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TON - This is the full transcript, provided by the White House, of President Barack Obama's interview with Hisham Melhem of the Al-Arabiya television network.
Q Mr. President, thank you for this opportunity, we really appreciate it.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much.
Q Sir, you just met with your personal envoy to the Middle East, Senator Mitchell. Obviously, his first task is to consolidate the cease-fire. But beyond that you've been saying that you want to pursue actively and aggressively peacemaking between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Tell us a little bit about how do you see your personal role, because, you know, if the President of the United States is not involved, nothing happens -- as the history of peacemaking shows. Will you be proposing ideas, pitching proposals, parameters, as one of your predecessors did? Or just urging the parties to come up with their own resolutions, as your immediate predecessor did?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think the most important thing is for the United States to get engaged right away. And George Mitchell is somebody of enormous stature. He is one of the few people who have international experience brokering peace deals.
And so 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. So let's listen. He's going to be speaking to all the major parties involved. And he will then report back to me. From there we will formulate a specific response.
Ultimately, we cannot tell either the Israelis or the Palestinians what's best for them. They're going to have to make some decisions. But I do believe that the moment is ripe for both sides to realize that the path that they are on is one that is not going to result in prosperity and security for their people. And that instead, it's time to return to the negotiating table.
And it's going to be difficult, it's going to take time. I don't want to prejudge many of these issues, and I want to make sure that expectations are not raised so that we think that this is going to be resolved in a few months. But if we start the steady progress on these issues, I'm absolutely confident that the United States -- working in tandem with the European Union, with Russia, with all the Arab states in the region -- I'm absolutely certain that we can make significant progress.
Q You've been saying essentially that we should not look at these issues -- like the Palestinian-Israeli track and separation from the border region -- you've been talking about a kind of holistic approach to the region. Are we expecting a different paradigm in the sense that in the past one of the critiques -- at least from the Arab side, the Muslim side -- is that everything the Americans always tested with the Israelis, if it works. Now there is an Arab peace plan, there is a regional aspect to it. And you've indicated that. Would there be any shift, a paradigm shift?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, here's what I think is important. Look at the proposal that was put forth by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia --
Q Right.
THE PRESIDENT: I might not agree with every aspect of the proposal, but it took great courage --
Q Absolutely.
THE PRESIDENT: -- to put forward something that is as significant as that. I think that there are ideas across the region of how we might pursue peace.
I do think that it is impossible for us to think only in terms of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and not think in terms of what's happening with Syria or Iran or Lebanon or Afghanistan and Pakistan. These things are interrelated. And what I've said, and I think Hillary Clinton has expressed this in her confirmation, is that if we are looking at the region as a whole and communicating a message to the Arab world and the Muslim world, that we are ready to initiate a new partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interest, then I think that we can make significant progress.
Now, 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. 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.
And so 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.
Q I want to ask you about the broader Muslim world, but let me -- one final thing about the Palestinian-Israeli theater. There are many Palestinians and Israelis who are very frustrated now with the current conditions and they are losing hope, they are disillusioned, and they believe that time is running out on the two-state solution because -- mainly because of the settlement activities in Palestinian-occupied territories. Will it still be possible to see a Palestinian state -- and you know the contours of it -- within the first Obama administration?
THE PRESIDENT: I think it is possible for us to see a Palestinian state -- I'm not going to put a time frame on it -- that is contiguous, that allows freedom of movement for its people, that allows for trade with other countries, that allows the creation of businesses and commerce so that people have a better life.
And, look, I think anybody who has studied the region recognizes that the situation for the ordinary Palestinian in many cases has not improved. And the bottom line in all these talks and all these conversations is, is a child in the Palestinian Territories going to be better off? Do they have a future for themselves? And is the child in Israel going to feel confident about his or her safety and security? And if we can keep our focus on making their lives better and look forward, and not simply think about all the conflicts and tragedies of the past, then I think that we have an opportunity to make real progress.
But it is not going to be easy, and that's why we've got George Mitchell going there. This is somebody with extraordinary patience as well as extraordinary skill, and that's what's going to be necessary.
Q Absolutely. Let me take a broader look at the whole region. You are planning to address the Muslim world in your first 100 days from a Muslim capital. And everybody is speculating about the capital. (Laughter.) If you have anything further, that would be great.
How concerned are you -- because, let me tell you, honestly, when I see certain things about America -- in some parts, I don't want to exaggerate -- there is a demonization of America.
THE PRESIDENT: Absolutely.
Q It's become like a new religion, and like a new religion it has new converts -- like a new religion has its own high priests.
THE PRESIDENT: Right.
Q It's only a religious text.
THE PRESIDENT: Right.
Q And in the last -- since 9/11 and because of Iraq, that alienation is wider between the Americans and -- and in generations past, the United States was held high. It was the only Western power with no colonial legacy.
THE PRESIDENT: Right.
Q How concerned are you and -- because people sense that you have a different political discourse. And I think, judging by (inaudible) and Zawahiri and Osama bin Laden and all these, you know -- a chorus --
THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I noticed this. They seem nervous.
