Procrustean History: Obama Manipulates the Past to Fit the Narrative
I’m of two minds about Obama’s speech. When you’re talking to a proud person, and trying to make friends with them, you don’t start by going over all of their faults in detail, telling them what a jerk they’ve been in the past. At times, especially towards the end of the middle ages, the Muslim world was a leader in various artistic and technical fields. They then abandoned this leadership, and have for whatever reason become more and more backwards compared with us in the intervening centuries. When an Arab does something innovative these days, he usually lives somewhere in the West.
One quibble I have with your article, though. The issue of Morocco recognizing the United States first has been a discussion for some time. Regardless of whether the Dutch were first (and a flag salute by a small island, much removed from the home country, isn’t the same as a decree by the Sultan, from his palace), the longest continuously in force treaty between the United States and a foreign nation is with Morocco. It dates back to 1786, and is still in effect.
I’m not saying that all Muslims are good: obviously, there are many bad ones. I’m also not saying we should surrender to them. I’m actually pretty concerned about the rise of militant Islam in our country. I’m just saying…not everything he said was completely incorrect. Just criticizing Muslims, and not offering them any encouragement, serves no purpose.
