Reply #20: Great speech - thanks for posting.

[Island Blue]

I thought this part was totally on the mark.

Literally, the west must reclaim its moral leadership. To be successful in this battle of ideas, we must undermine the jihadist propaganda about the west. All allied nations have to pay greater attention to how our words and deeds are understood in the Middle East, because our good intentions are doubted by the very people the terrorists seek to turn against us. And these efforts must be bolstered with tangible investments, not just in foreign aid, but in the Arab people themselves in the form of schools, hospitals and other institutions that give people a voice and a stake in civil society.

My neighbors lived in Saudi for nearly twenty years (the husband worked for an American company there), and they often talk about about their experiences there, and about many cultural characteristics unique to the Arab/Muslim people. I think the US has totally failed (most likely on purpose) to understand these differences and this failure of understanding has caused many problems and created many fresh, new "terrorists".

On another note, I've often thought about the conflict in Northern Ireland when hearing about some of the atrocities (such as Abu Grab)that Bush and his cabal have committed during the "war on terror". We apparently learned much from what the British government did to the Catholics in the North during the 60's, 70's and 80's including occupying an entire nation at gunpoint, interning people indefinitely without trail, torture, etc.

Helping to broker peace in the North of Ireland was IMO one of the greatest accomplishments of the Clinton Administration. It's going to take a Herculean effort to do the same in the Middle East, and we damn well better elect an American president who's up to the challenge!

And finally, I hope JK had at least a little extra time to see a bit of the country. It's an unforgettable place that has a very special place in my heart. I'm glad he was able to reschedule this trip!