Q They seem very nervous, exactly. Now, tell me why they should be more nervous?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think that when you look at the rhetoric that they've been using against me before I even took office --
Q I know, I know.
THE PRESIDENT: -- what that tells me is that their ideas are bankrupt. There's no actions that they've taken that say a child in the Muslim world is getting a better education because of them, or has better health care because of them.
In my inauguration speech, I spoke about: You will be judged on what you've built, not what you've destroyed. And what they've been doing is destroying things. And over time, I think the Muslim world has recognized that that path is leading no place, except more death and destruction.
Now, my job is to communicate the fact that the United States has a stake in the well-being of the Muslim world, that the language we use has to be a language of respect. I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries.
Q The largest one.
THE PRESIDENT: The largest one, Indonesia. And so what I want to communicate is the fact that in all my travels throughout the Muslim world, what I've come to understand is that regardless of your faith -- and America is a country of Muslims, Jews, Christians, non-believers -- regardless of your faith, people all have certain common hopes and common dreams.
And my job is to communicate to the American people that the Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people who simply want to live their lives and see their children live better lives. My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy. We sometimes make mistakes. We have not been perfect. But if you look at the track record, as you say, America was not born as a colonial power, and that the same respect and partnership that America had with the Muslim world as recently as 20 or 30 years ago, there's no reason why we can't restore that. And that I think is going to be an important task.
But ultimately, people are going to judge me not by my words but by my actions and my administration's actions. And I think that what you will see over the next several years is that I'm not going to agree with everything that some Muslim leader may say, or what's on a television station in the Arab world -- but I think that what you'll see is somebody who is listening, who is respectful, and who is trying to promote the interests not just of the United States, but also ordinary people who right now are suffering from poverty and a lack of opportunity. I want to make sure that I'm speaking to them, as well.
Q Tell me, time is running out, any decision on from where you will be visiting the Muslim world?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I'm not going to break the news right here.
Q Afghanistan?
THE PRESIDENT: But maybe next time. But it is something that is going to be important. I want people to recognize, though, that we are going to be making a series of initiatives. Sending George Mitchell to the Middle East is fulfilling my campaign promise that we're not going to wait until the end of my administration to deal with Palestinian and Israeli peace, we're going to start now. It may take a long time to do, but we're going to do it now. We're going to follow through on our commitment for me to address the Muslim world from a Muslim capital. We are going to follow through on many of my commitments to do a more effective job of reaching out, listening, as well as speaking to the Muslim world.
And you're going to see me following through with dealing with a drawdown of troops in Iraq, so that Iraqis can start taking more responsibility. And finally, I think you've already seen a commitment, in terms of closing Guantanamo, and making clear that even as we are decisive in going after terrorist organizations that would kill innocent civilians, that we're going to do so on our terms, and we're going to do so respecting the rule of law that I think makes America great.
Q President Bush framed the war on terror conceptually in a way that was very broad, "war on terror," and used sometimes certain terminology that the many people -- Islamic fascism. You've always framed it in a different way, specifically against one group called al Qaeda and their collaborators. And is this one way of --
THE PRESIDENT: I think that you're making a very important point. And that is that the language we use matters. And what we need to understand is, is that there are extremist organizations -- whether Muslim or any other faith in the past -- that will use faith as a justification for violence. We cannot paint with a broad brush a faith as a consequence of the violence that is done in that faith's name.
And so you will I think see our administration be very clear in distinguishing between organizations like al Qaeda -- that espouse violence, espouse terror and act on it -- and people who may disagree with my administration and certain actions, or may have a particular viewpoint in terms of how their countries should develop. We can have legitimate disagreements but still be respectful. I cannot respect terrorist organizations that would kill innocent civilians and we will hunt them down.
But to the broader Muslim world what we are going to be offering is a hand of friendship.
Q Can I end with a question on Iran and Iraq then quickly?
THE PRESIDENT: It's up to the team --
MR. GIBBS: You have 30 seconds. (Laughter.)
Q Will the United States ever live with a nuclear Iran? And if not, how far are you going in the direction of preventing it?
THE PRESIDENT: You know, I said during the campaign that it is very important for us to make sure that we are using all the tools of U.S. power, including diplomacy, in our relationship with Iran.
Now, the Iranian people are a great people, and Persian civilization is a great civilization. Iran has acted in ways that's not conducive to peace and prosperity in the region: their threats against Israel; their pursuit of a nuclear weapon which could potentially set off an arms race in the region that would make everybody less safe; their support of terrorist organizations in the past -- none of these things have been helpful.
But I do think that it is important for us to be willing to talk to Iran, to express very clearly where our differences are, but where there are potential avenues for progress. And we will over the next several months be laying out our general framework and approach. And as I said during my inauguration speech, if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us.
Q Shall we leave Iraq next interview, or just --
MR. GIBBS: Yes, let's -- we're past, and I got to get him back to dinner with his wife.
Q Sir, I really appreciate it.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much.
Q Thanks a lot.
THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate it.
Q Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you.
