The most presidential lorem ipsum in history.
There are patriots who opposed the war in Iraq and there are patriots who supported the war in Iraq. On the other end, we've heard my former pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, use incendiary language to express views that have the potential not only to widen the racial divide, but views that denigrate both the greatness and the goodness of our nation; that rightly offend white and black alike. Let us be our sister's keeper. He said that the fundamentals of the economy are strong. In that time, he's said no to higher fuel-efficiency standards for cars, no to investments in renewable energy, no to renewable fuels. I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not.
When we send our young men and women into harm's way, we have a solemn obligation not to fudge the numbers or shade the truth about why they're going, to care for their families while they're gone, to tend to the soldiers upon their return, and to never ever go to war without enough troops to win the war, secure the peace, and earn the respect of the world. But the anger is real; it is powerful; and to simply wish it away, to condemn it without understanding its roots, only serves to widen the chasm of misunderstanding that exists between the races. And then another one. I am grateful to finish this journey with one of the finest statesmen of our time, a man at ease with everyone from world leaders to the conductors on the Amtrak train he still takes home every night. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path.
I learned that everyone's got a sacred story when you take the time to listen. In South Carolina, where the Confederate Flag still flies, we built a powerful coalition of African Americans and white Americans. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail.
They are both passed away now. But they sense, deep in their bones, that with just a slight change in priorities, we can make sure that every child in America has a decent shot at life, and that the doors of opportunity remain open to all. And it's a testament to what we can achieve when good people with strong convictions stand up for their beliefs. Not once in my conversations with him have I heard him talk about any ethnic group in derogatory terms, or treat whites with whom he interacted with anything but courtesy and respect.
But at the end of the day, we cannot walk away - not for the sake of passing a bill, but so that we can finally address the real concerns of Americans and the persistent hopes of all those brothers and sisters who want nothing more than their own chance at our common dream. They weren't simply a religious leader's effort to speak out against perceived injustice. Not even close.
Thank you. And may God's peace be upon you.