Marc Ambinder is getting those leg chills about the president’s speech at the memorial service in Fort Hood, calling it his “best speech ever,” and saying that “sometimes the man, the moment and the words come together and meet the challenge.”
Having missed the speech in person, my leg remains obdurately unchilled.
Possibly because of this line in the president’s speech:
It may be hard to comprehend the twisted logic that led to this tragedy. But this much we do know – no faith justifies these murderous and craven acts; no just and loving God looks upon them with favor.
Which has the disadvantage of being not technically true, as Hasan the Risible himself pointed out in this rambling diatribe “medical discussion” written at perhaps the 7th grade level to colleagues at Walter Reed Medical Center back in June, 2007.
There are, in fact, Koranic injunctions that positively require the kind of action Hasan the Angrily Impotent took last week in Killeen, Texas. The fact that the vast majority of Muslims live peaceable lives focused on the “inner struggle” of the greater jihad, does not obliterate the fact that a sizable minority feel strongly – and are scripturally supported in those feelings – that the “lesser jihad’ obligates them to slit the throats of those infidels who cannot be compelled to pay the jizya tax and submit to Muslim domination.
There must be a way for our separate cultures to get along on a mutually respectful basis. But I cannot believe that deliberately obscuring the nature of those who commit these acts will bring us all safely to that harbor.
More than anything else, this sort of talk insults the intelligence of its Western audiences. After all, the devout Muslim knows that Hasan did the “right thing” by placing his faith above his countrymen, and doesn’t need the president’s obfuscations to tell him how to interpret his sacred texts.
None of this is intended to forgive or worse provoke uncharitable acts of anti-Muslim bigotry – we remain far too good for such things, we have no need to burn markets, we will engage in no riots, nor indulge in any death threats. Any kooks or cranks that do can be assured not only blanket condemnation but swift justice.
Our laws, unlike those of others, make no room for the mass murder of other people because of their faith. Before we can move through these trying times, it would be nice to recognize that distinction, rather than attempt to obscure it with wishful, airy language.
While we are it, could we at least once treat the American people as the kind of adults they have proven themselves to be over the course of the last eight years?
Because that would be nice too.
I wish the President had taken this opportunity to point out and reject Hasan’s conclusion that we are in fact fighting wars against Muslims. He might have asserted that we are fighting on the side of some Muslims–broadly, those willing to live and let live–against other Muslims who feel it their duty to kill the infidel.
The President might have pointed out–as a remarkable imam, whom I’m glad to have on our side, did on NPR today–that our enemy kills a great many more Muslims than we do. Does it on purpose, even as we try to win while killing as few people as possible.
Leave it to Obama to muddle “logic” and “faith” in one paragraph. And PS, one faith does “justify these murderous and craven acts.” Its called the Muslim Faith. Finally, these victims were killed by “political correctness” almost as much as Hasan. He pretty much shouted to associates .. “I’m going Jihad!
It would really be a shame if people were to politicize this tragedy. Weren’t you the same ones bitching about Obama’s visit to Dover last week? Hypocrites, all of you.
Alos, you paint with a pretty broad brush – what in my commentary above do you consider “politicization”? Or for that matter the subsequent commentary?
Actually, don’t bother answering. In all our time together, I’ve never read anything you’ve written that was worth the moments spent reading.
Some examples of your superior morality: “How many women have you slept with? I’m guessing most “men” on this board are in single digits.”
On the subject Ted Kennedy leaving a woman to drown. For hours. “You guys must think Laura Bush is a “cold blooded murderer” too.”
On the politicization of the government: “More shamelss (sic):
Tom Ridge confirms a long-held suspicion among Bush critics, writing in his new autobiography that he “was pushed to raise the security alert on the eve of President Bush’s re-election, something he saw as politically motivated and worth resigning over.”
(Em, no – he didn’t.)
On the politicization of tragedy: ““Seen any new 9/11’s since 9/11?”
Not since the one on Bush’s watch.”
I could go on. Can’t think of a single reason I ought to.
You know, you’re not really up to the level of discussion here. Wouldn’t you be happier somewhere else?
Until now I’ve never seen somebody who was out of his depth, intellectually speaking, wherever the sidewalk was wet.
So, Lex, how’s things going policing the camp followers?
