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Open letters to Obama
Qingu
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
If you could write an open letter to Obama (and hopefully, if whitehouse.gov becomes as participatory as he is claiming it should, you can!), what would you write?
Here is mine:
I am a jaded twentysomething anti-authoritarian who was about to move to Canada four years ago. I canvassed for Barack Obama because he impressed me. After tonight's speech I am confident in our new leader and eager to actually do my part.
Here is my biggest hope for President Obama. I hope he speaks not only to Americans, but to the Islamic world. And I hope he speaks to them using their language, and quoting from the Quran.
I say this not as a Muslim, or a Christian. In fact, I don't believe in any Gods. But I do believe in what is sometimes called "Western culture," of which I, as an American, are a part.
I don't believe the history of America and Europe is flawless. I don't believe that there is some idyllic past our culture must return to. I do believe, however, that our journey through history is pointing in the right direction. I believe in progress. I believe America today, for all its problems, is a better place than the America of 50 years ago—because, for all our problems, more of us today are more free, as individuals and as members of races, sexes, and ideology, to do as we like and to follow our dreams. George Bush talked so often about "freedom" that the word now seems like a vapid platitude, but the word means something. It is a value that has long measured our progress, and it defines and encaptulates American—and "Western"—culture. This culture, imperfect but improving and changing over time, is the culture of which I am proud to belong, and the culture that I wish more of the world, especially the Muslim world, belonged to as well.
The barriers between our culture and the Islamic world are porous. More than any other president before him, Obama can break through these barriers and speak to the Islamic world directly. But to do that, he must confront and refer to the Quran, the book that is the cornerstone of Islam even moreso than the Bible is the cornerstone of Christianity, a book that defines the daily routines and broad worldviews of more than a billion Muslims around the world—and a book that non-Muslims are perfectly capable of reading, understanding, and wielding.
Western politicians have used the Bible to speak to our own culture for more than a thousand years. But the Bible and the Quran are more similar than many people realize. If America hopes to gain influence with Muslims, to offer an alternative vision than the one offered by people like corrupt nationalist leaders like Saddam Hussein, like the fundamentalist Salafi mullahs who rule Saudi Arabia, like the apocalyptic Shi'a clerics who rule Iran, and deranged death cultists like Osama bin Laden—Americans should encourage Obama to take on the role of offering that vision.
And if Obama does take on this role, right-wing Americans should be smart enough to not revert to paranoid nonsense during the campaign about Obama being a secret Muslim. To any Republicans reading this: if you want to win this "war of civilizations" you're always talking about, it is time to grow up. There are better strategies for spreading our culture to Muslims than bombing them and killing millions of their family members. The Vietnam War did not do anything to help us win the war against Communism. Instead, it set us back and costed millions of lives, needlessly. We can win the so-called "War against Islamofascism" the same way we won the Cold War: through the strength of our industry and ingenuity and science, and by offering our rival culture a vision of a better world, a world they would actually want to live in, compared to the world they live in now.
So to President Obama: start speaking with a global audience in mind, because a global audience is certainly watching you. When you do, quote the parts of the Quran that support progressive Western culture—so that millions of Muslims will actually listen to you, instead of dismissing you as the "Great Satan."
Here is mine:
I am a jaded twentysomething anti-authoritarian who was about to move to Canada four years ago. I canvassed for Barack Obama because he impressed me. After tonight's speech I am confident in our new leader and eager to actually do my part.
Here is my biggest hope for President Obama. I hope he speaks not only to Americans, but to the Islamic world. And I hope he speaks to them using their language, and quoting from the Quran.
I say this not as a Muslim, or a Christian. In fact, I don't believe in any Gods. But I do believe in what is sometimes called "Western culture," of which I, as an American, are a part.
I don't believe the history of America and Europe is flawless. I don't believe that there is some idyllic past our culture must return to. I do believe, however, that our journey through history is pointing in the right direction. I believe in progress. I believe America today, for all its problems, is a better place than the America of 50 years ago—because, for all our problems, more of us today are more free, as individuals and as members of races, sexes, and ideology, to do as we like and to follow our dreams. George Bush talked so often about "freedom" that the word now seems like a vapid platitude, but the word means something. It is a value that has long measured our progress, and it defines and encaptulates American—and "Western"—culture. This culture, imperfect but improving and changing over time, is the culture of which I am proud to belong, and the culture that I wish more of the world, especially the Muslim world, belonged to as well.
The barriers between our culture and the Islamic world are porous. More than any other president before him, Obama can break through these barriers and speak to the Islamic world directly. But to do that, he must confront and refer to the Quran, the book that is the cornerstone of Islam even moreso than the Bible is the cornerstone of Christianity, a book that defines the daily routines and broad worldviews of more than a billion Muslims around the world—and a book that non-Muslims are perfectly capable of reading, understanding, and wielding.
