Obama's come-to-Allah speech

In another effort to reach out to the Muslim world, President Obama landed in Cairo, Egypt to give a speech at Cairo University. I applaud this effort as nobody can deny the tension between Islam and the West, especially after the 9/11 attacks and the Madrid and London terrorist bombings. However, I think he's preaching to the choir and although the speech is well delivered and well received, I'm sure the Islamist terrorists remain bent on destroying the West and Israel.

Seriously, the Muslims in the audience have absolutely no influence on the terrorists. How do you get a terrorist to listen to you? Certainly not through a well written speech. You get a terrorist's attention by hunting one down, lock him up, and maybe with the help of an "enhanced interrogation technique."

The New York Post makes an interesting point:

But if world peace is attained by complimenting those on the other side into submission, he made some serious progress.

Obama really buttered them up in Cairo.

He thanked them for everything from algebra to the pen, though he curiously failed to mention that they often throw people in prison for using it.

Exactly. Even though President Obama offers such praise of the Muslim world:

...share common principles -- principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.

How come the news coming from the Muslim world are often those of gender discrimination, honor killings, and suppression of free speech? If the religion of Islam indeed share those common principles, then clearly many Muslim governments are not putting those into practice. And it is profoundly unfortunate that the West sees this dark side of Islam, but then where are the Muslim critics of his or her own unjust leaders and governments? Rarely do we hear a Muslim criticize those who pervert his or her religion.

And about Israel:

America's strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied.

Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented Holocaust. Tomorrow, I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich. Six million Jews were killed -- more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, it is ignorant, and it is hateful. Threatening Israel with destruction -- or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews -- is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve.

I did notice that there's no "(Applause)" after this part of the speech, whereas when he talked about the plight of the Palestinians, the audience clapped. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? However, I'm glad he did talk about the Holocaust and anti-Semitism as a warning to Iranian President Ahmadinejad. Yet it's clear that some Israelis see their relation with America souring -- there's currently an anti-Obama campaign that is gathering steam.

President Obama needs to be clear to the world: Israel will always be a close friend. That region is so hostile and unstable that when Israel's enemies sniff a weakened U.S.-Israeli tie, they will definitely take advantage. We must remain at Israel's side. Always.

Overall the President gave a great speech being the talented orator that he is. But parts of the speech did sound like he was talking to the American people on domestic issues rather than to an audience in Egypt. His effort is appreciated and an improved relationship with Muslims benefits everyone.

N. Korea and other rogue nations see through Obama

North Korea's nuclear and missile tests on Memorial Day weekend has sent shock waves internationally by defying a U.N. Security Council resolution. Now the isolated communist regime conducts more saber rattling by threatening U.S. and S. Korean warships.

And what's the Obama administration's reaction? Nothing but a statement voicing displeasure and resuming the Six-Party Talks. Yes, more talks, more official statements, and more meetings. No doubt more Security Council resolutions may come out, and no doubt that N. Korea would ignore them.

We have known since the presidential campaign days that President Obama is naive about threats from rogue nations, and that he prefers diplomacy above all. In other words, he prefers the talk and not the walk.

The crazy leaders of N. Korea and Iran know this. That's why since President Obama took office, there has been more and more news about missile tests and nuclear weapons development. Countries like Japan, S. Korea, and Israel are increasingly feeling uneasy about the situation. But what does the Obama administration do? Nothing concrete to secure our allies' security. Instead, more international meetings and talk about pressure from the international community.

Heck, it took the White House days to rescue an American from just pirates. What will happen if nations attack our allies?

Israel knows it's on its own

The Obama administration is bent on the success of Palestinian statehood that it's alienating long-time ally Israel. The country faces the greatest threat from a nuclear Iran and the new Israeli government knows that America may not offer support to pre-emptively strike Iran. Rather than ask for permission from Washington, Israel will just keep us posted on the military operation should there be one.

