Conservatives and Off-Base Lefties: Can You Top This?

Well over half the people who walk the face of this earth come from among the three Abrahamic traditions or faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It is no secret that there has been no love lost and little understanding between Islam, the fastest-growing of the three, and the other two.

Now, along came a newly installed civic leader, a President of the United States, generally recognized as the "leader of the free world." Since what is known as "the free world" is predominantly Christian, the new president can also claim to be the most significant leader on the world stage of that Abrahamic faith, Christianity. Among his earliest actions, the new United States President stunned the world by reaching out to Islam -- not from Washington, not by way of TV or the Internet -- no, he traveled to Egypt, put his body and his presidency on the line, and spoke to Islam as he would speak to us. "I know there are many -- Muslim and non-Muslim -- who question whether we can forge a new beginning," he said, emphasizing that, "It is easier to start wars than to end them."

And then, speaking from the epicenter of the Muslim world, to all the world, and to the essence of our humanity, he spoke this truth: "It is easier to blame others than to look inward, to see what is different about someone, than to find the things we share."

And who, for the love of God in three faiths, topped that this year?

Comments

[sawdustinhershoes]

Thank you, Mr. Lear.

[Netizen]

Mr. Lear, you are judging Mr. Obama by his WORDS, not by his ACTIONS.

Frankly, you are under-informed. Suggest you:
-- Obtain a transcript of the Cairo speech.
-- Then seek and open-mindedly read as many informed reviews of the speech as you can find ... both pro and con.
-- Then compare his WORDS in Cairo to his ACTIONS, contemporaneously and subsequently.

It saddens me profoundly that the great Norman Lear has become an apparent Obama true believer.

But I am astounded that the phrase "off-base lefties" took root in your brain. How is this possible?

You asked, "And who, for the love of God in three faiths, topped that this year?" If WORDS matter more to you than ACTIONS, you're found ‘the one’ for you. If you cannot see the heroic ACTIONS (consistent with their words), taken by many, many others … you could not have actually looked … but have instead remained content (and smugly so) in your faith in this single individual.

I hope that the cult of personality surrounding Mr. Obama ends swiftly, and that Americans will demand of this president that he live up to his campaign promises, and promise.

[jcwtts1]

Wow, so instead of making a concrete argument in your limited space you decided to say, the President is all talk in as many ways as possible. Let me explain the reality of the world. Words matter. They don't just matter a tiny bit, rather they are the fuel that drives the engine of change. You must have a clearly articulated vision and after 8 years of madness just saying, we screwed up, just saying we aren't always right, is such a powerful thing, such an accomplishment, that the fact that no other President in the modern era has done it should tell you something. People like you who talk about action don't seem to understand that humility is an action. Fairness and open-mindedness is an action, that being willing to listen is an action, and it is as powerful as dropping bombs and killing people. Maybe more powerful. You ignorance is stunning. You inability to step back from your despair and dislike of the President and recognize that just showing up in Cairo, an action, signaled a sea change of cataclysmic proportions in our diplomatic stance and in our national posture. I would guess that you have never spoken to an Arab or a Muslim in your entire life, but especially in the last 9 months. If you know any ask them about that moment. I've spoken to about 50. I state this clearly, you have no idea what you are talking about.

J

[kobrock1]

Who among us cannot recite a litany of history's examples of peace achieved through weakness. I sure wish someone had tried to appease Hitler.

[jcwtts1]

Also,

The liberal comment is because the very people who should give the President a chance are the least supportive, the least fair about his accomplishments. It is misery insurance and the act of intellectual cowardice.

J

[WestcoastSteve]

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..." etc.

Just words.

Guess they don't mean anything. Maybe they don't. America is launching a lot of wars, having corporations trying to dominate everything, and seeing a lot of her citizens fall into despair and poverty.

But America has a way of self-correcting, because the words of documents like the Declaration of Independence lay out a correct path to follow. People want these things, and strive towards them. So words count.

All things being equal, I am hearing absolutely nothing of worth, no words of guidance, nada, from the rulers of China, Russia, India, Iran, France, Britain, or any other country you care to name. Only from America and Obama.

Obama is less than a year into his mandate, and is striving to implement what he said. Maybe he'll fail, but at least we'll know what he was aiming for.

[sawdustinhershoes]

Wonderful! Bravo!

[terramartom]

So what you are really saying in that until fictional religion is reduced to story telling for amusement, Humanity, and the Planet is doomed to continuous war over a fictional and make believe God, created by irrational men!

[terramartom]

Words are a great beginning, but only actions create the directions for Peace.
Time for President Obama to pull out of Afghanistan.
Imagine to claim that you have a right to invade your neighbors home because you do not like how he raises his kids?
Would you allow this?
Bush was no more than a puppet and Cheney the Dictator.
Mr President, will you cave politically or will you actually serve the call for Peace through action?
Not only America but the World is watching.
America needs to stop using fictional Christianity to invade other countries for profit and greed, allowed by corrupt and self serving Politicians, and they were voted into office at that.
Otherwise the only alternative is the same as what led George Washington to revolt against Britain and the Monarchy.

