That feels good.

[urbpan]

Highlights for me: shoutouts to "non-believers," acknowledging the importance of science in making improvements to the economy, and the promise (presumably to Iran, North Korea, et al.): "We will extend a hand if you unclench your fist."

Comments

[sharpchick.livejournal.com]

YES! to all of the above.

I took the "non-believer" reference to be his not-yet-fully-informed way of acknowledging those of us who are either atheists or just not spiritually of the Abrahamic ilk. . .

And we have time to clue him in on that one.

[weofodthignen]

Someone pinged me on that one immediately after hearing the speech, full of sadness. I'm thrilled he also listed Hindus, so he did explicitly note that America includes non-Abrahamic believers. And yes, it's important and nice that he noted the atheists and the agnostics, who are a major part of this country and its greatness--and have been since its founding. And I don't want to rain on the parade. But I'm all the sadder that we pagans are "unbelievers" to him and in that magnanimous statement. Especially after Shrub dismissed Wicca as "not a religion" when people whose sons, daughters, and spouses had given their lives in a war over the size of his weenie were trying to get headstones that would not demean their sacrifice. I have more belief in my little finger than most of the Xians I know have in their big fat heads.

I hope he comes to realize that was an inadvertent slap, and to become more genuinely accepting. The Warren choice, and that together . . . I hate to rain on the parade. But it is so hard for them to accept that other ways are equally valid.

Frith,
M the ever-belated