Happy Face 29 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 (edited) US President Barack Obama has said the "cycle of suspicion and discord" between the United States and the Muslim world must end. In a keynote speech in Cairo, Mr Obama called for a "new beginning" in ties. He admitted there had been "years of distrust" and said both sides needed to make a "sustained effort... to respect one another and seek common ground". Mr Obama made a number of references to the Koran and called on all faiths to live together in peace. The BBC's Christian Fraser in Cairo says Barack Obama wants to give a message of respect to a region which has often felt ignored, misunderstood or patronised by the US. White House officials said the speech was intended to start a process to "re-energise the dialogue with the Muslim world". Mr Obama's speech, at Cairo University, is part of a tour of the Middle East and Europe. 'Not so unique' Mr Obama said: "I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect." He said "violent extremists" had bred fear and that this "cycle of suspicion and discord must end". Mr Obama accepted that "no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust" but urged both sides to "say openly the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors". He cited the Koran as saying: "Be conscious of God and speak always the truth." Mr Obama said Islam had "always been a part of America's story". He added that much had been made of the fact an African-American named Barack Hussein Obama had become president, but he insisted his personal story was "not so unique". "The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores - that includes nearly seven million American Muslims." 'Intolerable' The president also said Muslim perceptions of the US must change. "Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire." Mr Obama said Islam had an important role in promoting peace and tackling extremism. On the key issues of Iraq and Afghanistan, the president said the US sought no permanent bases in either country. He said: "We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case." On the Israeli-Palestinian issue, Mr Obama said the bond with Israel was "unbreakable". He said: "Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong." OBAMA'S TOUR 3 June: Saudi Arabia - talks with King Abdullah on Israel-Palestinian peace negotiations 4 June: Egypt - talks with President Hosni Mubarak, keynote speech at Cairo university 5 June: Germany - meets Chancellor Angela Merkel, visits to Dresden and to Buchenwald concentration camp 6 June: France - meets President Nicolas Sarkozy, attends D-Day events in Normandy But he also said the "situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable". "Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel's right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine's," Mr Obama said. On the key issue of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Mr Obama said "there can be no progress towards peace without a halt to such construction". Israel is resisting calls to freeze building activity but Palestinian leaders have said there can be no progress towards peace without a halt. On the Iranian nuclear issue, Mr Obama said: "No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons" and said Iran had the right to peaceful nuclear power. But he said there should be no nuclear arms race in the Middle East. On democracy, Mr Obama said that "America does not presume to know what is best for everyone". "No system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/8082676.stm Why do the BBC refuse to refer to him as "President Obama"? I don't think I once read a story that referred to "Mr Bush" in 8 years. Edited July 2, 2009 by Happy Face Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 10659 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 Brevity? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 This is strange. Well spotted Nicos. A Parky star well earned. Let me think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob W 0 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 There may be two President Obama's?????? President Sir Parky Obama of Jormany and the other one in the (hem-hem) White House Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 I'm a bit worried about his trip to the middle east...Could be a very dangerous time for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renton 21032 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 US President Barack Obama has said the "cycle of suspicion and discord" between the United States and the Muslim world must end. In a keynote speech in Cairo, Mr President called for a "new beginning" in ties. He admitted there had been "years of distrust" and said both sides needed to make a "sustained effort... to respect one another and seek common ground". Mr President made a number of references to the Koran and called on all faiths to live together in peace. The BBC's Christian Fraser in Cairo says Barack Obama wants to give a message of respect to a region which has often felt ignored, misunderstood or patronised by the US. White House officials said the speech was intended to start a process to "re-energise the dialogue with the Muslim world". Mr President's speech, at Cairo University, is part of a tour of the Middle East and Europe. 'Not so unique' Mr President said: "I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world; one based upon mutual interest and mutual respect." He said "violent extremists" had bred fear and that this "cycle of suspicion and discord must end". Mr President accepted that "no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust" but urged both sides to "say openly the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors". He cited the Koran as saying: "Be conscious of God and speak always the truth." Mr President said Islam had "always been a part of America's story". He added that much had been made of the fact an African-American named Barack Hussein Obama had become president, but he insisted his personal story was "not so unique". "The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores - that includes nearly seven million American Muslims." 