Praises for Obama's speech

Below are additional excerpts from President Obama's Cairo speech, this time with my praises (again following in bold and italicized print).

“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.” Only 4 paragraphs in, he comes clearly to the point. The current state of things cannot continue. There are certainly factions on all sides (Muslim, Christian, Jew, American, Israeli, Palestinian, Arab – recognizing that these labels are often not mutually exclusive) who sow hatred. It really doesn’t matter who started it or who does it more. President Obama is right that everyone needs to take steps in their respective communities to end the expressions of hatred, whether they be based on religion, ethnicity or geography. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9). Though there are deep theological differences, Christians are clearly called to disavow hatred. We can show mercy, strive for justice, and seek peace without surrendering our faith that it is we who follow the One True God. You can’t praise and revere Mother Theresa and think differently.

“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.” Candor on all sides has to be the first step towards achieving any lasting peace. Again, I assert that, without surrendering our stance that Christ is the only way, we can surely listen, learn and respect. Without giving into anyone else’s definition of “seeking common ground,” I read in Matthew 5:43-48 that Christ specifically called us to “love our enemies” and “be perfect as God the Father is perfect.” I have to believe that His words must be capable of being reconciled with any number of Old Testament accounts of God smiting the enemies of His people. The Cross changed history, opening up His blessings to all who would come.

“[S]ince 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.” I know that in my previous entry I criticized a portion of this statement, and stand by that criticism. Still, it is a positive tool in the effort to spread “freedom” for our president to remind others that, even in predominantly Christian America, people of other faiths have always been welcome and their contributions and accomplishments have been applauded.

“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’." Preach it, brother! In these few sentences he sums up what it means to be “an American” as well as any Founding Father would have. We need to remember that the “created equal” phrase originally referred to what was considered to be a God-given right (from the One True God, not Allah). Nonetheless, that right was a right to approach or reject God on an individual level. “Liberty” (as understood by our founders) encompassed the right to be wrong, the right to be unmolested in being wrong, and the right to be treated equally with those who weren’t wrong (if that makes sense). There is no “Muslim country” (whatever that means) who can say the same thing. Educating Muslims as to this core American tenet, so long as we live it out, is progress.

“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.” Again, an excellent point that needs to be made. How many Muslim countries have a Christian church in every town? How many Christians in Muslim countries can go about their worship with no fear for their personal safety? The apostles had no hesitation living among non-believers; in fact, they sought them out. What would have been the result if they had walled themselves off in a compound in which only believers were allowed?

“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. 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.” “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40).

“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.” Amen! It is indeed his first duty as president. This duty extends to everyone within our borders, regardless of ethnicity or religion.

“The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America's goals, and our need to work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with 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 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.” Excellent confrontation of the unrighteous motives of fringe Muslims. That needed to be said plainly, especially to this audience. I’m glad that he has abandoned his perspective that we brought that on ourselves somehow.

“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.” Again, another statement that had to be said clearly to this audience. Kudos!

“[Muslim extremists] have killed people of different faiths - more than any other, they have killed Muslims.” This is a little-known fact which should be eye-opening to fellow Muslims. Again, it indeed took courage and conviction to include this in his remarks.

“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 five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who have been displaced. 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.” Aside from the fact that I’m concerned with this level of spending, again this fact should demonstrate to the world that in general we are a nation of mercy and charity regardless of ethnicity or religion.

“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.” Excellent that he presents an unabashed continuation of our national commitment to stand with Israel on the world stage. The use of the word “unbreakable” was undoubtedly intentionally chosen over other adjectives; and, rightfully so. I wish he had chosen a different way to characterize the roots of our relationship (being more appropriately defined based on our belief of “The Promised Land” as opposed to simply a common desire to repay them for the Holocaust); but, perhaps that’s being a bit picky.

“Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitism in 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 death by 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.” These are strong and necessary words which should helped clarify for me that his desire to “engage” Iran diplomatically does not go so far as to deny the err of their ideology and current political rhetoric.

“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.” A qualified praise here. As referenced above, America (especially Christians) should always fight for a people’s right to dignity and opportunity. However, I don’t think that Christians should support any initiative aimed at denying Israel any portion of that land which our God promised to them. Fairly definite geographical boundaries of the Promised Land can be discerned from Scripture.

“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. 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.” Excellent reference to the success and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others. The world can continue to learn many valuable lessons from their non-violent civil disobedience.

“This same story can be told by people from South Africa to South Asia; from Eastern Europe to Indonesia. It's a story with a simple truth: that violence is a dead end. 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.” Another very clear statement which needed to be said, which also must have been intentionally chosen over other alternatives, despite the fact that it served to put his legitimacy and favor among Muslims at risk.

“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. 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.” Very well said. If you go back and look at President Bush’s descriptions of the kinds of electoral process we wanted to see the Iraqis develop for themselves, aside from the constant use of the word democracy, he continually spoke of a government that reflected the will of the people. This indeed is an American ideal, although it is founded upon our notion of human rights.

“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.” I love the use of the phrase “of the people and by the people,” although I’m aware it didn’t originate with our founders. This is a great example of calling a spade a spade. Time and time again factions engender support for their cause to “free the suppressed” only to turn around and continue the oppression themselves in some other form. This is a very “big picture” truth.

“The sixth issue that I want to address is women's rights … 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. 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.” In a word, “Wow!” No matter what criticism we might have about his “appeasement” ideology, President Obama looked evil in the eye by intentionally including this topic in his address. He could have chosen to reserve this topic for a later address, after he had gauged Muslim response to his policies. That would have been the politically safe approach. Who knows if he needed prodding, but I can see Michelle Obama telling him as he prepared his remarks that he MUST address this issue. While not a big proponent of foreign aid programs in general, I can get fully behind this kind of endeavor.

“Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity … 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.” Without passing judgment on the as yet undefined scope of such a broader engagement, you have to applaud any effort to encourage nations to educate the lowest among them. Even if they didn’t serve as the most fertile recruiting ground for homicide bombers, it would still only be right.

“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. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur.” According to the Book of Revelations, civilizations (at least ideologies) ARE doomed to clash. Still, the message of Christ before that time has to be one which continues to offer love and charity.

There you have it. Honest criticism and praise for the remarks of our president as he tries to address some of the most critical issues of the modern world. Who said that conservatives, Christian conservatives, or Christian conservative Republicans are intolerant?