President Obama - An Extremist's Nightmare (Joe Conason)

[jefferson_dem]

An Extremist’s Nightmare
By Joe Conason



In America’s struggle against the extremists and terrorists epitomized by Al Qaeda, the strategic imperatives are to divide the enemy and neutralize their base. Fortunately for the United States and its allies, the new American president understands how to do that—and is uniquely suited to accomplish the mission.

If in the aftermath of 9/11 Western intelligence agencies had tried to conceive of a leader whose background would enable him to engage the world’s Muslims, they might have imagined someone like Barack Hussein Obama. Most analysts would naturally assume that such a person could never become president of the United States, but if they allowed themselves to imagine an ideal spokesman for American values, he might well have looked very much like the man elected last November.

Touring the ancient Ottoman capital of Istanbul, Mr. Obama stood as a living refutation of extremist propaganda before he spoke a single word. Son and grandson of African Muslims, he symbolizes what is often called “American exceptionalism”—the durable belief that the United States is the world’s hope to escape the old and bloody divisions that have been so ruinous for humanity over the centuries.

He rose through an open and democratic process, despite the legacy of racism and the vicious smears that denigrated his Christian faith while depicting him as a secret adherent of radical Islam. His middle name, uttered with a sneer by bigots during the campaign, is now an important asset (especially among the Shia in Iran, Iraq and elsewhere). He personally embodies the message that America bears no ill intentions toward Muslims or their nations.

<SNIP>

While he returns home to remarkably strong and consistent support from most Americans, right-wing commentators relentlessly attempt to portray him as unworthy of trust and deficient in patriotism. They dishonestly truncate his speeches abroad, slicing out his defense of the United States and his rejection of anti-American propaganda, while headlining his candor about our flaws. They accuse him of apologizing for the war on terrorism, of “submission” to America’s adversaries and of “blaming America first” in seeking personal popularity abroad. They stand for policies that have brought us to the lowest stature in our history and they have nothing to offer, no policy or plan, except lies and deceptions.

The remarkable popularity of Mr. Obama across the world is not an artifact of anti-American sentiment, but its opposite—namely, the hope that America will again stand for liberal traditions of generosity and cooperation. Now he has made a beginning.

http://www.politickerny.com/2961/extremist-s-nightmare

[islandmkl]

1. the one thing the RW doesn't offer, can't offer, doesn't WANT to offer:

"...the hope that America will again stand for liberal traditions of generosity and cooperation."

[BeyondGeography]

2. He's the last adult standing in public life

And I'm glad he has an audience.

[babylonsister]

3. Rec'd. Great article! nt

[polichick]

4. Well said. k&r

[Peacetrain]

5. K & R good article

[marshall]

6. America is once again the leader of the world

It is inspiring to think that the rest of the world waits anxiously for America to lead us all forward.

[mzmolly]

7. Very well

stated.

K and R

[redqueen]

8. "They stand for policies that have brought us to the lowest stature in our history

and they have nothing to offer, no policy or plan, except lies and deceptions."

Boom.

[FrenchieCat]

9. Odd how the American people were smarter about this than was the media.....

who attempted to race bait voters all the way to the very end.