Words Matter
Barack Obama has been attacked ever since he hit the national scene for being a good orator. The cynical wing nuts couldn’t make a case against him for his ability to communicate, so they accused him of being nothing but talk. But as we’ve seen in Cairo on Thursday and at Buchenwald on Friday, words can make a difference. With German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel by his side, Obama gave a soaring speech about how important it is to fight the spread of evil.
“This place teaches us that we must be ever vigilant about the spread of evil in our times. … We have to guard against cruelty in ourselves ….,” he said.
“And it is now up to us, the living, in our work, wherever we are, to resist injustice and intolerance and indifference in whatever forms they may take and ensure that those who were lost here did not go in vain.”
Most moving was the talk by Elie Wiesel, who imparted his experience watching his father die at Buchenwald, and how his inability to do more to help is father in his last moments have lived with him always. And Wiesel made the significant point that we have a long way to go, given what’s been happening all these years later.
Of Buchenwald, Wiesel said, “The world hasn’t learned.” If the world had learned, he said, his voice breaking, there would have been “no Cambodia, no Rwanda, no Darfur, no Bosnia … will the world ever learn? That is why Buchenwald is so important.”
The president has shown how important language is to convey widening understanding; to inspire; to unite. After all, a president’s job isn’t only to spearhead policy; leadership involves motivating, showing understanding and, yes, empathy. Noteworthy is that, in Cairo, Obama used the word “extremism,” but not “terrorism.”
There was no mention of “terrorists” or “terrorism,” just “violent extremists.” There was the suggestion that Israeli settlements are illegitimate and the assertion that the Palestinians “have suffered in pursuit of a homeland.” There were frequent references to the “Holy Koran” and echoes of Muslim phrases.
Obama went beyond quoting from the Koran; he signaled true understanding of a foreign culture.
Most striking to many Muslims was Obama’s use of the phrase “May peace be upon them” when referring to Moses, Jesus and Muhammad. It is a term of respect and reverence that Muslims use when referring, in speech or in writing, to such figures, and rarely is used by non-Muslims.
At a time when American men and women continue to make the ultimate sacrifice in Muslim nations, we have a president who is unquely qualified to send the messages we need to convey.
Go ahead and swoon, Alan. Just get the vapors and get it over with… Just make sure you have your hanky in your hand (the cute one with the needlepoint on it) and get on with it. BTW, speeches that ’soar’ usually do so because they are lighter than air – being filled with hot air…
TDro319 Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Actually all that hot air is coming from the Dick Cheney’s “Be afraid, be very afraid” revival tour.
average james Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Kregg,
Kinda reminds one of Ronald Reagan,
the whole swoon thing I mean.
Kregg Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
James said: Kinda reminds one of Ronald Reagan, the whole swoon thing I mean.
K: Its entirely possible to swoon over Reagan’s stuff, too. No one should blindly accept a politician’s words until one has thoroughly and personally examined them. Alan needs no such caution as BO has used the right key words to make Alan swoon. ;-)
average james Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
He he he he
Kregg Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
The Eric said: You take Obama out and then suddenly Kregg would be all: Great post, Alan.
K: Naw, Eric, I pretty much figure Alan incapable of ‘great posts’.
Kregg Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
From Gallup –
“According to a May 29-31 Gallup Poll, 37% of Americans have a favorable view of Cheney and 34% have a favorable view of Pelosi. Both Cheney and Pelosi are viewed unfavorably by at least half of Americans.
K: Seems Darth Cheney is in better with the masses than is Stretch Pelosi…
EricG Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
You just hate Obama so much that you cannot be objective in anything that has those five letters in it.
You take Obama out and then suddenly Kregg would be all:
Great post, Alan.
” speeches that ’soar’ usually do so because they are lighter than air – being filled with hot air”
So my radio should float right out the window when Hannity, Limbaugh and Beck come on the air. Because the Anti-Obama Haters do nothing but puff hot air into the radio all day and there is nothing but anti-American, unpatriotic and shallow sentiments in all of it.
Fact is that President Obama is doing an excellent job as president and the real reason why right wingers resent him so is that he is a better president than any Republican has proven to be in a LONG time.
Jealously and resentment instead of rational disagreement and sound policy alternatives is all th conservatives of America have become.
I don’t see the need for mutual respect if one side is just hate, racism, bigotry and partisanship.
Seems to me that such things must be purged from society like slavery. Maybe I’m over-reaching.
flap Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
“Maybe I’m over-reaching.”
Yeah, your partisan hyperbole overreaches just a wee bit.
