You are also correct that the war on terrorism—another term the President has abandoned—is more than just a war against radical Islam.
That's the problem. Regardless of what Bush's intentions were with respect to the war on terror not being about Islam writ large, the perception of Muslims around the world is different. It is that perception that Obama needs to change.
Regardless of what Bush's intentions were with respect to the war on terror not being about Islam writ large, the perception of Muslims around the world is different
Perhaps you can let me know the answer to something.
Did the chicken come first? Or was it the egg?
Dave
I'm sorry, but actions speak louder than words, Barry. The fact that you are continuing to drop bombs on Pakistanis in pursuit of some weird undefined "success in the War on Terror", even expanding that front, tells me that you protest too much. That, and how your campaign demanded that the muslim women in headscarves move from behind your podium during your speech so as to obviously keep them out of the view of cameras in order not to remind people that your middle name is identical with the former president of Iraq - again, actions speak much louder than words. Lovely words, now back it up.
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Perhaps you can let me know the answer to something.
Did the chicken come first? Or was it the egg?
Oh no it is very clear. Muslim opinion of US foreign policy plummeted
after the Iraq war. It's not even a question. The war on terror is the chicken that laid the egg, nah, the bomb.
I thought this was a very important speech in Turkey. Recently (the last 7 years or so) we have seen a slippage in opinion of Muslim peoples around the world as they think about whether or not the United States opposes just those who attack us or all of Islam. It is crucially important for Obama to rectify this, ensuring that Muslims around the world realize that we are against terrorism but not the Islamic religion or Islamic peoples. It has a very tangible effect in the Middle East, where Obama will be trying to broker peace deals. Islamic people will not trust our leaders if they think we are anti-Islam.
Well done, Obama.
My problem with this speech was that unlike the European speech in which he called out both sides for their anti feelings and actions, here he seemed to be apologizing to Islam without holding them to account. He could have said that while the US is perceived to be anti-Islam, Islam is too often openly anti-American, and Muslim leaders fail to speak and act against the hatred as well as the many madrasas throughout the Islamic world that teach children primarily to hate America, thus insuring generations of hate. The lack of peaceful leadership and failure of Muslim leaders to actively speak out against the hate and violence against the west is too common, and the president should have spoken as he did in Europe and stated that. The record of success and achievement of Muslims in America is clear. The problem is that too many in the Muslim world choose to ignore that and wallow in their prejudice. I hope Obama will take a stronger position next time.
My problem with this speech was that unlike the European speech in which he called out both sides for their anti feelings and actions, here he seemed to be apologizing to Islam without holding them to account. He could have said that while the US is perceived to be anti-Islam, Islam is too often openly anti-American, and Muslim leaders fail to speak and act against the hatred as well as the many madrasas throughout the Islamic world that teach children primarily to hate America, thus insuring generations of hate. The lack of peaceful leadership and failure of Muslim leaders to actively speak out against the hate and violence against the west is too common, and the president should have spoken as he did in Europe and stated that. The record of success and achievement of Muslims in America is clear. The problem is that too many in the Muslim world choose to ignore that and wallow in their prejudice. I hope Obama will take a stronger position next time.
This is good analysis and I thank you for the thoughtful remarks. I have more to say on this, but I want to think about it a bit first.
My problem with this speech was that unlike the European speech in which he called out both sides for their anti feelings and actions, here he seemed to be apologizing to Islam without holding them to account. He could have said that while the US is perceived to be anti-Islam, Islam is too often openly anti-American, and Muslim leaders fail to speak and act against the hatred as well as the many madrasas throughout the Islamic world that teach children primarily to hate America, thus insuring generations of hate. The lack of peaceful leadership and failure of Muslim leaders to actively speak out against the hate and violence against the west is too common, and the president should have spoken as he did in Europe and stated that. The record of success and achievement of Muslims in America is clear. The problem is that too many in the Muslim world choose to ignore that and wallow in their prejudice. I hope Obama will take a stronger position next time.
Ask yourself who is financing anti-American and anti-Western terrorism. Do a little research on it.
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One question though, are those financiers in the "too many Muslims" category or in the minority?
I don't understand. My point is that flyinbob appears frustrated that, to use a medical euphemism, despite having treated the symptoms, the disease continues to manifest itself. If you don't stop the financing of terrorism, you can kill OBL, bomb Pakistan, invade Iran, and what do you know, another OBL/Taliban/ISI/Khomeini will simply take their places.
