Today, I can report on what we achieved—a new commitment to meet common challenges, and real progress in advancing America’s national security and economic prosperity.
Let’s wait and see what the details are, but from here it just sounds like empty political words. Just like what a person expects from an entity such as The U.N.
over the past nine months my administration has renewed American leadership
Seriously, Mr President – you really need to let go of your hatred for President Bush. You didn’t renew American leadership.
In Pittsburgh, the world’s major economies agreed to continue our effort to spur global demand to put our people back to work
All talk. That’s all I see. When I see tangible results I’ll begin to trust these so-called G-20 administrations.
And we resolved to move forward in the journey toward a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East.
It’s a telling process when the groups have to agree just to move forward. They’re not even talking action points yet.
the Security Council endorsed our global effort to lock down all vulnerable material within four years.
And yet again, the proof will be tangible or another empty phrase from that body.
all nations have the right to peaceful nuclear energy
So Iran should have the right to this energy. Why won’t they let people inspect them?
President Medvedev of Russia and I agreed that Iran must pursue a new course or face consequences.
Those in Iran, when they heard, “or face consequences” they all yawned.
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.
These are some of the words President Obama shared with the men and women at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina back in February.
We have you in our prayers. We pay tribute to your service. We thank you and your families for all that you do for America.
This may sound crass, but we’ve heard leaders say exactly these same words. “We have you in our prayers.” Is that true? It gives me the same feeling when I hear politicians end a speech by saying, “and God bless The United States of America”. These words have become bland and meaningless when said in a speech. May it be sincere and from the deepest part of your soul, Mr. President.
And then what does, “We pay tribute to your service” mean? What kind of tribute? I haven’t seen or heard of any tribute. Once again, is it just lip service?
He [Ryan Crocker: Ambassador to Iraq] is an example of the very best that this nation has to offer, and we owe him a great debt of gratitude.
Here we go again with the feel-good words and phrases. We owe him a debt of gratitude? If I was Crocker, I would say, “Pay up USA.”
Under tough circumstances, the men and women of the United States military have served with honor, and succeeded beyond any expectation.
Including yours, Mr President, when you doubted “The Surge” strategy would succeed. But you wouldn’t admit to being wrong about that would you? You’d only claim that The Surge wouldn’t have been needed if we never invaded Iraq in the first place.
With that, you may have my agreement…
On my first full day in office, I directed my national security team to undertake a comprehensive review of our strategy in Iraq to determine the best way to strengthen that foundation, while strengthening American national security.
It’s interesting to note that the Obama Administration plan for Iraq calls for the removal of major combat troops from Iraq only a couple months ahead of the Bush Administration plan. (I’ve posted information concerning the two plans here before)
by August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end.
Keep that date in your mind and let’s see what comes of it.
I intend to remove all U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of 2011.
Good news?
America has a strategic interest – and a moral responsibility – to act.
The President said this in reference to the displaced men, women and children of Iraq. Let me ask this: What about our moral responsibility to those displaced in Africa and other Third World countries because of war? Or are we just responsible for those displaced by wars The United States started?
Now, before I go any further, I want to take a moment to speak directly to the people of Iraq.
When the President, first Bush now Obama, does this what is the live audience supposed to do? Do they think, “Well he’s not talking to us so let’s put in our headphones and listen to our ipods…”
President Obama mentioned his team was
developing a strategy to use all elements of American power to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon
Yeah, like trying to talk to them via the Internet and having the Iranian government balk at it. I doubt the Iranians will stop developing nuclear power. Will you be a strong President? Will you truly prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon?
Thank you, God Bless you, and God Bless the United States of America.
New restrictions are being written up against Iran. The Western countries (including Germany) are taking another step to prevent Iran from further developing nuclear energy.
But seriously, what does this all mean? For us not so much in the loop about world affairs and how things are run over there at the U.N., could someone lay out a clear outline of what sanctions actually do? Can someone provide us with information? We always hear about this country getting more sanctions placed on them or that country lifting sanctions. Sanctions, sanctions, and sanctions.
Here’s what I understand: The United States along with other countries known as “Western” nations are not excited with the idea of Iran obtaining nuclear energy right? They are worried the Iranian government would build a bomb and send it to Israel or sell it to a rogue group. Okay, I get that. I understand.
The Iranian government says it deserves to have nuclear energy to help with domestic power. And they don’t want to be bullied by the Western nations. This I also get. I understand what they are saying.
Now what I don’t get: What’s the problem? Do these two groups so completely distrust each other that no solution can be found? Of course, we aren’t privy to the dialogue going on in their meetings, but there can be a compromise right? Are both sides not wanting to give up anything?
