing others harm and pain in the name of religion.

I think all in all it was nice gesture, which no US president has done before.

Edited June 6, 2009 by Immigrant2009

[HLM 1]

Tamara- so what did you want him to do? to start war with Egyptians? I still don't get what you are saying because you say I don't believe they're all extremists/terrorists...but you can't deny that there are some who are....so what do you want him to do regarding them? even though no matter what you believe the majority are not and that's whom he is addressing....Do you think Egypt is not holding those terrorists down? Since the 9Os there has been only two attacks since then and everyone was caught. Egypt worked so hard -of course with ignorance to human rights- to control those ppl and infact did for the longest time.

But I will say this yes the view of America is distorted to most Egyptians and they were very happy to finally see America lending a hand rather than a hammer on the head! A lot of ppl are already changing towards America and yes it is very smart because extremists will have no where to go if this change keeps taking effect. I don't think making enemies will fix anything.

Obama is trying to set a new tone & I applaud him for that. The Bush administration alienated a lot of muslims with their rhetoric & they even alienated many Americans with their rhetoric... for example the "if you aren't with me you are against me" speech or the ####### (I think this was mostly Cheney) that if you disagreed with the president you are being unpatriotic (which is pure BS & total hypocrisy, since Cheney is now blasting Obama for his policies).

Like or not, agree with it or not, but our country has lost a lot of credibility worldwide because of the actions & policies of the Bush administration. Critics see Obama's overtures towards the muslim world as a sign of weakness, but I think it is just the opposite... it takes guts to admit mistakes & try to mend frayed relationships. If we are to be successful in the war on terror we need the cooperation of moderate muslim nations... this isn't a sign of weakness but rather a matter of practicality.

I agree.

Nowhereman and susita83 are right on! I am glad some people are taking a sagacious look at the issue. Politics is complicated. I am surprised that Tamara has the audacity to say what she said. Terrorists do NOT care about their image; Obama is addressing the majority of Muslims who ARE innocent of these violent acts yet are mistreated/discriminated against. No it's not my fault that Americans didn't do their homework on the issue and choose to be fed by the media that all Muslims are the same! It is the same as the stereotypes that people have made about Catholic priests; so I have the right then to think all priests are pedophiles? Well after all they did that to their religion didn't they? My husband studies crime and US crime statistics show that African Americans make up 45% of the prison population when they are only 13% of the general population. Only an ignorant racist would argue that black people are inherently violent. Like the previous posts have argued; the issue of terrorism is very complicated and there is a need for an interdisciplinary approach to the problem rather than biased and shallow opinions.

Regarding Obama addressing the Egyptians: they are not being mistreated or discriminated against by the Americans. 99% of muslims are innocent in America or throughout the world just like 99% of Catholics are too. I just dont see Obama addressing the world full of Catholics bcz of what their preists did. Im starting to think that a good bit of muslims seem to think they are so mistreated in America or by Americans and it just isnt so. Over a billion muslims in the world and it seems like they are the Hot Topic this day in age about them being so mistreated in life. Im just not buying into that. Terrorism and extremism is what we should be going after and stop giving everyone else a pity party.

I agree with you, but I'm pretty sure this message is different than your original post.

I know! Tam it's like going in circles with you! You don't finish one single point! anyways no more comments from me regarding this it's useless.

You don't have to buy that yes mulims are being discriminiated against; it's a fact and I don't expect you to know that anyways.

[Ihavequestions 419]

Regarding Obama addressing the Egyptians: they are not being mistreated or discriminated against by the Americans. 99% of muslims are innocent in America or throughout the world just like 99% of Catholics are too. I just dont see Obama addressing the world full of Catholics bcz of what their preists did. Im starting to think that a good bit of muslims seem to think they are so mistreated in America or by Americans and it just isnt so. Over a billion muslims in the world and it seems like they are the Hot Topic this day in age about them being so mistreated in life. Im just not buying into that. Terrorism and extremism is what we should be going after and stop giving everyone else a pity party.

Tamara, Obama was in Egypt, speaking directly to Egyptians (and, indirectly to the world). Egypt is 90% a Muslim nation, the vast majority of which have never been outside of Egypt and truly believe "America hates Muslims" because that's what the television tells them and that's what the Imams at the Mosques tell them and that's what they tell each other.

[Susita 175]

I think everyone just has to agree to disagree on this one.

As far as I'm concerned, he did a good job.

[tallcoolone 102]

He is just following in the footsteps of Jimmy Carter, His Idol.

I remember him doing peace talks with Sadat and Begin

And I remember one of the dudes getting killed by his own troops in a parade

[alienlovechild 75]

Alienchild ####### are you talking about when you say "people like me"? I am pointing out things that Bush & Cheney said & did and somehow I'm at fault? I'm sorry that I offended you with the truth.

When you you use virtually the same tactics as Bush/Cheney on political opponents you can't point fingers. I couldn't controll what Bush or Cheney said or did but denying your own actions is beyond dodging responsibility.

As for lecturing me on what Arab countries do & don't do unless you have a PhD in Middle Eastern studies there's a real good chance I'm more educated on the subject than you are, so please keep the lecture to yourself.

Translation- You had no idea what I was talking about. Apparently, you've got no credentials to speak of or you'd have thrown them out. You sure don't have a degree in anything like international relations or could have taken a stab at my points.

If you don't know that's there intelligence being shared between countries you're still thinking like a grunt. There's a difference what Arab governments say and what they do behind the scenes. How many Arab or Muslim countries broke diplomatic relations over Iraq or Afghanistan? How many pulled out their economic holdings in the U.S.? Is it because they like us or they are being pragmatic in knowing which country can make a difference?

As for your attitude about Muslims as an example you said "He (Obama) can't speak louder than the actions of Muslims themselves" when Obama said it was part of his responsibilities as president "to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear." That suggests that you are lumping muslims into one category does it not?

I sure didn't called all Muslims extremists so you're making progress. So you're telling us Obama's statements have more resonance that the actions of Muslims themselves? As a far "lumping" I don't know every Muslim personally so I'm making a generalized characterization on the Islamic world.

As for disagreeing with me I don't have a problem with that at all, but I do have a problem with twisting what I say & not admitting the truth when its slapping you in the face. The quote "everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own fact" definitely applies.

You could try addressing points made rather than falling into your blanket "you misunderstood me" defense. Ignoring what I write and falling into tropes doesn't work on me.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Personal insults and derogatory comments add nothing to the discussion. Please refrain from using them. Offending post removed.

Edited June 6, 2009 by Kathryn41