Conclusion

Similar to George W. Bush, President Obama expressed solidarity with Muslims and the so-called “Islamic” world. He explains that the United States is not in a war against Islam. He has even referred back to his own experience living in a Muslim country. These are all valuable in the sense that it makes people feel good and welcomed, understandably so, but unfortunately such musings have very little relevance to U.S. foreign policy. People need to stop deluding themselves that it has some sort of correlation, it does not. All the evidence point to that direction.

Any individual who argue that the U.S. was in a war against Islam at any point is completely ignorant of the historical record (the examples of the Taliban and Saudi Arabia are obvious examples). The United States has been engaged in a war against democracy (the right of people to choose their own leaders and government) in order to ensure its hegemony, economically and militarily, on the world stage. Unfortunately, Barack Obama is clearly a part of this continued tradition. While his supporters who have decided that they will accept these inconvenient facts will remain hopeful (I can respect that), the outlook is not looking good. While it is good to hope, we cannot sit idly by and watch this machine continue to ravage countries that have become mere outpost for U.S. interests.

Kennedy expressed solidarity with the people of Vietnam and Latin America while at the same time engaging in wholesale massacre there. When I was in the Philippines (although too young to understand at the time), Reagan expressed solidarity with Filipino's while backing up Marcos with unwavering support. We should say "thank you" despite official rhetoric not being in-line with official policy? Give thanks for receiving a lending hand while getting slapped by the other? No, thanks.

People can engage in that backward moral exercise, I will keep with mine. I will stand with those who view the factual details as relevant to the truth. Feeling good on an individual level is not an excuse to be lazy and to lie for the sake of fortifying Obama’s reputation. It is dishonest and immoral.

In the spirit of resistance,
Critical Mood