Posted by Tina
Governments and economies in the Middle East are like the desert sands. Blown by winds of change they shift and move but remain basically unchanged even after many ongoing attempts from the West to bring freedom, peace, and stability to the region. President Obama, in his speech today, praised those seeking freedom and opportunity and vowed assistance for entrepreneurs so that they could begin to build the foundations for prosperity and opportunity. He also urged them to redirect their energies away from blaming the West and toward building their own futures:
Full text of Obamas speech here:
As we do, we must proceed with a sense of humility. It is not America that put people into the streets of Tunis and Cairo – it was the people themselves who launched these movements, and must determine their outcome. Not every country will follow our particular form of representative democracy, and there will be times when our short term interests do not align perfectly with our long term vision of the region. But we can – and will – speak out for a set of core principles – principles that have guided our response to the events over the past six months:
The United States opposes the use of violence and repression against the people of the region.
We support a set of universal rights. Those rights include free speech; the freedom of peaceful assembly; freedom of religion; equality for men and women under the rule of law; and the right to choose your own leaders – whether you live in Baghdad or Damascus; Sanaa or Tehran.
And finally, we support political and economic reform in the Middle East and North Africa that can meet the legitimate aspirations of ordinary people throughout the region.
Our support for these principles is not a secondary interest- today I am making it clear that it is a top priority that must be translated into concrete actions, and supported by all of the diplomatic, economic and strategic tools at our disposal.
Let me be specific. First, it will be the policy of the United States to promote reform across the region, and to support transitions to democracy.
Yet we must acknowledge that a strategy based solely upon the narrow pursuit of these interests will not fill an empty stomach or allow someone to speak their mind. Moreover, failure to speak to the broader aspirations of ordinary people will only feed the suspicion that has festered for years that the United States pursues our own interests at their expense. Given that this mistrust runs both ways – as Americans have been seared by hostage taking, violent rhetoric, and terrorist attacks that have killed thousands of our citizens – a failure to change our approach threatens a deepening spiral of division between the United States and Muslim communities.
That’s why, two years ago in Cairo, I began to broaden our engagement based upon mutual interests and mutual respect. I believed then – and I believe now – that we have a stake not just in the stability of nations, but in the self determination of individuals. The status quo is not sustainable. Societies held together by fear and repression may offer the illusion of stability for a time, but they are built upon fault lines that will eventually tear asunder.
So we face an historic opportunity. We have embraced the chance to show that America values the dignity of the street vendor in Tunisia more than the raw power of the dictator. There must be no doubt that the United States of America welcomes change that advances self-determination and opportunity. Yes, there will be perils that accompany this moment of promise. But after decades of accepting the world as it is in the region, we have a chance to pursue the world as it should be.
That effort begins in Egypt and Tunisia, where the stakes are high -as Tunisia was at the vanguard of this democratic wave, and Egypt is both a longstanding partner and the Arab World’s largest nation. Both nations can set a strong example through free and fair elections; a vibrant civil society; accountable and effective democratic institutions; and responsible regional leadership. But our support must also extend to nations where transitions have yet to take place.
Intolerance and hatred must be overcome before a garden will bloom in the Middle East. America is right to encourage freedom, peace and opportunity and wise to offer encouragement to young entrepreneurs. But we can be certain of one thing. Unless intolerance and hatred are overcome the sands will have shifted once again and the people will remain stuck in poverty and oppression.
Yeah, America is right to encourage reform, democracy and peace, etc. But, it’s wrong to promote it! That’s meddling and we do too much meddling already. That’s why a lot of people hate us.
I am sure the usual suspects will have no problem with Obama doing some “Nation Building”. This should be fun to watch.
My hubby, Mr Nancy D, thinks that Obama will not stop until all of the Middle East countries are controlled by hardcore Muslim extremists.
Do you guys think Israel have any allies left over there when Obama leaves office?
What has Jacks friends in the intell world told him about all this?
It would be interesting to get his take on this. I mean considering his connections to certain individuals in the know, you know what I mean?
Hey Tina, I was also wondering whats up with OV? I miss his pings.
I’m waiting for the fireworks tomorrow after Obama meets with Netanyahu. I wonder if he will make him wait or usher him out the back door or something equally ungracious.
I know one thing. there will be zero negotiations as long as the Palestinians refuse to end their commitment to ending Israel. As Netanyahu has said, how do you negotiate with people that want to eliminate you?
As for the rest of the ME, there is hope that young people will be seduced by western values. I have to say it doesn’t look much like that’s the case right now no matter what’s being said.
One thing that bothered me:
I wish he’d practice a little more of this at home!
Another fascinating quote:
Hmmm…how did THAT happen?
