Impressive results for such little effort.

I think this is demonstrative of the advantage of actually talking to people.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...QJQogD97E8TN05

Obama wins praise from many Muslims

CAIRO (AP) — A "turning point," a "fresh breeze" — even a "light in the darkness." Arabs and Muslims have been charmed by President Barack Obama's first venture into the Islamic world.

Obama's visit to Turkey this week was full of gestures calculated at showing he is a friend to Muslims, like his headliner sound bite that the U.S will never be "at war with Islam" and his mention of the Muslims in his family. Even throwaway lines like a comment that he had to wrap up a town-hall meeting with Turkish students "before the call to prayer" showed he was no stranger to Muslims' way of life.

To many, the town-hall format for a meeting with students in Istanbul on Tuesday sent a significant message. The sight of a U.S. president being questioned by Muslims was dramatically different from the perception many had of Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush. Bush was seen by many Arabs and Muslims as domineering and dictating U.S. policy on the Islamic world.

"Obama is much better than Bush," Abed Taqoush, a 74-year-old flower shop owner in the Lebanese capital of Beirut said Wednesday. "Bush was a war criminal. Obama seems to be a man of peace."

"I believe him," he said of Obama — a phrase echoed by many Wednesday.

But Obama's charm also heightened expectations for a change in U.S. policy in the Middle East, and many remain deeply skeptical that will happen. Nearly everyone across the region interviewed by The Associated Press said they wanted to see Washington push for the creation of a Palestinian state to resolve the Israeli-Arab conflict.

It was a reminder that while the "clash of civilizations" may exacerbate tensions, the heart of Arab and Muslim anger at the West is over policies, particularly the 2003 invasion of Iraq and what is seen as U.S. favoritism toward Israel.

Many focused on Obama's promise that the U.S. would work for the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. But there is also widespread concern Obama will not press the hard-line government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who so far has not expressed his support for a two-state solution.

"I will believe him only when I see his troops leave Iraq and when I see him telling the Israelis that it's time for you to leave the Palestinian territories," said Tariq Hussein, 25, who was selling shoes and watching TV at his shop in Ramallah. "Other than that it's all a political maneuver."

Arabs and Muslims have also been encouraged by Obama's plans for a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq and the closure of the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, plus his calls for dialogue with top Mideast rivals Syria and Iran.

Despite worries over policy, the Turkey trip did suggest that style and tone can at least open doors.

In mainly Muslim Malaysia, Sheema Abdul-Aziz said Obama seemed to be making a "sincere effort."

"He understands the issues better, he has more familiarity with Islamic culture and society." said Abdul-Aziz, a 31-year-old environmental conservationist.

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I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.

God and Country are an unbeatable team; they break all records for oppression and bloodshed.

Patriotism is the religion of hell.

Don't forget the Muslim hijacking of the US flagged ship. Huzzah for Dear Leader. All of Islam bows to him. Well, not exactly, since I saw him bowing to a Saudi king. Whatever.

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One Big Assed Mistake America - Advancing statism’s death grip on American dynamism.

Undermine our allies. Embolden our enemies. Diminish our country. Barack Who's Vain? Obama Doctrine 2009

Descartes' proof of existence, "I think therefore I am" will not work for a majority of voters in the last election.

“The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money.” - Margaret Thatcher

I have not a clue what you are talking about.

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I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.

God and Country are an unbeatable team; they break all records for oppression and bloodshed.

Patriotism is the religion of hell.

Bush didn't do much different from what Obama is doing, other than putting down America.

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Through any and all LEGAL means necessary, the Obama Administration's existence must be neutralized and cancelled out.
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If you are on the chopping block, just contact me. You don't need to be banned. Contact me even if I hate you.

What "Muslim" hijacking of a US flagged ship? I'm aware of Somali pirates hijacking a US flagged vessel, but what makes you think that the pirates are all Muslims or committed pairacy in the name of Islam?

Ya, worked so well before.....

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The statement below is true.
The statement above is false.

I've noticed that Obama's eagerness towards developing diplomatic dialog towards those countries that distrusted the US during the Bush regime has already begun paying dividends. I suspect that by the end of Obama's first term we'll have much better relations with difficult countries such as Iran, N. Korea, Venezuela, Russia, China, Syria and Cuba.

yeah...they really love him:

http://www.floppingaces.net/2009/04/...george-w-bush/

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Apparently there is a huge difference, as the article indicates Bush was not thought of too highly.

__________________
I love America more than any other country in this world, and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually.

God and Country are an unbeatable team; they break all records for oppression and bloodshed.

Patriotism is the religion of hell.

I forgot. What is in the newspaper is entirely accurate and relevant.

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Through any and all LEGAL means necessary, the Obama Administration's existence must be neutralized and cancelled out.
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If you are on the chopping block, just contact me. You don't need to be banned. Contact me even if I hate you.