"We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you. For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace"
- from Barack Obama's Inauguration speech
When was the last time 'non-believers' were contained within the same sentence as Christians by a US President, except as a contrast? Even Clinton didn't go that far. Know hope indeed.
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2 comments:
Cameron;
Though I was opposed to Obama during his campaign, I am coming around to liking him. His nod to non-believers in his speech was admirable.
You may have been right about him all along!
(I do stand by my central argument, though, that he is an unknown entity. I guess he is a piece of chocolate in a box and now that we have had a taste, he is not so bad after all!)
I am certainly VERY impressed with his series of executive orders insisting detainees at Guantanamo bay be released, and that the Geneva conventions be obeyed.
I'm still concerned he is going to bail out the auto companies, but given Bush gave them billions before he left office that was going to happen anyway.
All in all its just nice to have an adult in the White House!
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