[HekmabaJuzimax]

Budhha. He's an atheist, you know.

[Dunelm]

And this is why we need a President Obama. Actually, the God of the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths is the SAME god--if you believe what you read in the bible.

[sawdustinhershoes]

Interesting isn't it?

[thedirtman]

This is silver. Nice to see someone over here can reach out. Norman, we might actually see who is already reaching out to you and me and listen too. That would be gold.

This young man from Bandung, Indonesia reaches out and gives us an opportunity to listen. I don't think anyone over here is hearing him. People who have a song to sing just want you to hear their song too.

http://current.com/items/90450708_tomatosgrill-his-song-for-peace.htm

[Roderick Spencer - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you, Norman. I confess my first reaction was "what?? why?", but you've cut through the endless blizzard of undifferentiated 'news and opinion' to remind us that, indeed, that trip changed the world. And, god willing, it will be remembered as a major turning point. It was certainly a courageous act of leadership, and a step toward peace.

[kobrock1]

"Don't stop believin', hold on to that feelin'." A little trip down memory lane with Journey. Demeaning one's own country, whether it's done here or there, is nothing that will move mullahs. I can't seem to recall other world leaders ever taking it upon themselves to internationally prostrate themselves and their countries for any reason.

[terragazelle60]

Did you listen to the speach..really listen, or did you just listen to the Fox News translation?
He never demeaned this nation. It is not strength to be a bully. It is not strength to swagger and sow hate. It is strength to put yourself in the middle of your countries enemies and hold your hand out as a gesture of peace.

I guess after 8 years of B u s h its like the whole country has PTSD...or the Stockholm Syndrome.

[Fight4USA8]

___________"And who, for the love of God in three faiths, topped that this year? "

----------­---------T­hank you so much, Mr. Lear, hopfully, the President's critics will listen to you!!!

____To borrow a famous quote "YOU ARE WITH US OR AGAINST US, "

-------(YOU ARE WITH USA OR AGAINST USA)----WHY?

-----BECAUSE, PRESIDENT OBAMA IS "USA," AND "USA" IS PRESIDENT OBAMA


___My suggestion is that, every "World Leader" should or at list try to follow "PRESIDENT OBAMA'S LEADERSHIP STYLE.

--------President Obama accomplished more things in 8-months not only in the USA, but also around the World, than any USA PRESIDENT OR WORLD LEADER before him, considering, the magnitude of the crises he was faced nationally & internally the 1st day he took office.

____Again in his 8-months of his presidency, for the first time in history of "World Survey" a country (USA) was chosen as THE BEST COUNTRY, with the BEST LEADER, and it did not stop there---

---------"PRESIDENT OBAMA WON THE NOBEL PEACE PRICE" because the world's faith in him to do the right thing going forward, after listening his FRIENDLY, but POWERFUL INAUGURAL, AND OTHER SPEECHES AROUND THE WORLD.

--------Yet, his critics say "he does not deserve the Nobel Peace Price."

____I say, which of the "8 Plantets-excluding Earth, where you floating into the past 8-months."

[kobrock1]

For accomplishments, I think you're giving too much weight to his having successfully cultivated the White House Garden. I think the accomplishment of having quadrupled the previous record deficit, while not easily attainable, must be balanced against the irresponsibility of having done so. I will admit, his allowing the special forces snipers to fire at will, killing the Somali pirates, and freeing the captive hostage US captain, nauseated no proud American.

[Dots]

He also just delivered a peacemaking speech in hostile Bush country. Texas A&M.
He's the real deal folks. Read his books.

[unionave]

For those that enjoy turmoil , anxiety , hostility , and tension that trip to Egypt was not what they wanted . Without these conditions mind control over the people is not as effective . For those of us that want peace the trip was worth a Peace prize !

[NoFactsJustTruth]

I could NOT agree more!

How easily those making NO efforts at peace - throw stones at those that will.

Thank you for posting this, Mr. Lear.

[blogisti]

You are correct. Nobody in the world has given a peace, reconciliation speech in years never mind just this year. He knows all the moral, political, social and psychological realities as well as anyone, particularly a President. However, his actions have not always supported his words. In the end he will be judged on whether or not his actions have matched his eloquent speech. I think his Nobel Prize was aimed at being a nudge in the direction of action.

[jackbutler5555]

Lear's posting is like a blank slate. Whatever the hell he said, folks here see it as an opportunity to complain about whatever they don't like.

[Robster]

If a Muslim leader came to America and said the same kind of things I would take it was a sign of weakness and self-doubt.

[Maury66]

My mail order psychology degree tells me, Rob, that you have self doubt issues, which you tend to see in others, a form of transference, if you don't happen to be familiar. Not being the first person to point this out, let me say that Obama's self confidence and self awareness exceed that of Pres Bush by a factor of at least ten. Only the most delusional would see that, Rob.

[Maury66]

fail to see...fail to see....haha....by the way....Thanks to Mr Lear. Well said!