Midnight Media Club - President Obama's Speech in Cairo

[serai]

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I can't think of any video I'd rather post tonight:

President Barack Obama speaks at Al-Azhar University in Cairo


Wonderful speech. The Prez is honest and forthright, yet speaks with delicacy and respect. He talks about the problems in the Middle East, but side by side with that, he talks about the problems here at home as well. He doesn't shake his finger at people, sounding like a pissy, arrogant schoolteacher lecturing a class of children. It's a relief and pleasure listening to him.

And I did cry at one point. Not at anything the Pres said. Nope. What made me burst into tears? An audience member calling out, "We love you, Obama!" and the applause after, as Obama graciously thanked the person who shouted it. I can't say it enough - if the only thing Obama really accomplishes is to raise our image in the eyes of the world, to get the rest of the planet to stop hating us, then I will have considered my vote well cast. And it looks like he's accomplishing just that.

An awesome beginning.


P.S. So, my Muslim friends - what did you think of the speech?

Comments

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

Even when Obama fucks up, I still love him. I feel there's some basic goodness in him that has been lacking in previous leaders. So yes, I fully agree wtih you that if the only thing that he accomplishes is that the rest of the planet stops hating us, then that's a huge thing.

My Palestinian husband liked the clips from the speech that he heard. He said part of it also that Obama looks sort of Egyptian so there's a bit more identification.

[illyria-novia.livejournal.com]

I cried when he quoted my favorite passage from the Koran, the one about when you kill a human being, you murder the entire humanity, and when you save a person, you save the whole world.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Oh, that WAS beautiful! Such a lovely quote. Made me want to bus out to the Bodhi Tree and pick up a Koran. Can you recommend a good English translation?

And it was heartening to hear him talk about all the partnership initiatives he wants to set up. Of course, politics being what it is (and money being uncertain), who knows if they'll all happen? But unlike Chimpy, when Obama talks about this stuff, one can believe that he'll actually DO IT.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Even when Obama fucks up, I still love him.

WORD. The Prez has grown on me, for sure. I love how he's so cool and dignified, yet still friendly. An approachable guy. An EDUCATED guy. Geez, the idea of an intelligent Prez is still so freakin' WEIRD.

I didn't know your hub is Palestinian. Cool! HI, MR. C!! *waves* I agree that Obama's looks probably have a lot to do with people liking him. For the first time in history, our President isn't a fucking white guy. I know that makes ME happy!

[gloryunderhill.livejournal.com]

I'm not the emotional sort, I laughed when Leo sank into the Atlantic at the end of Titanic and freaking rooted for Nicole Kidman to DIE ALREADY in Moulin Rouge, but I get choked up almost every time I hear President Obama speak. I get hit by these big waves of weepy realization that for the first time in years and years and years...I'm really freaking PROUD of my president!

[serai1.livejournal.com]

IKR. He's awesome.

There are all these progressives around bitching about how he ISN'T DOING WHAT WE WANT OMGWTFBBQ!!!11!! I'm all HE NEVER SAID HE WAS PROGRESSIVE SHIT YOU PEOPLE DON'T LISTEN.

But I'm fine. And you know, I just can't imagine that he could possibly fuck this country up worse than it already is.

[gloryunderhill.livejournal.com]

They're even whining about the shit he said he would do, but hasn't yet...geesh people. It's only been 5 months. Cut the man some slack! He's trying to navigate us through a huge shit storm. Some things are just going to have to be back burnered for a little bit. Pres O is working his balls off trying to get shit straightened out and he's bound to fuck some thing up in the process, but hell...he's getting shit done pretty damn fast, if you ask me, and I like the way things are moving so far.

[serai1.livejournal.com]

Yep. We just got through EIGHT YEARS of MonkeyBrain never getting ANYTHING worthwhile done except clearing brush on his fucking ranch, and these people are bitching because Obama isn't fixing everything fast enough? Jesus Christ, people are so spoiled and unrealistic.

BITCHES HE IS GETTING A LOT OF SHIT DONE SO CHILLAX DAMN.

[illyria-novia.livejournal.com]

Heee, now that you mention, I don't know what English translation of the Koran to recommend.

Here's a review of a number of translations though: http://www.meforum.org/717/assessing-english-translations-of-the-quran. I hope it helps.