Obama’s silly speech (where’s Michelle edition)

OK. I’ve done a little Fisk of Obama’s rather silly Cairo speech. However, on a side note, I notice Michelle Obama doesn’t appear to have been seen at all during the visit. Good on her if it’s because she refused to wear a head covering, or be shuffled off to Coventry with the other women.

However, I wonder if a chance to make a subtle statement on women’s position in American society wasn’t lost. It would have been a nice gesture to have seen Obama (lets face it, he’s the one making concessions here) gently rebuff any attempts to remove Michelle from being with him.

Under the fold is the text of Obama’s speech along with various criticisms of points he made. I have bolded my sections. In general, I think it displays an almost total ignorance of pre-18th century history. I’m not sure if that’s deliberate pandering to his audience or a real ignorance. I hope the former.

Where's Michelle?

I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar ( Birthplace of the Muslim Brotherhood. And according to Wiki, Al-Azhar university concerns itself with the religious syllabus, which pays special attention to the Koranic sciences and traditions of the prophet… on the one hand. While on the other, the university teaches all the modern scientific fields of science. Way to go ,Obama. You chose a place Fatwas are issued from…) has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt’s advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamu alaykum.

We meet at a time of tension between the United States and Muslims around the world – tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate. The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of co-existence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars. More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism (I can’t let that pass unchallenged. Islam has been a massive coloniser itself, from the time of its inception it has pursued violent expansion by way of conquest. It would have been nice to have reminded them of that, rather than calling for the Whaaaambulance…) that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims (What? Made them Dhimmis? Charged them Jizzya, and forcibly conscripted their sons?) and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations. Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam. (i.e.: you cant stop progress, gay rights, women’s rights, respect for the rule of law, etc?)

Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent (Potent because they can cow otherwise respectable people into submission by the simple fact of saying, “You are not a true Muslim if you don’t support me,”  –  a powerful tool in Muslim societies…) minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. This has bred more fear and mistrust. (No, it’s bred distrust and contempt for a foe that goes out of its way to target non military targets, and refuses to follow the rules of law.)

So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, and who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. This cycle of suspicion and discord must end.

I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon 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. (What a crock of shit! Where is the overlap between a religiously ordained court and one based on common law? Where is the progress in anything other than a material form, of a civilization that cannot deviate from the Koran? Where is the dignity in the treatment of Christians, animists, Jews, Buddhists, and others under Islamic rule?)

I do so recognizing that change cannot happen overnight. No single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have all the complex questions that brought us to this point. (Why not? Would the microphone be cut off? Or is it simpler to not engage with the “little stuff” like this?) But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly the things we hold in our hearts, and that too often are said only behind closed doors. 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. As the Holy Koran tells us, “Be conscious of God and speak always the truth.” (Unless you are speaking to a non believer, in which case lying is fine, don’t be too selective with the Koran, Mr Obama…) That is what I will try to do – to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.

Part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I am a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. (Just out of interest, did your mother convert to the Islamic faith as she should have if you father was a devout Muslim? ) As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaanat the break of dawn and the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.

As a student of history, I also know civilization’s debt to Islam. It was Islam – at places like Al-AzharUniversity – that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe’s Renaissance and Enlightenment. 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. And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality. (This angers the crap out of me. Islam did do some of those things, but there’s no mention of the role played by the Byzantines, nor the enormous stores of GREEK literature sacked from libraries around the bloody crescent of the Middle eEst? Wouldn’t it be wise to point out that as some of the renaissance was attributable to Islamic learning, much of Islamic learning was based on the Greek and Byzantine knowledge gained via sacking in Islamic conquests?)