(In ancient times, armies made camp, slept and did their stuff, broke camp and moved on in the morning. These same armies often were paid from loot captured from enemy camps after having killed the enemy or routed them. Family, merchants, and their wealth followed the camps to be near the soldiers and provide those necessities the military life did not afford. One of the most difficult parts of keeping an army on the move wasn’t the logistics of a moving army, it was managing the train of civilians following said army.)
Hence, camp follower. See also “Your mother swims after troop ships.”
– Max
Alos,
Get used to your epithets. Call me what you want. I used to thing folks like you had a real input. Now, it is only recognized as nonsensical and deadly.
Your distaste for us calling you out must be uncomfortable. Your howls ring so truly hollow and make so many of us only grin anymore. Thanks for the repeated innoculations. Americans will are finally recognizing your ideology for what is really is…. Naive and self righteous and deadly. We are going to start holding your mindset accountable and it will be slowly but firmly start getting dismissed. Your ideology and its consequences have finally started a longlasting response from decent Americans who moslty stayed home, raised kids, paid taxes, volunteered in their communities and let Americans choose their own thing. They basically only voted. Now you have contests and citizens running like in the 23rd. Must be a drag, lowly unwashed Americans calling you out. Congratulations, you have blown it and when the wheels of accountability finally get going, you will be howling all the more. Must tip the hat to you though, doing your patrol duty for the truly enlightened in our little hole of the universe of the unclean
Is there anyone else who wonders where this guy got his reputation for being a brilliant public speaker? I only watch Sponge Bob and Phinius and Ferb but the few occasions when I’ve graced my ears with our president’s speech…he sounds like James T. Kirk. Has anybody else noticed this? He does not sound like a smart man.
Perhaps, instead, he is not a well man?
Being, in the view of a recovering liberal Berkeley psychiatrist, actually a “nowhere man” for the rest of us?
SEE: http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/11/when_our_military_is_attacked.html
Lex: Regretfully, coexistence with Muslims in a peaceful, mutually respectful manner requires two things to occur;
1. It requires the Muslims to drop about half of Islam. Which is unfair to someone who really wants to sincerely practice the entirety of his religion.
2. It requires the utter physical domination (and by this I mean overwhelming military strength) of the non-Muslim party.
If both of these conditions are not met, the best you can hope for is an armed truce.
Lex,
You are a saint in the making. Artful and genteel way of telling someone to go bother somebody else. Most of us would have told him to go ___________ (fill in the blank) and ban him. Hats off to you. Best,
Dust
Actually, Curtis, my 14-year old son made the exact same point just the other day. “He sounds like that Star Trek guy.”
Maybe the “dramatic pauses” are just waiting for the teleprompter – or for him to catch up with it.
Let’s face it, he read a speech written by his “mind-meld” speech writer (I think it was the NYT who called the writer that). So what? James T. Kirk channeling Mr. Spock isn’t exactly art.
Well said, thank you. Nice to hear some calm voices of reason.
Joe in N. Calif.
Justice Robert H. Jackson – It is not the function of the government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the government from falling into error.
Alos,
An assignment for you:
Compare and contrast the visits to the troops at Fort Hood by George & Laura Bush, and the current president.
Take your time. I’m interested to hear your response, and how you came to that conclusion.
Respects,
I found it interesting that the President referenced Hasan only as a gunman. Seems to me this was an act of terror. Am I missing some important distinction?
NO.
I like that, Gaius… “He sounds like that Star Trek guy.” He really does, you know.
The speaker who really bothered me was Gen. Casey. If we ever lose diversity, that’ll be the real tragedy. Come on, General, you’re speaking at a memorial service for 13 murdered soldiers and 31 with casualties. That’s the best you can come up with???
Many of us have been to memorial services through-out our lives and despite the media throwing bouquets at this service, I wasn’t that impressed. I think we could have done better.
I think y’all are being unfair. I am really really really uncomfortable defending Obama, here, folks you are wrong.
Hasan gave his view (widely and wildly shared by others) (and disagreed-with by some at that grand rounds).
Obama gave his view, that differed markely.
I have been a card-carrying Presbyterian, attended Baptist, Miscellaneous, Assorted and Other churches and currently I am a card-carrying Episcopal Vestryman married to an Episcopal Deacon.
I was baptized in a Methodist church. Years ago I was madly in love with a Catholic woman and started down that road before I decided that was an error.
