Comments on: Obama’s World http://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/ Promoting a fierce but respectful dialogue among the highly diverse youth of the Middle East Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:56:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Election 08: One story, two possible endings, it is up to us to decide! | OpinionHead.comhttp://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-228014 Election 08: One story, two possible endings, it is up to us to decide! | OpinionHead.com Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:55:30 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-228014 [...] One candidate wants to change not just our country but the whole world, below is a quote from a Pro-Obama Website. Obama cannot radically change the established system of immoral capitalism, but he may incite new va... [...] [...] One candidate wants to change not just our country but the whole world, below is a quote from a Pro-Obama Website. Obama cannot radically change the established system of immoral capitalism, but he may incite new va… [...]

]]> By: Jahanshah Rashidianhttp://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-135281 Jahanshah Rashidian Tue, 15 Apr 2008 18:43:50 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-135281 I think Obama’s intellect and charisma is more than any other candidate. Nobody can contests his genuine love of humanity, his vision of a fair and just society. Mr. Obama has all the characteristics of a true president and has the power to start one.In my opinion Obama’s world will not fuel spread of extremism around the globe, but will lead to the rise of more and more self-awareness in the world. The working class and middle east in turn will lead to social and political involvement. As a result of neocons, we have frustration, alienation in the working and middle klass in the west and chaos in the third worls especially the turmoil Middle East.I believe that we need to have a firm stance against extremism, by trying to bring the masses to themselves. Extremists use and abuse lack of democracy and awareness to grow and this is fatal for all. Promoting the failed system of Islamism in Iran needs foreign enemies to exist because its regressive organs can easily punish "foreigner's elements" and will set us back a few centuries.As odd as it may sound, I am of the opinion that the IRI and other dictatorial systems do not wish Obama. I think Obama’s intellect and charisma is more than any other candidate. Nobody can contests his genuine love of humanity, his vision of a fair and just society. Mr. Obama has all the characteristics of a true president and has the power to start one.

In my opinion Obama’s world will not fuel spread of extremism around the globe, but will lead to the rise of more and more self-awareness in the world. The working class and middle east in turn will lead to social and political involvement. As a result of neocons, we have frustration, alienation in the working and middle klass in the west and chaos in the third worls especially the turmoil Middle East.

I believe that we need to have a firm stance against extremism, by trying to bring the masses to themselves. Extremists use and abuse lack of democracy and awareness to grow and this is fatal for all. Promoting the failed system of Islamism in Iran needs foreign enemies to exist because its regressive organs can easily punish “foreigner’s elements” and will set us back a few centuries.

As odd as it may sound, I am of the opinion that the IRI and other dictatorial systems do not wish Obama.

]]> By: erichttp://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-135256 eric Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:21:16 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-135256 I think that Barack Obama will be elected president if he is chosen to represent the Democrats, but that isn't written in stone. If he is elected, I think over the next few years there are going to be a great deal of disappointed people out there. The guy is being set up as some sort of great saviour of America, to drag it out of it's imperialistic, "cowboy with an aircraft carrier" policies, overturn it's status as the great clubhouse of the mega-corporate elite (and give me a break about the white thing there, vicious capitalism has members of all races in it's ranks) and smooth over the race, money, and national divisions that infect the US like a nasty STD. He has a good philosophy, to be sure, but he has also mentioned invading Pakistan, ending NAFTA, and quite frankly I have yet to hear a concrete plan by any of the major candidates for the US to really leave Iraq, much less to pack up their bases in Saudi Arabia (which some Muslims apparently resent, for some strange reason). He will be taking the reins of a country in the grip of a major recession, paranoid as hell after 6 years of "rainbow alerts", and occupying two other nations. He will have to deal with major trade, employment, and foreign policy problems, not to mention the unrealistic expectations of millions of Americans who think that the internal and external problems facing their communities depend on the skin colour of their president. If he is elected, I think some very positive changes will occur on the American political landscape, but not until years of hard, ugly work have passed. Under the microscope of the US media, this will be even harder. I expect racial divisions to get worse, not better, as racists on both sides find ammuntion with every presidential setback and hard decision. I think the greatest challenge for Barack Obama will not be to get elected the first time; Hillary Clinton symbolizes the nasty, professional politics of the national level, and John McCain already looks a bit lost. I think his greatest challenge will be to get elected again. I think that Barack Obama will be elected president if he is chosen to represent the Democrats, but that isn’t written in stone. If he is elected, I think over the next few years there are going to be a great deal of disappointed people out there. The guy is being set up as some sort of great saviour of America, to drag it out of it’s imperialistic, “cowboy with an aircraft carrier” policies, overturn it’s status as the great clubhouse of the mega-corporate elite (and give me a break about the white thing there, vicious capitalism has members of all races in it’s ranks) and smooth over the race, money, and national divisions that infect the US like a nasty STD.
He has a good philosophy, to be sure, but he has also mentioned invading Pakistan, ending NAFTA, and quite frankly I have yet to hear a concrete plan by any of the major candidates for the US to really leave Iraq, much less to pack up their bases in Saudi Arabia (which some Muslims apparently resent, for some strange reason).
He will be taking the reins of a country in the grip of a major recession, paranoid as hell after 6 years of “rainbow alerts”, and occupying two other nations. He will have to deal with major trade, employment, and foreign policy problems, not to mention the unrealistic expectations of millions of Americans who think that the internal and external problems facing their communities depend on the skin colour of their president.
If he is elected, I think some very positive changes will occur on the American political landscape, but not until years of hard, ugly work have passed. Under the microscope of the US media, this will be even harder. I expect racial divisions to get worse, not better, as racists on both sides find ammuntion with every presidential setback and hard decision. I think the greatest challenge for Barack Obama will not be to get elected the first time; Hillary Clinton symbolizes the nasty, professional politics of the national level, and John McCain already looks a bit lost. I think his greatest challenge will be to get elected again.

