The most important part of leading is communicating. Successful or not, the President is doing exactly what he should be doing, communicating with the world our foreign policy goals in the hope of changing minds that have decided against us. Considering that the former president could barely communicate what he wanted for breakfast, much less as a statesman from an educated and technologically advanced nation, and, that minds turned against us during his presidency probably more so than in our entire history, President Obama gives ME hope. I’m sure many Muslims will feel the same way. That is the beginning we both need.
President Obama is signaling to the Muslim world that we are changing foreign policy and are seeking common ground in order to promote peace. Those Americans whom wish him to fail, are in league with those Muslims whom wish him to fail. Considering the current armed conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as world wide terrorist threats against us, those whom wish the President to fail are guilty of treason IMO.
LuZenMyMnd
· 8 months ago
AMEN!
Backing Barack
· 8 months ago
I wasn't agreeing with "High Crimes & Misdemeanors'" unrealistic sentiments, but when he finished with 21 exclamation points, I had to bow to the power of his argument. How can you debate such rhetorical skill?
Father_Time
· 8 months ago
He may not be incorrect in his opinion. If we leave Afghanistan and Iraq and both fall into anarchy, we have still made a strong point for those nation's self determination. Should they become terrorist basses and attack us, whom could blame us for defending ourselves? We may need to concede that we cannot control the fate of these two countries.
LuZenMyMnd
· 8 months ago
We'd have to calculate if it's worth the risk for the damage they'd do to America. Six of one....half dozen of the other. NEXT time...will we lose more people on American soil than we would have lost on the battlefield?
Part of the problem is many muslims feel the US always tucks tail and runs after we've stirred a hornet's nest. It breeds such distrust.
Cheney and Co, worked this masterfully. Total Ineptness to the 1000th power. No well-thought out vision for the future. Just an idea of what "could be."
Father_Time
· 8 months ago
We can worry ourselves into oblivion over the details. Our country is already being destroyed by the costs of these wars which is the exact intent of the guerilla/terrorist war levied against us. We need to break it off and rebuild our nation's wealth then use the move in as positive a way that we can. We DO NOT need to continue the failed policies of the brain dead reactionary republican party.
High Crimes & Misdemeanors
· 8 months ago
His first act should be to repudiate, live on camera, the bush crime families egregious criminality - forth with, bring every American home NOW!! Both in Afghanistan and Iraq!!! Post haste, that would send a strong signal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jobaby
· 8 months ago
I listened to the entire speech live on the radio...(between 3:00 AM and 4:00 Am here in California).
I thought it was a great speech! I think he hit all the right notes.
Listening to it, I was really moved, and for once, I felt really hopeful that maybe, just maybe, this man can bridge the divide between Americans, Muslims, Palestinians and Israelis.
LuZenMyMnd
· 8 months ago
ONLY Barack Hussein Obama could have delivered a speech like that w/ANY credibility. Thank God the wisdom of the American people prevailed this election.
Could you imagine McCain giving a speech like that? LOL Or even THINKING to try to talk to the muslim world like that.
Cheney looks SOOOO small in the entire scheme of things now. He really looks like a cartoon character like Dick Dastardly.
RainbowPhoenix
· 8 months ago
Or Palin trying to give a speach like that. I firmly believe that if McCain had been elected, he would have had a fatal stroke withing his first two years, possibly the first hundred days.
Jophus
· 8 months ago
Can you imagine Palin saying something like, 'it's great to be on the Middle East Continent to see the lovely Pyramids that Jesus built?'
RainbowPhoenix
· 8 months ago
I wouldn't put it past her. She's already come dangerously close to triggering a war with Russia.
LuZenMyMnd
· 8 months ago
LOL Joshus.....No, she'd say she saw the pyramid from her house through a telescope but they didn't look this big.
Imagine the possibilities IF the republicans had won. Whewwww.....S C A R Y
dula
· 8 months ago
Many Muslims aren't happy with the venue Obama chose. I guess only 8% of Muslims are Arab. They say Indonesia would have been better choice 'cause they have a Democracy while Egypt is a dictatorship.
