Friday, June 5, 2009

Not Impressed, Says Supreme Leader of Iran:

This is one of the fellows that Mr. Obama is trying to appease with his feel-good policies and cow-towing to their brand of logic. Sorry, Mr President, good looks and smooth talking work this time.

washingtonpost.com:

Supreme Leader of Iran: Muslim Nations 'Hate America'

Thomas Erdbrink and William Branigin Washington Post Foreign Service Thursday, June 4, 2009 4:51 PM

TEHRAN, June 4 -- Iran's supreme leader dismissed President Obama's speech at Cairo University Thursday, saying the Muslim world continues to "hate America." And he criticized the United States and its allies for asserting that Iran seeks nuclear weapons, which he insisted are forbidden under Iran's brand of Islam.


Speaking shortly before Obama delivered his address, in which he called for a "new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world," Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that "beautiful speeches" could not remove the hatred felt in the Muslim world against America...


...Alluding to Obama's new approach in foreign affairs, he said that the previous administration of President George W. Bush had left an "ill-mannered image" of itself in the world.

"The new U.S. government seeks to transform this image," Khamenei said. "I say firmly that this will not be achieved by talking, speech and slogans." He added, "Even if [Obama] delivers hundreds of speeches and talks very sweetly, there will not be a change in how the Islamic countries perceive the United States." He called on Obama to deliver change "in practice."

Khamenei also denounced Israel as a "cancerous tumor in the heart" of the Islamic world, and he accused the U.S. military of "bombing innocent civilians" in Afghanistan. "What is the difference between this killing and killing by terrorists?" he asked rhetorically....

I think Mr Obama has exhibited a “hardening of the attitudes” toward Israel and a soft spot toward Islam. That's not a good thing. Israel is still “the apple of God's eye”, Jesus is still the only way to salvation, and God is still in charge.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Cycle of Suspicion and Discord

Cycle of Suspicion and Discord

According to the BBC,
President Barack Obama has said the "cycle of suspicion and discord" between the United States and the Muslim world must end.


In a keynote speech in Cairo, Mr Obama called for a "new beginning" in ties, and he invited Hamas -- a designated terror organization -- to "play a role" in the future of the Palestinian people.
"Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have to recognize they have responsibilities. 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,"
Obama said.

The U.S. president bluntly recognized the group, which has called for the destruction of Israel, in a two-sentence passage that was part of a broader discussion about the terms for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.


"Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have to recognize they have responsibilities. 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,"
Obama said.

Mr Obama said the US bond with Israel was unbreakable but described the Palestinians' plight as "intolerable".

The president made a number of references to the Koran and called on all faiths to live together in peace.

He received a standing ovation at the end of his speech at Cairo University.


I don't trust Mr. Obaba to represent my best interests his skill at reading a tele-promter, notwithstanding. There is more to this story than meets the eye.