Report Seeks Engagement With Muslims by Diplomacy

The NY Times ^ | September 23, 2008 | LAURIE GOODSTEIN

[forkinsocket]

After 18 months spent examining the deteriorating relations between the United States and the Muslim world during the Bush administration, a diverse group of American leaders will release a report in Washington on Wednesday calling for an overhaul of American strategy to reverse the spread of terrorism and extremism.

The report recommends more diplomatic engagement, even with Iran and other adversaries, and a major investment in economic development in Muslim countries to create jobs for alienated youth. It calls on the next president to use his Inaugural Address to signal a shift in approach, to immediately renounce the use of torture, and to appoint a special envoy within the first three months to jump-start negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

The report, “Changing Course: A New Direction for U.S. Relations with the Muslim World,”; was produced by 34 leaders drawn from religious, business, military, foreign policy, academic, foundation and nonprofit circles. The group included Democrats like Madeleine K. Albright, who was secretary of state under President Bill Clinton, and two former Republican congressmen, Vin Weber and Steve Bartlett.

It also included Thomas Dine, a former executive director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and Ingrid Mattson, president of the Islamic Society of North America. One-third of the group were Muslim Americans. The members were selected by the sponsoring organizations, Search for Common Ground and the Consensus Building Institute, which both promote nonviolent conflict resolution.

“I came into it somewhat skeptical we could come to agreement,” Mr. Weber, who is now chairman of the National Endowment for Democracy, said in an interview. “I supported the invasion of Iraq, and that has clearly been a very negative thing for the perceptions of America in the Muslim world.”

[forkinsocket]

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[Slapshot68]

“The report, “Changing Course: A New Direction for U.S. Relations with the Muslim World,”; was produced by 34 leaders drawn from religious, business, military, foreign policy, academic, foundation and nonprofit circles. The group included Democrats like Madeleine K. Albright, who was secretary of state under President Bill Clinton, and two former Republican congressmen, Vin Weber and Steve Bartlett.”

This reminds me of the list of those in academia who supported the man-made global warming theory. You know, music professors, drama professors, etc. lol

[RC2]

Give in to the muslims? Is our country loosing its backbone? Americans don’t have to give into them.

[Edgerunner]

They keep stacking stupid on top of stupid! Guess some people just don’t get it and never will...

[TheWasteLand]

The report, “Changing Course: A New Direction for U.S. Relations with the Muslim World”

I guess the original title, "Changing Course: Wimps and Surrender Monkeys for Defeat and Dhimmitude" didn't test well?

[Maceman]

a report in Washington on Wednesday calling for an overhaul of American strategy to reverse the spread of terrorism and extremism.

Notwithstanding the deep, deep denial from those of the Progressive persuasion, the fact is clear to anyone with eyes to see that we have already been doing a fine job of reversing the spread of terrorism and extremism over the past seven years since 9-11.

No terrorist attacks on US soil, or on US interests around the world.

The absolute devastation of al Qaeda in Iraq, and the utter loss of credibility that al Qaeda has suffered throughout the Muslim world.

A recovering Iraq, now an American ally, with the war now in its "end game."

"Who ARE these people?

[MathDoc]

The report recommends more diplomatic engagement, even with Iran and other adversaries, and a major investment in economic development in Muslim countries to create jobs for alienated youth.

So, our oil dollars are not enough, even at today's oil prices? The recommendation is that we send an added bonus, like leaving a tip in recognition of good service, "thank you for not murdering even more of us". That reminds me of that old fraternity hazing quote when pledges were swatted, "thank you, sir, may I have another".

I have a better idea. Let's ignore these experts and respond to terrorists who hate us for being free. Our response - bomb them back into the stone age. I can't imagine a better response for "alienated youth".

[FFranco]

NO APPEASEMENT OF MUSLIMS!!! All America’s negotiations with Muslims should be with them on their Knees while we hold a Gun over them.

[SECURE AMERICA]

Report Seeks Engagement With Muslims by Diplomacy)

The only engagement, with the Muslims that have been trying to destroy America for 15 years, that I want to see, comes with a Brigade of Marines........

[SECURE AMERICA]

a major investment in economic development in Muslim countries to create jobs for alienated youth. )

Do these morons know that our economy is in terrible shape and that OUR umemployment is rapidly rising? And they wants US to send money to Muslim youth for jobs? How about all the oil rich Muslims using their oil money for their own youth instead of white blond hair hookers, hummers (no pun intended) and private golf courses in the desert...

[Joe Boucher]

Engagement with mooselimbs by diplomacy, that’s the n.y. times talking.
Engagement with mooselimbs by .223 that’s me talking.

[Joe Boucher]

Engagement with mooselimbs by diplomacy, that’s the n.y. times talking.
Engagement with mooselimbs by .223 that’s me talking.

[Godwin1]

Give money to the Muzzies so they love us and don't attack us? Might have known that the foreigner Albright was associated with this nonsense. Many Muslim countries are filthy rich and geting richer. Let THEM transfer $$$ to create jobs in Islamic hellholes like Egypt. We have liberated Iraq and knocked the Taliban out of the box in Afghanistan. That's enough for the next hundred years or so. (If we really want to reach out to Muzzies, we could abandon Israel to its own devices and declare that it is outside the perimeter of our national interests. The Muzzies would really love us then. I think that is what Hussein Obama plans.)

[Paul Ross]

".. a diverse group of American leaders will release a report ..."

The 9-11 Commission, Mark II