Obama's Easter / Passover message for your blogging pleasure...

If I knew it wouldn't drive you crazy, I'd have the Beatles "Come Together" - right now - playing as you read this... oh, shoot, I can't completely resist, the video is below the speech, you can click it and have it playing while you read the message if you choose :-) Lest you think I don't want the world to come together, let me correct that impression. I'm just not overly inspired by this Easter / Passover message.

President Obama Says Nations Must Unite To Overcome Global Challenges

In his weekly address, President Barack Obama extended his best wishes to everyone celebrating this week’s Passover and Easter holidays and called on nations around the world to come together to solve the current trials facing the world. On the heels of his weeklong trip overseas, the President said he believes it is important to acknowledge no single nation can solve global problems like a recession, international terrorism, climate change, or nuclear proliferation. But, working with other nations, the United States can lead the way in overcoming these challenges.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
Saturday, April 11, 2009

I speak to you today during a time that is holy and filled with meaning for believers around the world. Earlier this week, Jewish people gathered with family and friends to recite the stories of their ancestors’ struggle and ultimate liberation. Tomorrow, Christians of all denominations will come together to rejoice and remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

These are two very different holidays with their own very different traditions. But it seems fitting that we mark them both during the same week. For in a larger sense, they are both moments of reflection and renewal. They are both occasions to think more deeply about the obligations we have to ourselves and the obligations we have to one another, no matter who we are, where we come from, or what faith we practice.

This idea – that we are all bound up, as Martin Luther King once said, in "a single garment of destiny"– is a lesson of all the world’s great religions. And never has it been more important for us to reaffirm that lesson than it is today – at a time when we face tests and trials unlike any we have seen in our time. An economic crisis that recognizes no borders. Violent extremism that’s claimed the lives of innocent men, women, and children from Manhattan to Mumbai. An unsustainable dependence on foreign oil and other sources of energy that pollute our air and water and threaten our planet. The proliferation of the world’s most dangerous weapons, the persistence of deadly disease, and the recurrence of age-old conflicts.

These are challenges that no single nation, no matter how powerful, can confront alone. The United States must lead the way. But our best chance to solve these unprecedented problems comes from acting in concert with other nations. That is why I met with leaders of the G-20 nations to ensure that the world’s largest economies take strong and unified action in the face of the global economic crisis. Together, we’ve taken steps to stimulate growth, restore the flow of credit, open markets, and dramatically reform our financial regulatory system to prevent such crises from occurring again – steps that will lead to job creation at home.

It is only by working together that we will finally defeat 21st century security threats like al Qaeda. So it was heartening that our NATO allies united in Strasbourg behind our strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and contributed important resources to support our effort there.

It is only by coordinating with countries around the world that we will stop the spread of the world’s most dangerous weapons. That is why I laid out a strategy in Prague for us to work with Russia and other nations to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons; to secure nuclear materials from terrorists; and, ultimately, to free the world from the menace of a nuclear nightmare.

And it is only by building a new foundation of mutual trust that we will tackle some of our most entrenched problems. That is why, in Turkey, I spoke to members of Parliament and university students about rising above the barriers of race, region, and religion that too often divide us.

With all that is at stake today, we cannot afford to talk past one another. We can’t afford to allow old differences to prevent us from making progress in areas of common concern. We can’t afford to let walls of mistrust stand. Instead, we have to find – and build on – our mutual interests. For it is only when people come together, and seek common ground, that some of that mistrust can begin to fade. And that is where progress begins.

Make no mistake: we live in a dangerous world, and we must be strong and vigilant in the face of these threats. But let us not allow whatever differences we have with other nations to stop us from coming together around those solutions that are essential to our survival and success.

As we celebrate Passover, Easter, and this time of renewal, let’s find strength in our shared resolve and purpose in our common aspirations. And if we can do that, then not only will we fulfill the sacred meaning of these holy days, but we will fulfill the promise of our country as a leader around the world.

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Mr. Obama Goes Abroad Again, International Skills Still Sorely Lacking

"Islam has shaped the world for the better, including in the United States." It must be true, because Barack Hussein Obama spoke those words in Turkey today, to a large Muslim audience over Al Jazerra TV. He also said that the "U.S. is not at war with Islam and will never be."

Jihadists will be so relieved to hear that. These statements were spoken the same day that Secretary Gates presented an austere military budget to Congress in the face of massive domestic expenditures to radically and rapidly provide new advantages to the "underprivileged."

MSNBC's commentator assured viewers that Obama's new view of the U.S. and its relationship to the Muslim world is being received with widespread approval and reflects the majority US view on this matter. Said commentator also pointed to Obama's great advantage in having "Muslim" relatives. Evidently, no one has explained to this pseudo-journalist that to have Muslims in your family is like being "a little bit Jewish" - which is, itself, like being a "little bit pregnant" - ie, these modifiers all describe a condition that does not exist. If you are pregnant, Jewish or Muslim, you simple are. Period. Isn't it odd that the same Presidential candidate who attacked any opponent for falsely claiming he is Muslim - or even referring to his own middle name, Hussein - now wears his affinity for the Muslim world on his sleeve for all the world to see?

That Obama indeed has a Muslim heritage is long an established fact. However, his inability to accurately assess overseas reactions to his public presentations could be a danger to us all. Witness his full depth body bow and kiss on the hand of Saudi Arabian leader below. It doesn't take a body-language expert to read those gestures. When combined with the language of his televised speech above- and insipid overlooking of North Korea's aggression toward our Japanese allies, an undeniable signal is being sent - and it is not one of strength or leadership.

Link to video of 2 Bows here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zr6SiXRm6po

Also today, North Korea's of a missile over Japan was responded to with harsh words by Obama - but little else to back them up. As a North Korea expert on Lou Dobbs tonight pointed out, the tepid US reaction to North Korea's flagrant UN violations is perceived by their Communist government - and the leadership of their ally, China, as further signs of U.S. weakness.

While closer to home, it was announced today that, within 10 days, travel visas to Cuba will relax considerably. Bear in mind this is the same Cuba that is currently making plans for weaponry support off its coast by China, treacherously close to Florida's shoreline. Simultaneously Cuba's new Castro works closely with Chavez, who has been making plans for his dictator led country to receive similar support - off the Venezuelan coast - by none other than Russia.

It's now glaringly apparent, however unfortunate, that Joe Biden got it right in his puzzling, controversial pre-election statement. He stated that within 6 months of an Obama administration a danger to the U.S. would be posed from abroad and Americans would not be pleased with Obama's response. Lest any forget, mark his words and this post. An unconscious U.S. is now being surrounded with building military maneuvers by adversaries at the same time Obama- whether due to lack of judgment or lack of interest - signals these same adversaries that the U.S. is now humble, apologetic and ready to defer to their interests. . . . so countdown is 3 months down and less than 3 more to go.

Just days earlier, Obama assured the G20 - which offered no compliance of its own with his requests - that the US will comply with their demands for international controls to be placed on U.S. banks and related industries. This didn't seem to concern him either. Could be he was still basking in the glow of the UK Queen's gracious receipt of an ipod, loaded in advance with videos of his speeches, in case she missed some of them. Curtsy due same Queen for her finesse in restoring her equilibrium and grace after being unexpectedly manhandled by Mrs. Obama. Faux pas in Britain, apologias elsewhere and full bows to Islam.... and Main Stream Media wags on commending how Obama is recovering a US image tainted by an inept, distant Bush. There must be some humor in this . . . at least for a few more months to the countdown on our sovereignty, economic prosperity and national security.

We can only suppose that Congress and MSNBC will appear to be appropriately surprised!