Jophus
· 8 months ago
Egypt is kind of freaking out lately with Israel/Palestine and the swine flu. It may be just me, but I want those people to know more than anyone else that we are here to help now (being the key word) and we aren't going to cause them trouble.
Indigo
· 8 months ago
Cairo is the Moslem world's Bollywood-Hollywood center. What better place to make a global public relations bid? and don't ask me to believe it was anything deeper than that.
High Crimes & Misdemeanors
· 8 months ago
Why is he there?? Why now?? What is the point?? There are so many other things he needs to focus on here at home that it's mind boggling that he is trying to "mend-fences". Why now??
This is all a diversion.
The dollar is tanking and he's off trying to mend fences....
And another thing, WHY are you still using NPR as a source for news?
They are a tool of the propaganda machine that has so annihilated American thinking, that most are stuck on stupid in foreign policy matters!!!!
High Crimes & Misdemeanors
· 8 months ago
Wes, why are we trying to bring modernity to the Muslim world? Why is it a priority in the US to being democracy to those nations? And why are we doing it alone, when we are a torture state!!
We have no business exporting "democracy" to any nation. Period END! We can't even fucking do it right here!!!!!!!!
What do we get out of that kind of nation state building? Who benefits most??
I read you link and it's pure bullshit!
LuZenMyMnd
· 8 months ago
One of the reasons why he's "there" is because we need to help some muslim countries be accountable for their citizen's actions.
Bombs can't get it. We can't keep sending bodies over there to come back in bags.
American's have nuts galore running around w/ther own missions of burning it down. The internet has linked us all ever so closely together. We've got to start working w/the mindset of extremist. If we don't....your right to complain might weigh in the balance in the not-to-distant future. But all it takes is ONE extremist...to take away your right to live.
Short-sightedness has led to our failure thus far. No plan for Gitmo....No plan for withdrawal...No plan for GM (let Obama handle it all)....it's time we had a Commander In Chief who can implement a plan and not a knee-jerk reaction.
High Crimes & Misdemeanors
· 8 months ago
Your supposition is all based on the the weak notion that 911 and Islamic terrorist hit this country on that fateful day.
You could not be any more duped or wrong.
Like so many Americans you have bought the neocon/rightwing/American Imperialism MEME that we should be afraid of these people. That they ARE the terrorist. That they are extremist in their thinking. That we need to go over there and change their minds is ludicrous on its face!!!!
Utter BULLSHIT.
I don't buy any of it. Think Riechstag Fire. In my well read, and educated mindset, 911 was an inside job, perpetrated by the Mosad and British intelligence, helped by the traitorous BASTARD dick "fuckin" cheennny. I have read plenty on both sides and that's the conclusion I have come to. To many are chicken shit to admit it.
I would love to see the Muslim nation come over here and say THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS!!!!!!
Jophus
· 8 months ago
I think we both woke up on the same side of the bed this morning.
LuZenMyMnd
· 8 months ago
Are you serious??? YOU, High Crimes, should NOT ASSume to know WHAT is in my mind. LOL
There ya go....you can't help it. It's that mentality that leads to failure. ASSumptions. It's also the arrogance white America is known for.
And AMERICA does NEED to be held accountable for her actions. BEGINNING w/Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice and the legion behind them.
Never ASSume baby.....just ASK.
High Crimes & Misdemeanors
· 8 months ago
huh??? I never assumed anything, I merely noted your supposition, which is totally different. Secondly, I'm not white, and third, it goes farther back then the bush crime family years.... but that is a whole-nother debate.
LuZenMyMnd
· 8 months ago
One doesn't have to be BORN white to have that arrogant mindset.
LuZenMyMnd
· 8 months ago
...be afraid of these people....
These people ARE MY people. Why should I fear? But I am an American first.
Wow...Arrogance is frightening. Humility goes a long way.
Jophus
· 8 months ago
We need to help muslim countries be accountable for their citizen's actions? Do you know how incredibly offensive that sounds?
Even if you think this way (I hope to God you are joking) wouldn't his first priority be to fix the things that piss them off? We are in THEIR house.
