There has been a  rumor that President Barak Obama held a secret meeting with Muslim leaders just before his speech to the Muslim world at Al-Azhar University in Cairo. Is it true?

Maybe it is, and maybe it isn't, but the existence of the rumor raises some questions as to the trust the people have in their President. Obama came to office with a strong support of the grassroots, and a strong support from the Jewish community. People expected him to deliver on his promises of a stronger economy, the restoration of hope, an improved image of America in the world, Universal Health Care, and an exit strategy from Iraq. So far, Obama has made great promises, but let us look at the facts:

Unemployment is still on the rise, and while it is understandable that you cannot turn a steamliner on a dime, the people loosing their jobs are understandably afraid of the future; businesses are toting on bankruptcy and the promises on refinancing mechanisms for houses remains a promise since those seeking it find out that no concrete mechanisms are in place, just general ideas...while the economy is getting weaker at a slower pace, it is not getting stronger...

He did improve the image of America in the world, but that improvement was short lived. Listen if not to the reactions of Ahmedinejad, Assad of Syria and others to Obama's defense of the right of Iranians to protest. He was called a "meddler" and was warned "not to follow on Bush's steps". In other words, "we love you when you do what we want you to do", something Obama should have known would be the case going in...

Universal Health Care is at this point just talk, with uneasy reactions of Physicians and Laboratories to his initiatives. Let us just keep the jury out on this one...he is just starting...

Exit strategy from Iraq? - people expected an immediate withdrawal, unreasonable and unrealisitic as that was, and Obama is proceeding methodically and as fast as he can, but not as fast as people expected. He did, however, promise a fast withdrawal. People are getting impatient on this one. Should be a lesson on promising what you cannot deliver...

So it is in this context that the rumor about the secret meeting got started. Is it suprising? hardly...In the context of his string of apologies, the idea that he would promise the Arabs to deliver Palestine from the Jordan to the Sea, would not be out of context, even if we cannot be sure one way or another. Selling Israel down the river would certainly improve America's standing in Europe and the Arab world and maybe the Arabs would be willing to give us a break with Oil prices, helping thus the economy - maybe even buying some of our burgeoning debt thus stregthening their hold on our economy.

Whether he held the secret meeting or not, whether he sold Israel or not, is something we cannot know, but the fact that a growing number of Americans are choosing to believe it, is telling us that the Honeymoon is over. When FDR adressed the Depression, he took fast and strong action, and while some might point out that it was World War II that pulled America out of the Depression, it was FDR action and presence that restored America's hope in the future. He closed the banks for a few days and the system emerged with new rules. The people trusted. Obama is loosing the battle of the trust not because he is not doing what he should be doing, but because he made promises he couldn't keep and because his Administration has been so far mostly talk that doesn't translate into action.

I'm personally concerned as to whether Obama sold Israel or not, but unless America recovers its leadership role in the world Economy, the whole issue is irrelevant since the value of America's support will eventually amount to nothing. The Israeli people and the American people are fightng the same battle, one for individual rights, justice and peace. That system is called "Democracy"...Speak up to make sure the Administration does not forget...