]]> By: Tonto (USA)http://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-134979 Tonto (USA) Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:33:46 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-134979 I think patb is correct. Obama "ain't all of that". For one thing, he never had an honest job in his life. He never was a ghetto rat as he tries to portray. He has been outspoken against the 2nd amendment and a supporter of "affirmative action" (a 30 year program that now fosters mediocrity and is spoken against by several black leaders now). He and Hillary (who many absolutely detest) have both been caught in blatant untruths about their pasts and their political views. I don't know anyone who is "in love" with McCain, I personally would have actively supported other candidates who didn't make the cut, but McCain will probably be elected as the candidate of "lesser of several evils". You'll just have to put up with that as we do. I think patb is correct. Obama “ain’t all of that”. For one thing, he never had an honest job in his life. He never was a ghetto rat as he tries to portray. He has been outspoken against the 2nd amendment and a supporter of “affirmative action” (a 30 year program that now fosters mediocrity and is spoken against by several black leaders now). He and Hillary (who many absolutely detest) have both been caught in blatant untruths about their pasts and their political views. I don’t know anyone who is “in love” with McCain, I personally would have actively supported other candidates who didn’t make the cut, but McCain will probably be elected as the candidate of “lesser of several evils”. You’ll just have to put up with that as we do.

]]> By: Elephanthttp://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-134977 Elephant Mon, 14 Apr 2008 21:21:33 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-134977 <blockquote>Obama criticized Bush’s tax cuts as favoring the rich</blockquote> Yes he did, and that is inaccurate or at least incomplete. Does the dishonest spin he put on that tell you anything about Obama?NO I am NOT a supporter of George Bush.

Obama criticized Bush’s tax cuts as favoring the rich

Yes he did, and that is inaccurate or at least incomplete. Does the dishonest spin he put on that tell you anything about Obama?

NO I am NOT a supporter of George Bush.

]]> By: Nissim Dahan (Israel/USA)http://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-134963 Nissim Dahan (Israel/USA) Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:36:25 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-134963 I think that Obama could make a fine president, but he will need a reality check first. Some of his ideas are great. But others are unrealistic. He wants to get the hell out of Iraq. Wonderful. Then what?Are you going to let Iraq fall apart, and take the whole of the Middle East down with it? Or are you going to maintain a presence there, even as you gradually draw down your forces, redeploy to existing bases, and turn over the fighting to Iraqis, while continuing to supply and train them?And capitalism is not bad. It is just being used in bad ways. It's good to make money, as long as you do it honestly, and in a way that gives everyone on earth a place at the table, a stake in his or her future. The world is moving toward a globalized economy. You're not going to stop that. You just have to figure out how to bring everyone on board, while protecting the environment. Obama could help make this happen, but he will need a strong dose of reality to show him the way. I think that Obama could make a fine president, but he will need a reality check first. Some of his ideas are great. But others are unrealistic. He wants to get the hell out of Iraq. Wonderful. Then what?

Are you going to let Iraq fall apart, and take the whole of the Middle East down with it? Or are you going to maintain a presence there, even as you gradually draw down your forces, redeploy to existing bases, and turn over the fighting to Iraqis, while continuing to supply and train them?

And capitalism is not bad. It is just being used in bad ways. It’s good to make money, as long as you do it honestly, and in a way that gives everyone on earth a place at the table, a stake in his or her future. The world is moving toward a globalized economy. You’re not going to stop that. You just have to figure out how to bring everyone on board, while protecting the environment. Obama could help make this happen, but he will need a strong dose of reality to show him the way.

]]> By: patbhttp://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-134883 patb Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:47:23 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-134883 I think he'd make a fine "President" of Germany and support the proposition. He will not get elected and it is not because of his race. He is the most liberal of Democrats with socialist leanings and that is not mainstream America. He is photogenic, articulate etc. and would make a fine candidate on a reality show but not a President. Ain't gonna happen. I think he’d make a fine “President” of Germany and support the proposition.
He will not get elected and it is not because of his race.
He is the most liberal of Democrats with socialist leanings and that is not mainstream America.
He is photogenic, articulate etc. and would make a fine candidate on a reality show but not a President.
Ain’t gonna happen.

