Not surprised, proud of Obama for doing it.

I first read "george Mitchell" as "george Michael" and was going to make a Wham! joke....

"They seem nervous . . . what that tells me is that their ideas are bankrupt. There's no actions that they've taken that say a child in the Muslim world is getting a better education because of them, or has better healthcare because of them"

Because education and healthcare is so important to terrorists........????

I'm not surprised for some reason. I just don't see anything coming of it. (Sorry... my optimism had died for the day.)
*holds her spam shield against all the Obama is an evil Muslim e-mails*

Very interesting interview. I wonder how the country will react. What a sad clown.

No CG, because education and health are important to so many people in the Middle East who just want to live their lives and raise their children. Try imaging them as human beings.

"the Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people who simply want to live their lives and see their children live better lives. My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy."

Exactly.

As far as American-Arab relations go, I think it is a huge step forward to have a President who can acknowledge our common humanity and concerns. It sets a great example.

"start by listening, because all too often the United States starts by dictating"

I couldn't agree more guiding and controling are two different things and it's time U.S. diplomacy moved with the hand of a skilled shepared rather than the force of ultimatums with little regard to anothers needs but our own.

Not surprised, and I liked hearing what he had to say.

I like what I have heard so far. I think much can come of this, because as Jude said, Obama has acknowledged a common humanity and concern.

I liked what he had to say now let's see how he will act upon his words.

Not surprised at all. He's the man.

While I don't disagree with what he said or his idealism in this situation, I am surprised that his first interview as President of the United States was with a country other than our own. I think it's great that he wants to make peace and let the world know that the United States is not the enemy, but did it really need to be his first interview?

He's had an inaugural speech, news conference and weekly radio address for our consumption since becoming president -I think giving Arab media his first interview sends a good, important message.

And that message is that he is on their side.

I think the point of the message is getting away from the blanket antagonism of "their" side (the Arab world) vs. "our" side. As some of us have already pointed out, acknowledging a common humanity and concerns we share with all the non-terrorist majority of the Arab world.

I don't get it??

I missed the part where GWB said that all Arabs are bad and all Muslins are bad. Gee, I'm pretty sure he always said "muslim extremists".

Seems like there is a lot of projecting and not a lot of hard evidence to follow this line of thinking that the "common folk" can't make a distinction between the two.

As for Obama being on their side, isn't that what he was trying to say? We're on their side? We aren't their enemy?

I'm sure Arab people care a lot about education and healthcare for their children. I'm sure that Al Qaeda couldn't possibly care less about that.

Who said anything about GWB, Haus?

You said "And that message is that he is on their side." That has a connotation of antagonism, of "us" vs. "them"; so that by saying that he is on "their" side it means he's against us ("If you're not with us, you're against us"--ring a bell?). That's all I was saying about the blanket antagonism. I think the statement that "we aren't their enemy" is better.

And please don't act so naive about whether people can make a distinction between regular Muslims and terrorists. You can, which I fully acknowledge and respect but plenty of people whom I know you know on these boards can't.

^^
And there are plenty of people I know in real life who can't make that distinction, sad to say.

Thats intersting jude because Ive never come into contact with someone who can't make the distinction.

There seems to be this implied idea that never before Obama was there any kind of humanity towards Arab people and that I reject. Thats what I was taking from those earlier comments, hence my bringing up of GWB.

Haus, I've seen about a million comments in Conservative that were along the lines of "f*ck Muslims, who cares if we kill them all, they're all either terrorists or terrorist sympathizers." That's the kind of thinking I reject.

"My job is to communicate to the American people that the Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people who simply want to live their lives and see their children live better lives. My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy"

Really Mr. President, THAT is your job? Seriously?

"What a sad clown."

It took me a minute to realize that you weren't talking about Obama!

I don't see anything wrong with what he did or said.

Haus, I don't think that GWB ever said that all Arabs are extremists/terrorists. And I don't think Obama owns this tactic or viewpoint or anything. But it's good that he did this. He needs to set the tone for interaction for his presidency, even if it's not a huge departure from Bush.

It's not his whole job, clarabelle. Are you really unable to extrapolate that from the sentence?

Jude - if you want me to name names I will, but I have your back. There are a lot of people here in Sugar land and in the real world that cannot distinguish between Muslims and terrorists.

Does anyone really care that much to question why Obama's first interview was with an Arab station (or foreign station) and not an American one? Is that really something worth being upset about or are we reaching to nit pick?

I liked the interview, and I liked the message, and if Bush has done something also these PR lines in the past I would like that too (if someone can show me when he did something similar let me know). You can't state the message that 'we aren't the enemy' enough.

Love the avatar Pop!

