Closing Arguments: Obama’s Arabic TV Debut

It seems to underscore that the Muslim world is more important than those in America. Many charged this and ties during his campaign. It seems like when talking to the American people and the focus on the American issues now it’s changed.

I think it is disgusting and offensive that Obama gave his first interview to an Arabic television broadcaster. The true colors are beginning to show…

Excellent move!!
With all the resources we spend fighting terrorism, improving relations with the Middle East is a smart move.

Now that Mr. Obama is in, I truly believe the nation is going to see what they have been jaded about the entire campaign. A man who indeed is president, but is also a Muslim in Christians’ clothing.

Absolutely ridiculous. The man is beginning to show his true colors. The unveiling of his network to more shady people will continue(blagojevich/louis farrakhan/rev. wright). I’ve still got a massive headache of hangover from the whole ‘obama the prophet-like inauguration’.

BAD,BAD,BAD What is his real religion?? I think we have been HAD!

I think it tells the American people that we were wrong to protect American lives by catering to them as if their opinion holds sway over our national sovereignty. To assume that a region filled with hostility and bitterness toward our way of life is simply going to roll over and allow us to proceed is ludicrous. It, in my opinion, solidifies that he is more concerned with public face than sincerity of truth. We are America and we need to get back to the solidarity and national strength that made us a nation that people wanted to come to in order to escape the tyranny and atrocities these regions propagate.

of course he would talk to his muslim
friends,he really doesn’t have much to
say to Americans. After the first few
days of screw ups.
Really scary what he will do next.
Somebody needs to put a leash on Obama.

I think it is a bunch of BUL*S*IT!

My first reaction is to ask ‘just what the heck is it that you are actually trying to say?’
Does this mean that he is telling the Islamic countries that the USA will henceforth drop its guard against terrorism? That attacks on the USA will go unpunished?
Why not just release the Gitmo terrorists in DC and give them guns as token of good faith?

I think it was a very good move by the president. We need to reach out to the Muslim world.
I am 100% behind the decision(s) he has been making.

Are you kidding me!! President Obama gets on Arabic television and says we Americans have made a mistake in our relationship with their nation, I don’t recall hearing anyone from the Arabic nations saying that the 911 attacks were mistakes made by their nation. Hold on America, I think we are in for a rough ride.

I think this gives off a good image for America as a country. Yes, it is a much different act from that of the Bush Administration, with which, we, as Americans, have been used to for the last 8 years. This does not make it “bad” or wrong.

Not appropriate – the American press is our first form of communication – bad move by Obama – shows how inexperienced he is – what did the foreign correspondent he selected do to attempt to track down the responsible parties for 9/11 – instead of arrogantly snuffing our own press – tell the American people why he chose this correspondent

No Man is an Island nor is a Country. We have to know how to live in this world in harmony with our neighbor’s. If there is a reason you can’t you still need to learn how to deal with people diplomatically. You are not going to like everyone all of the time but you sure dam well need to learn how to give everyone respect all of the time. You learn to display this behavior at work and many other public places. No matter what other’s opinion is, I rather try something new verse what we as American citizen’s and the entire world was subject to under the Bush administration of ignorance and systematic oppression.

A good message – We must embrace our perceived enemy in order to create lasting peace in the world.

So 2 of Barak Hussein’s top priorities after taking the oath of Commander in Chief are taking care of several hundred terrorists in Gitmo and conducting his first sit down interview with an Arabic news station. Seems kind of strange?

What an outstanding President we have. A courageous move. America is a better place because of our President extending an olive branch.

I think it was a step towards world peace. If you want good neighbors you have to be a good neighbor. It doesn’t matter whom got the first interview as long as the results were positive. Reporters put your hurt pride aside and consentrate on the pressing issues of america. Thank you!

I think it shows poor taste on his part, lack of thought, and is a kick in the face to the AMERICAN reporters, and the AMERICAN people. This is just the beginning of “Obama Way”.

I am of the opinion that Mr. Obama’s actions demonstrate his soft attitude toward the group of people that are the main proponents and executors of terrorist activity in our world today.Judging by some of the quotes in his books and his comments and actions during his campaign, I am not sure that Mr. Obama’s truest loyalties lie with our country.

Bad move Obama! Don’t apologize for me as an American to the Muslim world. I have nothing to apologize for – what maybe being a Christian loving American? You really blew it as far as I am concerned. get to work on making this country a strong, capatilistic society we are!!

Why would that surprize anyone? Of course, you wanted Obama in office SO bad that you looked the other way. His ancestors are Arabs. I have family in Uganda. They and their friends say the same.

I am so glad that MR President told the muslim world that we are in other words
ike them and we make mistakes. God did not make perfect humans.Communication is the best way to get to know the heart of a man.

I think that Obama sent a terrible message to the American people by basically shunning our press by granting his first speech to the Arabic media.
First he lets prisoners who are terrorist barbarians out of G-itmo allowing them to go home to their hate breeding grounds of Yemem or Afghanistan
where they might be plotting another atrosity on U.S. soil against the American people and now he tells the Arabic press that we have made mistakes etc etc.
I did not vote for Obama, but yet as he did win the election I as hoping that maybe I waas wrong about him and his potential politics, but now I am fearing the worst.
I certainly hope and pray that he is not the gifted orator, ala Hitler, who was a monster of a human being, who has wooed the American people who were sick and tired of the Bush administrtaion. Please let me be wrong about Obama, but so far in the first week of office he is playing out my worst nightmares for this great country of our.

