A reader writes:
All my problems with Obama's handling of the financial crisis, the details about Gitmo, footdragging on DADT, etc. or any other details since he took office fade away when I read the speech. He is absolutely the right man for the job.
There is no other candidate that ran for President that could deliver this speech. They couldn't write it, they couldn't deliver it with any sort of credibility, and in all likelihood wouldn't even want to try.
Another writes:
I think it was yet another very good speech but one at some times frustrating for its ostensible audience (I've lived in Cairo, I thought the speech very good, but also one that served at times as introduction and promise to an audience that is justifiably already frustrated. Once again he asks for patience. The small 'c' conservatism is beginning to wear on me: as you put it, the fierce urgency of whenever.But, I begin to once again accept, the fierce urgency of slowly persuading others that we should act when we can actually get things done. That too takes courage, and discipline. The speech was very intelligent, very well directed, and will have an impact, IF followed by action. I just don't know how much time he has to follow through before the patience wears out. He's probably extended it with this speech, but the Arab world is very young, and in this case he may have pitched the speech too old. Worked for me, but the average age on the street is about half yours and mine.) He also managed to think about possible impact on the Iranian elections, didn't he? Nice.
Another writes:
There are two reasons I wanted Obama to be president. One, so he would go to Cairo and deliver this speech. And two, the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” so my gay son can join the Air Force if he wants to when he turns 18. Five months into his first term, I’m halfway satisfied. Fortunately, I’ve got some time and some patience.>
Another writes:
Thank you for posting this speech; I read it all and was emotionally moved. I’m not really sure why, perhaps it’s because President Obama speaks to my truth and hopes for the world and he says it so clearly and directly. The other thing that kept coming up for me was a moment in one of my all time favorite movies the 50’s version of “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” It was at the end of the movie where Michael Rennie, the alien, gave his speech about the choices the people on earth needed to make in order for our planet and us to survive. Obama’s speech felt like that to me; we are at a crossroads . . . what choices will we make?
(Photo: An Egyptian man reads the headlines about U.S. President Barack Obama's Middle East visit at a newsstand in the Islamic old city June 4, 2009 in Cairo, Egypt. By David Silverman/Getty Images)