Western politicians have used the Bible to speak to our own culture for more than a thousand years. But the Bible and the Quran are more similar than many people realize. If America hopes to gain influence with Muslims, to offer an alternative vision than the one offered by people like corrupt nationalist leaders like Saddam Hussein, like the fundamentalist Salafi mullahs who rule Saudi Arabia, like the apocalyptic Shi'a clerics who rule Iran, and deranged death cultists like Osama bin Laden—Americans should encourage Obama to take on the role of offering that vision.
And if Obama does take on this role, right-wing Americans should be smart enough to not revert to paranoid nonsense during the campaign about Obama being a secret Muslim. To any Republicans reading this: if you want to win this "war of civilizations" you're always talking about, it is time to grow up. There are better strategies for spreading our culture to Muslims than bombing them and killing millions of their family members. The Vietnam War did not do anything to help us win the war against Communism. Instead, it set us back and costed millions of lives, needlessly. We can win the so-called "War against Islamofascism" the same way we won the Cold War: through the strength of our industry and ingenuity and science, and by offering our rival culture a vision of a better world, a world they would actually want to live in, compared to the world they live in now.
So to President Obama: start speaking with a global audience in mind, because a global audience is certainly watching you. When you do, quote the parts of the Quran that support progressive Western culture—so that millions of Muslims will actually listen to you, instead of dismissing you as the "Great Satan."
Qingu on
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MY LIFE FOR YOU!
Love,
Trash Can Man.
where the white women at?
-Obs
AND MY AXE
hitting hot metal with hammers
AND MY BOW
So basically making one semi-racist joke that totally bombed wasn't good enough. He had to basically repeat it, on the same fuckin' day as well
No no no, it's a Blazing Saddles reference. You know, white town with a new black sheriff? Obs can be dumb, but he wasn't (to my knowledge) race-baiting with that.
Gods, I hope he wasn't. Obs, back me up, I'm defending you for once!
Also, the BBC had a fantastic series of open letters they've been reading every morning on my way to work. I'll see if I can dig them up. Good stuff.
:^:
Epic win
I think Rent and Qingu fail for not recognizing a Blazing Saddles reference.
XBL : lJesse Custerl | MWO: Jesse Custer | Best vid ever. | 2nd best vid ever.
My cheeks, they stream with tears.
BBC's Open Letters to a New President
All of them are pretty great, or at least were when I heard them at five in the damn morning driving to work.
I'm not against racist jokes. The line was funny in Blazing Saddles. But the reason it was funny is because it was used satirically. It was making fun of the ignorant ku klux klansmen who not only believe blacks think about this but would be motivated to chase after one who said this. When you laugh at such a joke, you are laughing ironically, at a hypothetical person that would think the joke was funny in an earnest, unironical fashion. I know that sounds awfully confusing and not very funny at all, but it's important to understand godless liberal culture if you're going to interact with us godless liberals.
Like other conservatives, Obs will defend his apparent racism by saying something like "lighten up, it was just a joke," despite the fact that he's either too stupid to actually appreciate the joke as intended—or else, like the klansmen in Blazing Saddles, he is actually the subject of the joke.
Also
Apologies Obs I thought you were cross-thread racebaiting, which earned my ire quite a bit
Sorry for shooting from the hip
Dear Barack Obama,
first of all, congratulations on your inauguration today as the President of the United States of America. You've done an outstanding job in providing vision, persistence and competence to the past election year. May your work as president be filled with similar qualities.
I'm a 24 your old young man that is not part of what is now your country. I feel however deeply involved in the statements and accomplishments you've made. For the last few years I've taken more interest in the world around me, and what I saw caused me great concern. I saw a world filled with disdain for other views, filled with disrespect for the world around us and a disinterest for visionary views that would look beyond personal gain and the next election cycle. I was truely worried about the world my children or grandchildren would grow up in.
Despite this, I also saw people that had the same eyes. They may not always agreed with me on the solutions or even the problems we would face, but I saw the concern that the current route was not sustainable. I saw these people, willing to prove to the world that another path was possible, but unsure in how they could achieve these goals. They saw and felt the same pressures that benefit in the short term, but would harm us in the long term.
I've seen with my own eyes what committed people can do. I've seen how a group of students and youngsters can create something where they would not only have a good time, but also develop a multitude of skills and establish a place that is unique and unrivaled in my country, solely by the power of commitment and vision. In other areas, I myself have fulfilled dreams that I would not have thought possible a few years ago, but by careful planning and pushing my boundaries I've set personal standards I only dreamt of all my life.
