A Uniter, Not a Divider
The heart and soul of Obama's speech today in Cairo (PDF):
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; and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles — principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.
The haters around the world and especially in this country will no doubt find plenty wrong with this speech, because spawning hatred and deep divisions between people reflect their diseased hearts and dark souls. But Obama's speech is a brilliant overture to the great majority of people of all nations and all religions to reject the haters among us, and to focus on the things that we all hold in common and dear.
Obama's backpedaling and equivocations on a number of issues are troubling. But today's appeal to the Muslim world and to all the world underscores why Barack Hussein Obama is exactly the person the world needs at this moment in history.
