Comments on: Obama’s Cairo Speech

By: unTheist

unTheist — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:08:39 +0000

Obama is not Christopher Hitchens!

He is a politician, trying to gently coax violently separate groups of people together into peaceful conversation.

Guess what,.. were not one of those groups. He is not talking to us – were not the problem, and going out there and telling them to be atheists is not going to work, so were not the solution either.

He also did not mention Buddhists, or specifically rastafarian, or biologists. Look at this speech in the context of what he is trying to do and who is trying to reach – not just in your own self interest. Its international politics, not a list of demographics.

By: ihedenius

ihedenius — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:13:47 +0000

An entire secular speech would have been nice. Are people forgetting that before Ronald Reagan this was the norm ?

Thirty-five years ago today, something remarkable happened: A U.S. President concluded a major address with the words “God bless America.” Today, that would not be a big deal. At the time, however, it was unprecedented. In fact, it was the first time in modern history that it had happened.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1735972,00.html

That refers to Nixon, it was Reagan who made it standard fare.

By: ursulamajor

ursulamajor — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:03:38 +0000

He got the memo! In his D-Day speech, he said, “….and those of no faith” in reference to those who gathered to fight.

By: Codswallop

Codswallop — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 13:31:09 +0000

We already know Obama gives a good speech. So what? This was my main critique of Obama during the campaign: he has no accomplishments.

Please, please, please, Mr. President–DO something. (And if at all possible, could you maybe do something that doesn’t involve spending hundreds of billions of dollars you don’t actually have?)

By: Stephen P

Stephen P — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 11:46:12 +0000

For a speech in Cairo I’m prepared to cut him a lot of slack. If he goes out of his way to bring God into a visit to the Netherlands or Denmark, then it will be time to bring out the brickbats.

By: llewelly

llewelly — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 06:36:30 +0000

Obama has made a political compromise. He’s given up mention of non-believers in order to avoid offending Muslims. Saying nothing about the compromise would lead people to believe nothing had been lost. The little bit of awareness we gained from Obama’s previous mentions would be lost. Remarks like ‘Gimme a break’ which try to trivialize the fact that a compromise was made are severe mistake. It’s important to remember that something was given up – even if you believe that what was gained was more important than what was given up.
I think this compromise is acceptable – but it would be foolish to ignore or downplay the fact that it came at a price. An article like Galef’s, which decries this price, is exactly what we need to move us closer to a political state where mentioning non-believers in a speech directed at Muslims is the preferred choice. Given the horrific stories of non-believers in Muslims majority nations (note Ayaan Hirsi Ali), this is an important goal to work toward – even if a blog article is only a tiny step. This is a crucial part of the consciousness-raising atheists need to engage in.

By: crescentdave

crescentdave — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 04:38:24 +0000

I guess what struck me was the utter and absolute stupidity and/or hypocrisy of his statement

Indeed, faith should bring us together.

Religions in the middle east. What a uniting force. It’s insight like this, platitudes like this, which will serve to cement the status quo of religious-inspired bigotry, misogyny and militarism.

Hallefallujah!

By: Luther

Luther — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 03:00:50 +0000

I understand what others are saying about context. However, as long as right wing neo-evangelists exist, we will hear the following over and over to justify that we are a religious nation…

“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.”

By: Andrew C.

Andrew C. — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:55:09 +0000

I was angrier when he credited the Muslim world with inventing printing and the arch. It was the Chinese and the Etruscans respectively.

By: billybee

billybee — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 01:41:42 +0000

Beggar’s can’t be chooser’s.
Our President has included us at other times.
I give him credit for that.