LuZenMyMnd
· 8 months ago
My family has been practicing muslims for years dear. LOL
It is the duty of every country to encourage it's people to work w/in the law. Those who don't should be held accountable. Muslims and Christians and practicing Jews should be held to a higher accountability as their alliegiance is to the Supreme.
Obama IS attempting to deal head on w/the issues that have helped foster extremism. Yes, we are in "their house," but that does not negate the issue of dealing w/issues of common interest amongst all parties. Peace would be that common interest.
Were YOU personally offended?
Jophus
· 8 months ago
I am kind of offended in an odd way, but that a fellow progressive would think we have a right to tell them what is right and wrong, right after we accused them of blowing up NY. We killed a million people, overthrew their government, support cleansing of the gays, and then sold their oil fields to giant multinational corporations. Not to mention that we torture some of their citizens to death for the fun of it. We send predator drones after people with sling shots.
Now what are they doing wrong. Fighting for us to leave? Somehow I think that is justified. Just a few months ago, all of us were fighting to leave too. Now what are they doing wrong?
LuZenMyMnd
· 8 months ago
I'm sorry you're offended. It is everyone's duty to inform the other of what is wrong. It's called COMMUNICATION and it's a 2-way street. Believe me, Obama is getting an earful as well. LOL And it's a good thing. We HAVE to have a starting point. And this is what grown men who are responsible leaders do. They admit their wrongs (apology tour by FauxNewz) and they also point out mindsets that have hindered peace as well.
Active communication and response is the key to OPENING the door. Again, there MUST be a starting point.
There is NO need for YOU to be offended. A wise man listens to counsel and criticism. A fool opens his mouth and utters all his mind. Many of my arabian brothers have been foolish....just as Bush and Cheney were.
Jophus
· 8 months ago
You don't have to apologize, we're all friends here. I just cannot subscribe to your view. We're all living on this marble together and we have to realize as High Crimes & Misdermeanors said, we cannot "spread democracy." Just because we have everything we could possibly desire, it doesn't mean we are any more in the right. Their affairs aren't our business. I feel like to have true peace, we need to accept that it is ok for people to live differently. Iraq with skyscrapers will still have the same social culture.
I don't want to hear 'I'm sorry' from any Muslims or Arabs. I want to hear it said to them, by our government. Which is why I can appreciate what Obama is doing.
I don't think fighting off a foreign invader is a bad thing. IMO, we had no right to go there and we have no right to continue to occupy it or tell them what to do. If we stay any longer we need to put another stripe on the flag for the extra colony.
LuZenMyMnd
· 8 months ago
We definitely had NO right to go to Iraq. The entire was was a fraud. Yes, we OWE them an apology for creating many widows, orphans, widowers....homeless, jobless people. We destroyed a nation. We SHOULD apologize to Iraq.
Should Americans be able to sponsor foreign-born same-sex partners for citizenship?
It was pretty much even last night, now the no's are ahead. Curious.
katiec
· 8 months ago
From what I have heard and read this morning President Obama made a wonderful speech and was well accepted. Was good to hear the young Muslims make positive remarks. Course we all know the republicans will tear him and what he said apart. Heaven help that someone could succeed in easing unrest against our country.
High Crimes & Misdemeanors
· 8 months ago
That's all find and well Katiec - but if that's our goal, if that our priority, if that is our mission is to ease the unrest against our country, don't you think we ought to stop our Empire Building that has so destroyed numerous countries in the past 60 years??
The American people need to stop thinking in terms of our grandios lifestyle. How about making a speech for the right of UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND PUTTING THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY OUT OF BUSINESS FOR GOOD???????
Yes we have a lot of apologizing to do for what we have done to the world, but that is not and should not be a priority at this point.
Jophus
· 8 months ago
My approach would have been a bit different too. I would have pulled 95% of our troops and sent in UN Goodwill (I forgot what they go by) and Red Cross along with a couple of billion dollars. That is just me though.
