++President Obama made a speech to the Muslim community in Baltimore, which continued his theme about the American identity. He later sent the video of the speech out to those connected to the White House website.
++President Obama obviously meant his speech to counter the harsh anti-Muslim rhetoric from the Republicans and to comfort a community that has been periodically under siege since 9-11.
++He recited some Moslem-American firsts--such as the first mosque built in North Dakota. But he did touch on anti-Christian acts in the Middle East and the long history of anti-semiticism in the United States. He called for a respect of religious freedom and answered some concerns of his audience, especially the younger people who felt excluded from American society.
++It was as if President Obama has moved beyond race in his deliberations to a more universal way of conceiving the American identity. You could tell he was uncomfortable trying to tell the Moslem community it was really safe and secure.
++He cited Moslem religious leaders who have condemned terrorism and radicalism. He joked that Thomas Jefferson was accused of being a Mohammedan,he wasn't the first. And he talked about the founding fathers' views of Islam, saying that both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams had copies of the Koran.
++If you combine this Baltimore speech, with his presentation at the Holocaust Museum,and his Charleston sermon, you have a broad view of President Obama's thought.
++I want to know when the Library of America edition is coming out of his speeches.
++We understand the Donald criticizing President Obama going to a mosque--the first time in his presidency, but Marco Rubio gets to chime in? It is depressing that an ecumenical view of religious freedom in America is no longer found among Republicans. It should horrify people.
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