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 | Obama to Islam: U.S. not your enemy | Yahoo! News | Tue Jan 27 | 92 |
| Series of initiatives for Muslim world: Obama | Yahoo! News | Tue Jan 27 | 1 |
 | Obama tells Arabic network US is 'not your enemy' | Associated Press | Tue Jan 27 | 3 |
| Dancing Among Landmines--The Obama Al-Arabiya Interview | RealClearPolitics | Thu Jan 29 | 2 |
| President to Muslim World: "Americans are not your enemy" | Welcome to the White House | Tue Jan 27 | 1 |
- Public Discussion (45)
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{"commentId":5018823,"authorDomain":"jameseg"}
President Obama's focus on compassion toward those of other nations and on emphasizing diplomacy are a refreshing change from the belligerancy of former President Bush, even prior to September 11, 2001.
I am confident this will result in better international relations and more progress toward peace.
{"commentId":5018823,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"jameseg"}
- 3 votes
#1 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:02 AM EST{"commentId":5027530,"authorDomain":"rhaltiris"}
While I applaud Obama for his approach I really don't think it will make much difference to those who espouse radical Islam. Ask yourself, do you really believe that Osama Bin Laden would not have planned the 9-11 attacks if George Bush would have just been a little nicer to him.
If you truly understand what makes these guys tick then you will know that no amount of diplomacy will change their minds. They do not hate us because we were mean to them. They hate us because we are free. (I'm speaking only of the militants, not Muslim people in general) The only way to assuage that anger is to give up our freedom and submit to Islamic rule. Not because they crave political power but because they believe this is Gods will. As Mujaheddin (Gods warriors) they must enforce Gods will or die trying. It's pretty hard to be diplomatic with that.
If anyone is interested, there is a book called Understanding Islam by Daniel C Peterson. It's very informative. (this is from a person who loves the Muslim people and understands where they are comming from)
{"commentId":5027530,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"rhaltiris"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":5028426,"authorDomain":"Meloney"}
They hate us because we are free.
wow... people still parrot this Bush slogan. I thought this claptrap was ironed out years ago.
It was so nonsensical that OBL referenced it in 2004: "Security is an important pillar of human life. Free people do not relinquish their security. This is contrary to Bush's claim that we hate freedom.
Let him tell us why we did not strike Sweden, for example. It is known that those who hate freedom do not have proud souls, like the souls of the 19 people [killed while perpetrating the 11 September 2001 attacks], may God have mercy on them.
We fought you because we are free and do not accept injustice. We want to restore freedom to our nation. Just as you waste our security, we will waste your security."
{"commentId":5028426,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"Meloney"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":5028505,"authorDomain":"kperodin"}
rhino39,
I really don't think it will make much difference to those who espouse radical Islam. Ask yourself, do you really believe that Osama Bin Laden would not have planned the 9-11 attacks if George Bush would have just been a little nicer to him. If you truly understand what makes these guys tick then you will know that no amount of diplomacy will change their minds. They do not hate us because we were mean to them. They hate us because we are free.
I have no idea if you are a paid blogger or not, but I would suggest that you give it a rest and start looking for solutions. Ehough already!
{"commentId":5028505,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"kperodin"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":5029401,"authorDomain":"rhaltiris"}
Nope, not paid, just well informed. If you don't want to believe me then don't.
{"commentId":5029401,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"rhaltiris"}
{"commentId":5042144,"authorDomain":"rhaltiris"}
Karl— : You know I wish I had a solution. The reason this is so tough to solve is because in order for us to come to a piecful solution, one side or the other has to give up their way of life.
The problem stems from the complete lack of distinction between church and state in the Islamic world. This is a concept that is completely foreign to them. Mohamed was not just a prophet, he was also a statesman. A political leader and a conqueror. So in the eyes of a Muslim, you cannot separate religion and government because religion IS the government. Look at the struggle they are having in Iraq. The biggest challenge they face right now is making sure that both the Sunnis and the Shias, two religious factions, have adequate representation in the government. This would be like having a civil war in the US until both Catholics and Protestants had equal representation in the government.
Do you see the dilemma?To make matters worse, as Government/Religious leaders (remember they are one and the same) it is their duty to convert the infidel. Thankfully to do so by force is only the ideology of the radical extremists and not the majority of the Muslim world, but it does exist and these are the guys creating all the problems. In order for us to have true piece with them we must ask them to accept us for who we are, and they cannot do that without turning their back on God. And we cannot agree to their terms without turning our back on the constitution and accepting Islamic law.
Do you see the problem? I really do support what Obama is doing but I'm just saying he has his work cut out for him.
{"commentId":5042144,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"rhaltiris"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":5047906,"authorDomain":"Meloney"}
hehe, over to you Karl_
*tag*
you've been "informed"
believe me or don't, see the problem or not, but there it is in black and white...
{"commentId":5047906,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"Meloney"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":5052698,"authorDomain":"rhaltiris"}
Oh, so what your saying is that Osama is telling us all we need to know for peace in the Middle East? How silly of us not to have listened sooner. All we had to do was sit by and watch Israel get wiped off the map and we would have all lived happy ever after. Well, all of us except the Israelis.
