Reply #70: Examine the root of the comments you dislike

[karynnj]

When a single HRC supporter admits that this comment (http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8452681&mesg_id=8452712 ) was OT and divisive, I will take your comments seriously. There would likely have been no negative comments on an essentially non-controversial HRC statement that contained many admirable words of praise. (My only comment would have been the one I made on calling it a "turning point" for Obama - which I pointed out was neither true nor what HRC said.)

A turning point for a person is when he/she changes opinions/strategies/goals. This speech was consistent with everything Obama said in 2007 or 2008. Now, it could be a turning point for Muslims perceptions of the US. Though Obama's less covered speech in Turkey may have been a first step. A few months ago, an Iman originally from Turkey spoke at an interfaith event at a synagogue. He spoke of hearing from people he knew from Turkey changing their opinion on the US in ways he never thought would happen in his life time.

The change also looks more severe because of how far our policy moved after January 2000. But this is the strongest outreach to the MiddleEast Muslim nations that I have seen since Jimmy Carter.