Obama in the Mideast

Re “Obama: Discord must end,” June 5

What a beautiful speech President Obama gave in Cairo. With the pragmatism of Thomas Jefferson and some of the fire of Persian poet Jalal al-din Rumi, our new president is laying out leadership and vision we’ve desperately needed.

Despite the nitpicking of cynics, the substance is all there. Obama’s faith and citations of people believing in one another -- and themselves -- are exactly what we need at this time.

G. Colby Allerton

Albany, Calif.

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So let me get this straight.

The big criticism of Obama’s speech is that he didn’t actually solve all of the problems in the Middle East in 55 or so minutes?

I guess that means that some people thought he really could.

Gwen Freeman

Los Angeles

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I am moved at reading the president’s speech in Cairo.

It shows his deep understanding of the Middle East, its issues and what is necessary to move forward to peace. I urge all to read it in its entirety.

Ralph Kottke

Los Angeles

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Obama revealed both his ignorance and his bias during his speech in Cairo by giving credit to Islam for technical advances.

It is a philosophical mistake, I believe, to give credit to a religion for the achievements of individuals -- especially scientific ones. It would be just as inaccurate to say that Christianity brought us the automobile or the electric light because they were invented in countries that were primarily Christian.

Perhaps Karl Benz attended religious services on Sundays, but he probably did not build the first automobile in a church while consulting priests on the merits of the internal combustion engine. His achievement came from the work he did the other six days at a workshop.

The extent that a culture has any influence on creativity is the degree of freedom that it allows for its citizens to think and to act on that thinking.

Eric J. Lakits

Sterling Heights, Mich.

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Obama looked at George W’s plan, and said, “No way.”

Don Powelson

Eagle Rock

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Obama rightly urged the Arab world to recognize Israel’s legitimacy and to stop using the Arab-Israeli conflict as a pretext to distract the people of Arab nations from other problems.

The president failed to underline that it is the Jews who were in exile from this land. This president, in that place, should have emphasized the point -- he should have stressed the physical root of the Jews’ legitimacy to a Muslim world, and especially to a Palestinian populace that overwhelmingly refuses to acknowledge it.

Sheree Roth

Palo Alto

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The importance of U.S. efforts to start a “new beginning” with Muslims around the world, as stated by Obama, is appreciated, and his appeal for nonviolent, parliamentary actions to bring democracy and justice to the region is a very welcome change.

The president’s effort to talk honestly to Israelis and Palestinians about the need to support peacemaking is very important.

At the same time, I’m concerned that many members of Congress are still stuck in the failed policies of the past -- supporting force over negotiations and quick to condemn other countries rather than appeal for the kind of cooperation that the president articulated.

Congress needs to hear the beat of a different drummer.

Mary Acosta

Baldwin Park

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George W. Bush once described himself as a uniter, not a divider. But talk is cheap.

Obama’s speech in Cairo proved to the world that Obama is the true uniter.

And Obama’s strong, calm, diplomatic tone was a refreshing change from the smirking, bullying, “with us or against us” cowboy-style approach of his predecessor.

Mary Shaw

Philadelphia

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I was very appreciative of the way Obama’s speech was designed to lessen fear and give concrete steps toward solving our mutual problems in the Middle East.

It heartened me to hear of the positive things about the Muslim world and its history instead of just the terrible past perpetrated by extremists. It didn’t play favorites; it was evenhanded to both Israel and Palestine.

I hope everyone will listen to the whole speech, not just quotes from it.

Karen Stone

Laguna Hills

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The violence must stop.

Paul Magid

Rancho Palos Verdes

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Re “Al Qaeda lashes out at Obama,” June 4

A picture in your paper showed the president of our country, the most powerful leader in the world, bowing to King Abdullah to receive a gift. This horrified me.

We Americans are not the subjects of Saudi Arabia. Our president should be standing tall and proud, not acting like a second-class citizen of any foreign kingdom.

Stephen Kuo

Ontario