Look, if you can read a statement from OBL and immediately shift all blame to the United States then your either a terrorist, a Muslim extremist sympathiser, or just extremely naive. Care to be honest enough to admit which one?
I will admit that my previous statement that "they hate us because we are free" was overly symplistic, yet essectially true. I could explain this to you in much greater detail but I doubt you would read it anyway. So you will going believing exactly what you want, even if it's spewed from one of the the most evil men in all the world . Well, you have every right to believe anything want and will not be punnished for it. After, we live in a free country where we cannot be punnished for our beliefs.
{"commentId":5052698,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"rhaltiris"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":5056105,"authorDomain":"Meloney"}
"they hate us because we are free" was overly symplistic, yet essectially true.
No, what I was saying is that this is political rhetoric, a slogan, that has nothing to do with truth.
Supposing there was any grain of truth to actually knowing that the essential motivation was hate (intent is hard to prove), the object of the supposed hate being freedom casts doubt on any common meaning of the word "freedom".
As if that is not enough to reject the simplistic rhetoric the whole notion was contradicted by the target. The accused hater of freedom responded to Bush's assertion of knowing his enemies intent and denied the accusation.
Whether you doubt it or not I am reading your comments. You are correct that there is no amount of detail that would convince me that Bush knows more of what is in the mind and heart of OBL better than OBL himself.
Similarly you do not know all the things of which you just accused me (blaming the US, being a terrorist, a Muslim extremist sympathizer, and/or being extremely naive). Your concept of truth and propensity for dualistic thinking is a relic I associate with the neo-con's failed ideology. I never did buy into it. It is being put behind us as a shameful chapter of US policy. That is why I expressed shock that you would still express and defend this ideological BS.
(clerical note - there is a spell checker in the tool bar of the comment box with which you might review your words for errors before posting)
{"commentId":5056105,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"Meloney"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":5063221,"authorDomain":"rhaltiris"}
Well this is getting fun.
First; simply classifying a slogan, sentence, or phrase as rhetoric does not make it categorically untrue. Indeed to whichever political ideology you ascribe, it is undoubtedly filled with rhetoric. Rhetoric which I'm sure you would defend ad nauseum to be true. So, to state that rhetoric has nothing to do with truth, when applied with any measure of self reflection must be seen at best as hyperbole.
Second; even if you accept OBL as the mouth piece for the whole of Islam and therefore accept his assertion that self preservation of freedom, and not hatred of the west, is the chief motivation for aggression, you must be at least puzzled by the wealth of evidence to the contrary.
For example; in 1978 the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan with the specific intent to overthrow the Islamist Mujahideen resistance which controlled the Afghani government at the time. For the next 10 years the Soviet Union proceeded to "bomb them back to the stone age". Despite this indisputable aggression from the USSR, not one Russian embassy was ever attacked in the whole of the Middle East. Meanwhile, in 1979, The Ayatollah Khomeini spread a completely false rumor that US forces had desecrated the Great Mosque in Mecca. In response to this rumor, 7 American embassies throughout the Middle East were attacked and in some cases burned to the ground. Per your assertion that hatred of the West is a non factor, I would humbly ask you to explain the discrepancy in Islamic response.
I anxiously await your response
{"commentId":5063221,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"rhaltiris"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":5069849,"authorDomain":"Meloney"}
"they hate us because we are free" was overly symplistic, yet essectially true.
...No, what I was saying is that this is political rhetoric, a slogan, that has nothing to do with truth...
to state that rhetoric has nothing to do with truth, when applied with any measure of self reflection must be seen at best as hyperbole.
There's that dualistic thinking again. I said the slogan was not true and gave some support for that. I also said it was rhetoric - meaning I could accept that label but reject labelling "they hate us for our freedom" as true (or a truth) which is the position you took. You have gone out of your way to make the misinterpretation that I'm stating "rhetoric has nothing to do with truth" when we were clearly addressing that one particular slogan - not rhetoric in general. Did you expect me to be dazzled by your sophistry? or ditch you for being disingenuous? (clue: only one of those two options appeals to me).
Per your assertion that hatred of the West is a non factor
Ditto on this disingenuous dropping. Nowhere have I said there was never an instance of hatred toward the West that might ever be a factor....in what?? The hatred displayed in an attack or series of attacks by specific people for disinct causes in particular circumstances can not be generalized to a much wider group as you are doing here when you suggest specific attacks were an Islamic response of hatred.
Did you read the transcript above?
Obama: My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy.
You're gonna need a new gig rhino39. Your days of Muslim bashing are numbered.
{"commentId":5069849,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"Meloney"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":5072376,"authorDomain":"rhaltiris"}
Well there is a fun little irony, by labeling my thinking as dualistic are you not making a judgment as to my thinking, and thereby becoming dualistic yourself?
