I am offended that people are addressed by their religion and not just as human beings but the phenomena doesn't just happen in the Mideast. It's just amplified there because their society has been so isolated and closed. Let's also remember that the area would probably be a lot more integrated had the Crusades and other acts of colonization throughout history not occurred. They circled their wagons. In my mind it was a stupid long-term strategy on their part but it's where we're at.

However, every politician on both sides of the ideological spectrum have used the same tactic of showing respect to Islam when addressing Mideast crowds. The society and culture there demands that Islam have a place at the table just as our society demands there be a Christian prayer beginning every public function. The idea is to talk Lee and if it means dropping your pride just a bit to get your foot in the door and make your audience comfortable before you slowly begin trying to sell them your bill of goods, well that's just good business.

Look at it this way. If the culture in your home is such that people leave their shoes at the door and you have a visitor that notices the shoes and, without asking, takes off their shoes before entering, you're going to feel a bit warmer towards that individual. It's just common courtesy to meet people halfway when you come into their domain.

I also heard in that speech some veiled warnings about human rights and extremism which, had they been the entire message, would have shut down the listeners before the entire message got out. You would do the exact same thing if a foreigner came here and began lecturing you on what's wrong with your religion or culture.

Hey, I have the perfect solution for you. Let's rid the world of all organized religion. You on board with that?

Art