Give him enough time and Obama will eventually try to please everybody and in doing so, he will offend everybody. When speaking to Americans he talks tough about Muslims, when speaking to Muslims, he apologizes for America’s conduct. When Obama talks, he forgets that the people he just lied to the week before can still hear him lying to the next group.

An important diplomatic move. Frankly anything less would make little impact in a crucial sphere of international relations. Its a start! Let better follow!

I think it was a terrific Idea.toward peace with our neighbos.

Bet he felt like an old hand in that crowd

Well we just saw 8 years of what not to do, so why not try a new approach.

Bad message. His “job to the Muslim world” is to be the COMMANDER IN CHIEF! This is sending a Double-Minded message to them about Democracy. If he wants to make friends, why not hold an interview with homeowners here in U.S.A. Try to tell us “some mistakes were made with the bailout money” “We are not you’re enemy”… Let us talk with Him and the others in Washington about bailing US OUT!

Very inappropriate choice for the first formal interview as an American President.

Scarey stuff, our new leader is apalogizing to our enemies? Have they apalogized for 9/11? How soon we forget the planes crashing into the twin towers, people jumping from the upper floors to a certain death, and we are apalogizing???? History says never deal with your enemies from a position of weakness, only fools don’t learn from history. We might have one in the oval office…

Obama better get a clue that extremest muslims raise their children to be weapons in the war and brainwash them into believeing we are the great satin. All they want to do is kill us and our way of life. It is dangerous for the USA to have someone so nieve in the whitehouse.

THIS WAS WAY PAST DUE. BEST STEP TOWARDS HEALING AND UNITY. GOOD JOB.

I think it just proves what we have known for a long time…that he is muslim… I don’t trust him and did not vote for him!!!

The President is doing the right thing.

My hope for you appeasers is that you see the bright light before the blast effects get you.

Just like Sean Penn, let’s all be friends and “talk” them out of hating us and wanting us all dead. That will work! Ha! We will soon see Obama’s true intentions: Rule “One World”

I think that your manner of posing the question was terribly misleading. You took one sound bite out of the interview and posed the question most provocatively, which was guaranteed to elicit some viscerally negative comments. I watched the complete interview on another network, the President conducted himself impeccably. America, wake up, the entire Muslim world are not Jihadists! We must start to buil bridges in tht part of the world. It would be more than folly to not start this dialogue sooner rather than later. For the record, lest the nasty responses begin, I am a loyal, middle class Roman Catholic American woman who in recent years has suffered job losses, averted foreclosure and so many trials that pervade our national landscape at this crucial time in our history. We better get together, because, together we are our hope. I’m distressed and disappointed at the way this was presented on Nightline which I view nightly.

Obama is trying to be different. The problem is that ARABS do not change. There is nothing you can do right with them. Obama will learn it the hard way. I wish he would concentrate on US economy, much more important than all the useles muslim countries. Tha Arabs will never admit making any mistakes…they are cry babies..American needs to get rid of oil dependancy…let the Arabs rut with their oil.

I think they (media) may have promoted him in hopes of having a feeding frenzy with the controversy he will give them.

Have any of the peacenik, Barak Hussein lovers out there heard that the arab terrorists have said they want to kill all Americans and our way of life and our new leader is pandering to them? You have to be kidding me!

Wow, how global a move is that! Unlike the previous administration President, President Obama is reaching out to the world, the arabic world at that! President Bush’s reaching out to the muslim world was to invade a sovereign country, destroy it’s infrastructure, kill it’s leader and claim “mission accomplished”. If the mission was to isolate us further in the muslim world, it worked!
Real leadership, as President Obama is showing us, is to reach out to parts of the world which we have devastated and begin the repair relations from the very beginning. Setting a new tone of respect and decency for all people.

Of course it sent a bad message. Just what mistakes have we made? Not cutting off the heads of those terorists at Gitmo? Or the heads of any and all muslims in enemy territory? I believe that is their favorite pastime when dealing with Americans and other Western peoples; when they’re not trying to blow us up and kill us in any way possible. And they’re complaining about torture at Gitmo? Don’t torture them, cut their heads off with no trial beforehand? How much was Danny Pearl tortured while he waited for his head to be lopped off? Or any of the other people killed by the muslims. Or the Americans who were beaten to death and hung from that bridge? Unlike some,I haven’t forgotten all those Americans and others who died as a direct result of 9/11/01. This president does not need to be apologizing on my behalf. I’m guilty of nothing when it comes to muslims or islamists, if Obama is guilty then he can apologize for himself only. My family has fought and died to keep those crazy fanatics out of here and maybe the President would understand America’s families had some of his people fought and died to keep America free and free of idiots, fools and terrorists. And I, for one, did not vote for an appeaser.

WOW reaching out to the enemies that want to destroy us is a great idea…why not elect a muslim for president..opps, we already did

President Obama Made an excellent dicision. “Blessed are the peace maker.” Peace and respect comes when our leaders talk to all countries.

Do any of you “WarHappies” know what ‘color of law’ defines…and do you really think Bush was doing anything but contracting the US Army out to do the U.N.’s job…How very improprietous!!!

The ignorance and hate on this board is astounding. It sickens me. Get behind our president, it’s the patriotic thing to do.

Paula you are right about the “killing babies” issue. That is a disgrace. Thats deserving of more than an apology from him, as he has enabled abortions to multiply SO quickly.

Our President has already proven he’s not behind us…took him all of one week..sad!