I am glad to see that you admit that political rhetoric can be true. I find it amusing that your "support" for this particular piece of rhetoric being untrue was simply another piece of rhetoric. Hardly conclusive. I will admit that my responses have been somewhat dichotomous and I would certainly be open to the idea that such rancorous behavior could be linked to sentiments other than hate, though I don't think anyone would attribute such behavior to "that lovin feeling". Sorry, there I go, being all dualistic again.
But I digress. It seems we have strayed far from the point. Which is; that while admirable, Obama’s efforts to extend an olive branch to Muslim extremists such as Hamas or Al-Qaeda will have little long term benefit.
I must correct you on one point. I have been very clear (see my original post) that I am not bashing Muslims. I am not bashing anyone. Nor am I lumping the whole of Islam into one group. I am simply acknowledging that there is a faction of Islam known as Islamic Fundamentalists Extremists that would very much like to kill Americans, no matter how nice we are to them. While you are certainly free to disagree, I think that when weighed, the mountain of tangible evidence that this is indeed the case is far more substantial than your single statement by Osama Bin Laden to the contrary. If you find these arguments to be sophistic or disingenuous then feel free to “ditch”. I don’t think you will be missed.
{"commentId":5072376,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"rhaltiris"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":5072547,"authorDomain":"rhaltiris"}
I do have one final question for you. Do you really talk like this? I mean the banter has been fun but any normal person would have to think you have a California redwood lodged somewhere very uncomfortable.
{"commentId":5072547,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"rhaltiris"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":5072883,"authorDomain":"Meloney"}
I was feeling sorry for the way I spoke to you because it was not a productive way to dialog. I don't know if that's a possible either. I'll just say thanks for the out. Good luck on the vine.
{"commentId":5072883,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"Meloney"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":5076013,"authorDomain":"rhaltiris"}
There ya go, I knew there was a real person hiding underneath all those $5.00 words. It is a pleasure to meet you.
I agree, this kind of spirited dialogue is non productive but productivity isn't really the point. It's just good clean fun. So thanks for the fun, and thanks for keeping it clean. Should we cross threads again I promise to watch the typos. :-)
until next time Ma'assalama (go in peace)
{"commentId":5076013,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"rhaltiris"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":5077341,"authorDomain":"Meloney"}
rhino39 -
this kind of spirited dialogue is non productive but productivity isn't really the point. It's just good clean fun.
for you it may be fun but not for me. I came to Newsvine because there are productive, constructive discussions where I learn something. That is fun for me. When discussions include sarcasm, snark, self-aggrandizement, belittling and name-calling I know they are not going to be fruitful for me and they go against the spirit of this community.
I put this on a bad footing with you when I basically pointed out and mocked your repetition of "they hate us for our freedom". Essentially I wanted to point out that although you (and others) may believe this is "true" there is another approach taking shape that casts that type of framing aside.
{"commentId":5077341,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"Meloney"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":5084407,"authorDomain":"rhaltiris"}
I confess myself surprised by your response. I do believe that most people look at these blogs as a means to express their own opinions and to vent a little steam. I find it far more therapeutic and much less dangerous than say, stopping off at the bar on your way home from work. That said, if knowledge is what you seek then may I suggest you start by asking questions. Ask anything you like. I will do my best to answer. I think you will find my knowledge of Islam to be far more than cursory.
{"commentId":5084407,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"rhaltiris"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":5089282,"authorDomain":"Meloney"}
I see by the seeds in your column you've come here from the MSNBC side? The type of comments in most of those threads is what I'd like to avoid. Evidently there are a whole lot of folks enjoying that kind of banter. More power to ya!
There is a whole 'nother social universe here in Newsvine that takes the CoH and responsibility to the community seriously and for the most part is seeking to "get smarter here". Come visit us some time?
{"commentId":5089282,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"Meloney"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":5019265,"authorDomain":"ergrama"}
president obama's compassion should eliminate terrorism and bring peace and nonviolence as prpagated by mahatma gandhi and martin luther king.
{"commentId":5019265,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"ergrama"}
- 2 votes
#2 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:41 AM EST{"commentId":5019879,"authorDomain":"jameseg"}
I think his compassion will go a long way toward doing that! But, it will take time and commitment from others for complete success.
{"commentId":5019879,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"jameseg"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":5020205,"authorDomain":"lorad63"}
I think it's a little naive to assume that showing compassion to others will automatically change the hearts of those who don't understand that concept. Hate is taught and reinforced by those who have a twisted view of reality. Although I agree that we should continue to act as a compassionate people and a nation who wants to protect the rights and freedom of all who are persecuted in this world, it's not going to embraced by some terrorist groups. These terrorists are not unlike the bullies in the schoolyard. They want and love POWER....not compassion. Make no mistake: they are not victims who feal they've been shown no compassion. They are bold, brazen, clever and confident groups of people who are out to destroy all that we hold dear. Obama needs to tread carefully and with eyes wide open.
{"commentId":5020205,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"lorad63"}
- 1 vote
#3 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 9:41 AM EST{"commentId":5020651,"authorDomain":"jebroadbent"}
Though a Republican who voted for George Bush, I do have the greatest hope for progress in the Middle East. It is truly refreshing to hear the President of the US espouse a balanced outlook rather than blank-check support for Israel.
