Why apologize?

[Christa]

Over past 20 years, US has done more for oppressed Muslims than any nation.

Every new president flatters himself that he, kinder and gentler, is beginning the world anew. Yet, when Barack Obama in his inaugural address reached out to Muslims with "to the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect," his formulation was needlessly defensive and apologetic.

Is it "new" to acknowledge Muslim interests and show respect to the Muslim world? Obama doesn't just think so, he said so again to millions in his al-Arabiya interview, insisting on the need to "restore" the "same respect and partnership that America had with the Muslim world as recently as 20 or 30 years ago." Astonishing. In these most recent 20 years - the alleged winter of our disrespect of the Islamic world - America did not just respect Muslims, it bled for them. It engaged in five military campaigns, every one of which involved - and resulted in - the liberation of a Muslim people: Bosnia, Kosovo, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq.


Full article:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304665359&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[Vegasaurus]

1. Kind of like

What have the Muslims done for us?

George Bush claims to have liberated them and given them democracy in Iraq, at a huge price.

It isn't like the US hasn't "acknowledged Muslim interests".

[Douglas Carpenter]

2. are the neocons now so deluded that they think that Bush policies encouraged good will toward the

Muslim world?

Is it now a bad thing that President Obama is trying to decrease tensions and increase understanding with the Muslim world?

Are neoconservatives still expecting American troops to be greeted with candies and flowers as liberators?

This article really demonstrates what a bizarre alternative universe the entire neoconservative movement lives in.

[Vegasaurus]

3. I just read this morning

an article by Bolton that says that the surge was successful because there were successful elections in Iraq.

You bet the neoconservatives believes all this, but it has come as a tremendous cost, and the article is correct in asking the question about how Obama's idea of showing "respect" to the Muslim world makes any sense.

The neocons believe that they brought democracy to the Muslim world.

What more "respect" could there be than that?

(not saying I agree with this assessment, but he does have a point).

[LeftishBrit]

5. Destroying a country in order to 'bring it democracy' is not respect.

I am not surprised that Bolton thinks so, however.

[Douglas Carpenter]

6. if one wants peace in the world - then one wants to reduce tensions and misunderstandings

If one billion Muslims believe America has been less than understanding and fair, I would think it is just common sense that President Obama would want to help change that. What is President Obama supposed to say to the Muslim world, "get over it - you should be grateful!"

That would hardly reduce tensions and facilitate understanding and it would hardly be in America's or anyone else's interest.

This is an article written from the viewpoint of colonial masters throughout the ages, "look at all we have done for the natives - and they turned on us!"

[LeftishBrit]

4. Humph

'there's not been a single anti-Muslim riot in the United States to avenge the greatest massacre in US history'

No - there was ONLY a pre-emptive war against a Muslim country which had nothing to do with 9-11; but the aftermath of 9-11 was used to get support for this war. And so far about a million people have been killed. I'm the number-one loather of all xenophobic riots; but no riot has ever resulted in the deaths of as many people as the Iraq war has.

[azurnoir]

10. There were also arrests detentions

and surveillance of "foreign nationals" read Muslims for questionable reasons even those who belonged to what are considered friendly groups

[ProgressiveMuslim]

7. Neoconservatism is alive and well in Jerusalem?

Is that the upshot?

[bunnies]

8. What a fool.

9/11 was the greatest massacre in US history?! I know one native American who'd like to deliver him a swift, hard kick to the balls. :grr:

[LeftishBrit]

9. And that's a good point too!

[oberliner]

11. This piece was written by Charles Krauthammer

Don't know if you caught that or not.

[Douglas Carpenter]

12. thanks for pointing that out. I does sound like him

Neocons are a bit like Jehovah Witnesses. Just a few words gives themselves away

[bunnies]

13. Make that 2 kicks to the balls. nt

[bemildred]

14. Indeed, why write? nt

[Jefferson23]

15. Obama's formulation was needlessly defensive and apologetic?, lol.

Appears this writer would have preferred Obama to dehumanize Muslims at his inauguration or perhaps ignore them all together, but for Obama to use language that signifies dignity extended....NO! We can't have that, heavens no. Krauthammer is an arrogant SOB.