WHEN IS THE U.S. FAITHFUL CONTINGENT FINALLY GOING TO DELEGATE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF INDICTING ITS OWN OFFICIALS FOR THE IMPROPRIETY THAT CONTINUALLY PLACES THE NATIONAL DEFICIT OUT OF REACH!? ROD BLAGOJEVICH AND MARK CUBAN ARE NO REPLACEMENT FOR GEORGE BUSH AND HIS FORMER ARAB CONSTITUENCY!

President Obama Made an excellent dicision. “Blessed are the peace maker.” Peace and respect comes when our leaders talk to all countries.

Re: Paula way to go!
Obama thinks it’s not torture to kill an unborn baby but lets let our service men get killed because we can’t get info from the enemy.

President Barak Hussein has embarrassed all Americans and should be ashamed of himself

I hope I would be surprised at how much hate for Muslims I am reading in this blog. Ignorance has become an American way of life…President Obama is at least trying to make diplomatic steps. The whole threat to America is centered in the Israeli/Palestinian issue. Solve it with justice, you will make the world a safer and more peaceful place. At least President Obama is making some diplomatic effort.

I find this stunning, yet not altogether surprising. His job in the Muslim world? How about his job in the American world? He was elected by the American people – not a single person on the so-called ‘Arab street’ voted for him – and he owes the American people the courtesy of his time. Yes, he needs to address the issues facing the Middle East, but those problems have been going on for generations and he will not change them in one interview. He owed it to the American people to put them first.

Thank you John I was beginning to think I was the only one who cares about the unborn… People you all want to bring God into to this and that is fine, but if you want to do that you need to read his word and where it says that the middle east will never be at peace, and you need to read the koran where it teaches to kill anyone who will not convert to that faith!!!!

Diane..you have to respect the enemies that want to kill us all…or was 9/11 just a bad dream?

As much as I appreciate the report from NGIL, and yes I too believe that the media does not always portray the trueness of an interview, the fact of the matter is that the President chose to partake in an interview in another country prior to addressing his own nation in an “at home” interview. I am very disappointed.

President Obama is already addressing the #1 issue of the economy, and this is the next priority– bring an end to our two wars in the Middle East. The wars will not be won by annihilating the enemy; they will be ended by finding common ground and finding a way to move beyond the stale arguments of the past. So, I agree with his course of action!

Wonderful!!

Why would any American be upset that Obama gave his first interview as pres to Al Arabiya? He has been on TV almost every day since he was inaugurated addressing the American people. He gave a big speech on inauguration day. Did you miss that?

See that all the ‘deep thinkers’ are on tonight with insights on achieving Middle East peace. If only you had stepped forward before.

i think its not hurting anybody. who really cares what people write here? just breathe deep and relax. we all die in the end. go have fun with your lives till then..

I think what President Obama said to the Muslim world was truthful, and that may be the first step toward trust. I think it was a brilliant move on his part.

His inauguration speech was sorry, insipid and catered to the intellect of the uneducated people that were foolish enough to vote for the Muslim socialist.

The Arab world will view this as weakness. Al Qaeda will use this interview as a recruiting tool.
Very foolish and shows Obama is very naive.

I think it’s obvious that some people on this comment section are paid posters. How much more obvious could you guys make it that you’ve been instructed to keep repeating the phrase “true colors”?
I think that’s an offensive phrase to use, obviously chosen by some marketer who thought he was being clever by subtly playing to racists who still refer to African Americans as “colors”.
It’s only working on each other, you guys, you’re not actually convincing more Americans to decide to close their minds and throw in their lot with you.

Obaama is a traitor. He is not an American. He has Kenyan, British and Indonesian citizenship. Sometime in his first 100 days, Obama will go to a Muslim capital city and make a speech to the Muslim world. I hope he stays there and doesn’t come back to the US. He makes me sick. Thank you Democrats for foisting this traitor on us.

combine this interview with Obama lowering our defenses by eliminating electronic surveillance programs that Bush had setup and it will lead to disaster.
When we are attacked again. Mr. Obama is to blame. He has made a big mistake in both areas.

Acorn is funded by the Democrats. It is how they get the upscale vote.

Gary–
We made big mistakes. The handling of Iraq after we invaded and in particular Abu Ghraib Prison.

Barak Hussein is the Messiah….to the arab world,liberal media,terrorists and egg heads that voted for him. God Bless America…Allah wants us dead!

Sluggo don’t you mean it’s how they steal the vote?

Diane..if defending America and preventing another 9/11 is a mistake…I am guilty!

rmj…the muslim world has declared jihad..death to all infidels and that includes you unless your one of them

Gary–
Defending America and preventing another 9/11 is exactly what Obama is doing too!

Theresa, How is the jihad going from the other side?

Did you ever consider they might be just as afraid of us, as some seem to be of them.

Then they should not come over and run planes into our buildings which kill Americans.

Sluggo..right on!

WOW Theresa, Diane, I am a Christian, I am in church every Sunday, and I love God with all my heart, but you have to open your eyes. Read the Bible it says the mid east will never have peace. The koran says to kill any that will not convert to their way. Admitting making mistakes to these people is admitting weakness…it prevents nothing and accomplishes nothing, but telling them we are a week nation. I love the USA I am proud to be an American, and I am very patriotic, but closing your eyes is not the patriotic thing to do, and it’s not the Christian thing to do. God helps those who help themselves.

Theresa, mayby it time for you to go back to the country where they treat women like a horse except they don’t beat the horse as much.