I know, too, that Islam has always been a part of America’s story. The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco. In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, (Quoting this is possibly the silliest thing I think Ive seen. The treaty he refers to was meant to stop the Islamic inspired Jihad against American shipping in the Mediterranean, and when it failed to stop it resulted in this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Barbary_War.  I’d recommend the book “White Gold” [http://www.amazon.co.uk/White-Gold-Giles-Milton/dp/0340794704] which details the extent of the piracy and slaving in the area. I also believe the Marines sing a song referring to it as well…) our second President John Adams wrote, “The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims.” And since, our founding American Muslims have enriched the United States. They have fought in our wars, served in government, stood for civil rights, started businesses, taught at our Universities, excelled in our sports arenas, won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And 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. ( He might be a bit remiss in pointing out it was probably for the same reason Churchill would have kept a copy of “mein kampf” around, but one cannot get around what Jefferson heard when he went with John Adams to wait upon Tripoli’s ambassador to London in March 1785. When they inquired by what right the Barbary states preyed upon American shipping, enslaving both crews and passengers, America’s two foremost envoys were informed that “it was written in the Koran, that all Nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon whoever they could find and to make Slaves of all they could take as prisoners, and that every Mussulman who should be slain in battle was sure to go to Paradise.”( http://www.city-journal.org/html/17_2_urbanities-thomas_jefferson.html )

So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn’t. And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear.  (Then please state what you, an infidel, believe Islam to be. After all you are in an Islamic university. I’m sure a learned chap or two there might assist you in any misconceptions you may have?)

But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. We were born out of revolution against an empire. We were founded upon the ideal that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words – within our borders, and around the world. We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept: E pluribus unum: “Out of many, one.”

Much has been made of the fact that an African-American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. But my personal story is not so unique. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores – that includes nearly seven million American Muslims in our country today who enjoy incomes and education that are higher than average.

Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one’s religion. That is why there is a mosque in every state of our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That is why the U.S. 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. (What about those who aren’t able to exercise a choice in this matter? Freedom of religion is good. Freedom to be enslaved is not.)

So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, 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. This is the hope of all humanity.

Of course, recognizing our common humanity is only the beginning of our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead; and if we understand that the challenges we face are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us all. (Vacuous waffle.)

For we have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere. When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk. When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations. When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean. And when innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience. (Anyone want to point out the massive blinding difference between Bosnia and Darfur? Anyone? FFS, he cant be that silly, one is a Jihad, the other stopped ethnic cleansing. Both involved Muslims. Just one was protected by the evil western powers and the other is ongoing jihad.) That is what it means to share this world in the 21st century. That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings.

This is a difficult responsibility to embrace. For human history has often been a record of nations and tribes subjugating one another to serve their own interests. Yet in this new age, such attitudes are self-defeating. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. (Geez, you’d almost think he was deliberately ignoring the word “religion” in that last line, eh?) So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners of it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; progress must be shared.

That does not mean we should ignore sources of tension. Indeed, it suggests the opposite: we must face these tensions squarely. And so in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and plainly as I can about some specific issues that I believe we must finally confront together.

The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms.

In Ankara, I made clear that America is not – and never will be – at war with Islam. We will, however, 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. (Bollocks, drivel, and crap. Terrorising innocent civilians and subjugating the menfolk has, and still is, a Jihadist tactic. There are sections of the Koran that espouse it, and many Hadiths to back it up [e.g. Surah Al-Hashr Ruku 14; How many a township have We destroyed! As a raid by night, or while they slept at noon, Our terror came unto them. No plea had they, when Our terror came unto them, save that they said: Lo! We were wrongdoers.])

http://www.jewishmag.com/55mag/islamicdanger/islamicdanger.htm

The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America’s goals, and our need to work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaedaand the Taliban wih broad international support. We did not go by choice, we went because of necessity. I am aware that some question or justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: 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 massivescale. 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. (So much for pandering to the truthers before the election, eh? The first term senator recently responded to the concerns of an Infowarsreader over ‘government complicity in the 9/11 attacks.’ The response is largely evasive, falling back on the ‘government blunders and mistakes’ account of the Official 9/11 story. I’m not linking to that hive of scum.)

Make no mistake: we do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We seek no military bases there. It is agonizing for America to lose our young men and women. It is costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict. 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 Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case. (And where do those extremists come from? The education systems of many Muslim states that teach nothing but the Koran.)

