Ok. So our dear president Obama gives this groundbreaking speeech in Cairo yesterday addressing the Arab/Muslim world. Of course, the speech has being highly praised by most, not just in the Muslim world , but in the US and Western news media as well.
I must be listening with a completely different set of ears from most people, because I came away not impressed, but aggravated and annonyed.
The full text of his speech is available here, but a few things jumped out at me:
"I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap and share common principles, principles of justice and progress, tolerance and the dignity of all human beings."
Justice? Tolerance? Is he kidding? Excuse me while I barf.
Maybe he should go visit Persecution.com when he gets a chance... and read up about Christian persecution in Muslim countries. He seems to not know what's really going on.
"And I consider it part of my responsibility as president of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear."
Really??
Now this is Obama's second speech aimed at placating the Muslim world -- remember he gave a somewhat similar speech in Turkey in April. But why has he not rebuked Iran for being a huge (and potentially nuclear) threat to the region, and particularly to the security of Israel? Why has he not rebuked the Muslim government of Sudan for their slaughter against non-Muslims in Darfur?
"Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one's religion. That is why there is a mosque in every state in our union and over 1,200 mosques within our borders."
This might have been the biggest "eye-rolling" moment for me. Does Obama not know that in much of the Muslim world, Christianity is either banned or severely restricted? Does he not know of the persecution that takes place in Mulim countries all over the world? How ironic that he felt the need to impress these people by telling them how they have freedom to practice their religion here in the U.S., while many of those same people dont allow non-Muslims to have freedom to preactice their religion in their countries!??
"That's why the United States government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab, and to punish those who would deny it."
Please. Give me a break. How about the fact that many Muslims get punished in their home countries for converting to Christianity?
"It was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra, our magnetic compass and tools of navigation, our mastery of pens and printing, our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires, timeless poetry and cherished music, elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation."
That may be true. But in recent years, we've seen other notable innovations coming out of Muslim communties ....such as knapsack bombs, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), and other clever advances in suicide-bomber technology. (But I guess mentioning that stuff wouldn't fit in with the overall tone of the President's speech.)
Did I listen to the whole speech? No. A few minutes of it was all I could stand. But I know appeasement when I hear it. And that's all this was:a simple case of "let's appease and 'kiss up' to the Muslim world". If this is what we have to look forward to for the next four to eight years under President Obama, then God help us all.
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