Please don't misunderstand. I am neither pro-Arab or pro-Israel -- I am pro-American.
The United States will have no problem defeating al Qaeda when our ideals of liberty and justice are applied to all fairly.
{"commentId":5020651,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"jebroadbent"}
- 1 vote
#4 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:04 AM EST{"commentId":5020851,"authorDomain":"frantran"}
I think we should wait and see what happens here in this area. It could back fire. Will it I do not know. We have a new inexperienced President but his people are not and they may not go in the same direction. There are somethings he is doing that worry me and the thought of more government and more government controls is not what I want. As always just my opinion.
{"commentId":5020851,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"frantran"}
#5 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:16 AM EST{"commentId":5021687,"authorDomain":"blb93"}
At the same time Pres. Obama is reaching out to foreign Muslims, he has declared all out war on the Christians of his own country. From abortion to free speech, he is opposed to Christians on every issue. From stealing from the "rich" so he can pay off his constituents to enacting hate crime bills to silence Christian pastors, this man is evil incarnate.
{"commentId":5021687,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"blb93"}
#6 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:58 AM EST{"commentId":5022043,"authorDomain":"angela-gay"}
I am a Christian who is thrilled with President Obama - I'm not sure what you mean as "opposed" to Christians - he is on my side, your side and will try to BE a Christian by embracing Muslims. God and Allah bless Barack Obama
{"commentId":5022043,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"angela-gay"}
- 2 votes
{"commentId":5022004,"authorDomain":"enigmaobscura"}
Awesome. Rational discourse with the Muslim world, and coming from our government. It's about time.
{"commentId":5022004,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"enigmaobscura"}
- 3 votes
#7 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 11:14 AM EST{"commentId":5022858,"authorDomain":"fitzkid"}
Oh how interesting and exciting, just be nice to terrorists and magically they will stop attacking America .Muslim counties will love us and the world will be perfect. What compassionate poor misunderstood people the terrorists are. You liberals have the mind set of a child. Wake up! GROW UP! Look at the world the way it is, not in your hopes and dreams.The terrorists are our enemy. They must be destroyed utterly and completely . If you don't agree with me I ask for the third time , Which one of you liberals want the Gitmo detainees in your neighborhood? I feel like "the messiah" is barking up a dangerous tree on this one...
{"commentId":5022858,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"fitzkid"}
- 2 votes
#8 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 11:58 AM EST{"commentId":5024768,"authorDomain":"keavinkirby"}
It's amazing how you didn't actually read the article.
Or maybe in your child-like mind (no offense to children), all Muslims are terrorists.
He clearly said there is a difference between people who disagree with us, and those who espouse terror and act on it (paraphrase). To those who disagree, he is willing to listen and try to find a peaceful, common solution. To terrorists who won't try and live peacefully, we will fight fire with fire. You can't defeat us, we will defeat you. The Gitmo detainees won't be working at Wal-mart genius. If they are found innocent of crimes, they will be sent back to wherever they came from, be it here or there.
Next time, how about you read the article before spouting off at the mouth?
{"commentId":5024768,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"keavinkirby"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":5024805,"authorDomain":"dallanbailey"}
It seems you are the one who needs to grow up and wake up. And read more carefully.
Did you not see this : I cannot respect terrorist organizations that would kill innocent civilians and we will hunt them down.
Also, since NONE of the detainees in Gitmo are American citizens or nationalists they cannot be set free willy nilly on American soil. They will be escorted ( those that we cannot convict ) back to their home country. And thanks to the inhumane treatment they received , yes, they will probably run back to a terrorist camp. Maybe. Undoubtably, they receive bad treatment there as well.
Read your own words: The terrorists are our enemy. Why are you trying to broaden that to include and embrace the entire Muslim world? The innocents ? Only the terrorists are our enemy, not every man, woman and child that lives there !
It is the extremists that break into a quiet Muslim neighborhood and drag away their sons and husbands to force them to fight for their hatred and what they think is a holy war. Do not condemn the innocents.
You must wonder what their names are, where he/she comes from, what lies or threats led them on their long march from home, and if they really were evil at heart. If those sons/husbands/daughters would not have prefered to stay home - in peace. War will make corpses of us all.
Tolkien wrote the above, ( I've altered it some to fit present day ) when he wrote The Two Towers in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. That was in the 1950's and reflected his thoughts on WW1.
President Obama is taking great strides to start a new way. I applaud him for it. I think most of the Muslim world, it's inhabitants, detest the terror and long for peace as well.
{"commentId":5024805,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"dallanbailey"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":5025831,"authorDomain":"griphen02"}
The majority of people know that and The president isn't taking strides toward a new way america up unti 9/11 always behaved this way.
{"commentId":5025831,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"griphen02"}
{"commentId":5022993,"authorDomain":"dreamer"}
I don't know-I hope his inexperience doesn't get us into trouble here. I think already his idea of more government control over things, and the stimulus package proposal is going to get us into trouble here. We don't need more trouble over seas.