'Intolerable' The president also said Muslim perceptions of the US must change. "Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire." Mr President said Islam had an important role in promoting peace and tackling extremism. On the key issues of Iraq and Afghanistan, the president said the US sought no permanent bases in either country. He said: "We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case." On the Israeli-Palestinian issue, Mr President said the bond with Israel was "unbreakable". He said: "Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong." OBAMA'S TOUR 3 June: Saudi Arabia - talks with King Abdullah on Israel-Palestinian peace negotiations 4 June: Egypt - talks with President Hosni Mubarak, keynote speech at Cairo university 5 June: Germany - meets Chancellor Angela Merkel, visits to Dresden and to Buchenwald concentration camp 6 June: France - meets President Nicolas Sarkozy, attends D-Day events in Normandy But he also said the "situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable". "Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel's right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine's," Mr President said. On the key issue of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Mr President said "there can be no progress towards peace without a halt to such construction". Israel is resisting calls to freeze building activity but Palestinian leaders have said there can be no progress towards peace without a halt. On the Iranian nuclear issue, Mr President said: "No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons" and said Iran had the right to peaceful nuclear power. But he said there should be no nuclear arms race in the Middle East. On democracy, Mr President said that "America does not presume to know what is best for everyone". "No system of government can or should be imposed upon one nation by any other." Better? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khay 10 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1483867.stm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acrossthepond 866 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 I'm a bit worried about his trip to the middle east...Could be a very dangerous time for him. He's going to Egypt and Saudi man, two safest places he could possibly go. And even talking about this subject is giving it undue credence - there's nowhere on earth that wouldn't be 'safe' for the US President. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trophyshy 7066 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 Mr Bush sounds rather euphemistic. President Obama is a right mouthful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Face 29 Posted June 4, 2009 Author Share Posted June 4, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1483867.stm Yeah, I found another similar one. It calls him President Bush at least twice though. The Obama story always seems to seperate the name from the post. I'm sure it's not sinister, but I'll be keeping my eye on them in future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyluke 2 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1483867.stm Yeah, I found another similar one. It calls him President Bush at least twice though. The Obama story always seems to seperate the name from the post. I'm sure it's not sinister, but I'll be keeping my eye on them in future. You do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Face 29 Posted June 4, 2009 Author Share Posted June 4, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1483867.stm Yeah, I found another similar one. It calls him President Bush at least twice though. The Obama story always seems to seperate the name from the post. I'm sure it's not sinister, but I'll be keeping my eye on them in future. You do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyluke 2 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1483867.stm Yeah, I found another similar one. It calls him President Bush at least twice though. The Obama story always seems to seperate the name from the post. I'm sure it's not sinister, but I'll be keeping my eye on them in future. You do that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snakehips 0 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 I'm a bit worried about his trip to the middle east...Could be a very dangerous time for him. Almost as dangerous as when he gets home. Them thar christyans aint gonna like him huddlin' up to thurm thar mooslims. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyluke 2 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 Just for you Happy Face; was listening to five live on my errands this afternoon and they referred to him constantly as 'President Obama'. Happy now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Face 29 Posted June 4, 2009 Author Share Posted June 4, 2009 Just for you Happy Face; was listening to five live on my errands this afternoon and they referred to him constantly as 'President Obama'. Happy now? They must have been referring to the real one who doesn't go "palling around with terrorists" rather than the muslim loving traitor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trophyshy 7066 Posted June 4, 2009 Share Posted June 4, 2009 (edited) Edited June 4, 2009 by trophyshy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob W 0 Posted June 5, 2009 Share Posted June 5, 2009 I'm a bit worried about his trip to the middle east...Could be a very dangerous time for him. He's going to Egypt and Saudi man, two safest places he could possibly go. And even talking about this subject is giving it undue credence - there's nowhere on earth that wouldn't be 'safe' for the US President. more at risk in his own country TBH - no American President has even been threatened abroad but at home......