Oh yeah, I would give them back their oil fields too. Maybe some candy for the kids.
tyree
· 8 months ago
for all the great speaceifying wheres the beef? obama alibis our past agression in iraq and afganistan to the muslims based on a bush cheny lie about 911,
tyree
· 8 months ago
the only people in this country who are guilty of treason are thoes who dont question thier politicians on thier policys or hold them accountable for thier promisses! to support the wars in iraq and afganistan only means that bush and cheney did no wrong!
cowboyneok
· 8 months ago
Okay, a friend of mine had surgery to have one of her "girl parts" removed and it made me think of my "girl parts" and then I got to thinking about Amy Sedaris and her interview with Chelsea Handler:
Watch but "wet your pants" warning here. Its hysterical.
woodroad34
· 8 months ago
Oh, oh...I...I...can't express...somewhere between...horror and hilarity....time to change underwear.
cowboyneok
· 8 months ago
LAWDS, when she started chiding the audience with "Ladies! Ladies!" and then said she wanted to use a staple gun instead of the pins, I started howling (silently inside) with laughter...
Ya know... I type LOL... a lot but when do we TRULY laugh out loud when we see something funny on the internet? (The laughter is usually going on in my mind.)
mirth
· 8 months ago
Here ya go, cowboy.
AAMOF, we should all update our acronyms vocabulary.
I LOL quite frequently, to the dismay of my co-workers, who want to know what's going on. However, I rarely ROFLMAO as that may be a bit extreme and not feasible in an office setting IMHO.
cowboyneok
· 8 months ago
I would have fun with that one. I've had coworkers give me weird looks before for laughing or talking to myself back when I was working in a cubicle jungle on a help desk, and I'd always say some something like, "Okay, OKAY! I skipped my meds this morning... HAPPY NOW?!!?" but you probably already know I can be pretty outrageous. In the end, I always conditioned my coworkers to pretty much accept me for the "unusual one" I am... OR ELSE! LIMH!
woodroad34
· 8 months ago
I see where Megan McCain is aghast, simply AGHAST, that a slight head nod by Brian Willaims to Obama during his recent interview indicates MSM prosletyzation and subjugation to Obama. *sigh* another blonde (coulter, prejean, spears) trying hard to think...it must hurt so much: http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/06/04/meghan-...
cowboyneok
· 8 months ago
You've GOT to be KIDDING me?!!? Didn't she notice the "bobble heads" on FOX NEWS during her Daddy's run for President? Of course, its okay to be a sycophantic press person as long as its a Republican butt your planting kisses on, right?
woodroad34
· 8 months ago
There are rules, after all! She better be packing a lot of Revlon, 'cause those lips are going to be busy.
All Comments
President Obama is signaling to the Muslim world that we are changing foreign policy and are seeking common ground in order to promote peace. Those Americans whom wish him to fail, are in league with those Muslims whom wish him to fail. Considering the current armed conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as world wide terrorist threats against us, those whom wish the President to fail are guilty of treason IMO.
Part of the problem is many muslims feel the US always tucks tail and runs after we've stirred a hornet's nest. It breeds such distrust.
Cheney and Co, worked this masterfully. Total Ineptness to the 1000th power. No well-thought out vision for the future. Just an idea of what "could be."
I thought it was a great speech! I think he hit all the right notes.
Listening to it, I was really moved, and for once, I felt really hopeful that maybe, just maybe, this man can bridge the divide between Americans, Muslims, Palestinians and Israelis.
Could you imagine McCain giving a speech like that? LOL Or even THINKING to try to talk to the muslim world like that.
Cheney looks SOOOO small in the entire scheme of things now. He really looks like a cartoon character like Dick Dastardly.
Imagine the possibilities IF the republicans had won. Whewwww.....S C A R Y
This is all a diversion.
The dollar is tanking and he's off trying to mend fences....
http://www.counterpunch.com/roberts06032009.html
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?st...
They are a tool of the propaganda machine that has so annihilated American thinking, that most are stuck on stupid in foreign policy matters!!!!
We have no business exporting "democracy" to any nation. Period END! We can't even fucking do it right here!!!!!!!!