It was an excellent decision on the part of the President and I totally agree with him. What difference does it make if he gives his first “official” interview to a foreign journalist? We get to see and hear the President practically every day and he has done so many interviews with our journalist that most of us have lost count. We sound like a bunch of spoil brats with our whining and complaining. We really need to look beyond ourselves and look at the big picture of global agreements, peace, and freedom from terrorism. So let us stop the “me first” child like, arrogant ways and think of all the benefits that might come our way instead. And yes like other countries we have made plenty of mistakes that we and others have suffered from. The world knows it! This action on the part of our President might help to pave the way for a better, more prosperous life for all of us. At the very least, it can’t hurt us.
“Nightline” you have presented this question in a deceitful and misleading way to your viewers. You have asked us to judge based on a sound bite of the interview. You posed the question in such a way that, of course, some of us will have negative responses. Do we also need to hold you up to the light or just switch to another channel?
Barbara

You “Christians” are a bunch of hypocrites. First of all: even though Obama is not a Muslim, don’t you understand that it doesn’t matter one bit if he were? The U.S. is not a “Christian Nation” — Colin Powell outlined this argument very well. Now, here’s where the Christian hypocrisy comes in. Doesn’t Christianity say, forgive your enemies, open the door, embrace those who have harmed you? And isn’t that (basically) the approach that our new president is taking? Think about it.

Diane please enlighten me.

Sounds like you know both ends of that stick

Yay…”IN GOD WE TRUST”…don’t like it…go back to where you came from!

Who listens to Colin Powell. He is a big part of the problem.

It was an excellent decision on the part of the President and I totally agree with him. What difference does it make if he gives his first “official” interview to a foreign journalist? We get to see and hear the President practically every day and he has done so many interviews with our journalist that most of us have lost count. We sound like a bunch of spoil brats with our whining and complaining. We really need to look beyond ourselves and look at the big picture of global agreements, peace, and freedom from terrorism. So let us stop the “me first” child like, arrogant ways and think of all the benefits that might come our way instead. And yes like other countries we have made plenty of mistakes that we and others have suffered from. The world knows it! This action on the part of our President might help to pave the way for a better, more prosperous life for all of us. At the very least, it can’t hurt us.
“Nightline” you have presented this question in a deceitful and misleading way to your viewers. You have asked us to judge based on a sound bite of the interview. You posed the question in such a way that, of course, some of us will have negative responses. Do we also need to hold you up to the light or just switch to another channel?

Maria…and they will be watching when the terrorists strike again…but please don’t hate those people that flew planes into the twin towers..they were really nice people like those that want to do it again

Barbara, please switch to the other channel.

Diane, just figured out that you play for the other side.

Change to FOX-TV or BBC on the radio…get the real scoop! The rest of the world is really laughing at us….it is shameful, really shameful.

Paula..I’m not converting no matter what Messiah Hussein says or does!

Brilliant Move!
Shows the importance he puts on Peace and those that can’t see that need to learn some diplomacy skills and are locked in Bush’s terror/fear mode.
American Press is spoiled he has been very generous with his time for you and will be in the future.
You get one chance to make a first impression and President Obama chose well,the postive effect outweighs the flack the American Press may throw his way.

libertibelle…remove head from ass and see some daylight..please! He embarassed all Americans!

if allah preaches jihad he is the anti christ..i need a koran to wipe my ass with too!

I hate to leave the party boys but I need some sleep keep fighting the good fight…and for anyone who wishes to discuss this topic further you can reach me at : packh34@yahoo.com

It is my opinion that before you give an opinion you should have all the facts. After reading a transcript of the Presidents interview (which I am sure hasn’t been done by most of you posting) I realize that the President is beginning the process of cleaning up the mess left behind by the previous administration. At no time did he say anything that would make America look weak in the worlds eyes. If the last 8 years had not left us demonized in the opinions of the rest of the world President Obama may have been able to give his first interview to an American journalist. As it stands though it was necessary to do something unconventional to begin to show that we are the America of hope, freedom, unity and tolerance. Not all Muslims are evil they are human beings just like you just like me. Just like the evil that plagues this country does not make us all evil, the evil that plagues the Muslim world does not make all Muslims evil. These are the words of our President preceding the poorly snipped sound bite provided by Nightline: “My job is to communicate to the American people that the Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people who simply want to live there lives and see their children live better lives. My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that American’s are not your enemy.” Thank you Mr. President for taking the steps necessary to rectify the wrongs of those who have gone before you.

GARY…and all the other TROLLS you have been brainwashed by Mr Bush the biggest WMD we ever had.

ohh Gary your a Drama Queen to boot!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/26/obama-al-arabiya-intervie_n_161127.html

Saddam was not a direct threat to our Country.He was a Dictator and brutal to his people and the World needed to do something BUT we were not greeted as Liberators We were NOT in and out quickly and thousands of American Soldiers Died because of BAD “intellignce” that was PUSHED on us like it was Solid Intelligence

and thousands of Americans will die as we pull out and bring the terrorists attacks on our soil…that’s what you want? Talk to someone in the military..you will get real intelligence..not the BS puked out by liberal media.

gary tirpak your not the onily person that feels this to be more then a little strange theres people out here that are thinking the same as you. pray that obama dont let, We, the AMERICAN People Down. Sluggo’ kidding?! Im with you on that.

The problem with the muslims is that they hate our way of life, they hate our democracy, they hate how we live, they hate that we do not contol our women and they hate that we have freedom of religion and they hate that we educate both women and men,they have a disdain for our way of life all of these so call liberals that follow obama they hate your way of life. Abortions, gays, etc. In their countries you would probably be stoned to death, that is why they come after us because we fight for human rights and womens right around the world and they hate that we try to impose our way of living on them, we cannot have it both ways, we cannot tell them that they are mistreating their people and go over their and try to impose our beliefs on them and then turn around and apologize to them for our way of living. The radical muslim(not all muslims) are not concerned about peace they are concerned about jihad and when our President go on their airwaves and apologize for our efforts in the middle east, he is also apologizing for our way of life, which is a really sad and dispicable thing, but you wanted him so now you got him, deal with it.