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Face 29 Posted June 15, 2009 Author Share Posted June 15, 2009 (edited) Christ man, you're the president, sort it out. Take a leaf out of Gaddafi's book. Now there's a man with style. Edited June 15, 2009 by Happy Face Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snakehips 0 Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Christ man, you're the president, sort it out. Take a leaf out of Gaddafi's book. Now there's a man with style. Or the geezer who runs N.Korea. He's always nicely turned out. Mother would have liked him, always smart and presentable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 (edited) It's because Michelle wears the trousers. What worries Fop more is that the most powerful man in the world has tried to quit smoking several times and can't. Edited June 15, 2009 by Fop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Face 29 Posted July 2, 2009 Author Share Posted July 2, 2009 As he promised last year, Barack Obama has brought climate change and healthcare reform to the centre of the nation’s attention. As well as evangelising, he is pressing Congress to act. Last week the House of Representatives passed the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill to curb carbon emissions, a measure that, if enacted, would touch every part of the US economy. Both House and Senate have drafted far-reaching healthcare bills, with stunning price tags. Mr Obama aims to keep his promises, which is admirable. Unfortunately, there is a problem. This is not, as many Republicans argue, that neither issue requires forthright action. Both do. The problem is that the bills emerging from Congress are bad and Mr Obama does not seem to mind. The cap-and-trade bill is a travesty. Its net effect on short- to medium-term carbon emissions will be small to none. This is by design: a law that really made a difference would make energy dearer, hurt consumers and force an economic restructuring that would be painful for many industries and their workers. Congress cannot contemplate those effects. So the Waxman-Markey bill, while going through the complex motions of creating a carbon abatement regime, takes care to neutralise itself. It proposes safety valves that will ease the cap if it threatens to have a noticeable effect on energy prices. It relies heavily on offsets – theoretical carbon reductions bought from other countries or other industries – so that big US emitters will not need to try so hard. It gives emission permits away, and tells utilities to rebate the windfall to consumers, so their electricity bills do not go up. It creates a vastly complicated apparatus, a playground for special interests and rent-seekers, a minefield of unintended consequences – and the bottom line for all that is business as usual. If you regard universal access to health insurance as an urgent priority, as I do, the draft healthcare bills are easier to defend as at least a step in the right direction. Nonetheless, the same evasive mindset – the appetite for change without change – has guided their design. If you are happy with your present insurance, the bills’ designers keep telling voters, you will see no difference. The crux of the US healthcare problem is the incentives that encourage over-production and over-consumption of services. Addressing that would alter the way healthcare is paid for and delivered to all Americans. At that scary prospect, Congress looks away. Debate thus revolves around how much of an increase in coverage you can buy for $1,000bn over 10 years in subsidies and other outlays. That is a good question. But legislators aim to duck the bigger challenge: controlling long-term growth in costs per patient. On both climate change and healthcare, in other words, the US wills the end but not the means. This is where a president trusted by the electorate and unafraid to explain hard choices would be so valuable. Barack Obama, where are you? The president has cast himself not as a leader of reform, but as a cheerleader for “reform” – meaning anything, really, that can plausibly be called reform, however flawed. He has defined success down so far that many kinds of failure now qualify. Without hesitating, he has cast aside principles he emphasised during the campaign. On healthcare, for instance, he opposed an individual insurance mandate. On climate change, he was firm on the need to auction all emissions permits. Congress proposes to do the opposite in both cases and Mr Obama’s instant response is: “That will do nicely.” The White House calls this pragmatism. Never let the best be the enemy of the good. Better to take one step forward than blah, blah, blah. The argument sounds appealing and makes some sense, but is worth probing. First one must ask whether the bills really do represent progress, however modest. As they stand, this is doubtful, especially in the case of cap-and-trade. Then one must ask whether the US will get to where it needs to be on climate change and healthcare via a series of small steps. Perhaps the country has just one chance in the foreseeable future to get it right. The White House has said as much: “Never let a good crisis go to waste.” Botch these policies this time, and it may be years before Congress can start again. A White House that is more interested in promotion than in product development has another great drawback: it squanders talent. Mr Obama has impeccable taste in advisers: he has scooped up many of the country’s pre-eminent experts in almost every area of public policy. One wonders why. On the main domestic issues, they are not designing policy; they are working the phones, drumming up support for bills they would be deploring if they were not in the administration. Apart from anything else, this seems cruel. Mr President, examine your conscience and set your experts free. The greatest waste of talent in all this, however, is that of Mr Obama himself. Congress offers change without change – a green economy built on cheap coal and petrol; a healthcare transformation that asks nobody to pay more taxes or behave any differently – because that is what voters want. Is it too much to ask that Mr Obama should tell voters the truth? I think he could do it. He has everything it takes to be a strong president. He is choosing to be a weak one. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/706bbcde-640d-11...?nclick_check=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ender4 0 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 The Health-care reform is going to tough for him to pull off. i can't believe that so many millions of poor Americans don't get basic health-care - its like a third world country! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 The Health-care reform is going to tough for him to pull off. i can't believe that so many millions of poor Americans don't get basic health-care - its like a third world country! About a 100,000 live on the streets in LA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ender4 0 Posted July 20, 2009 Share Posted July 20, 2009 very true. i guess we also have homeless in the UK, but its just the scale of it that is astonishing in the USA. and the fact that they are meant to be one of the richest countries in the world, and even they don't have basic minimums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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