When answering questions, President Obama had this to say about the election situation in Iran:
I am deeply troubled by the violence that I’ve been seeing on television.
What does that phrase even mean? If someone is deeply troubled does that mean they are saddened? They feel bad? I don’t understand what it means.
And whenever I see violence perpetrated on people who are peacefully dissenting, and whenever the American people see that, I think they’re, rightfully, troubled.
But I’m not sure if they were peacefully dissenting. I thought I read that they were storming militia buildings and causing riots – not the sort of acts that describe “peacefully”. But I agree, violence shouldn’t be the answer to quell the protests. Iran is getting a huge black eye in the face of world opinion.
But what I can say is that there appears to be a sense on the part of people who were so hopeful and so engaged and so committed to democracy who now feel betrayed.
It does seem odd that so many supporters of the opposition turned out for the election and watched their opponent win by a huge landslide. Very fishy workings going on over there.
And what I would say to those people who put so much hope and energy and optimism into the political process, I would say to them that the world is watching and inspired by their participation, regardless of what the ultimate outcome of the election was.
Regardless of the outcome of the election? Are you kidding me? Stop being so “playing the middle of the road”. We don’t want to see the current President of Iran re-elected. We aren’t inspired regardless.
Below are some quotes from the President’s speech in Cairo. You can find the transcript here. Let’s dig into this!
And I’m also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country
Obviously he doesn’t send the goodwill of all Americans but we won’t pick that fight.
sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.
Is that because these countries couldn’t keep up with the change? Because they have a different style of government than the West? Hmm.
So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, those who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. And this cycle of suspicion and discord must end.
Very good. Liking this – I’m assuming the President will define how we can cooperate.
There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground.
Good good. Keep going, maybe you’ll convince them/us by the time this speech is over…
I also know that Islam has always been a part of America’s story.
Wait; what? Islam has always been a part of America’s story? I’m not seeing that in historical data.
when the first Muslim American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers — Thomas Jefferson — kept in his personal library.
And there was a lot of media hype and hysteria over that event as well.
partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn’t.
There’s going to be a partnership between a country and a religion? Whoa whoa whoa. This is not sounding good to my ears.
America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire.
Well…arguments could be made that it is.
nearly 7 million American Muslims in our country today who, by the way, enjoy incomes and educational levels that are higher than the American average.
Never misses a beat to bash your own country-men and women do you Mr President. Aren’t American Muslims part of that American average? You’re trying to score points in a very underhanded way. And it’s sickening.
all of us share common aspirations — to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. These things we share.
I’m not sure if you mean that religions have the same god. This would be incorrect. But I like the basic idea you’re laying here.
When innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience.
A stain? Just a stain? Why aren’t the countries of the world coming together to “bleach out” this so-called stain? If you were serious about it, you would send forces in to end the violence.
any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail.
Does that include Presidents and their wives taking expensive trips at the cost of the American people?
The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms.
There’s the starting gun; and we’re off.
We will … relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security — because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people.
Reading that makes you proud to be an American doesn’t it? Maybe just a little bit?
Al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.
Throw down that gauntlet Mr President. You’re a rock star!
We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and now Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can.
Oh that this would happen in my lifetime – every American troop on American soil.
That’s why we plan to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who’ve been displaced. That’s why we are providing more than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend on.
That’s a good chunk of change for The United States to shoulder. This money is coming from only the U.S.?
I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases
Don’t we have one of the largest permanent bases in Iraq?
I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year.
But will that order be obeyed? That, my dear President, is the question.
The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world.
Can you feel the silence after this comment was made?
and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied.
Take that Mr Iranian President.
The only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security.
Good luck with that.
To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, recognize Israel’s right to exist.
Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel’s right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine’s.
Can this be done? Will President Obama bring peace to the Middle East?
The third source of tension is our shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons.
Is this the last source of tension?
I strongly reaffirmed America’s commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons.
Go ahead and seek all you want. That world will never exist.
The fourth issue that I will address is democracy.
Maybe one more after this.
The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom.
it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit
But don’t interpret that into allowing Muslims to kill others. (Some would say that’s practicing their religion)
the sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights.
Big one.
And there was more to be said, but I’ll cut this post off here.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, this President is an excellent orator. I’m happy to have him as President.
President Obama’s weekly address on March 28th dealt with the flooding in the Northwest.
That is why, on Tuesday, I granted a major disaster declaration request for the State of North Dakota and ordered federal support into the region to help state and local officials respond to the flooding.
How long would it have taken the Bush administration to grant the request?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is assisting in the emergency construction of levees. The Coast Guard is aiding in search and rescue efforts while the Department of Defense is helping to move people and supplies. Members of the National Guard have been activated and are on the scene as well.
Part of America’s finest wouldn’t you say?
My administration is working closely with Governors John Hoeven, Mike Rounds and Tim Pawlenty. And I’ve been meeting with Senators Byron Dorgan, Kent Conrad, and Amy Klobuchar, as well as Congressmen Earl Pomeroy and Collin Peterson, to pledge my support.
…Name dropper…
So there wasn’t much to be said in this week’s address. He promoted the idea of volunteerism. And hopefully we won’t need many more natural disasters to convince people to get out of their homes and get to work.