That’s why we’re partnering with a coalition of forty-six countries. And despite the costs involved, America’s commitment will not weaken. Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists. They have killed in many countries. They have killed people of different faiths – more than any other, they have killed Muslims. (Usually those Muslims they consider “not devout” enough, again being a “bad Muslim”, or a heretic, open you up to massive mistreatment in Islamic nations, The Sunni and Shia hate each other…) Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam. (Wrong. Killing unbelievers and heretics is considered a good deed…) The Holy Koran teaches that whoever kills an innocent, it is as if he has killed all mankind; and whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind. (An innocent believer!) The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism – it is an important part of promoting peace.

We also know that military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is why we plan to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next fiveyears to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who have been displaced. (I hope that money isn’t going into the Islamic indoctrination systems of Pakistan. Yes, education is essential, but it can be counterproductive if it’s done wrongly…) And that is why we are providing more than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend upon.

Let me also address the issue of Iraq. Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world. Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible. (And how close was “international consensus  and diplomacy to removing Saddam and his sons, eh? You’re pissing in the wind if you think that’s going to achieve much…) Indeed, we can recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said: “I hope that our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power the greater it will be.” (Otherwise known as speak softly but carry a big stick!)

Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future – and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources. Iraq’s sovereignty is its own. (That hasn’t changed. Nice to remind people of it. But if you hadn’t spent the last four years pandering to the “Its all for the OiL!!!  mob, it might have more credibility…) That is why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August. That is why we will honor our agreement with Iraq’s democratically-elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July, and to remove all our troops from Iraq by 2012. We will help Iraq train its Security Forces and develop its economy. But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner, and never as a patron.

And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter our principles. 9/11 was an enormous trauma to our country. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our ideals. We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year. (But I’m leaving overseas rendition an option, and have no fucking clue what to do with the scum I have in Guantanamo.)

So America will defend itself respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer. (That will not happen without a serious weakening of Islam itself.)

The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world.

America’s strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied.

Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitismin Europe culminated in an unprecedented Holocaust. Tomorrow, I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to deathby the Third Reich. Six million Jews were killed – more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, ignorant, and hateful. Threatening Israel with destruction – or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews – is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve. (OK. He got that bit right.)

On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people – Muslims and Christians – have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than sixty years they have endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. (They are stateless because the Arab world hates them for the defeats against ISRAEL. The “Palestinians” could have been absorbed by their neighbors decades ago. Instead they face massive discrimination by their own ethnic and religious brothers. They are held hostage not by Israel, but by Islamic pride…) They endure the daily humiliations – large and small – that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own. (Why no mention of the indignities and humiliations inflicted by their own brothers? A golden opportunity to alleviate some injustice sacrificed in order to pander to anti-Israeli sentiment. It would have been nice to have reminded the Arabic world that it also treats Palestinians shoddily.)

For decades, there has been a stalemate: two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive. It is easy to point fingers – for Palestinians to point to the displacement brought by Israel’s founding, and for Israelis to point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders as well as beyond. But if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth: 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. (Who rejected the last big peace accord?)

That is in Israel’s interest, Palestine’s interest, America’s interest, and the world’s interest. That is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience that the task requires. The obligations that the parties have agreed to under the Road Map are clear. For peace to come, it is time for them – and all of us – to live up to our responsibilities.

Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and does not succeed. For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. (WTF does this have to do with Palestine other than the most base pandering to grievances? It’s just silly…) But it was not violence that won full and equal rights. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America’s founding. This same story can be told by people from South Africa to South Asia; from Eastern Europe to Indonesia. It’s a story witha simple truth: that violence is a dead end. (Yup. Just ask the Vietnamese, Zimbabweans… any of the anti-colonialist groups…. Dud point made…) It is a sign of neither courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus. That is not how moral authority is claimed; that is how it is surrendered.

Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can build. The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people. Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have responsibilities. To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, and to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, and recognize Israel’s right to exist.

At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel’s right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine’s. (I believe in most of the political groups Israel do??! ) The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop.

Israel must also live up to its obligations to ensure that Palestinians can live, and work, and develop their society. And just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel’s security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress. (No mention of Egypt’s border with the Palestinian territories? Or their role in the economic development of Palestine? I wonder how much dough Egypt makes in “humanitarian” aid to the territories.)

