[Marxism] Dennis Perrin comments on Obama Cairo Speech

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

RAGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN
Friday, June 5, 2009
Love Gravy
Attending to family business this weekend, but I'll be back Monday with 
thoughts about David Carradine. I appeared on KPFT in Houston last 
night, so if you have any desire to hear me mix it up with a 
Clinton/Obama fan, check this out (or go here). A fun time for all. One 
correction: Gaylord Nelson was a Democrat. Other than that, I take 
nothing back. Thanks again, Scooter!

posted by Dennis Perrin at 9:00 AM
Thursday, June 4, 2009
The Lawn People

posted by Dennis Perrin at 7:15 PM
More Fresh Air

http://dennisperrin.blogspot.com/2009/06/more-fresh-air.html

I've been reading Obama's Cairo speech, and I must say, the president 
made some compelling points. I'm not completely finished with the 
transcript, but here's an early passage that caught my eye.

OBAMA:

We meet at a time of tension between the United States and Muslims 
around the world -- tension rooted in Western attempts to suppress or 
buy off Arab nationalism, using Islamic mercenaries as a violent 
counterweight until they were no longer needed.

The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of 
colonialism, exploitation and religious wars. Moreover, the sweeping 
change brought by capitalist expansion and global corporate rule led 
many Muslims, for some strange reason, to view the West as hostile to 
the traditions of Islam.

So long as our relationship is defined by existing power relationships, 
we will embolden those who sow struggle rather than surrender, and who 
promote resistance rather than the capitulation that can help rich 
people achieve even more leverage and prosperity. This cycle of 
suspicion and discord must end.

I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and 
Muslims around the world -- what we call in America a "do over"; one 
based upon elite interests and phony respect; and one based upon the 
truth that America and Islam are not exclusive, as our close 
relationships with oil kingdoms prove. Instead, they overlap, and share 
common principles –- principles of greed and private power; intolerance 
for the dignity of all human beings.

I do so recognizing that capitulation cannot happen overnight. No single 
speech can eradicate years of mass murder and theft, nor do I have any 
intention of answering all the complex questions that brought us to this 
point. But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say 
openly the things we know not to be true, as the real policies are often 
shaped behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen 
to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to 
seek common ground -- well, on your end anyway. For us, nothing 
substantial will change, only some of the rhetoric.

As the Holy Koran tells us, "Be conscious of God and speak always the 
truth." Then again, I'm a Christian, so the Holy Koran doesn't really 
apply to me. But you get the idea.

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