I am here to tell you there is no agreement among Christians about much of anything, particularly and especially with regard to which parts of the Bible mean what they say.
There isn’t even a lot of permanent agreement within one of those groups, you mayn have noticed–it is in the news a lot.
Obama sounds like he ha discovered that it is OK to stop campaigning, and now can start dealing with the problems.
I will forever wonder if this would mhave happened if Bush were still in charge.
I can te
I’ve read Obama’s speech. I’m not exactly overwhelmed. It’s neither eloquent, nor is it concise, and there is no over-arching principle I can read in it.
Obama is noted, apparently, for being eloquent.
Compare and contrast to the Gettysburgh Address.
Obama needs better speech-writers.
Not that I care much, I enjoy watching him disappoint, but this was a funeral service. Our honored dead deserve a eulogy. I didn’t read one in his speech.
– Max
Max,
I am really not trying to compare The One to Hitler, but something one of Hitler’s more important biographers, Ian Kershaw noted about Hitler – almost everyone of Hitler’s generation spoke of how charismatic he was. This led Kershaw to study how the popular view of Hitler’s charisma tells us a great deal about what a certain section of German society was looking for. Hence, all of the chattering classes talking about Pres. Obama’s charisma are describing what they admire – his grand generalizations, his fuzzy logic (in which he builds up one straw man after another only to manfully thwack it down) and his talk of unity while still deploying (with some subtlety) the sharp edges of partisanship. I have never gotten why or how Obama is supposed to be eloquent, but the combination of vagueness on hard choices, mewing noises of progressivism combined with veiled snarls at anyone to the right of Olympia Snowe seems like catnip to our chattering classes. In a sense, they see and hear themselves in the reflection and echoes of Pres. Obama’s deep shallowness and hollow rhetoric. They really are clinging desperately to their arugala and their statist/liberal religion in a world that is changing in ways they cannot understand.
His fuzzy logic. That is his art form. Not only that, but knowing what the crowd wants to hear, without a connection to what he plans to do.
he’s a pleaser in public, but a driven towards an agenda man in his inner circle (or is being driven by them).
I find it interesting how he says what he is doing in the run up to the election, but it seems we completely misconstrued his meaning by a long shot in many cases. EG: America telling other countries what do do was something he said we needed to stop, then he gets in AF One and tells the world we have mucked up all of history. Doesn’t believe in his own team, but sure wanted to be the coach.
I watched the memorial service live yesterday. Obama’s speech was OK – I got the sense he was trying very hard to avoid saying anything potentially inflammatory in his speech. Which, given the reason for the speech – seems appropriate to me.
I don’t find him all that charismatic as a speaker – he’s too wooden, too robotic. He jsut reads the lines as written – I almost wonder sometimes if there are “emotional directions” contained in the speech.
blah blah blah now turn your head to the right 25 degrees and incline your chin down 5 degrees…
Or maybe, “turn your head and smile” with foreign dignitaries?
An amazing video.
Exactly. Everything with him is scripted to the nth degree.
The story is in the eyes. “How long do I have to stand here like this? C’mon, man, this sh*t is painful. Can I stop now?”
It’s the same with Michelle. No smile in her eyes, just, I don’t know, anger? Resentment?
That’s something I don’t understand about either of them. They’ve both attained to the best that America has to offer, and, yet, both are filled with so much resentment and loathing towards with America.
The truth is in the eyes…
Makes me feel like he just tol’ me to turn my head and cough…
TELEPROMPTER MAN!
When you even have to take one out in the Rodeo Ring with you…..you’re an empty suit or empty head or both, or: Have to be reminded to not say what you really want to say, like at closed door dinners with supporters, where you can trash everyone else.
I grow tired of hearing or reading that everyone of Obama’s speeches are/were “The Greatest Evah!” He gives good teleprompter using someone else’s words. His “greatest speech on race relations ever” back in Philadelphia is now, justly, forgotten. At the time we were told that it would be studied until the end of time.
Obama has different messages for different audiences. I’m reminded of Huie Long who said that he could talk & sell “High Cockalorum” in one end of Lousiana, then go talk and sell “Low Cockahirum” in the other end of the state.
Sign me “No Tingle Here”.
If you want to read the speech that Obama should have given, go to Jules Crittenden’s blog. In his commentary dated Nov. 11, he writes it all down as it should have been said. It would have been truly inspiring and memorable.
Marianne