“…to terrorists, I say, we will hunt you down…to the broader Muslim world what we will offer is a hand of friendship.”

Those words were spoken by the President of the United States…a refreshing change in tone and intelligence of which we have not heard for the last 8 years.

Yesterday, President Obama conducted an interview with Al-Arabiya , an Arabic news channel.  In a coherent, articulate and pragmatic 17 minute interview, President Obama laid out his administration’s new approach to the Middle East conflict and dealings with the Muslim world.   While speaking of being decisive in going after terrorists he spoke also of mutual respect in regards to US-Muslim world relations.  Obama demonstrated clearly that he understood that Islamic fundamentalist terrorism does not equate to Islam in general.  He stated he understood that the vast majority of Muslims are simply seeking to live better lives and that the new dialogue must be a “language of respect“.  President Obama’s message was that promotion of US interests while listening to concerns from the Muslim world need not be mutually exclusive.

If any approach can stop the complete demonetization of America by Muslims,  I need to believe it will be Obama’s approach.  We have finally emerged from the swampland of ignorance which have marked the Bush years.