]]> By: Mohammad Memarianhttp://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-134858 Mohammad Memarian Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:08:47 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-134858 he sounds utopian. he sounds utopian.

]]> By: Omid T (Iran/USA)http://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-134826 Omid T (Iran/USA) Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:59:40 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-134826 “America Houses”...thats the best idea I have heard yet. “America Houses”…thats the best idea I have heard yet.

]]> By: Simon Columbushttp://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-134633 Simon Columbus Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:28:13 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-134633 I'm currently reading Obama's "Dreams from my father" and I have to say: Writing such a book, dealing with drug abuse and all, at the start of his career (He wrote it after finishing his studies), put him on some risk. But reprinting it during his political career, that's great. Because that's so special to me about Obama: It's not that he had a clean record - he just isn't hiding anything. That's a kind of honesty I miss with most politicians.And then, Obama has such a beautiful language - gorgeous! That's some English Mr. George W. "Cowboy" Bush can't even dream of. Simply great. I’m currently reading Obama’s “Dreams from my father” and I have to say: Writing such a book, dealing with drug abuse and all, at the start of his career (He wrote it after finishing his studies), put him on some risk. But reprinting it during his political career, that’s great. Because that’s so special to me about Obama: It’s not that he had a clean record – he just isn’t hiding anything. That’s a kind of honesty I miss with most politicians.

And then, Obama has such a beautiful language – gorgeous! That’s some English Mr. George W. “Cowboy” Bush can’t even dream of. Simply great.

]]> By: Karimhttp://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-134571 Karim Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:31:20 +0000 http://www.mideastyouth.com/2008/04/14/obamas-world/#comment-134571 I agree that Obama may change the face of U.S politics as perceived by the international community. However, I would caution that many of his campaign selling points have been used by candidates in the past; candidacies which generally have failed to deliver on their promises. The aspect which I was most impressed with, regarding Obama's foreign policy, was his plan against terrorism. I <a href="http://outsiderontheinside.com/2008/03/05/obamas-plan-against-terrorism/" rel="nofollow">wrote</a> about the importance of his emphasis on communication, and training individuals to communicate American views, intentions, and policies to Middle Eastern audiences. Here is an excerpt of that plan which is particularly noteworthy:<blockquote>Launch a Public Diplomacy Effort. World opinion of the United States has fallensignificantly since September 11. According to the Pew Global Attitudes Survey, 80 percent of citizens of predominantly Muslim countries have solidly negative views of the United States. Barack Obama will launch a coordinated, multi-agency program of public diplomacy. He will open “America Houses” in cities across the Arab world. Modeled on the successful program the United States launched in Germany following World War II, America Houses would offer state-of-the-art English-language training programs, discussions, and a wide selection of current periodicals, newspapers, and literature. They would offer free Internet access and moderated programs that promote direct exchange with Americans through the use of modern informationtechnology. Obama also would launch a new “America’s Voice Corps” to rapidly recruit and train fluent speakers of local languages (Arabic, Bahasa Melayu, Bahasan, Farsi, Urdu, and Turkish) with public diplomacy skills, who can ensure our voice is heard in the mass media and in our efforts on the ground. Together these initiatives will show the Arab world the best America has to offer.</blockquote> I agree that Obama may change the face of U.S politics as perceived by the international community. However, I would caution that many of his campaign selling points have been used by candidates in the past; candidacies which generally have failed to deliver on their promises. The aspect which I was most impressed with, regarding Obama’s foreign policy, was his plan against terrorism. I wrote about the importance of his emphasis on communication, and training individuals to communicate American views, intentions, and policies to Middle Eastern audiences. Here is an excerpt of that plan which is particularly noteworthy:

Launch a Public Diplomacy Effort. World opinion of the United States has fallensignificantly since September 11. According to the Pew Global Attitudes Survey, 80 percent of citizens of predominantly Muslim countries have solidly negative views of the United States. Barack Obama will launch a coordinated, multi-agency program of public diplomacy. He will open “America Houses” in cities across the Arab world. Modeled on the successful program the United States launched in Germany following World War II, America Houses would offer state-of-the-art English-language training programs, discussions, and a wide selection of current periodicals, newspapers, and literature. They would offer free Internet access and moderated programs that promote direct exchange with Americans through the use of modern informationtechnology. Obama also would launch a new “America’s Voice Corps” to rapidly recruit and train fluent speakers of local languages (Arabic, Bahasa Melayu, Bahasan, Farsi, Urdu, and Turkish) with public diplomacy skills, who can ensure our voice is heard in the mass media and in our efforts on the ground. Together these initiatives will show the Arab world the best America has to offer.

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