And who can blame them? Israel has to do what's best for its people, even if that means ignoring what's going on in Washington. They need our support, and a strong Israel only helps America in its footing for a peaceful Middle East.

White House policy endangers ally Israel

The Obama administration is using peace talks with Palestinians as a bargaining chip to support Israel's efforts in preventing Iran's nuclear ambitions.

I can already hear what an Israeli may think: With a friend like Obama, who needs enemies?

Is this really the way to treat one of America's staunchest allies? The Jewish state is encircled by hostile neighbors, having the military capability to dominate the region but only uses force in self-defense and retaliation, and has shown kindness to Palestinians that's seldom reported. The leader of Iran has repeatedly issued threats to Israel, and now turned Iran into a nuclear power right in Israel's backyard. Yet the message from Washington is disturbingly clear: Sit at the table with Palestinian leadership or we'll cover our eyes and ears when it comes to Iran's nukes.

The White House is playing with Israeli lives. We need a strong friend in the Middle East, and Israel is the only candidate. Honestly, we need Israel more than it needs America. Just look at Israel's history. It has survived several wars and armed conflicts, yet it still stands. Seriously, it can do just fine without America.

But does President Obama realize it? Losing the faith and support of Israel will prove to be detrimental to America in the long term.

Obama gets no love from Latin America, either

I hate to say it, Mr. President, but America's global reputation isn't improving much with you sitting in the White House, either. Europe already gave you the cold shoulder. Now you're at the Summit of the Americas, and you're not getting a warm reception. The only "friendly" leader turns out to be Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, a known vocal critic of American policies and close ally of Cuba, China, and Russia (yes, countries which like to undermine U.S. efforts).

And you know why that is, President Obama? Because these politicians and leaders can see through you. They know you are not a decisive leader. They know you aren't even sure how to tackle domestic issues like the economy. They know you're losing strong friends in Europe and Israel. They closely observed your rise to stardom, but now they see just an empty suit.

Your presidency may turn out to be a very lonely place.

Dear Mr. Holocaust-Never-Happened...

President Obama's administration is drafting a letter to the madman of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in response to the Iranian president's congratulatory letter upon Obama's inauguration.

Hmmm, I wonder how the letter would start?

Dear Mr. I-Want-Nuclear-Bombs? Dear Mr. Wipe-Israel-Off-the-Map? Dear Mr. Holocaust-Never-Happened?...

Obama silence on Gaza war irks many

Oh yes, the silence is deafening. President-elect Obama has remained muted in light of the recent conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. Also not a word from his choice for Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. And same with Joe Biden, his V.P. with mountains of foreign policies experience.

It's starting to make many Obama supporters uncomfortable, like Simon Tisdall of The Guardian, even though he's hit the nail on the head:

Regional critics claim Obama is happy to break his pre-inauguration "no comment" rule on international issues when it suits him. They note his swift condemnation of November's terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Obama has also made frequent policy statements on mitigating the impact of the global credit crunch.

Exactly. Obama the politician at his best. He knows far too well that Israel is doing the right thing, but he's scared to piss off the pro-Palestinian/Hamas liberals (I'm betting the majority of them voted for Obama/Biden). He doesn't even have the guts to follow President Bush in voicing support of Israel, one of America's most staunch allies.

Isreal enters Gaza as savior, not invader

The international public opinion is once again condemning Israel's ground invasion into Gaza to root out Hamas and its rocket-lobbing terrorists. President Bush has recognized Hamas' provocation and supports Israel's right to self defense. Europe is divided, with France taking the lead in criticizing Israel.

Hamas' disregard for lives of innocent civilians, on both sides of the border, is again exposed. These terrorists fire rockets into Israeli townships, not military targets. Hamas members store weapons in mosques and people's homes and require people to stay there as human shields. The group encourages mothers to send their sons (and daughters) to be trained as suicide bombers. Its charter calls for the elimination of Israel.

