revel wrote:A lot of Muslims have been thinking we are (at war) with Islam because of our going into Muslim countries and invading them and perhaps other certain language which put the whole religion of Islam in a negative light.
What is that other certain language?
Quote:Today, I'd like to speak directly to the people across the broader Middle East: My country desires peace. Extremists in your midst spread propaganda claiming that the West is engaged in a war against Islam. This propaganda is false, and its purpose is to confuse you and justify acts of terror. We respect Islam, but we will protect our people from those who pervert Islam to sow death and destruction. Our goal is to help you build a more tolerant and hopeful society that honors people of all faiths and promote the peace.
President Bush’s Address to the UN General Assembly - September 19, 2006
Additional excerpts from President Bush's address
Quote:To the people of Afghanistan: Together, we overthrew the Taliban regime that brought misery into your lives and harbored terrorists who brought death to the citizens of many nations. Since then, we have watched you choose your leaders in free elections and build a democratic government. You can be proud of these achievements. We respect your courage, and your determination to live in peace and freedom. We will continue to stand with you to defend your democratic gains.
Quote:To the people of Iran: The United States respects you; we respect your country. We admire your rich history, your vibrant culture, and your many contributions to civilization.
Quote:To the people of Syria: Your land is home to a great people with a proud tradition of learning and commerce.
Quote:“Well first of all, I believe in an Almighty God, and I believe that all the world whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God. That’s what I believe that Islam is a great religion that preaches peace.”
George W Bush - October 7, 2007
Quote:"Some of the comments that have been uttered about Islam do not reflect the sentiments of my government or the sentiments of most Americans. Islam, as practiced by the vast majority of people, is a peaceful religion, a religion that respects others. Ours is a country based upon tolerance and we welcome people of all faiths in America."
President George W. Bush - November 13, 2002
Quote:"Islam is a vibrant faith. Millions of our fellow citizens are Muslim. We respect the faith. We honor its traditions. Our enemy does not. Our enemy doesn't follow the great traditions of Islam. They've hijacked a great religion."
George W. Bush - October 11, 2002
This was the leader of the US for the eight years from 1/01 to 1/09. I'm not sure why Muslims needed to hear our current President say essentially the same thing to be convinced that the US is not at war with Islam.
If actions speak louder than words and the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq was what told Muslims America is at war with Islam, what did President Obama's decision to send 17,000 more fighting troops to Afghanistan tell Muslims? What did his efforts to convince NATO countries to send more fighting troops to Afghanistan tell Muslims?
Quote:"The United States is not, and will never be, at war with Islam. In fact, our partnership with the Muslim world is critical, not just in rolling back the violent ideologies that people of all faiths reject, but also to strengthen opportunity for all its people."
President Barrack Obama - April 6, 2009
Barrack Obama is correct, just as George Bush was before him, but you'll notice that President Obama's statement did not read
Quote:The United States is not, has not and will never be at war with Islam.
I suppose it is politics as usual for an elected official to blame his predecessor for all of the problems he has "inherited," but I would like to think any president would pass on the opportunity to take even a subtle shot at his predecessor when addressing our foreign policy; on foreign soil, but if he should find it impossible to resist taking the shot, at least it should be have some slight connection to the truth.
Obama's message during his overseas travel (sometimes implicit; sometime explicit) is that he is very different from his predecessor, George Bush. The assumption inherent in this message is that people in the rest of the world (and particularly Europeans) will find this to be a good thing. It is an accurate assumption.
I have several significant problems with this tactic:
1) In some instances it is simply not true (see above).
2) Obama, intentionally or otherwise, often has difficulty separating his criticism of George Bush from criticism of pre-Obama America and pre-Obama Americans. The United States was not, before Barrack Obama was elected, a belligerent rogue state, nor were its people a population of greedy imperialists bent on material gains no matter what the cost to the rest of the world and the planet itself.
3) It denotes a lack of character and class, and belies Obama's claims to transcending partisan politics.
The serving president of the US should not be taking shots at his predecessors, and past presidents should not take shots at those that follow them (Yes, that means you Jimmy Carter). If for some reason there is a perceived political need to blame the preceding administration, or draw stark distinction between current and past president, there is no end to the number of appropriate surrogates a president can use. Taking the job on personally, demeans the office.
If "a lot of Muslims" believe the US is at war with Islam, then a lot of Muslims are wrong, and are basing their belief on propaganda rather than fact. A lot of Americans believe Islam is at war with the West (and in particular the US), and they are wrong as well. Do we need the Muslim version of Barrack Obama to stand before a crowd in Kansas City and assure us it is not the case?
It never ceases to amaze me how tolerant some people are of foreign ignorance while, at the same time, being so intolerant of American ignorance.
Do these people somehow believe that we have to be more tolerant and accepting of foreign ignorance because the poor WOGs can't help themselves?
Perhaps they fall back on the old canard that perception is reality, and irrespective of whether a people's perception is accurate or even rational we must deal with it as though it were true? Particularly if we can blame our political rivals for creating it and score some points for ourselves.
Finally if anyone believes that Barrack Obama's speech made a significant and lasting impact on how Muslims view America, they are fooling themselves.
The Muslims who believe that America is at war with their religion will continue to believe so as long as we have troops in Afghanistan, send unmanned attack drones into Pakistani territories, and express our support for Israel in any form.
Obama may be seen as the Expected One by his legions of giddy admirers in the West, but a well turned speech and an Arabic middle name is not going to work any magic on the Muslim Street when the next perceived outrage is perpetrated on Muslims by Americans.
