Is President Obama in touch with reality?

You can't have a one-sided peace. The basic problem in the world is that people are not basically good. I know that's a viewpoint that most people would reel back in shock from, but truly, if you review the history of mankind you will see it is true. Secondly, you never make a bully your friend by acceding to his demands. Bullies don't give up bullying you because you are too weak to defend yourself. They bully more.

The part about peace not being one-sided is profound, perhaps inarguable. The assumption that people are evil at heart would be hotly debated, of course, but that doesn't really matter if the theory about peace is true. All we need is for both sides to realize conflict is not in either side's self-interest. Whether the balance point is mutual assured destruction during the cold war or just staying out of each other's politics, there needs to be a balance. America has become a bit of a bully because they can (which seems to validate your "evil humanity" argument), but the fact that noone can stand against the US military should not let America think dominating another sovereign country is the best solution. Open dialogue and financial support can do far more to create a country that we can share the world with, than military threats, strategic strikes and invasions. It doesn't always work; A strong military is always needed, but have we forgotten the "speak softly" part while flailing around our "big stick". -"Speak softly, but carry a big stick" -Theodore Roosevelt -"Find something to hit with your stick and keep swinging" -Ronald Reagan paraphrased

I agree about that sense of embarrassment. Especially when he makes it seem like the only thing standing in the way of peace in the world has been America. We know that's not true, it's wrong to make our country seem to be some force for evil in the world just to try to appeal to a less friendly audience. I want the president to be proud of American values, not apologize for them.

The differences go much deeper than their desire to have us be friendly. I don't think they are a bit interested in whether or not we are very friendly. I agree that he wants to be the Great Peacemaker, but he thinks he can buy peace at the price of our freedom. I hope we don't let him.

They won't respect him for it, that's for sure. He doesn't understand that your enemy may never come to like you, but he can be made to respect you. They will never respect us if we, as you say, keep apologizing for being America and all it represents.