Finally, the Arab States must recognize that the Arab Peace Initiative was an important beginning, but not the end of their responsibilities. The Arab-Israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract the people of Arab nations from other problems. Instead, it must be a cause for action to help the Palestinian people develop the institutions that will sustain their state; to recognize Israel’s legitimacy; and to choose progress over a self-defeating focus on the past.

America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs. We cannot impose peace. But privately, many Muslims recognize that Israel will not go away. Likewise, many Israelis recognize the need for a Palestinian state. It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true.

Too many tears have flowed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (peace be upon them) joined in prayer. (Don’t you dare co-join the name of the Pedophile prophet with the Old and New Testament heroes. Jesus has nothing, nothing in common with Mohammed. It is an insult to Christians to use that line.)

The third source of tension is our shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons.

This issue has been a source of tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is indeed a tumultuous history between us. In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically-elected Iranian government. Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians. This history is well known. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I have made it clear to Iran’s leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward. The question, now, is not what Iran is against, but rather what future it wants to build. (It’s an Islamic theocracy. You were brought up with the Koran. Therefore it isn’t hard to work out they want the total domination of the Earth via Islam.)

It will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude and resolve. There will be many issues to discuss between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect. But it is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point. This is not simply about America’s interests. It is about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path. (It’s also about the existence of Israel, which the leader of Iran has sworn to “remove from the map”.)

I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons. That is why I strongly reaffirmed America’s commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. (I’d say Israel’s possession of some has stopped a few nation states from acting over the last few decades though, eh?) And any nation – including Iran – should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That commitment is at the core of the Treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I am hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.

The fourth issue that I will address is democracy.

I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear: no system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other. (So, if your leader murders millions of you for his own pleasure, we wont act. Nice morals there, Obama.)

That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people. Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. (CROCK OF SHIT. There is no moral equivalence between free and open public mandate verses despotism. None whatsoever…) America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election. But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. Those are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere. (Unless it might lead to the overthrow of a sovereign nation as I stated above, stiff shit. Sucks to be you, if that’s the case. He’s speaking out both sides of his mouth here.)

There is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is clear: governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. (So that would see the repeal of  “hate crimes” laws in the US then, eh?) America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments – provided they govern with respect for all their people.

This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they are out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power: you must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy. ( So no laws regulating radio airtime, or trials of previous administration officials then either, eh?)

The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom.

Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. (Crap, pure and simple.) We see it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition. (Crap again, as long as the dhimmis didn’t get uppity, they were tolerant. No better than the days of Jim Crow. And you want to praise that…  fuckwit!) I saw it firsthand as a child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country. That is the spirit we need today. People in every country should be free to choose and livetheir faithbased upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul. This tolerance is essentialfor religion to thrive, but it is being challenged in many different ways. (Islam is revered as the final word of God Himself; to challenge it is to be a heretic. Other specific religions are tolerated only as long as they are subservient to Islam. Is Obama uneducated or a liar?)

Among some Muslims, there is a disturbing tendency to measure one’sown faith by the rejection of another’s. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld – whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt. And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq. (No shit, Sherlock. What about the animists, Buddhists, and others who aren’t even “people of the book”, and who aren’t even worthy of second class status?)

Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation. That is why I am committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat. (Crap. The prosecution of “charities” that sought to support Islamic terrorists financially isn’t “making it harder”. It’s making it legitimate.)

Likewise, it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit – for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear. We cannot disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretence of liberalism. (So all women have the “freedom to be oppressed in black bags. Way to go, big O. I reserve the right to treat them with the same disdain as I’d treat a patch-wearing member of a bikie gang. They are announcing their position as inimical to mine by a dress code.)

Indeed, faith should bring us together. That is why we are forging service projects in America that bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews. That is why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah’s Interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations. Around the world, we can turn dialogue into Interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action – whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster. (Just so long as the Dhimmis don’t get uppity, though.)

The sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights.