Israel, on the other hand, tries its best in this bloody conflict to comply with humane and international laws. Its air force warns residents of air strikes. If a jet knows Hamas employs human shields, it will abort the missile firing. The IDF sends text messages to Gaza residents warning of imminent ground offensive, at the cost of the element of surprise and thus sacrificing more of its own soldiers.

I cannot help but wonder how many Palestinians actually wish for Israel to overpower Hamas and destroy it. Life in Gaza has been made miserable by this terrorist gang. How does anyone get away with using women and children as human shields? Unfortunately, they cannot voice their opposition to this nonsensical violence or risk death.

We all want peace. But history has taught us that peace often arrives after overwhelming power to destroy the enemy.

Crazy anti-Israel protestors in America

This video isn't shot on the streets of Gaza or an Arab nation. It was in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA, believe it or not. If Islam is a religion of peace, then these protestors aren't demonstrating it...

Mideast peace process is elusive

All eyes are on Israel as its air force continues to selectively strike within Gaza to kill Hamas leaders. Yes, there are civilian casualties, but compared to how Hamas indiscriminately aims its missiles specifically at civilian targets, the IDF is doing its best in preventing collateral damage. Even more worrisome is the fact that Hamas' weaponry has seen significant upgrades recently, including Iranian-made Fajr-3 missiles with greater range. That new firepower threatens Israel's nuclear power plant in Dimona, also a site said to contain the country's nuclear warheads.

There are those like Rosa Brooks of L.A. Times who criticizes Israel for trying to "bomb its way to peace." Never mind that Hamas terrorists started the whole provocation by launching rockets into Israeli towns. Although Brooks acknowledges Israel's right to self-defense and its superior military force, she thinks it's the Israeli politicians playing their game at the expense of rousing more Arab anti-Western sentiments:

Israel has no viable political endgame here: There's just no clear route from bombardment to a sustainable peace. But the damage caused by this new conflagration won't be limited to the Israelis and Palestinians. Israel's military offensive already has sparked outrage and protests throughout the Arab world. The current crisis also may destabilize some of the more moderate Arab governments in the region -- in Egypt, for instance -- where leaders now face popular backlash if they don't repudiate Israel.

And if you think that none of this really matters for us here in the U.S., you're kidding yourself. Arab and Islamic anger over Palestine continues to fuel anti-Western and anti-U.S. terrorism around the globe.

Unfortunately, there is no reasoning with Hamas. Its goal is to annihilate the state of Israel. How can Israel sit at a negotiation table when the other party wishes nothing but its death? Brooks is right in that Israel is in a lose-lose situation, but that doesn't mean it is doing something wrong. Peace in Mideast has been attempted many times but never came to fruition, not because of Israel's unwillingness, but rather because of the Palestinians' undying hostility and self-victimization.

Israel may not be able to bomb its way to peace, but those bombs are a sign that peace can still be achieved, even if through deadly deterrence.

Hamas, death incarnate

Hamas terrorists are killing their own and bombing Israelis in hopes to win the global propaganda war and annihilate the state of Israel, an important American ally. Here's how the Hamas operates:

In direct contravention of international law, Hamas uses Palestinian civilians as human shields, utilizing homes, schools and community centers as launching pads, content in the knowledge that if innocent Palestinian civilians are caught in the cross-fire, it will be Israel that is criticized. This amounts to a sort of Daily Double of human rights violations: the use of innocent Palestinians as human shields for the infliction of violence upon innocent Israelis.

It is Hamas that perfected the use of the suicide bomb, by which young Palestinians were induced to kill themselves so that Israelis could also be killed. It is somehow apt that Hamas should be forever associated with the suicide bomb, for in a larger sense Hamas has proved to be an instrument of the demise of Palestinians in Gaza.

In fact, Hamas has such a bad reputation these days that even oil-rich, wealthy Arab nations won't even help the Palestinians.