United Liberty
Could Obama’s Diplomacy be a Personal Safety Risk?
Fri, 12/12/2008 - 2:17pm | posted by Michael O. Powell
President-elect Barack Obama is set to make a major speech in an Islamic capital after his inauguration:
WASHINGTON, (AFP) – President-elect Barack Obama plans to give “a major address” in an Islamic capital soon after taking office as he seeks to mend America’s image in the Muslim world, a Chicago Tribune interview said.
“I think we’ve got a unique opportunity to reboot America’s image around the world and also in the Muslim world in particular,” Obama said in the interview published late Tuesday on the Tribune’s website.
No matter how different his policies may or may not be from his predecessor, Barack Obama will still be the President of the United States. As such, there will be violently charged extremists in the Middle East that will want to see him dead. His support for Israel and the war on terror would be enough for one man or woman to go off. Speaking for adoring crowds in Berlin, Chicago or Washington is one thing, speaking in front of crowds in Riyadh, Beirut or Cairo is far different.
Of course, this move does make it look as if Barack Obama really believes in what he is doing. I just pray that he doesn’t make an error.
He must be aware of the risks he’s taking. Bush did such a great job of destroying our international reputation, that anyone taking over his job is putting himself in danger.
I don’t agree with Obama’s politics, but decisions like this tell me that he’s sincere in his beliefs.
I’m not at all faulting him for wanting to reach out. I’m just worried about something bad happening.
There was only recently an attempt on Cheney’s life in Afghanistan, and there have been plots to kill Bush as well. More volatile figures than Obama to be sure, but Obama’s position puts him at high risk.
“Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.” - Thomas Jefferson
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