I am writing on the 65th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. This day marked
the beginning of the end for the regime we call Nazi Germany. It was the
lead-in to the liberation of occupied Europe, including the liberation of the
concentration and extermination camps that were the result of the worst
state-sponsored genocide in human history, the event now known as the
Holocaust.
I am prompted to write because of the current foreign policy initiative taken
by President Barack Obama this week. Designed to coincide with the
commemoration of the Normandy invasion, President Obama began his week in
Saudi Arabia, made a landmark speech in Cairo, reaching out to the Muslim
population of the Middle East and around the world, and he is wrapping up his
outreach tour in western Europe, where he visited Buchenwald concentration camp
with Holocaust survivor Elie Weisel and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Today, along with Prime Ministers Brown of Britain and Harper of Canada,
Prince Charles, and President Sarkozy of France, the President acknowledged
the sacrifice of those who fell at Omaha Beach, and those who survived to go
on to free Europe from Nazi tyranny.
There were so many times that my heart was filled with pride and my eyes
welled with tears of joy as I witnessed history being made by President Obama.
His speech in Cairo was a frank outline of the challenges facing the United
States and the Muslim world in this post-9/11 era. He was direct in
challenging Muslims to accept America, but he also stood up for Palestinian
rights and the "two-state solution" to the Palestinian question. It
takes courage to confront Israel, a long-time US ally, and say "Jewish
settlements in the West Bank are an obstacle to peace." But he did not
give groups like Hamas and Hezbullah a pass. He demanded that they recognize
Israel's right to exist without the threat of violence or terrorism.
While overlooking the beaches of Normandy and the crosses of those who died
there, Obama paid homage to his grandfather and his great uncle, both of whom
participated in the liberation of Europe. President Sarkozy of France called
Obama a symbol of hope for the world, recognizing that his presidency is a
beacon of light to all oppressed peoples. It should not matter one's political
affiliation or party: President Obama has faithfully and in a positive way
represented American policies and aspirations to the world. He is a breath of
fresh air after eight years of an American foreign policy that alienated our
allies and enflamed our enemies. In Obama's leadership, we see both an olive
branch to those who might be our adversaries and an extended hand to those who
make up our traditional allies. His rhetoric is intelligent, eloquent, and
reasonable, and he represents the best that our nation has to offer. When I
see how President Obama conducts himself overseas, I feel a sense of pride
that he stands for my country, and that I was a part of the movement that
brought him to a position of governance.
I know that President Obama is not perfect. He has and will make mistakes.
Nevertheless, his administration is charting a course for America's role in
the 21st century, with its new global realities. As we look back on the
sacrifice that America and its allies made to free the world from oppression
during the "greatest generation," let us gain a renewed sense of
patriotism, free from exceptionalism and privilege, so that we can continue to
stand for what is right on the world stage.
George Cassutto
Teacher, Author, Webmaster
http://www.cyberlearning-world.com