Obama Speaks to the Muslim World
Thanks for the link. I will check it out in the evening. Yes indeed it is a good start and hopefully will bring good results too.
The same history that saw Paisley and Adams sit at the same table. I never thought that I would see that in my lifetime, or the fall of the Iron Curtain, for that matter.
Personally, I liked the speech - this is a volatile part of the world and American help and diplomacy, in trying to fix some of the problems, is appreciated.
Not sure if the words can be translated into action, but difficulty is no excuse for not trying
- Leta Sposted 15 years ago
0He struck just the right note, it seems. I'm proud of us!
Of course, the attack machine from the right is on his case again, last headline I read. Well it certainly looks like we would all love to see peace in the Middle East.
Finally we can wholeheartedly agree on something Jewels. Glory be ...
Sadly this is Israel's response to Obama's speech.
Israel: Obama's Speech Won't Change Our Settlement Policy
Interestingly Hamas seems more even tempered with an invitation for Obama on June 3rd. Hamas Delivers Peace Letter to President Obama
Peace and tolerance is two sided, it needs to be reciprocal. It doesn't work if it's one sided.
We will soon see if Obama's speech truly means a change to US foreign policy regarding the Middle East. Or whether it is just more talk like we have seen off and on from the last half a dozen US administrations, both Republicans and Democrats.
As far as I am concerned there could have been peace in the Middle East long ago if Israel truly wanted it. With the overwhelming one sided support that Israel has received from the US over the last couple of decades the Obama administration really does have a chance to change things. But only if they truly want to.
Thanks for the link, very nice speech. I understand skeptics that think achieving the things Obama talked about is nearly impossible. At least we are trying to move forward and it is nice to hear positive thoughts by our leader that just might make a difference. Makes me feel hopeful
Of course - one speech does not always translate into action. However, Clinton managed to do that in Ireland, so it is dangerous to generalise. Only time will reveal whether there is substance behind the words, but I prefer to hold onto a little hope.
The previous administration managed to completely destabilise this part of the world, which we found offensive - I don't think for a minute that the vast majority of Americans are anti-Islam, but that is how the speeches and actions came across to non-Americans.
Separating the people from the administration is essential - I like the Iranian people a lot, but detest their idiot President and the theocracy.Agreed - the Greeks and the Turks, for example, committed disgraceful atrocities against each other - we are talking thousands of men, women and children slaughtered.
Despite this history there is dialogue, simply because the populations of the two countries (apart from a minority of extremists), genuinely want to be friends.
TK - Again, you are making an assumption that I disliked Bush because of his personality. Wrong - I live in the Middle East, and Israel/Palestine is in our back yard. Bush came across as a bully who believed that he could dictate to people - in this respect, he is not half the man that his father was. Bush Jr is probably a nice man, but he had a poor grasp of the complexities of international diplomacy.
In two years time, if Obama does not deliver, I will be just as critical. I really do not care whether a Democrat or Republican is President.Fair enough!
We are a little more immune to 'personality politics' and shallow media in Greece - genuine and meaningful political debate is the lifeblood of the country, as you can imagine.
All politicians get a hard time, here, regardless of political ideology or affiliation...If Obama does not deliver, he will be treated no differently
- \Brenda Scullyposted 15 years ago0
I listened and watched Obama's speech and my thougts were.
This man is a President for Peace!
Been a long time since any politician has sounded mature and practical as well as confident.
If I were American I would very proud of that fact here is a man who has the attention of millions of muslims ,they are listening !! and the respect for the USA is building again.
My only hope is that he runs as long as Bush did.
People talking might not solve problems overnight ,but at least information and communication gives HOPE for evil not to reign.
I am reminded of that saying
For evil to reign ,all it takes is for good men to do nothing.
Obama is doing something!
Let's try this. Unashamedly, these are leading questions, but I will offer the same courtesy in return - you are more than welcome to turn these around!
What approach do you think that the US should take to the Israel/Palestine situation?
If you had to pick out one element of the President's speech that you agreed with, what would it be?
In which major policy area, concerning the Middle East, do you think that the previous administration could have done better?
