The most presidential lorem ipsum in history.
In the white community, the path to a more perfect union means acknowledging that what ails the African-American community does not just exist in the minds of black people; that the legacy of discrimination - and current incidents of discrimination, while less overt than in the past - are real and must be addressed. This country is more decent than one where a woman in Ohio, on the brink of retirement, finds herself one illness away from disaster after a lifetime of hard work. Now let there be no doubt. Because one of the things that we have to change in our politics is the idea that people cannot disagree without challenging each other's character and patriotism. On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people - Muslims and Christians - have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century, and in too many Muslim communities there remains underinvestment in these areas.
The audacity of hope! In the end, that is God's greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation. Clearly, the past 50 years have not weakened your resolve as faithful witnesses of the gospel. That has been my experience at Trinity. And then another one. The attacks of September 11th, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights.
John Kerry believes in America. That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings.
The UCC is still listening. At times, that anger is exploited by politicians, to gin up votes along racial lines, or to make up for a politician's own failings. And today, whenever I find myself feeling doubtful or cynical about this possibility, what gives me the most hope is the next generation - the young people whose attitudes and beliefs and openness to change have already made history in this election. For over two decades, he's subscribed to that old, discredited Republican philosophy - give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else. "We cannot walk alone," the preacher cried. And fault lines must be closed among Muslims as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.
Now, some of you may have heard me talk about the Joshua generation. Ours is a promise that says government cannot solve all our problems, but what it should do is that which we cannot do for ourselves - protect us from harm and provide every child a decent education; keep our water clean and our toys safe; invest in new schools and new roads and new science and technology. So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners of it. For more than sixty years they have endured the pain of dislocation. We cannot impose peace.
Thank you, and God bless America.