Obama On The Purpose Driven Islamic Life

Obama addresses the opening of the 2010 U.S.-Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar.  I especially like this:

Thank you all for being here.  As leaders in government, academia, media, business, faith organizations and civil society, you understand that we are all bound together by common aspirations—to live with dignity, to get an education, to enjoy healthy lives, to live in peace and security, and to give our children a better future.

Spoken like a secular humanist, and let's applaud his restraint in declining to plug a universal longing for government sponsored health care on his list of aspirations (I am scoring "enjoy healthy lives" as a mere flirtation).

However, one wonders whether Obama holds a rather limited view of self-identified Islamic leaders.  Perhaps, just as there are Christians in his own country bitterly clinging to the notion that faith is an important part of their life, there are Muslims who would find a place for "glorifying God" or "doing God's will" in their list of life's goals.

Oh, well - if Obama was trying to describe common ground between America and the Islamic world he missed a key point.  But if he was focusing on the common ground between the European and American liberal intelligentsia and the Islamic world, the omission of religion makes perfect sense.

Bad Rachel has lots more.

ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES:  Obama's new envoy sounds like just the guy to sell America to the Islamic world.

Comments

[Alright, I'll go find it.]

What did Shaw say about wanting another Ulster?
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[Bye, bye fer now. I'm happiest among my books.]

Oh, heck, too much Bernard, Red Pepper to Dynamite' Shaw lately. It was about Balfour.
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[Ignatz]

--Obama addresses the opening of the 2010 U.S.-Islamic World Forum in Doha, Qatar.--

I suspect this will have about as much success in encouraging moderation within Islam as cheerleading for the democrats in Germany and Italy would have in 1943.
History suggests the way to give moderates power is to kill and crush the extremists.

[bio mom]

Someone on another blog heard a rumor that Rahm Emmanuel may be leaving in favor of a more experienced, venerable hand. Just a rumor.

[Jack is Back!]

Well at least they had one Nobel prize winner there.

[Joseph Brown]

Rahmbo leaving "in favor of a more experienced hand?" You mean the "r" word had nothing to do with it? Yeah, right.
I wonder who O bowed down to this time? Or has he learned his lesson. Finally.

[Thomas Collins]

"a more experienced, venerable hand."

Could David Gergen be riding to the rescue of another Administration? :-))

[Janet]

David Gergen - the talking thumb. hitchin' a ride with another administration!

[Jane]

David Gergen - the father of the Miracle in Massachusetts. Bring it on.

[clarice]

I can't take three more years of this!

[Jim Ryan]

Clarice, it could not be going any better. The American people decided to pay big bucks for the admission to the nincompoop show. They are now clamoring for the exits.

[PDinDetroit]

The Purpose Driven Islamic Life...

Ah yes. This would be the one where an Islamic Life is gloriously ended by Purposely Driving into a High-Value Target Area and blowing oneself up.

Can we get "The One" to sign-up soon for this life-changing offer?

[bela1]

Hang in there Clarice. We in Massachusetts and naturally JOMers, are standing right with you through this entire experience. ;-)

[clarice]

I feel like I'm in some really stupid movie where an idiot sophomore takes over the place.

[PDinDetroit]

I feel like I'm in some really stupid movie where an idiot sophomore kindergartner takes over the place.

FIFY

[daddy]

"...we are all bound together by common aspirations—to live with dignity..."

Christian">http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Christian-Filipino-migrants-forced-to-convert-to-Islam-17478.html">Christian Filipino migrants forced to convert to Islam.