Obama on the Nile

[babylonsister]

Obama on the Nile


By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
Published: June 11, 2008


This column will probably get Barack Obama in trouble, but that’s not my problem. I cannot tell a lie: Many Egyptians and other Arab Muslims really like him and hope that he wins the presidency.

I have had a chance to observe several U.S. elections from abroad, but it has been unusually revealing to be in Egypt as Barack Hussein Obama became the Democrats’ nominee for president of the United States.

While Obama, who was raised a Christian, is constantly assuring Americans that he is not a Muslim, Egyptians are amazed, excited and agog that America might elect a black man whose father’s family was of Muslim heritage. They don’t really understand Obama’s family tree, but what they do know is that if America — despite being attacked by Muslim militants on 9/11 — were to elect as its president some guy with the middle name “Hussein,” it would mark a sea change in America-Muslim world relations.

Every interview seems to end with the person I was interviewing asking me: “Now, can I ask you a question? Obama? Do you think they will let him win?” (It’s always “let him win” not just “win.”)

It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Democrats’ nomination of Obama as their candidate for president has done more to improve America’s image abroad — an image dented by the Iraq war, President Bush’s invocation of a post-9/11 “crusade,” Abu Ghraib, Guantánamo Bay and the xenophobic opposition to Dubai Ports World managing U.S. harbors — than the entire Bush public diplomacy effort for seven years.

Of course, Egyptians still have their grievances with America, and will in the future no matter who is president — and we’ve got a few grievances with them, too. But every once in a while, America does something so radical, so out of the ordinary — something that old, encrusted, traditional societies like those in the Middle East could simply never imagine — that it revives America’s revolutionary “brand” overseas in a way that no diplomat could have designed or planned.

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/11/opinion/11friedman.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin

[eleny]

1. Friedman doing his best to divide

What a patriot. :sarcasm:

[babylonsister]

2. I can't remember the last time I wanted to share a Friedman

article, but this one I liked.

[eleny]

5. I like the idea of Egypt being happy about Obama

But it seems to me that he's writing this to scare voters. If Muslims are happy with Obama, Americans should be wary. Unless I've read it completely sideways.

[babylonsister]

8. I totally didn't take it that way!

There was nothing scary in there; we're going to have to try and get along with everyone. What better way to start than to elect someone everyone thinks they can get along with?

[eleny]

12. You know how some people post their "concerns" here?

I took Friedman's pointing out how good it is for Egypt to be happy as something that would make conservative hair to stand on end.

It makes me very happy that other countries are rooting for Obama. After the last 7 years, it feels like the rain has stopped and the sun is coming out. Maybe I can take some sandbags down now.

[babylonsister]

13. I understand your skepticism, eleny, which is why I've also been

wary of posting anything by Friedman. But I honestly think his intention in this was not to divide. I'm feeling the sunshine myself.

[Prophet 451]

16. He's trying to scare peopel

Those of us in other countries (I'm British and live in an area with a large Muslim population) are cheering Obama on because we'd like to see someone sane and reasonable in charge of teh US's collosal power.

Of course, since the right treat any form of international cooperation with outright contempt, the idea that we might actually like your president again is something to be frightened of.

[woolldog]

18. I didn't read it that way at all.

It's a good article.

[Cha]

10. Thanks for this article, babylonsister.

My friend who was a hilary supporter actually called me about this article today and was really excited about it.

She's also really happy with Obama now. She asked me if I seen the Tom Friedman article on DU and I hadn't yet..she said, "you will".

Didn't tell me what it was about just that I had to see it. I know now why she was happy about it. This is about including everybody..Muslims, too. Enough division. World Peace, baby. It can be done if the fascists lose.

[babylonsister]

14. Good news; I agree with your friend. Also good to know there

are a lot of people who read this over their morning lattes(!).

[Cha]

17. Kuchicha tea

in their case but, yes, they're avid NYT readers. Can't wait to tell her your reaction, too.

[DerekJ]

3. I visited Egypt. If you went there you will know that the people there are anything but enemies. But

just like the rest of the world, they currently hate your guts. I had to keep repeating the phrase "I'm Canadian" and enjoys the change of facial expressions the minute I said it (Hate to say it, but they seem to be immediately a lot more friendly).

I can tell you they are very hurt and disappointed, after having a lot of faith in the U.S. to be the world just referee to see it turn to its worst nightmare.

[babylonsister]

4. So Obama as president might restore their faith; sounds good to me. nt

[eleny]

6. Please see my reply #5

Perhaps I don't trust Friedman's motives.

[blogslut]

9. I don't trust him either

I am glad to see people all over the world excited about an Obama presidency but Thomas Friedman's motives are always questionable.

[Cha]

11. They don't hate us..they hate

fucking bushites.

[gcomeau]

15. Many are uninclined to draw a distinction...

...after seeing the U.S. electorate re-elect him after seeing him in action for four years.

Electing him once was excusable as a horrible lack of foresight. The second time, not so much. And that it was a very thin margin with some big old question marks attached to the integrity of some of the votes doesn't really matter.

The U.S. really needs this one to go right this time.

[Cha]

19. They know about the diebold machines and the

US Propaganda machines AKA/US media, I suppose?

Poor Americans..we really need to do something.. like get Obama Elected!

[Rosa Luxemburg]

7. Good news all over the world too!

people would be relieved if Obama is President. They were very concerned that their safety was in jeopardy. My friends in Tel Aviv (Israel) are pleased with Obama too.