Obama Ipsum

The hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too. But the remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren't simply controversial. A nation of whiners? Tell that to the proud auto workers at a Michigan plant who, after they found out it was closing, kept showing up every day and working as hard as ever, because they knew there were people who counted on the brakes that they made. America, now is not the time for small plans. Instead, it is that American spirit - that American promise - that pushes us forward even when the path is uncertain; that binds us together in spite of our differences; that makes us fix our eye not on what is seen, but what is unseen, that better place around the bend. People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind, heart, and soul.

And if we can do that - if we can embrace a common destiny - then I believe we'll not just help bring about a more hopeful day in America, we'll not just be caring for our own souls, we'll be doing God's work here on Earth. This is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work.

A belief in things not seen. We will help Iraq train its Security Forces and develop its economy.

This is not to say that race has not been an issue in the campaign. That is one option. I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not.

But we do need to remind ourselves that so many of the disparities that exist in the African-American community today can be directly traced to inequalities passed on from an earlier generation that suffered under the brutal legacy of slavery and Jim Crow. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt's advancement.

Thank you. And may God's peace be upon you.