Kregg Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
The Eric said: You take Obama out and then suddenly Kregg would be all: Great post, Alan.
K: Naw, Eric, I pretty much figure Alan incapable of ‘great posts’.
Lily Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
So it’s us that you come here for? :P
Kregg Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Lily said: So it’s us that you come here for? :P
K: Yup… ;-)
sbj Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Beam me up Scotty, erm, Kregg :)
Kregg Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
SBJ said: Beam me up Scotty, erm, Kregg :)
K: Get in line, girl, Lily’s first…
June 5th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Alan,
Obama proved in his latest adventure abroad that he is an equal opportunity liar! He is becoming the master of telling the people he is with what they want to hear and then changing the message for the next group (i.e. America is a Christian nation (70+%)and not one of the World’s largest Muslim nations to the Muslim audience and I am a Christian to America during the campaign).
average james Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Funny thing is Dahlby,
We are not a “Christian” nation as specifically noted in our constitution.
He also told the Cairo audience that he was a Christian.
average james Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Just curious Dahlby,
Have you listened to the speech in it’s entirety, or did you just get some little tidbits from Fox news or AM radio ?
Context is important.
placefield Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
He did not say we are a large Muslim nation. He said we are a nation with one of the largest Muslim populations. Still inaccurate but a completely different statement. If you are going to criticize him for part of his speech at least criticize him for something he actually said.
Lily Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
“He said we are a nation with one of the largest Muslim populations.”
————————————
Also, he was talking about numbers rather than percentages.
Bernie-in-Michigan Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Lily,
In 2007 US census bureau pegged Muslim populate at 2.35 million. Hardly a very big number when one considers there are approximately 1.5 billion Muslims in the world.
Lily Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
That has nothing to do with what I said though.
June 5th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
(i.e. America is a Christian nation (70+%)and not one of the World’s largest Muslim nations to the Muslim audience and I am a Christian to America during the campaign). ~ Dahlby
Turn off the radio and pay attention. Here’s the actual quotes with the related spin:
President Obama:
If you actually took the number of Muslim Americans, we’d be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.
Sean Hannity:
He honors the national day of prayer behind closed doors. Now, on his Middle East apology tour, the President calls the U.S. a “Muslim nation.”
President Obama:
We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation, or a Jewish nation, or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens, who are bound by ideals.
Sean Hannity:
The same president who insists the U.S. is not a Christian nation is now calling us a Muslim nation.
June 5th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Funny how people can “hear” the same speech and get different things out of it! Sometimes it shows a bias that can’t be hidden. That bias does go both ways.
Kregg Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
And we know which way it went with Alan.
EricG Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
And we also which it went with you, Kregg.
I think Budda makes a great point here.
Bias goes beyond just what you type into teh internet or say on a radio show.
Bias is happening when you watch the speech, when you read the article, when you read these words right now.
There is no avoiding it absolutely.
But it pretty clear to me that REPUBLICAN bias is the source of the lies and propaganda that is destroying the facts about the economy and the president. No other source.
Kregg Reply:
June 7th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
The Eric pronounces: No other source.
K: Of course, you are right, TE.
bobfrommadison Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Funny how the same speaker can say two opposing things a year apart. This President is biased against himself.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jpmnZ5fb_NE76IjTGFwwGrCPUrCQD98KOCKO0
June 5th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Yeah we’re “Christian” like McDonald’s is fine eating, and just like any buffet you take what you like and heave out the rest.
Kregg Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Hey, Clinton LOVED Mickey Dee’s – who you sayin’ it ain’t fine dining?
OldLefty Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Sometimes, when you gotta have it, you gotta have it.
Although since I quit smoking, my weakness is the Wendy’s frosty.
Kregg Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Lefty said: Although since I quit smoking, my weakness is the Wendy’s frosty.
K: Interesting. I don’t smoke but am interested in what the cravings are when one quits. I’ve had friends do tootsie pops, hamburgers, etc… Is it a physical craving for food or just something to do with your hands that is the craving?
GuidoVanHorn Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 2:26 am
I love where I live, but the biggest problem I have is that the nearest Wendy’s is an hour away…how is this even possible?
Southern Girl Lib Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
My fav is the fish sandwich.
Kregg Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Ditto on my wife. Only thing on the menu she likes. I don’t like their stuff so don’t seek them out. Carl’s Jr bacon/onion ring/bbq sauce burger for me. When I don’t want the calories the meat patty goes in the bag for the dog. I quit asking them to simply leave out the patty because it freaked them out and they thought I was joking so I let them put it in the bag…
Southern Girl Lib Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
That’s haha funny. I used to be a vegetarian and it would freak the employees when I tried to order a cheese krystal – no meat.