From reading the comments, it looks like everyone is really getting worked up about this. But come on guys, the only reason he did it was because he doesn’t want shoes thrown at him when he goes to visit the Arab World.

More than likely The President read the articles that made there way into the BBC.
Both articles were interviews with terrorist recruiters. Both said the same thing. If Obama reached out to the Muslim community it would be a nightmare for their recruitment and might inspire more moderate Muslims to turn in or report radicals.
This has been widely reported overseas, I have yet to see anything about it here.

I’m glad that Obama is working to make the world a better place. We need to earn the respect and trust from other countries at this critical time.

I think Obama is simply focusing on the area that needs the most attention. American media rarely makes its way into the Middle East, and it seems like Obama has already made his statement to the Americans. Now he wants to make a statement towards the Mid-East. Bravo to Obama for choosing to use media for good purposes (spread message of hope and change) as opposed to selfish intentions (fear tactics).

For whoever is keeping score of the fors and againsts, I think most people who view this as positive are just sighing in their seats as they read the arrogant and petty comments on this board (including the original post) and not feeling inspired to comment. I am one of them, it took some self motivation to start writing this comment.
The only people who are NOT better off tonight because of this interview are the overpaid, underworked and lazy TV reporters who just saw their opportunity of making news vanish and who are now trying to advance this story line as a way to punish him for not granting them their moment on the spotlight. Clearly these are people who couldn’t care less about what actually benefits the American public and apparently see no problem in not putting their country’s interests first and before their career interests.
I refuse to take this media bait to feel betrayed by my president just because he did not please the media by granting them an interview. As a member of the public, I feel he has made himself, his administration and his policies very open and accessible to me, more so than any other presidency before him.
Obama has been on TV nearly every other day since soon after his election and certainly everyday since his inauguration. If one tried, one could easily account for how he spent every hour of the day since officially becoming the president. He has made more policy speeches on things that affect the American public and directly talked to the public and his administration more times than any other president before him. He is set to have met as many times with lawmakers in just one week in office than President Bush did during the ENTIRE 8 years of his presidency. And yet reporters are whining because he did not walk over to where they are sitting down and sat down with THEM to please their inflated egos.
For any who care to consider this, Obama today sent his special envoy to the Middle East. What better way to mark this move than officially talking about matters that pertain to the Middle East and what his expectations are to as wide an audience as he can? He is a grown-up doing the job he has been hired to do in the best possible way.
disclosure: I am a party unaffiliated American female who is very relieved that a new generation awaits America where practical solutions and non-ideological sensibilities trump ideology and emotion.

Good job Mr President.Change is very good.We need to talk to the Arab and Muslim World.Good Communication with 1.5 Billion Muslims is the way to create mutual understanding and respect also it is good for our economy.These are 1.5 Consumers who prefer our products over Chinese.

I think it sends a very dangerous message. Is “Our Mistake” the right message we want to be broadcasting to Muslim extremists? You can not negotiate with them. You have an inexperienced new President trying to gain approval by the whole world while sending a message of ‘mistakes’ and weakness to the muslim world.

Notice that the comments posted here generally break down into two groups: those motivated by fear and propagated by misinformation, and those generated by a general pragmatism and hopefulness. Outside of the man (there is no denying the “cult of personality”), what motivates your thoughts on this matter? Even a cursory review of the above comments will show each individual’s respective FEELINGS on the matter which, in turn, manifests the base motivation. I pity those spurred by hate and fear…

I was not expecting that (being 1st) but as somebody said, he has been speaking to us for at least about 18 months.
We do need to break the cycle of what is going on there.

It was needed. We have been so closed off to other parts of the world for so long, it’s refreshing to have our President do such an interview. He was very clear in his inaugural speech about his intent and he has followed up on it. I’m glad he did.

I was so afraid of Obama’s inexperience…but I figured he’d get his on the job training, and we could survive until then…..but….. he appears to believe his own hype…
What a stumble….has he not read history?…The middle east has been a problem for generations…does he really think he’s the first to try this ploy?…This crawling passive “diplomacy” thing?…It’s never worked before…Our clueless Prez just sold America’s image as wimps down the river…
The middle east has an entirely DIFFERENT culture….Its not anything close to ours..
THEY DON”T THINK LIKE WE DO…
It’s just a fact.
It looks like O’showboat just HAS TO keep himself in the spotlight..his attention junkie charactor will be our undoing…
As far as who he gives interviews too….I already have a major case of ‘Obama fatigue’, he’s friggin on TV every dang day as it is. WHEN is his campaign gonna stop??? [I forgot..campaigning is the ONLY thing he has any REAL experience at....LOL..]
I predict all those Bush haters will wish “W” was back humbly doing his job, without pointing to himself all the friggen time.
Seriously…I pray we survive the next four years.

J Moore:
You are an ignorant little man. Bush did more to undermine America then ANY president ever has in the history of the US. It is very correct that his approval rating was the lowest in decades. The defunct Bush ideology is over and debunked. He undermined the environment, civil liberties, diplomacy, foreign policy, domestic policy, energy policy, immigration policy, monetary policy, medical policy, job growth and so on. Please where a Bush shirt just so I can have someone throw an egg at you. He has brought America to its knees and the repug party has paid dearly for it.

