The Arabs may have wished for more – for a tougher line on Gaza, a new peace “initiative” and an apology for past US policies. He was right to offer none of these. He did not repudiate his presidential predecessor. Nor did he denounce the two interventions that have inflamed much of the Muslim world – in Iraq and in Afghanistan. Instead, he insisted that America had no wish to stay a moment longer in Afghanistan than the threat dictated. His Administration knew that “the less we use our power, the greater it will be”. But that did not mean that America would not confront extremists.
Like his earlier address to Iran, Mr Obama’s appeal struck a chord that infuriated those peddling hatred of America. Both Iran and Osama bin Laden were swift to belittle his words. He did not, sadly, address the issue of democracy. That must remain part of the agenda. What he did was to demolish the myth of a clash of civilisations. That is the first step to bridging the chasm.
The most honest, hopeful and encouraging political speech that I’ve read (on the Episcopal Life site) in a loooooooong time. May it be so. Surely, this is what peacemaking looks like.
P.S. This is the first time I’ve ever commented on any politician’s speech. Imagine what a difference he could make if God changed his heart on the abortion issue.
Maggie Gallager has pointed out the mainstream media’s near silence on the murder of a soldier by a muslim extremist. They are quick to partially blame Bill O’Reilly and Operation Rescue with the murder of Tiller. All the pro-life organizations came out with condemnations almost immediately. Checked the CAIR website. Nothing. Zip.
But what is worse, still. Obama is over kissing butt and doesn’t make one statement about the murder.
#2, as has Michelle Malkin as well.
I suppose Munich was true peacemaking too. After all it resulted in “Peace in our time”.
Obama consistently spouts glorious sounding rhetoric that is unfettered by truth, reality, history and action, whereas his actions belie an evil, immoral and destructive intent.
As Cap’n Yips (who lives in Obama’s hometown and has watched his maneuverings and rise to power closely, carefully and intelligently) said, don’t listen to his words, watch what he does. At the outset, Obama borrowed Rick Warren’s credibility and prayers for his inauguration, spouted lofty sentiments, then days later revealed his true heart, signing a death warrant giving the lives of foreign infants over to abortionists. Obama’s continued his deadly course when he appointed Sebelius, abortion-minded friend of Tiller the killer to be Secretary of *Health* and *Human* Services. His Director of Homeland Security threatened and called pro-lifers and returning soldiers terrorists, while opening up the US and giving carte blanche to real terrorists.
This is no usual time in America’s history and there has been no past precedent for what we are facing.
Never before in all of human history have nations (the US is not the only Western nation to commit such atrocities) run so deep with the blood of innocent unborn children and has the church, government and law been so infested and infected by evil.
Daniel 12:1-13 and Mark 13:19-23 might be helpful to those with ears to hear and eyes to see.
RE: “What he did was to demolish the myth of a clash of civilisations.”
As it is not a myth, he did not “demolish” anything at all.
[blockquote]What he did was to demolish the myth of a clash of civilisations.[/blockquote]
Well, yeah, surrender will tend to do that.
Respect … Empathy …. and Apology for America, and never once mentioned all the assistance and aid we have sent to Muslim country after country in wake of natural disasters, genocide, etc. Not very balanced.
Heh, I suppose, Jefferson, that bombing Pakistan is “surrender.”
Right now, the real clash is Muslim vs Muslim.
Perhaps Obama could have been condescending and self-righteous. Which would have been exactly what Al Quaeda would have loved – more fodder for recruiting.
Pandering to some of the world’s worst despots. Why not mention the persecution of Christians?
#10 That would work in the west.
I think Muslims have a harder time with Muslims killed by Americans, unfortunately. Even if they deserve it.
But Magnanimity toward Muslims in the middle east may create magnanimity toward Christians by Muslims.
The theory is that love and respect generate more of the same.
It’s a theory, and one that Jesus says. But it is also by faith.