Sarah Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
That is hilarious. “I’d like a hamburger, hold the meat.” I can imagine it takes awhile for that to sink in…But it makes perfect sense if you’re looking for a bacon sandwich.
I always get the Happy Meal. “Toy included” grabs me every time.
Kregg Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
SGL said: That’s haha funny. I used to be a vegetarian and it would freak the employees when I tried to order a cheese krystal – no meat.
K: I’m not entirely veggie but don’t cook much meat at home so the only place I eat it is out and about. Too easy to pick up 65 grams of saturated fat in a burger – which I don’t need at all – so took to ordering without meat. Theres a lot of burgers that make good sandwiches as ‘cheese with all the fixings’.
K: Why did you go carnivore after being vegetarian?
Lily Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I got a blank stare when I once ordered a virgin martini.
Kregg Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Sarah said: That is hilarious. “I’d like a hamburger, hold the meat.” I can imagine it takes awhile for that to sink in
K: Sometimes it never does. I have to tell them to forget my order – just give me a damned hamburger and then pull the meat myself.
S: …But it makes perfect sense if you’re looking for a bacon sandwich.
K: Burger King’s got a sourdough bacon hamburger that works well as a bacon/tomato/cheese sandwich on sourdough. That way you can soak those extra calories back up by ordering the twisty fries dripping with oil. Of course, the oil is just there to hold the salt you have to dump on them… I’m hungry!
Kregg Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Lily said: I got a blank stare when I once ordered a virgin martini.
K: Maybe you didn’t look like a virgin? ;-) Sorry, I just couldn’t resist. My wife orders virgin Daquiris and they look at her like she’s nuts. BTW, whats left in a ‘virgin’ martini but the olive?
Sarah Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Dios mios. I feel my arteries slamming shut, just from the description, Kregg, but I defer to your obvious expertise when it comes to fast-food. I’m gonna have to try your sandwich idea on my next BK foray.
I’ve eaten wings with extra sauce in the tub before. Saves a lot of time.
Lily Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Sarah said: I can imagine it takes awhile for that to sink in.
Kregg said: BTW, whats left in a ‘virgin’ martini but the olive?
—————————–
I guess Sarah’s comment holds true in more than one case.
Kregg Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Sarah said: Dios mios. I feel my arteries slamming shut, just from the description, Kregg, but I defer to your obvious expertise when it comes to fast-food. I’m gonna have to try your sandwich idea on my next BK foray.
K: I don’t eat it very often but sometimes I”m out and need to eat while moving about. Otherwise, my fingers would be too fat to type.
S: I’ve eaten wings with extra sauce in the tub before. Saves a lot of time.
K: Now you’re getting kinky! Were you naked? I’m seeing a completely new way to marital bliss developing! Whooooooo, BABY!!!! You try my sandwich idea – I’m shopping for wings and bbq sauce this afternoon. If I’m not back on by Monday – I went peacefully and a smile on my face (and probably all by my lonesome ;-)) Uh, BTW, how do you lure the spouse into the tub?
Kregg Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Lily said: I guess Sarah’s comment holds true in more than one case.
K: LOL. Serious, isn’t there something else in martinis but booze? I’ve never had one but James Bond is very precise about how his is made. ;-)
Lily Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
No, there’s nothing but booze. Which is why I enjoyed the blank stares as they tried to figure out what I wanted.
Kregg Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Lily said: No, there’s nothing but booze. Which is why I enjoyed the blank stares as they tried to figure out what I wanted.
K; Now THATS funny! You got me on that one. However, I’d of sat there figuring there were bitters or something else you wanted. It would have gone right over my head. However, I may try it myself just to see the reaction…
Sarah Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
I was completely stumped as well. Ha!
June 5th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Kregg,
I fell off the vegetarian wagon when my first husband walked out on me. (I’m happily remarried now) I lost my mind for a few months – day was night – night was day – veggies turned into meat ——— :)
Kregg Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
SGL said: I fell off the vegetarian wagon when my first husband walked out on me. (I’m happily remarried now) I lost my mind for a few months – day was night – night was day – veggies turned into meat ——— :)
K: It must leave a black hole when a spouse leaves. I can understand veggies becoming meat. I have a friend whose husband left for more sex after 20 some years. She holds her chin up but it quivers when no one is looking. I try to help where I can. Bad stuff…
EricG Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I swore off fast food for … five years … and then broke down and got me some grease piles.
