Readers weigh in on one of the few ideas of Obama that I thought had some potential, the concept of “America Houses” in cities across the Muslim world.

BB writes,

I finished my tour with the Peace Corps in Ukraine last year. A common accusation by the locals was that we were all CIA. That and that we were organ thieves, baby thieves, baby organ thieves etc. etc.There was a genuine inability for some people to grasp the concept of volunteering for altruistic reasons. These people believed in their heart that we had to have ulterior motives.
There was also a casual gaming of any system of aid that was around to exploit. I can’t count how many people I personally knew who were directors of NGOs.
My point is that while America Houses may sound great in a world of wishful thinking, I think there is a reality check that is going to come into play. And frankly I think the Peace Corps admin will push back for their own political and other reasons.

I relate to BB. Not far from where I lived in Ankara was the Turkish-American Association – which had noticeable, but not overwhelming, security – which hosted language classes, performances, art exhibitions, etc. Did it help combat anti-Americanism? It was an uphill battle. Combating anti-Americanism in Turkey required overcoming Turks’ widespread and steadfast beliefs that A) everyone is always out to get them and B) everything that happens anywhere in the world is, despite all appearances to everyone else, really all about them.

Eric J. writes,

You’d not only need security for the house, you’d need to make sure that the visitors weren’t being followed home…I think a better way to pilot this would be something web-based. And keep US Government logos off of it. Start pop-culture based. Keep the actual ideas subliminal (not literally) and viral.
A “What If” I’ve been asking myself recently is “What if Muhammad Ali wasn’t silenced by Parkinson’s?” He was for many years arguably the most popular person in the world, and certainly the best-known American Muslim. While he would probably have spoken out against the Iraq War, he may also have spoken out against Jihad and Islamist violence, and likely would have done so in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. He could have been a powerful figure to rally the supposed Silent Majority of moderate Muslims. And if he had supported, even weakly, terrorism and violence as a means of expanding the Ummah, it would have been powerful evidence that (Politically) Moderate Islam is a myth, particularly given his Vietnam-era pacifism.

I have a hard time imagining Muhammad Ali endorsing terrorism; and I concur he would have been a powerful voice against terrorism.

Mitzi writes,

When we were posted in Tunisia, there was what you could call an “America House” in downtown Tunis not far from the souk (this was in the early 80′s). Can’t recall precisely what it was called, but it was run by the US Information Agency and contained information and exhibits about the US. Must have had them all over the world because our neighbor who worked for USIA had been posted in Moscow and the Philippines prior to this four-year assignment. The USIA was, I believe, dismantled but can’t recall precisely when (hey, I’m an early baby boomer and it was over 20 years ago…). Probably about the same time they cut back on Voice of America. So, I guess, what’s “old” is “new” again.

John notes,

In your Obama speech update, you suggest that if we can provide security for embassies, the same can be done for America Houses. Somehow I don’t think iron gates, concrete barriers, a US Marine guard, x-ray machines and metal detectors would draw in the local population to learn how cool the US is. Also, there’s something else about this idea that strikes me as odd. Obama seems hesitant of sending young Americans trained in the art of war to combat terrorism (except when invading our allies), but thinks it splendid to send young Americans unarmed and trained in the art of library science for the same purpose. That’s just plain weird.

He also writes that I let Obama off easy on the “Throw More Money At It” portion of the speech, specifically the pledge that We must help Pakistan invest in the provinces along the Afghan border, so that the extremists’ program of hate is met with one of hope.”

Seriously? It is the primary responsibility of American taxpayers to pump billions into “Midnight Basketball” programs in the Hindu Kush? Because if the jihadists can shoot hoops, they’ll give up the quest for 72 virgins? We all know that Obama’s naïve. And he is also proving unserious and downright silly.

Hey, those programs of hope will be secure after the U.S. invasion.