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Though the Preisdent was correct in stating that we are not at war with Isalm, we are waging a war against Islamofascism.
Satisfied adventurous?
Yes! I was concerned about you guys.
Anyway, 99% of violent crime is committed by men, but we are not on an anti-men campaign in America, to rustle them up before they do something (even though there is a disproportionate number of minorities, esp., and people period in American prisons).
Even if we were on such a campaign, we're not bragging about it like anti-Islamists (not including you here--trying to be nice).
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I don't understand. My point is that flyinbob appears frustrated that, to use a medical euphemism, despite having treated the symptoms, the disease continues to manifest itself. If you don't stop the financing of terrorism, you can kill OBL, bomb Pakistan, invade Iran, and what do you know, another OBL/Taliban/ISI/Khomeini will simply take their places.
Since i didn't want to give the answer to your question, I wanted to stress the fact that only a tiny minority would continue to finance terrorism whilst the majority of Muslims in the ROW couldn't care less since they are either trying to survive in corrupted environments or they are secular. It is wrong for the poster to assume:too many in the Muslim world choose to ignore that and wallow in their prejudice
What we see from a biased media most of the time is a minority of extremists - mainly illiterate or brainwashed by their religious leaders and financed by Riyahd.
btw I wouldn't lump Khomeini with OBL/Taliban/ISI.
Some reading on the the travails of the Shah and the Savak will make one think that Khomeini was not "that bad". Khomeini and the crazy guy presently in Tehran are two different people also.
My problem with this speech was that unlike the European speech in which he called out both sides for their anti feelings and actions, here he seemed to be apologizing to Islam without holding them to account. He could have said that while the US is perceived to be anti-Islam, Islam is too often openly anti-American, and Muslim leaders fail to speak and act against the hatred as well as the many madrasas throughout the Islamic world that teach children primarily to hate America, thus insuring generations of hate. The lack of peaceful leadership and failure of Muslim leaders to actively speak out against the hate and violence against the west is too common, and the president should have spoken as he did in Europe and stated that. The record of success and achievement of Muslims in America is clear. The problem is that too many in the Muslim world choose to ignore that and wallow in their prejudice. I hope Obama will take a stronger position next time.
+1
You nailed it.
The problem is a theological one: Islam is an imperialistic religion, and Dar al-Harb presents an implicit challenge to Dar al-Islam.
O/H
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I agree with President Obama and don't see a problem with vocalizing the sentiment that "we are not at war with Islam." There is nothing wrong with a harmless expression that may engender goodwill such as this.
While I would have stated it a little differently than underpressure, his underlying point that President Bush also offered similar sentiments throughout his presidency, and even in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, is well taken. Hotair chronicles more than a few:
Quote:
I’ve made it clear, Madam President, that the war against terrorism is not a war against Muslims, nor is it a war against Arabs. It’s a war against evil people who conduct crimes against innocent people.” — Remarks by President George W. Bush and President Megawati of Indonesia The Oval Office, Washington, D.C. September 19, 2001
Quote:
“The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. That’s not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace. These terrorists don’t represent peace. They represent evil and war.” — Remarks by the President at Islamic Center of Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. September 17, 2001
Quote:
“I have assured His Majesty that our war is against evil, not against Islam. There are thousands of Muslims who proudly call themselves Americans, and they know what I know — that the Muslim faith is based upon peace and love and compassion. The exact opposite of the teachings of the al Qaeda organization, which is based upon evil and hate and destruction.” — Remarks by President George W. Bush and His Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan The Oval Office, Washington, D.C. September 28, 2001
Quote:
“Islam is a vibrant faith. Millions of our fellow citizens are Muslim. We respect the faith. We honor its traditions. Our enemy does not. Our enemy doesn’t follow the great traditions of Islam. They’ve hijacked a great religion.” – Remarks by President George W. Bush on U.S. Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan Presidential Hall, Dwight David Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Washington, D.C. October 11, 2002
+1
The problem is a theological one: Islam is an imperialistic religion, and Dar al-Harb presents an implicit challenge to Dar al-Islam.
O/H
Wait--you're going to make the case, in the 21st Century, among educated Westerners, that Islam is imperialistic?
Yikes. You should sell stuff in Africa, Asia, Latin America, India and the Pacific Islands, and when they've bought everything you've had to sell you can go Europe, which, of course, has never been touched by Christian imperialism!
Then please pay off the national debt from your pocket change.
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