{"commentId":5022993,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"dreamer"}
- 1 vote
#9 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:04 PM EST{"commentId":5030947,"authorDomain":"BZe1"}
Dreamer, this country was already in trouble long before he became President. If you are losing your livelihood, or home, or watching your 401k disappear or your children or neighbors losing or unable to find jobs and still feel nothing should be done to jump start the economy again, that sort mindset leaves me at a loss for words.
How has a smaller govt helped in preventing the mess the country is in?
Are you suggesting that there should be no universal healthcare in this country as this might require govt input and control thus possibly increasing the size of the govt?
Are you suggesting that the various industries etc have adequately policed themselves or have they been able to do whatever they wished, while in effect looking out for themselves only, at the expense of everyone else?
By the by, experience does not indicate wisdom, nor lack of experience indicate lack of wisdom.
{"commentId":5030947,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"BZe1"}
{"commentId":5025313,"authorDomain":"russpears"}
This is how a US President should have always presented himself. Obama is the first Real President in a long long time!
{"commentId":5025313,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"russpears"}
- 1 vote
#10 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:56 PM EST{"commentId":5028343,"authorDomain":"wildcard473"}
Well, this goes way back farther than you might remember, headlines read “a U S embassy attacked” more than once, American’s taken hostage in Iran, U S Military base attacked hundreds of American Marines killed, The USS Cole, attacked, 17 U S Sailors killed, World Trade Center parking garage bombed, World Trade Center hit by hijacked airplanes.
So who started this war? And do we just set back and wait for another attack on American’s? And when not if it does, do we just let it go like it was for years until 9/11?
It’s not just the radical Muslims that hate America, the whole Muslim religion is taught that we are infidels and should be killed at any cost.
So are we to kiss them on the feet, and hope they will be our friends? Hope they will sell us oil.
As for saying this is the first real president we have had in a long time, that’s just silly, President Bush did exactly what the American people wanted after 9/11, he went after those who perpetrated the act, it seems a lot of you have for got about those who died that day, and now it’s ok to open our hearts and country and let them try again to kill even more Americans.
Set down with them? Why? Let them show us they want peace, let them prove to us they want to be friends, lets see them go after the terrorists.
I live by a simple primes, you want my friendship, show me friendship, you want me to trust you, show me you can be trusted, you want my respect, show me respect.
{"commentId":5028343,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"wildcard473"}
{"commentId":5025761,"authorDomain":"griphen02"}
President Obama is a man of his words, he said in his campaign he would always side with muslims first.
Showing compasion for our fellow man is an important morale obligation, but I fear all this good will by the new president will do is allow countries to harbour terrrorists without any worry of intervention by the US.
Regardsless of what he does the US will never gain the respect of countries like Iran, they may talk too us, but they will do what they want and when we object and talk to them they will tell us basically to shut up.
{"commentId":5025761,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"griphen02"}
#11 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:21 PM EST{"commentId":5034403,"authorDomain":"tambria"}
I have to ask mainly because of your comment, "would side with the Muslims first", who did Obama side with when the towers went down. Your right about showing compassion for our fellow man and that no matter what they will do what they want, but don't you think with all the inner fighting here in the US the president should be sitting at the round table say with a few of the bigger named gangs they fall in the category of terrorist don't they and their here in the US. So far I have only seen Obama working on the side of the outside and nothing on the inside which is the US.
{"commentId":5034403,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"tambria"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":5026518,"authorDomain":"fitzkid"}
After reading the replies to my post I am impressed Nobody anwsered my question again,just generalities, but a lot of the nations of origin won't take them back. So what are we going to do with them if they are "found innocent" by peacemakers that have no reality about war?And as for most muslims being innocent Maybe Maybe not Until they change their ways and are not educated in madrassa's to hate the west and the principal of jihad I will look at them skeptically. And as for quoting Tolkien about WW1 ,Idon't need it. I never got to meet my grandfather because of WW1. He was gassed and came back a shell of a man and died long before I was born. My family knows the horror of war. I can trace my family back 8 generations of military service to the Revolutionary War. 6 have died in the defense of this country. I watched my daughter go off to Iraq and see the horrors of war and came back a decorated warrior. I am proud of her. She saw MASS Graves, and horribly abused people. She will never be the girl she was before Iraq. She drove a fuel tanker for 10 months and went into Iraq about 7 hours after the invasion force went. She saw death and destruction to last a lifetime. I hate war but there are times when you just can't hope and dream about things. Sometimes you gotta kick ass.Appeasment won't work. If somebody knows an example of when appeasment worked Let me know.And as for me being childlike, I graduated from college, served as a Captain in the ARMY and I have a higher IQ than some Presidents.I'm glad Obama is going to track down the terrorists. Hint, he can start in Chicago and find Wlliam Ayers who is such a bad-assed terrorist that he can"t even get in Canada. You liberals have a good day and remember love makes the world go around.HA!
