The Big Speech

I didn’t hear it, but I read it this morning.
I want to hate it and there are parts that I do dispise:

Like when he addresses local whackjobs vs noting how there has not been a major leader in this country who “views Islam as inevitably hostile”. Seriously dude…who??

The attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. This has bred more fear and mistrust.

Or when he talks of apples and oranges. (a country to a religion)

and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition.

And what the heck does this mean? Should we say “I can’t understand a word Ahmadinejad says. I mean I hear him. I understand the words one at a time, but put them together and what the hell?” I’m pretty sure that’s what we say behind closed doors.

But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly the things we hold in our hearts, and that too often are said only behind closed doors.

But then Obama goes and says things that make sense.

But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. We were born out of revolution against an empire. We were founded upon the ideal that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words – within our borders, and around the world. We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept: E pluribus unum: “Out of many, one.”

And he totally rips on the idiocy of trutherists.

I am aware that some question or justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: al Qaeda killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet Al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.

And he gives our nation a small half nod.

Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible.

And on Israel…..he gives Iran a bit of hell.

Six million Jews were killed – more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, ignorant, and hateful. Threatening Israel with destruction – or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews – is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve.

(In other quotes he gives Israel hell for continuing their building in settlements and gives Palestinians hell for their violence.)

And once again, he gives a small nod to those who came before him, who wrote the current Road Map.

The obligations that the parties have agreed to under the Road Map are clear.

He makes a valid point about Muslims needing to confront violence their own selves.

So America will defend itself respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer.

He sounds like Bush here:

But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. Those are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that is why we will support them everywhere.

And though the quote above doesn’t mention women, he does throw us a bone a little later concerning education.

So all and all. I have to say….Good for him.

Between that and yesterday admitting this is a “Christian Nation” maybe I can have a few uncranky days in the next 4 years.
(yes – I know he said we’re practically a Muslim Nation. But if that’s the case, then we MUST be a Christian nation, no?)

Captain Ed’s take. (I haven’t yet read this, but a quick skim makes me think he agrees with me.)

Update: Marc Thiessen does a better job of pointing out the bad parts of the speech.