correction...

Submitted by Taj (United States), Jun 10, 2009 at 18:39

There was nothing wrong with Obama's comment regarding Morroco. The country formally recognized the US in 1777, due to US trade in Tangiers.

Nothing was wrong with his citation of the Tripoli treaty either, Obama's citation is in article 11 of the treaty...

I do agree that Obama should have refined his compass comment - Chinese invented the magnetic compass, however the magnetic compass dial...

Note that Obama said "mastery" of pens/paper, not invention. And the printing press is about printing - without paper there is no press. The fountain pen, which made writing easier was first referenced as an invention commissioned by the Muslim Caliph in the 10th century. The first paper mill was created in Baghdad in the 8th century making papermaking an industry. The first paper mill in Europe was built by Muslim engineers in the 15th century. Prior to this, the Church did not like paper since it was produced by Muslims - they felt paper was a way Muslims would dominate their culture, lol.

As to the "what about the Greeks/Romans?" complaint, Obama was not ignoring them as much as speaking in proper context. In addressing the Muslim world, a reference to Greek/Roman architecture, poetry, or music would be non-sensical...

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