{"commentId":5026518,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"fitzkid"}
#12 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 3:25 PM EST{"commentId":5027786,"authorDomain":"dallanbailey"}
Then what do you propose we do instead ? Stay staus quo ? That will not solve anything. We both know that. Keep sending our sons and daughters in ? ( For my son is in the Army as well ) Your daughter has been scarred by her ordeal, but she is to be applauded for serving her country , for herself and for us. My son is doing the same as we cannot ever let ourselves be in a situation where we have to think the way others want us to think. That is what sets America apart, but most nations are like that now. Most.
We need to start somewhere. If we don't at least start by offering a hand, then we will continue to lose the respect of other nations and allies. If we *do* offer that hand and it is rebuffed....well, then we've got a great big " Hey, we tried it the easy way and the right way...you seem to want to learn the hard way " on our side now don't we ?
If we don't do something that doesn't condemn us in the eyes of the world , then I fear more sons and daughters, husbands , wives, etc... will lose their lives.
So...until they can come home go to: . Give what you can.
Let's take care of the small stuff and leave the big problems to the President. It seems that name calling, such as ' messiah ' is what gets people angry. Name calling should be left to the small-minded.
{"commentId":5027786,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"dallanbailey"}
- 1 vote
{"commentId":5027892,"authorDomain":"carolync-1"}
Obama...you have my total respect. Thank you for respecting , and being willing to listen to, others. That's what a leader should do.
{"commentId":5027892,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"carolync-1"}
- 2 votes
#13 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:54 PM EST{"commentId":5029758,"authorDomain":"kazport327"}
What a crock. Now its okay for him to try and relate to the Muslims. During the elections we were accused of scaring the American People if we dared use his middle name Hussein.
Now they are part of his heritage. Talk about taking advantage of a situation.
{"commentId":5029758,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"kazport327"}
- 1 vote
#14 - Tue Jan 27, 2009 7:00 PM EST{"commentId":5030598,"authorDomain":"thecountryfence"}
I don't understand why...we the USA want to go and "stop" their fighting ways.. Those countries fought long before Obama, Bush, Clinton or Washington. Remember Moses parting the Red Sea?
Their heritage is to fight...always....so if Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Israel, or any of them want to continue to fight and kill each other. Let them. They don't want peace...They want world attention. And they are sucking it up. They haven't changed since the days of Jesus Christ walking on earth - they surely aren't going to Change because "THE ONE" who didn't want to be identified as a Muslim has come along. Stay out their countries, stay out of their business and let them fight amongst themselves.
{"commentId":5030598,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"thecountryfence"}
{"commentId":5050567,"authorDomain":"gkpva"}
How many agreements have they already signed to stop fighting. It usually lasts 10min. and then those ignorant aceholes start again. Every president in the last 25 years has had them sign an agreement. When will we learn? Obama said he was going to do things differently, looks like the same so far.
{"commentId":5050567,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"gkpva"}
#15 - Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:28 PM EST{"commentId":5055635,"authorDomain":"caligulous"}
Obama so carefully focuses on al Qaeda when talking about terrorists, never mentioning Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, all of whose aims/demands include the obliteration of Israel and the US's acquiescence to that. What is our new President willing to offer in a negotiation?
I shudder to think....
All this blathering about how there are good Muslims is nothing new; and will do nothing if those good Muslims don't rise up on their own and get rid of the terrorist organizations effectively ruling their countries. When they stop voting them into power and start imprisoning or killing them, then we have some common ground on which to negotiate. Perhaps Obama's conciliatory words will motivate these people to do what they have never done--I hope so. But in any/all surveys done of Muslim attitudes, wishes and desires fot the future, it seems a lot of them (sometimes a majority) favor the aims--if not the methods--of the MANY terrorist groups waging jihad against pretty much the entire non-Muslim world.
{"commentId":5055635,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"caligulous"}
#16 - Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:49 AM EST{"commentId":5082109,"authorDomain":"rockymeet"}
Open letter to Obama
Bravo, President Obama
In your interview to Al-Arabiya you have said all the right things in the right tone and manner. Now you have taken the issue to the Muslim world and it is transparent that you want friendship and peace with all the peace-loving Muslims. I am sure there will be positive reactions to this. America under your leadership seems to be putting the correct step forward.
Please make sure all your administration embraces these sentiments and style and then you will win hearts and minds.
I am also impressed by Robert Gates when he talked about the limited goal of the world community in Afganisthan. The focus should be to 'get the limited job done quickly and get out'. If you also follow through on your promise to get out of Iraq within a short time-table you would show your sincerity to the world.
But remember USA also has a commitment to rebuild the countries ravaged by it. May be the present economic circumstances in USA do not permit you to start a Marshall Plan for Iraq but you have the responsibility and liability to start some rebuilding going there.
I wish you all the best.
--------------------------------
KAMAL
-----------------------------------
The Lemonade Diet Cleansing Directions
{"commentId":5082109,"threadId":"482572","contentId":"2358853","authorDomain":"rockymeet"}
#17 - Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:12 PM EST{"commentId":10408680,"authorDomain":"breelaboy"}
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