Hey Nancy…he’s been taking a break. You should hear from him again soon.
Nancy my friends have been kinda busy lately doing a lot of rescues of Americans caught up in revolutions. Not sure what there feeling are about BO and Mideast, but I bet it’s not very positive.
What’s that? You mean we get breaks????
I’m thinking the usual suspects who had no problem with Bush’s nation building in Iraq are gonna have conniption fits over this.
This should be fun to watch!
“Yeah, America is right to encourage reform, democracy and peace, etc. But, IT’S WRONG TO PROMOTE IT! That’s meddling and we do too much meddling already. That’s why a lot of people hate us.” (emphasis mine)
FINALLY he admits Iraq was George Bush’s mistake.
‘Bout damned time, Jack!
“I know one thing. there will be zero negotiations . . .”
Actually there have been ongoing negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians for years!
There are always negotiations going on. Always!
You don’t know jack$#!^, Tina. Alls you know is what the haters on the radio tell you.
So, we’re not suppose to engage in nation building.
We’re not supposed to promote peace–it’s wrong
We’re supposed to mind our own business.
UNLESS it’s Israel.
Why doesn’t this make sense?
You’re right about one thing Quentin, I mispoke in my haste to post that comment. I meant there will not be agreement…and moving forward, there may not be negotiations either. Netanyahu has already indicated it is useless to negotiate with people who want to kill you. Also, our leader has (purposely?) set the stage to undermine Israel through the UN so the point may be moot.
And thank you for sharing your personal opinion of me you are as always so incredibly delightful..
I’d comment on your ability to form an opinion but…you never seem to have one. Empty head? Scardy cat? Assume people will treat you as poorly as you treat them? Just enjoy playing the a**?……
“So, we’re not suppose to engage in nation building.
We’re not supposed to promote peace–it’s wrong
We’re supposed to mind our own business.
UNLESS it’s Israel.
Why doesn’t this make sense?”
The only person around here that has said “we’re not supposed to” is you. Your thing has always been to sarcastically accuse anyone with similar ambitions, ideas or policies of being a (nasty) Neocon!
Which is it, Q? You in favor or opposed to nation building. Or are you in favor only when a democrat is mouthing the words?
In case you haven’t noticed, Israel is the only country in the region that has been our constant, reliable ally. Israel and America share the same values. Of course we should continue to support Israel.
Read my post again. Find the criticism. Find the applause. There isn’t any. Just an opinion that the ME will not change until the people do.
What is your problem?
Q, I am just saying its fine to give encouragement, and even help in moderation, to get people started… if they really want their country to be peaceful and coexist with the nations around them and that’s its with a government type of their own choosing. Meddling is when we go in uninvited and start telling them how to run their own business. That doesn’t cut it in my book and it causes more harm than good.
Hammas has been officially designated as a terrorist group by both Israel and the United States, among other countries. The US has a long-standing policy of not negotiating with terrorists, at least not officially. So what give BHO the right to counsel Israel to negotiate with terrorists?
Excellent point soaps! It’s a little….what was that word again…oh yeah…fishy!
Nancy D: “My hubby, Mr Nancy D, thinks that Obama will not stop until all of the Middle East countries are controlled by hardcore Muslim extremists.”
I’m sorry if you find this insulting, but if your husband truly believes this, then he is deeply ignorant.
I’m really hoping people are waking up to not only who, but what we have for a president. Here is at least one democrat who has.
=======
Will President Obama Willingly Violate the War Powers Act?
“…unless the president has plans to make major changes to U.S. involvement in the mission or find another work-around plan today, he will find himself violating federal law.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are less than pleased with the lack of protocol being employed. CNN has more:
Rep. Brad Sherman, D-California, tells CNN he believes Obama is trying to bring democracy to Libya while shredding the Constitution of the United States.
He cannot continue what he is doing in Libya without congressional authorization. When a president defiantly violates the law, that really undercuts our efforts to urge other countries to have the rule of law, Sherman said
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, concurs.
You could say, Well, we have a good president, hell do the right thing. Well, someday you may have a president who does the wrong thing, and thats why you have rules, because you can never count on people being good people, Paul told CNN.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/will-president-obama-willingly-violate-the-war-powers-act/
“Hammas has been officially designated as a terrorist group by both Israel and the United States, among other countries. The US has a long-standing policy of not negotiating with terrorists, at least not officially. So what give BHO the right to counsel Israel to negotiate with terrorists?”
Soaps, the only two options I’m seeing are 1) negotiation, or 2) endless war. If you have another plan, I’d be glad to hear it.
Chris, been trying to get your attention on this….did you graduate this year? Your fans and friends want to know.