"Try imaging them as human beings"

who the terrorists? or everyday non violent muslims?

Be wild - try imagining both as humans!

Thanks for the point on my comment pop, it's very important to me that you approve and completely understand everything I say!

Is there any reason in particular some of us aren't happy for a chance at peace? Really, I don't guarantee peace but isn't just the chance for it worthwhile? Or should we just be at war with people all the time?

Jude I would love to see where you saw that because I've never seen it.

Im happy to help Arab countries. Hell, I think we havent flooded them enough with western values. I think that would bring a quick end to this situation!

But the fact is that they haven't been standing up and helping us help them either. Not to the extent that we might have thought they would have.

i should say, haven't been standing up ENOUGH.

Makes sense. Maybe this will decrease the amount of terriorist threats.

The first step to building relations with the Muslim world is to acknowledge that Arabs/Muslims are human beings with the same needs as Americans. I applaud Obama for taking this step. I am sure many ignorant Americans will attack him for siding with "terrorists" but this needed to be done. In order to really have peace- you must view the "others" as human beings with emotions, needs, and desires like yourself.

no because like someone said above people can't seem to sparate muslim from terrorist just like some people can't separate conservative from racist. It's pretty surprising that people whine and whine that not all Americans are ignorant, rude, etc etc but when it comes to other countries and races they just like to blanket them all in the same category. Ugh it really irks me.

i hope you were joking about the western values haus.

nope Nya, not joking at all.

i think if they enjoyed the fun parts of the American way of life they would get spoiled and expect it and demand it, and that would help them to reject extremist views.

Not saying we should wipe out their culture, of course not, but just put up some Targets and Starbucks and let it sort itself out.

Ok this is just a pet peeve of mine. It shouldn't be "Arab World" It should be "Muslim World" not all Muslims are Arabic.

Now, I think is a good thing for Obama, because someone who's traveled to many different parts of the world, some Muslim majority, I see how in the past 7 years, how many who are Muslims feel that the United States has positioned anyone who is a Muslim to be a terrorist and an enemy. So this a good way to start rebuilding fractured relationships.

nya- I know what you mean. People claim to be open-minded but then when it comes down to it, Muslims are still one of the few groups where people can call them terrorists or make comments that clearly lump all of them into one group and it is completely OK to do so.

geebers I would argue that Christians and conservatives are also one of the few groups "where people can make comments that clearly lump all of them into one group and it is completely OK to do so."

I don't agree at all haus - I don't see all Christians being called terrorists or people against the Christian world as a whole because of their religion which is exactly what I see with Muslims.

And that could be because we live in a predominantly Christian society but as far as I see- being a good Christian or having conservative values seems to be applauded. Our President had several Christian prayers. If he happened to be reading the Koran I can confidently predict that people would have an out-cry. Why else would there be such a big deal that he is a "secret Muslim"?

I dunno Geebers, Ive seen Christians get called some pretty terrible things both on here and in the media. And only because of their religion.

Depends on what your definition of a "big deal" is. I mean if you polled people, how many would say they think Obama is a muslim or a secret muslim? I would bet very few.

I think the media and some pundits played that story out more than people believed it.

He's the President, he can do whatever he wants. If he wants to go on Arab tv thats cool with me.

I would just like it if I was a bit more secure in thinking that he would make a tough decision even if it made him unpopular. I don't know that he will. I think he will value popularity over most things, and that troubles me.

But, it doesn't trouble other people, so hey... can't please all the people all the time.

I seem to remember many instances of what Jude is talking about. The first one that comes to mind is "hate is the foundation of the muslim faith."

Haus- I don't recall here or in the media someone being insulted simply because they said they were a Christian. Unless they happened to used their religion to justify something that they deserve to be called out for. I am also thinking of movies and tv shows where characters are doing things to show their Christian faith (praying, going to church, etc) and it is seen as normal because that is the majority. As someone who is not a Christian, I often felt left out because I was not the norm. I just cannot see why someone would get away with insulting a faith that is so ingrained in our society.

harmony, you were reading my mind. That, and the comments saying something like "HAVE WE FORGOTTEN ABOUT 9/11????" and stuff like that. The answer? We haven't. But--shocking!--not every Muslim was responsible for 9/11.

I don't recall here or in the media someone being insulted simply because they said they were a Christian. Unless they happened to used their religion to justify something that they deserve to be called out for. I am also thinking of movies and tv shows where characters are doing things to show their Christian faith (praying, going to church, etc) and it is seen as normal because that is the majority. As someone who is not a Christian, I often felt left out because I was not the norm. I just cannot see why someone would get away with insulting a faith that is so ingrained in our society.