Now I’m screwed. I crave junk food and don’t even always want to eat it so much as just crave for it. The stuff is like drugs or sex. If you can just walk away and forget about it then your good. But if you go back for that ‘one last milkshake’ your going to be back in there for the rest of your life.
I hear some ‘ultra-liberals’ talking about banning trans fat and BK-type joints.
I think they need to look up the word fascism and then explain why there is no such thing as environmental/health fascism.
They can’t.
People need to make their own decisions, however horrible they might be…
June 5th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
“And it is now up to us, the living, in our work, wherever we are, to resist injustice and intolerance and indifference in whatever forms they may take and ensure that those who were lost here did not go in vain.”
Exactly. Injustice like racism, bigotry and sexism. Intolerance like prejudice, hate and ignorant words.
David Henry Reply:
June 5th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Eric,
Labeling an extremely large section of the population as “racists, bigots & sexists” is just as intolerant, hateful and ignorant as the qualities you claim to abhor. Conservatives and Liberals agree on almost EVERY issue. It’s the solutions that they tend to disagree on. To twist disagreements on solutions as somehow racism or bigotry or ignorance demonstrates a narrow minded quality. That said, I’ve read your comments from time to time and believe you do not actually believe what you just said, at least not 100%. Your statements here today surprise me.
GuidoVanHorn Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 2:32 am
sometimes I think Eric is Bi-Polar and other times I think he’s just plain crazy…
Um Cara Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 2:36 am
I think Eric’s problem is he generally doesn’t think before he writes. And when he does think, he just thinks of how to be generically provocative, but without purpose.
He is more entertaining than Rocky, however – who is just a bore. Eric is at least colorful, and probably a likable person.
sky Reply:
June 7th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
see, now, I was just thinking that eric kicks ass…
angry, maybe, but SO how I think when I get angry.
June 5th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Kregg said,
Interesting. I don’t smoke but am interested in what the cravings are when one quits. I’ve had friends do tootsie pops, hamburgers, etc… Is it a physical craving for food or just something to do with your hands that is the craving?
………………………..
The craving came at the same time I would have had the first cigarette, ~ 3pm
You want SOMETHING, a taste, I didn’t want to chew gum, because that helped to hold off smoking for a little while and was part of the smoking life.
The lack of something to do with the hands resulting in snoozing.
The worst is when you are at someone’s house, you depend on smoking to alleviate boredom. Everybody knows you stepped outside to smoke…..Now, I can’t say, “I’m going to stand outside in the cold and rain for a while because I’m bored.”
Kregg Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Does it eventually go away or are you stuck with it?
Kregg Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 10:43 am
With so many boring people in the world I may take up smoking just to get away from them. Standing alone outside in the rain seems like an small price to pay.
June 5th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
Alan,
Words do matter, however for words to matter they must be backed up in some manner.
Obama’s actions by and large have more Chamberlainesque than anything.
Diplomacy is fine and dandy, and is a worthy goal, but to borrow an image from Teddy Roosevelt you have to not only have a big stick but be willing to wield it when necessary even if it’s for show.
Kregg Reply:
June 6th, 2009 at 10:44 am
well said.
June 6th, 2009 at 2:22 am
Haha, best thread ever… Thanks everyone :)
June 6th, 2009 at 2:59 am
Words matter, like “I want to spread the wealth.” Or, “I will end earmarks in my administration.” Or, “I will not put lobbyist in my administration.” Or, “I will have transparacy in my administration.”
June 6th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
From Foxnews.com –
“Hamas, which is considered a terrorist organization by the State Department, rose to power in Gaza through democratic elections.
Despite Obama’s outreach to the group during his speech, a spokesman for Hamas in Gaza said they were not pleased and expected the president to seek penance for American foreign policy.
“We’re disappointed that Obama didn’t apologize for American policy in Palestine, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Sudan,” Hamas spokesman Fouzi Barhoum said in an interview with FOX News. “There should also be more pressure on Israel to accept Palestinian rights.”
K: Seem’s BO’s words didn’t matter enough to these guys…
June 6th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
From the Jerusalem Post –
“In defiance of US President Barack Obama’s call on Israel to stop settlement activity, defiant settlers built a new outpost on Friday morning between Migron and Kochav Ya’acov.
“One of the activists said of Obama, “He’s an Arab Muslim and a gentile, he is fighting against the Jewish people and has declared that he will continue to do so. We already stated our intention to continue to build, no matter who is fighting us – Egypt, Germany or the US.”
K: I guess BO’s words DID matter to these guys…
June 6th, 2009 at 11:00 pm