So Obama's speech Thursday morning was like the free buffett at a low level hotel: a balanced breakfast served way too early, and I slept right through it.

However, lucky for me I found the transcript, and what a balanced meal it was! Muslim Outreach on one side of the plate; the Jews were the kosher meat of choice, 9/11 were the hash browns, with Al Queda the bitter, decorative sprig on top.

If you look at the response, you can't say it was a bad speech. On one side there were Arabs who wanted more, and then there was CNN fondling themselves in public. Everyone else seemed okay with it.

Sure, if it were Ronald Reagan, he would have praised America more, as the "shining city upon a hill." If it were Moveon.org, it would have been war crimes for Bush and praise for Hezbollah. If it were Joe Biden, it would have been all about Joe Biden. And it would have been hilarious, with or without Neil Kinnock's assistance.

I can't help but think, however, out of this buffet, what Obama's favorite food is.
I mean, before he was President, I remember him bringing up that whole "root causes" business when it came to 9/11. I hated that.

But don't get me wrong: I'm really glad he now brings up the horrors of 9/11 and the Holocaust, two things that tend to send certain Arabs into delight, or denial. But saying his role as President would be in part to "fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear" ... that seems a little much don't you think? Wouldn't it be better if, in that sentence, "Islam" were replaced with "Americans?" I mean, America's view of Islam may be negative (according to recent polls), but it doesn't drive us to blow up stuff. And there never was a real "backlash," was there? Negative stereotypes of America, however, result in blood-soaked craters and beheadings.

But then again, I could be wrong. I actually hate breakfast. But I suppose I should fight against that feeling wherever it appears.