ThanksAbsolutely no argument here. Whatever the solution, getting the moderates to talk is the key - the trusted, 'neutral third party' approach has worked in other conflicts, although the situation is much more complex than the Irish conflict or Greece/Turkey.
Again, that is a balanced response. I liked the tone of the speech, and thought that it offered genuine understanding. We will have to wait and see whether it has any substance. Believe it or not, I do share your misgivings on this one, although I would love to be proved wrong!
Enough said.
Thanks for answering - that was appreciated, and we find that we are not so far apart on many issues
Sufi- If I ever needed a lawyer for my defense I would chose you. You not only have one of the most logical minds but you would be most amenable even to others(including Judge). Your calm constructive engagement methodology is a proof that being nice is just as important as logical reasoning. I pay my respects to you.
Thanks, CW, and likewise - you are always calm and respectful. It is very easy for these forums to become a useless slanging match, so we need diplomats like yourself..
TK accepted the handshake, and I respect him for that.
Mind you, I was hoping for a debate, but we agree on most things, so.....
Hey, TK - the RedSox suck.....Discuss.Thanks, Sufi but my sports knowledge is zero(not sure if my husband agrees with you about my "diplomatic" words). Anyway my bro only talks about cricket. I guess I have to brush up on that area from some other source.
PS: You could even engage Mohammedm earlier with his Egyptian football team. You sure know how to engage in fruitful conversation.
Even I know nothing about Baseball(something in common) but then in fact I know nothing about so many things. Yes, that's the way it should be. We can always disagree agreeably after all life is too short to dwell on our differences rather than bringing us closer together. I am sure you must be a great company in your local taverna (is that similar to what we call pubs/bars in US?)
PS: I am sure you must have been the best debater in your student days.
The taverna is a sort of coffee shop/cafe/bar, where old men drink ouzo and shout at each other. Very much a cultural Middle Eastern thing - most countries in the region have them, although not all serving alcohol.
Strangely enough, I was never much good as a debater at school or university. Moving to Greece has given me a crash course, because it is the national sport over here! There is a whole etiquette behind a Greek debate, and you have to learn very quicklyOh yes, those Greeks sure have a lot of history to talk about. And those Greek Philosophers have contributed a lot to the world at large(especially in political science/public administration). Why don't you write a hub about Greek Philosophers? Thanks for that info. How I wish one day I get to travel to all those places and maybe even meet you in person.
PS: What is the Greek etiquette for debates? I feel you would have been just as sharp then but now more agreeable to others.It is true - the Greeks have been debating for thousands of years, and the art is very much alive. The Greeks have a lot of respect for somebody who can debate! I would love to write some Hubs about the philosophers, but time is the issue. I think that Darkside has a good series of Hubs about Greek philosophers - well worth a read. You and your husband are welcome here anytime.
The etiquette behind debating is long and complex, much more like a game of chess than an argument. I could quite easily write a long Hub about it, and I am still learning as my knowledge of the language improves. Ad hominem is frowned upon, and it is seen as bad form to merely attack the position of others without offering any view of your own. Religion is never debated about!Thanks for the invite(we would love to take that up). Btw I requested this hub and hope you educate folks like me with a wonderful hub. http://hubpages.com/request/13581/?new Have a good weekend.
No worries - it might be a few days, but I will try my best!
You have a good weekend, tooI am looking forward to that hub. This weekend going out on a picnic hence a little busy for me
Oh, yeah... And Sufi, don't worry about my proposed hub. Mine will basically be on argumentation and logical fallacies with definitions, etc. So! Write what you will... I'm slow these days, anyway, as I am pounding out press releases and newsletters and dealing with hostile & political corporate environments at times,
.
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Big uns.
No offense Maddie.
As-Salaamu Alaykum (Peace be with you)
I think it's wonderful that somebody is still trying to reach their hand out in friendship.
Enjoy - that sounds fantastic. I love a good picnic, going out into the mountains and enjoying the summer
Lita- Looking forward to that hub of yours. I am sure you both would have a different take (besides Sufi's could be Ouzo influenced)
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