What do we get out of that kind of nation state building? Who benefits most??
I read you link and it's pure bullshit!
Bombs can't get it. We can't keep sending bodies over there to come back in bags.
American's have nuts galore running around w/ther own missions of burning it down. The internet has linked us all ever so closely together. We've got to start working w/the mindset of extremist. If we don't....your right to complain might weigh in the balance in the not-to-distant future. But all it takes is ONE extremist...to take away your right to live.
Short-sightedness has led to our failure thus far. No plan for Gitmo....No plan for withdrawal...No plan for GM (let Obama handle it all)....it's time we had a Commander In Chief who can implement a plan and not a knee-jerk reaction.
You could not be any more duped or wrong.
Like so many Americans you have bought the neocon/rightwing/American Imperialism MEME that we should be afraid of these people. That they ARE the terrorist. That they are extremist in their thinking. That we need to go over there and change their minds is ludicrous on its face!!!!
Utter BULLSHIT.
I don't buy any of it. Think Riechstag Fire. In my well read, and educated mindset, 911 was an inside job, perpetrated by the Mosad and British intelligence, helped by the traitorous BASTARD dick "fuckin" cheennny. I have read plenty on both sides and that's the conclusion I have come to. To many are chicken shit to admit it.
I would love to see the Muslim nation come over here and say THE AMERICAN PEOPLE NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS!!!!!!
There ya go....you can't help it. It's that mentality that leads to failure. ASSumptions. It's also the arrogance white America is known for.
And AMERICA does NEED to be held accountable for her actions. BEGINNING w/Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice and the legion behind them.
Never ASSume baby.....just ASK.
These people ARE MY people. Why should I fear? But I am an American first.
Wow...Arrogance is frightening. Humility goes a long way.
Even if you think this way (I hope to God you are joking) wouldn't his first priority be to fix the things that piss them off? We are in THEIR house.
It is the duty of every country to encourage it's people to work w/in the law. Those who don't should be held accountable. Muslims and Christians and practicing Jews should be held to a higher accountability as their alliegiance is to the Supreme.
Obama IS attempting to deal head on w/the issues that have helped foster extremism. Yes, we are in "their house," but that does not negate the issue of dealing w/issues of common interest amongst all parties. Peace would be that common interest.
Were YOU personally offended?
Now what are they doing wrong. Fighting for us to leave? Somehow I think that is justified. Just a few months ago, all of us were fighting to leave too.
Now what are they doing wrong?
Active communication and response is the key to OPENING the door. Again, there MUST be a starting point.
There is NO need for YOU to be offended. A wise man listens to counsel and criticism. A fool opens his mouth and utters all his mind. Many of my arabian brothers have been foolish....just as Bush and Cheney were.
I don't want to hear 'I'm sorry' from any Muslims or Arabs. I want to hear it said to them, by our government. Which is why I can appreciate what Obama is doing.
I don't think fighting off a foreign invader is a bad thing. IMO, we had no right to go there and we have no right to continue to occupy it or tell them what to do. If we stay any longer we need to put another stripe on the flag for the extra colony.
Should Americans be able to sponsor foreign-born same-sex partners for citizenship?
It was pretty much even last night, now the no's are ahead. Curious.
Was good to hear the young Muslims make positive remarks.
Course we all know the republicans will tear him and what he said apart. Heaven help that someone could succeed in easing unrest against our country.
The American people need to stop thinking in terms of our grandios lifestyle. How about making a speech for the right of UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, AND PUTTING THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY OUT OF BUSINESS FOR GOOD???????
Yes we have a lot of apologizing to do for what we have done to the world, but that is not and should not be a priority at this point.
Oh yeah, I would give them back their oil fields too. Maybe some candy for the kids.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uZDVjO10Pk
Watch but "wet your pants" warning here. Its hysterical.
Ya know... I type LOL... a lot but when do we TRULY laugh out loud when we see something funny on the internet? (The laughter is usually going on in my mind.)
AAMOF, we should all update our acronyms vocabulary.
http://www.muller-godschalk.com/acronyms.html
BG