You so called Christian right who think Obama is evil, remember when Jesus pleaded with the Pharisees in Isreal that truth, forgiveness, mercy and so on were at the core of his teachings. They despised him for it and many disliked Jesus for even talking to the Pharisees. Of course, Obama is No Jesus figure, but the same scenario is happening with the prosecution of him for opening a dialogue of peace. Jesus I believe called them devils and if the shoe fits then look in the mirror.

You’ve all been brainwashed. This guy can do no wrong in your eyes. Fools

Truthbetold:
I see you’re somewhat of an attention junkie yourself…lol
Do you think you have to correct everyone’s opinions?
It seems as if you don’t respect our rights to our own opinions…
You’re caught up in the ‘cult’ mentality..everyone must think the same…….
You’re a true Obama believer….
Fine…But you won’t find a recruit in me, so don’t waste your breath.
I know God…and Obama…You’re no God…. to paraphrase a famous political quote…LOL
Oh….and…I’m not a little man…I’m a little woman….

let`s begin a new life:peace,love and unity(muslims,christians,jewish).before god, we are the same,no difference except our deeds.the Arab world is not against you,they are human beings like you-they want to live in peace with you.DON NOT FORGET we sustain the devastating actions of terrorism in our region.you must know we,the arab world,are against the terrorism. god bless the whole world.KILLING IS REJECTED BY ISLAM AS IN OTHERS.PEACE AND LOVE ARE OUR HOPE AS YOU.

Bravo President Obama.
I can’t believe that we finally have an ADULT as President.
Not another fake a– cowboy that wants to “ride in and round ‘em up.”
THIS AINT NO JOHN WAYNE MOVIE !!!!!!!

I think what scares me the most about Obama is his impulsiveness…I don’t feel he thinks things thru. Like he gets up every morning and asks himself…what can I do today to grab the headlines.
He’s closing Gitmo…oookayyy..now what genius?..where they going? are you going to turn them loose?…how bout telling us the REST of the plan!!!
He wants to fund abortions…are you kidding? NOW? We just don’t have the extra money to kill babies right now.
REMEMBER THE FINANCIAL CRISIS WE”RE IN?
He has this impressive ‘ethics’ policy…oops…nevermind..he has to lift it for a cabinet member…
He’s looking inept…his great ideas are half baked…There was no need to do everything in the first week…except to impress his followers….And being interviewed by the Arab world with no more experience than he has…how bout taking middle east 101 first!

BO is not handing out olive branches he gave away the tree. But it is obvious he hasn’t strayed from his priorities; get YOU to accept HIS muslim extremist friends. BO will send them more money than anyone in history. Can’t he just send hope and change they can believe in? As those words disappear into a vapor cloud of obscurity for Americans, I’ll rest easier knowing all muslims now want to be my friend.

I find it interesting when people use religious arguments to judge President Obama’s when he reaches out to our “enemies.” A number of posters have commented that he is a “Muslim in Christian clothing,’ or that he and his “extememist friends” have pulled the wool over our eyes. Comments like these only show the bigotry and intolerance of some Americans, both of which are about as non-Christian as you can get. It’s really too bad, because when you open the lines of communication, you often find that those “enemies” are only enemies because all they know about you is from radical extremists. A lot of things change when you find out that a vast majoprity of them are just people with the same hopes and dreams we have-a safe and healthy community to raise their family, a future for their children, and so on. But our extremists are hell bent on keeping those lines of communication from ever opening.

I think what scares me the most about Obama is his impulsiveness–J Moore
—————-
Impulsive?? I think he is just the opposite. He is thoughtful and cautious, in a good way. The man who preceded him in office, however, now he was impulsive. He launched is into a disastrous war based on flimsy and nonexistent evidence. That is impulsiveness at its very worst.

It’s obvious from some of these comments that the idiot republicans didn’t learn a thing from this election. Coming on here and insulting Muslims, and they have no idea how many American Muslims are fighting at this very moment wearing a U.S. military uniform.
Rest in Peace Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, and all the other brave Muslim American soldiers that have given their lives for these morons that now insult you.

It is a great disappointment to me, even though I am not a fan of our Liberal Press, to see our President do this. I think it is a slap in the face of America and sends a message of surrender by our Gov’t to the World.

I have never seen more wisdom from a US President since the wisdom exhibited by the forefathers of this incredible nation. Mr. Obama has given me back faith that I have lost in what a president should do and is actually following through with his promisses of peace. GIVE THIS MAN A CHANCE TO CHANGE THE WORLD BECAUSE HE CAN.

This is extremely poor judgment on the part of the President. He thinks he is doing all the things that will appease the Islamic terrorists. This is always perceived as a sign of weakness by the terrorists not as a sign of strength. Other countries have tried this appeasement strategy and it has never worked.

This is a smart move from an intelligent person. Excellent leader will talk to anybody and exchange ideas. This is a very promising.
There will be few people that will disagree with him especially from the sore loosers (from teh right).
Hydre