I know there is debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well-educated are far more likely to be prosperous. (How about where a woman is not CHOOSING to cover her hair, but facing social and public beatings/stigma for not doing so?)

Now let me be clear: issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, we have seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead. Meanwhile, the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.

Our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons, and our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity – men and women – to reach their full potential. (True. And a large part of why the ME is so backward, is they have effectively halved their intellectual capital.) I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should be their choice. That is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams.

Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity.

I know that for many, the face of globalization is contradictory. The Internet and television can bring knowledge and information, but also offensive sexuality and mindless violence.  (Is Obama pro-censorship now? I might also point out the average Jihadists’ video isn’t exactly a remake of the Brady bunch, either.) Trade can bring new wealth and opportunities, but also huge disruptions and changing communities. In all nations – including my own – this change can bring fear. Fear that because of modernity we will lose of control over our economic choices, our politics, and most importantly our identities – those things we most cherish about our communities, our families, our traditions, and our faith. (And why is a weakening of the Islamic faith in any way a bad thing? Can anyone name what the negatives would be?)

But I also know that human progress cannot be denied. There need not be contradiction between development and tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies while maintaining distinct cultures. The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim-majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai. In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education. (Bollocks.)

This is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work. Many Gulf States have enjoyed great wealth as a consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader development. But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century, and in too many Muslim communities there remains underinvestment in these areas. I am emphasizing such investments within my country. And while America in the past has focused on oil and gas in this part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement. (If that means pushing for American investment and profiting from offering goods, services, and education; that’s great. If it’s just “aid” money to build madrases, then that’s dumb.)

On education, we will expand exchange programs, and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America, while encouraging more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we will match promising Muslim students with internships in America; invest in on-line learning for teachers and children around the world; and create a new onlinenetwork, so a teenager in Kansas can communicate instantly with a teenager in Cairo. (I think that’s called the Internet… ask Al Gore about that one.)

On economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries. And I will host a Summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world. (Oh, good. The government is going to advise others how to do business… because they are so good at it themselves?)

On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries, and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create jobs. (Wouldn’t this be done by Islamic countries allowing non-Islamic businesses to set up in their countries? Or is this the giving away of Americas technological advantages in the world to atone for developing them in the first place?) We will open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new Science Envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, and grow new crops. And today I am announcing a new globaleffort withthe Organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. And we will also expand partnerships withMuslim communities to promote child and maternalhealth. (Because God knows Muslim women don’t have many babies? Just out of interest, how much of that will involve contraception??)

All these things must be done in partnership. Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments; community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life.

The issues that I have described will not be easy to address. But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world we seek – a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God’s children are respected. Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek. But we can only achieve it together. (Unicorns sitting rainbow skittles springs to mind.)

I know there are many – Muslim and non-Muslim – who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress. Some suggest that it isn’t worth the effort – that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash. (Absolutely, there is no willingness by most others to submit to Islam yet Islam requires it.) Many more are simply skeptical that realchange can occur. There is so much fear, so much mistrust. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country – you, more than anyone, have the ability to remake this world. (Actually, in the west, it’s the baby boomers who will be doing that for the next few decades at least,… we’re just along for the ride.)

All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort – a sustained effort – to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.

It is easier to start wars than to end them. It is easier to blame others than to look inward; to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion – that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. (That’s Christianity, not Islam. There is no equivalent passage related to non-believers in the Koran that I am aware of…) This truth transcends nations and peoples – a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian, or Muslim or Jew. It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions. It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today.

We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.

The Holy Koran tells us, “O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.”

The Talmud tells us: “The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.”

The Holy Bible tells us, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”

The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God’s vision. Now, that must be our work here on Earth. Thank you. And may God’s peace be upon you.

Oh dear. Either Obama has been super sensitive, or he’s a very poor scholar of history. Is he afraid to mention the bloody borders of Islam or is centuries of conquest which destroyed whole civilizations? Why does he think strengthening or maintaining the structures responsible for keeping the ME backwards for generations is a good idea?

A poor speech aimed at kissing ass – not speaking as an equal. Rating of  C- from me.