Obama's Speech and Genesis 21: Bridging the Gap Between Islam and the United States

"Ultimately, the President's remarks put being productive ahead of what some of us call being right, and that is the path to peace and reconciliation every time."

It's always refreshing when a person of integrity can get the point. Thank you for this post.

I found the speech brilliant through and through. I thought he addressed the issue of Muslim internecine violence very well, it was not ignored. I do agree that he whitewashed Islamic history, but I don't think it would have been productive to harp over its history. Rather, his oblique criticism was built up in his plea for women's rights, democracy and human rights. I was also pleased to see him promoting our American brand of positive secularism, we are a superior nation because we endorse or establish no particular state religion (Treaty of Tripoli).

Obama reminded them and us that they are not the only ones doing the killing, we went to Iraq without a legitimate reason (650,000+ have died as a result). He parsed our troubled history with Iran as well by noting that we have also been less than perfect. I found his mention of the Reconquista particularly interesting and apt also, an unfortunate historical issue that all three of the Abrahamic religions could learn from and is particularly informative about who tolerated whom.

His insistence that we make progress in spite of the sins of our past on both sides was indeed a key part of his message. It simply doesn't matter who was or is right. I think the thing that frightens many people committed to the status quo is that the speech implies that progress will be imposed regardless.

Also maybe it was just me, but I found his talk about the settlements confusing and open to interpretation.

He made a brilliant speech? And God willing it will see the light of day across the world? The billion muslims should now believe a little of his words if they are allowed to hear the speech? Maybe we can bridge the gap? But the one thing as an American I will not do is give anyone the power over us to make us bow to that SAUDI KING! THAT WAS RUDE AND UNBELIEVABLE? That alone makes me a skeptic on a hidden agenda? However I wish for the best for all that we will get thru this together as one in America and hope it takes shape across the globe as well! We still cannot be mesmerized by his glib talking the Big O for he is a politician and they are not to be trusted. That is why we the people must be there and be counted on to watch and govern over ourselves to make sure all these political agendas are in our best interest! That is why it is so important to vote and to write your congressman,senator or house rep, alderman, councilman committeeman, mayors, aides? etc., Take this message seriously we have to help ourselves! Charity begins at home and if you notice we are starving in America now and we cannot afford to give to the others just because we want to play BIG BROTHER! STOP THE WARS, BRING OUR SOLDIERS HOME AND LET THEIR GOD THAT THEY BELIEVE IN SORT IT OUT AMONGST THEM! STOP GIVING THEM THE MONEY TO CONTINUE THIS WAR! WE NEED TO PREVENT A WAR HERE IN OUR OWN AMERICA? AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE? RICH AGAINST POOR IS SO OBVIOUS? WE NEED TO HAVE MORE INSIGHT TO THE FEEL OF THE PUBLIC? WE ARE LOSING OUR HOMES, HEALTH CARE, OUR MONEY IS GONE! WE NEED TO SURVIVE OR BECOME A TYRANY WITH SOCIALISM? THE BARBARIANS ARE ON THE INSIDE, AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT THIS WITH REAL OPEN EYES AND AN OPEN HEART AS WELL! AMEN TO THAT!