But to change one of the largest nations in the world, or even the world itself, requires a vision and determinence that is almost impossible to ask for. I do not think that you have all what it takes to accomplish that. But in the last few years, you have shown that you have the willingness to listen to the people who want to change this world, the judgement to assess the best course available to meet those wishes, and the ability to motivate Americans to join in this cause.
I know that you have a busy schedule ahead. I know that there are many problems facing America, right now and in the future. But I ask you, to not only speak to those with an American citizenship, but to all people who are willling to help. You have created an enormous amount of goodwill across the world and the opportunity is now. Programs which stimulate people to act for a greater good should not be limited to Americans, but extended to other parts of the world.
At the moment I'm planning joining a development program, probably in India. I know there are many people who share the willingness to help this world. The time is now to involve these people, this new generation, into creating not only a better America, but also a better world. For whatever problems people may have with America, the values you spoke of in your inauguration speech are ones that people worldwide stand for. The opportunity is now.
For shame, sir.
Dear Mr President,
Please, for fuck's sake, can we make gay-hating unconstitutional already? Prop 8 was ridiculous, but I hear they can't even adopt kids in Arkansas, what the fuck?
Thanks,
Yod
Hey...
I live in Arkansas.
by which I mean, I'm sad because I live here.
EDIT: Is Seattle a good place for Econ/Financial majors? I know that there are a bunch of PA'ers up there, and it's a blue state, so it has to be some sort of improvement.
I can say that from what I've seen, Obama is better than anything we have in Europe today. I'm quite sure I'm not the only one thinking that (and seeing how many political leaders try to compare themselves to / emulate Obama, I think a lot of politicians know they're outclassed).
EDIT: I'm not kidding when I say he already has created large amounts of goodwill. The whole world was dancing when he was elected, literally. Do not underestimate that, and take that opportunity.
But Obama's election has really changed that outlook for me. Not just because I'm hopeful he can help us get back on track, but also to see how much other countries look up to us now as the leader of the free world. It's cliched-sounding but it seems to fit.
Thread Over.
I know how you feel. For the past few years, I was waiting for something to happen to America, and guess what, it did. I was not all surprised by the financial crisis, and it can certainly turn easily into an economic crisis.
I don't know if Obama can turn the tide on this one. The challenges are great, and have been in the making for decades by my belief. But if there's one person who can, I believe it's Obama.
But even if America loses its economic superpower, there are many ways it can influence the rest of the world. The values he addressed in the inauguration speech are still valuable are not American exclusive, and many other countries and people will contribute to them if they feel it's worth it.
In fact, I believe that precisely in countries such as China and India, it is now more important than ever to include them in these ideas and efforts, as it will be easier now than over twenty years.
I hope you get well and I wish I will see you soon.
Love,
Your Grandson Frank
PSN ID : HBoxx
How did you become President... Aren't you a city?
Your drunken pal,
Australia
I just want you to know that everyone in Omaha that has seen this post gave you a thumbs up.
Please don't drastically cut the defense budget or put limits on travel or harass the hard working government employees with time consuming new procedures unless you are going to eliminate some of the useless time consuming procedures we already have.
also, please don't take my job away.
-Dunadan
Don't fuck this up dawg.
- 2kewlforskewl (cause I used a naughty word)
GM: Rusty Chains (DH Ongoing)
It's great that you got elected. In fact, I've spent the last year or so actively working to get you there. Now that you're in office, though, I'm out of a job. Not that I blame you, but seriously, the economy sucks right now. Is there any way we could do something about that so I can continue to feed my broadband/D&D obsession?
Basically; Can I count you as a reference?
OptimusZed, your loyal out-of-work retainer
They tried to bury us. They didn't know that we were seeds. 2018 Midterms. Get your shit together.
Thanks for taking office.
We were running out of room in the refugee camps.
Sincerely,
Canada
Can trade TF2 items or whatever else you're interested in. PM me.
Whoa, isn't that, like, totally weird? Mister President? You're not Mr. Obama, or Senator Obama, now you're all Mister President. Dude.
Also, please keep good on your promise to reach out conservatives and embrace conservative ideas on the rare occasion that we come up with one. Thanks for giving capitalism a manly, one-armed bro-hug in your speech yesterday, and please make health care here non-retarded.
XOXOXOX,
ElJeffe
It doesn't appear you're doing much different than what John McCain would have done. So as long as you stay the course you'll be just fine in my book.
-E
ps what kinda dog you getting??
We're not frothing partisans like most liberals can be.
Maybe he should have talked about that stuff during the campaign.
They tried to bury us. They didn't know that we were seeds. 2018 Midterms. Get your shit together.
Shut up, you two.
I know you gotta look after your people down there in the US, but in doing so, please don't fuck us over.
Love,
Canada
https://gofund.me/fa5990a5