Please contact your Representative to vote against H.R. 1, a stimulus bill full of earmarks and payback to liberal political cronies like ACORN and Planned Parenthood
Stop Nancy Pelosi’s Taxpayer Funded Payoff Scheme
January 27, 2009 | Refer a Friend
Dear Becky,
Exactly what kind of stimulus did Speaker Nancy Pelosi have in mind? That’s a question more Americans should be asking now that details are trickling in about the controversial $825 billion “economic recovery” package. $200 million for lawn care in Washington, D.C., $360 million to potentially be used to put on transsexual beauty pageants and erotic art shows. These are a few examples in the $825 BILLION (and counting!), over 1,588 page stimulus bill. Speaker Nancy Pelosi argues this bill would stimulate the economy, however only 7 percent of the legislation actually goes towards infrastructure – the rest of the bill reads like a taxpayer funded payoff to groups that have supported liberal Democrats’ interests.
And what a pay off! ACORN, the long controversial group that purposefully tried to muck up last year’s elections to benefit the Democrats is being rewarded by Nancy Pelosi with potentially $4.19 BILLION in taxpayer funds. And more than 10 percent of the proposal-$87 billion-would be directed to groups like Planned Parenthood! The country’s recession is crippling families, and the Democrats’ solution is spending billions of dollars on contraception?
On the latest “This Week” program on ABC, George Stephanopoulos pressed Speaker Pelosi for an explanation. She implied that making sure there are less children is a great way to stimulate the economy! Meanwhile she helped stop an amendment to the bill that would have protected parental rights!
Contact your Representative today to vote against H.R. 1, the so called “American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009″.

Abhorant! He is suppose to “care” about the middle class Americans? Give me a break…what IS he doing?

Doesn’t matter what is said or by which
medium. In the 1,000 years since the Crusades (still the present in the Mid-East)Arabs have learned to ignore what is said and focus on what is done.
The U.S always backs Israel and all its actions because we believe that to do otherwise would encourage a Pan-Arab
Jihad. We in the U.S must learn to
acknowledge and respect Arab culture
and Sovereignty without sacrificing
Israel. As their greatest ally, Israel
should also respect our needs and security by giving back what has been
usurped since the ’67 war. Actions speak louder than words.

President Obama reached out to Muslims and that was the right thing to do. People need to stop condemning all Muslims for 9/11. The United States is not the only country in this world. Every country on this planet has to learn to live in harmony — whether we like each other or not. The USA is made up of many people from different races, backgrounds, religions, etc. Stop excluding people who don’t look like you or have the same faith as you. It’s very sad that some people are filled with so much hatred that they would rather have the country fail then to be willing to give President Obama a chance to raise us out of 8 years of a miserable economy and a war that has killed thousands of Americans.

I believe Prez Obama has been in about a week and already the war mongers have started. You know what, he’s probable going to be one of the best Presidents in recent history. Why don’t you step back off and wait. I’m not saying he’s perfect, but please, some of you people are just so transparent, it’s kind of hysterical. Give it a rest. After the idiot that lived in the White House for that last 8 years, the only way to go is up. Give it a rest and stop trying to dissect everything he does in one week. Grow up Red States, you’ve been beaten. That’s life folks.

Obviously it was a brilliant move. We have destroyed our reputation in the world for the past eight years, and this is our big chance to get a little of it back. I don’t know who is crazier–El Qaeda with its attacks on Obama as essentially Bush II or the extremists who responded here that Obama is “showing his true colors” or “Arabs are different–they will see this as a sign of weakness,” and other such nonsense. I had thought that after eight years of creating terrorists by invading and occupying Iraq based on misinformation, we wouldn’t hear that nonsense any more. How can anyone not realize that for every Iraqi we kill, we create several people who hate us. It’s a multiplier effect. The world loved us after 9/11, but certainly not recently. Ironically, al-Qaeda is sounding a little desperate, trying to find ways to maintain power without Bush as a focal point for their hatred. I guess there are a lot of crazy people on both sides.

I find it troubling that his first phone call at 8AM on his first day in office is to an Arab, Mr. Abbas (who is not even the leader of a country and thereby dis-respecting our closest ally in the region, Israel) and then his first interview is on Arab TV. While his message may be intended to be inclusive, it is in fact divisive, and appears weak, especially as viewed from an Arab cultural perspective.

There must be peace,but it will never happen not in this lifetime,I conmend what the president is doing,but life as we know it,will only turn to hatred because that is all the middle east knows,people suffer alot and get killed and we just watch on tv.Place yourself on that end especially for the children.

The Majority of people do not want to live in chaos by choice and they also want the best for their kids.
By working from that direction people will see that the extremists are talking out their asses and wreaking chaos and hopefully those that hated Bush and the Rethugs will quick talking up the negative to their kids about the US which leads to being recruited by extremists.
If they have no audience they have no next generation of terrorists.
Its worth a try since for 8 years the bully syndrome has done nothing but wreak havoc on the world.

Boring. Me first, me first…

I believe that for the first time in a very long time, we have a worldly president that has lived in other parts of the world and actually learned how to interact with people from around the world. He is not narrow minded like the previous few presidents. With this interview, he has established a truly honorable action towards those that have hated the U.S. for a long time. However, they can no longer hate someone who really understands them since he does have Muslim cousins in Africa.
People in the U.S. need to stop being brainwashed by the American media that shows only what it wants to show or only what they are asked to show.
Americans need to get objective news reports from other countries to realize what America has committed in other lands. Even the BBC has less biased news.
We need to stop believing everything that is communicated to us about the Israelis. And, the Israelis need to stop treating other races today as they were treated in the 1940s.

By opening the lines of communication between us and our enemies in this way, Mr. Obama is already living up to my high hopes for him. We will never achieve long-term peace in this world as long as doors remain closed, and/or outcomes depend solely on might-makes-right solutions. Obama is showing the world the best of America, and his way might be the only way to end all the hatred that so many countries have for us. Bravo, Barack!

I am proud of our President. I am scared of the future, but much less scared than I was under the prior administration. I hope he continues to listen and support mediation.

I am cautiously optimistic
I am all for the President helping bring about the peace process and easing tension in the Middle East however, I feel with the current state of our own Nation (both economy and job market)he needs to be spending time at home. Now is the relevant point in time to be encouraging our people and discussing his plans to help the recovery process right here in our own back yard!

