It's just a few months into the Presidency, and Barack Obama is finally living up to his middle name.

In a good way, of course!

In front of the Turkish Parliament last April, he stressed how he's lived among Muslims, while also saying the West must "educate ourselves more effectively on Islam." Of course, I thought I learned all I needed to know already. But I've soon realized that all that terrorism, murder, and mayhem are the fault of extremists - and Islam really is a peaceful religion (we should really be listening to Olbermann and focusing on those nutty rightwing Christians who fly planes into abortionists).

So I totally get what OFM (our fearless Messiah) is doing. Before he was president, he stressed his Christianity, because we're a nation of Christians. Now, with the office under his belt, he can speak freely of his experiences in the Muslim world.

It's not a problem, Mr. P., I get it. You see a Muslim world out there - and you employ that magical word you sincerely believe opens every door. Empathy. You figure that if you bring up something you have in common with these folks, then all the bad stuff goes away - and we can talk about real crap, like climate change and, um, climate change.

But is this Empathy Express working? Well, while Obama gears up for his meeting with Saudi royalty, bin Laden has released another tape, threatening Americans, and claiming that Obama has "sown new seeds to increase hatred and revenge on America."

See Mr President - that's how it works in the arena called Good vs. Evil: you're damn if you do, damned if you don't. I know that where you went to school, that concept was considered laughable, and good and evil aren't vertical ideas, but horizontal and existing side by side - one no better than the other. And so everything's relative - especially religious practices.

But not for the people who hate us - and you might as well get used to it. A friend of mine keeps a photo of the World Trade Center in flames on his refrigerator.

You might do the same when you travel abroad.

If anything, to piss off the help.