...or rather a Libyan, as the focus of the first appearance by President Obama at the United Nations seems to be
hijacked by the hoodoo over where Moammar Gadhafi will be staying. Since most of the world's leaders are meeting at the UN for the General Assembly.
The town of Bedford is at arms that Gadhafi's group is preparing to stay in a tented area on a property leased by Donald Trump by Middle Easterners. This is after the Libyans failed to be able to set up shop either on their own property in Englewood, and in Central Park (nice try).
The thing is, first of all, yes Gadhafi is a douchebag, and we all know it. That Lockerbee conspirator getting released was total bullshit. But we KNOW he's coming. He's not the only idiot, since he and Admedispaghettios from Iran will have a pissing match on who's the nuttier. And he's got to stay somewhere. Who gives a shit? He ain't gonna do anything but throw a freaking "Rock the Casbah" party anyway. And I just know he's loving the attention. Ignore the bastard, and his panties will be in a wad.
Part of being a civilized culture is knowing when to play the "turn the other cheek" card and fight the real fight, being human rights and terrorism and all, in the UN. Let the moron tent. Whoopee.
I have been in office for just nine months, though some days it seems a lot
longer. I am well aware of the expectations that accompany my presidency around
the world. These expectations are not about me. Rather, they are rooted - I
believe - in a discontent with a status quo that has allowed us to be
increasingly defined by our differences, and outpaced by our problems. But they
are also rooted in hope - the hope that real change is possible, and the hope
that America will be a leader in bringing about such change.
I took office at a time when many around the world had come to view
America with skepticism and distrust. Part of this was due to misperceptions and
misinformation about my country. Part of this was due to opposition to specific
policies, and a belief that on certain critical issues, America has acted
unilaterally, without regard for the interests of others. This has fed an almost
reflexive anti-Americanism, which too often has served as an excuse for our
collective inaction.
Like all of you, my responsibility is to act in the
interest of my nation and my people, and I will never apologize for defending
those interests. But it is my deeply held belief that in the year 2009 - more
than at any point in human history - the interests of nations and peoples are
shared.
The religious convictions that we hold in our hearts can forge new
bonds among people, or tear us apart. The technology we harness can light the
path to peace, or forever darken it. The energy we use can sustain our planet,
or destroy it. What happens to the hope of a single child - anywhere - can
enrich our world, or impoverish it.
In this hall, we come from many places,
but we share a common future. No longer do we have the luxury of indulging our
differences to the exclusion of the work that we must do together. I have
carried this message from London to Ankara; from Port of Spain to Moscow; from
Accra to Cairo; and it's what I will speak about today. Because the time has
come for the world to move in a new direction. We must embrace a new era of
engagement based on mutual interests and mutual respect, and our work must begin
now.
Amen.
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