Where’s all the money? Obama received billions from outside unknown sources. He is only brilliant when he is rehearsed with Teleprompter or memorized speech. He had to do the Arab interview first because he owes them! I feel sick for believing in him. I thought he was different. He let a know tax evader get into one of the highest positions! Oops I made a mistake…I don’t think the IRS will be that nice to me…if fact people go to jail for not paying their taxes. Yes he finally paid them because he HAD TO! What kind of dirt bag is that? He is suppose to be smart he graduated from Dartmouth–there’s no excuse for Obama to have him as Treasary Secretary. Yikes. I Googled “Tax Evader”(news) and gues whose face came up first! http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS310&q=tax%20evader&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wn
“Mr. Geithner” then Wesley Snipes, recent tax evader.
Obama is just like the rest of the politicians! He just packaged prettier and with better speaking qualities

Great. After all we went to war with the whole world for the sake of Israel. We lost our children to protect the zionist state. We have been hijaked by thier lobby and financial control over us. It is time to reverse that and make peace with the world including the Muslim war, who we made our enemy for the sake of Israel.

Cut Taxes, Not Children
When President Obama said the stimulus bill would improve “infrastructure,” he neglected to mention that all roads lead to Planned Parenthood. In what is proving to be a wildly unpopular move, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) injected their radical ideas about population control into the ballooning economic recovery plan. Their plan called for the bulk of an $87 billion state Medicaid expansion to be used help people, especially young teens, get their hands on more birth control. According to CNS News, the White House is denying that the “family planning” push was Obama’s idea. In fact, there was such outcry by groups like FRC that the President backed away from his personal support for these programs and called on his party to drop the provision. Late news reports have indicated that Congressional Democrats will bow to his request. If true, it’s a resounding victory for our movement.
However, the debate does underscore just how much influence Rep. Obey holds over the appropriations process. In today’s New York Times, the twenty-term congressman is featured as the architect of this stimulus plan. As a gatekeeper of our tax dollars, he must hear from you that funding “family planning” programs that promote abortion is not an acceptable use of your money. It’s not too late to sign onto our petition at http://www.frc.org. Join the 45,000 who have told Obey to keep Americans out of the abortion business.
In the meantime, the battle over birth control doesn’t end with the stimulus bill. If Pelosi doesn’t get her way with the recovery package, her Senate colleagues have a backup plan called the Prevention First Act (H.R. 819), which would infuse millions of dollars into the same contraception campaign. Unlike the stimulus bill, this legislation would go further in using taxpayer funds to push Plan B and also mandate abortion referrals. Make no mistake. The Left will use absolutely any opportunity to push its radical social platform–even if it means cloaking their agenda as “stimulus.”

Republican are sore loosers for sure. You lost and stop crying……. It is a new era for America. Keep scaring yourselves and your children.

I’m sure most of the uninitiated are impressed with this seeming act of outreach to the “Muslim” world, but what most people don’t realize is that AlArabia is a Saudi news outlet. So can we really expect that a client of the US is really going to allow their station to ask relevant and probing questions. NICE TRY Rahm.

After reading these comments, I’m disappointed in America. We still have a long way to go with education and perspective. Learn to be the peace, Obama has a lot of weight on his shoulders, as did Bush, America needs to come together and stop throwing stones across oceans.

Thanks Mr.Obama for at least looking for the truth.

Its a pretty good and positive call. I hope he actually puts end to so called war on terror evrywhr.. through which many of the innocents are being killed everyday. There should be peace everywhere. AMericans should stop seeing whatever they watch on US media. They should the real pic of the world too. America just can’t stand alone by itself. WE need to be friends with the whole world if we want world peace. and I think thats what President wants. It was a good step by president.

Being a white Muslim american born and raised in this country I think it is a great idea that President Obama is willing to actually listen to Muslims around the world and see exactly what the underlying issues are. He is not saying he is going to do what ever Muslims want he is saying we should at leaset try to understand the problems and see if there is any common ground we can agree on. The Muslim population in the US is growing as the the Muslim population around the world. If all the billions of Muslims were haters of America as some of you seem to think there would be worse situations than we have, however this is completly untrue the majority of Muslims are just like Americans they are trying to live a peaceful life. As for the US media not getting the first interview good, they seem to take most things out of context and see that their opinions are the ones that we hear most often.

There is some people in this discussion are too stupid to reform, They would fail to answer basic question about the U.S geography or history not alone the world. They do not know what plant we are living on. They believe in killing any one disagree with them, or for whatever reason they can come up with, as long as they can enjoy their Chevy or ford trucks for the time being till they switch to Kia or Hundyi in the near future, their chewing tobacco, their 6 pack, their cheap gas, and their wallet full of money, to hell with every one else, and let the government do whatever the hell they want, as long as they live good and every one go to hell. The other type is the ignorant type, that can be reformed, but need to read and educate themselves, not just watch Fox or CNN news, and the third type, are the well educated, well travel, knowledgeable and actually read real information, and understand what they mean. We need these people to lead this nation to safety and prosperity.
For all the attack on Arabs and Muslims, with comments such as they hate us, their Quran teach them to kill others, they are terrorist, they do not like our way of life, they treat women bad, etc. I say this, have you ever travel to an Arab or Muslim country, or even try to learn some thing about the religion or culture from a truthful source of information, or you only got your education from a seven eleven news stand. Wake up and smell the coffee, and yes Mr. Barak Hussein Obama is the president.