By Bill O'Reilly

President Obama once again addressed the Muslim world, urging the Middle East and North Africa to institute economic reform, treat their people with dignity and generally clean up their acts. The president promised economic help for Egypt and Tunisia, and generally laid out a roadmap for Arab countries to succeed in the modern world. Mr. Obama was well-intentioned, but naive.

A new Pew poll says that most Muslims in the world do not like Mr. Obama despite his aggressive outreach. Over the past two years, his approval rating in Muslim nations has dropped dramatically.

In Egypt, just 20 percent of the population now likes Barack Obama. That is down from 27 percent. In Jordan, just 13 percent of the population approves of Mr. Obama, down 12 points in two years. And in Turkey, an anemic 10 percent of the population is supportive of Mr. Obama, down 4 points.

The question is: Why?

The answer is complicated, but does reflect my opinion that there is a Muslim problem in the world.

The United States and the West are largely secular societies that believe in human rights. The Muslim world is centered on religion, and many Muslims believe if you don't worship Allah, you are an infidel and, therefore, you don't deserve human rights.

In fact, in certain parts of the Muslim world, if you are not the proper sect of Islam you can be persecuted and even killed. That divide is enormous, and children all over the Middle East are being taught that infidels and women are not worthy of decent treatment.

In addition, you have the Jewish situation. Because the USA supports Israel and many Muslims hate Jews, we are tarred by that hatred. It is centuries old. It is not going away any time soon.

The USA has poured trillions of dollars into the Muslim world, fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan designed to liberate those people from tyrannical governments. But apparently, the vast majority of Muslims are not grateful. They despise President Obama as much as they hated George W. Bush.

Despite that, Mr. Obama is doing the right thing in trying to convince the Muslim world to get into the real world, to compete economically and stop persecuting their own. But American policy cannot be based on hope, and, thus far, Mr. Obama has not been confrontational with countries like Pakistan and Saudi Arabia that are hurting the USA by supporting terrorists. To be fair, there is little the president can do about it. We need Arabian oil and we need access to Afghanistan through Pakistan.

Here's the sad truth: There is a Muslim problem in the world and it's getting worse.

And that's "The Memo."

Pinheads & Patriots

At the Cannes Film Festival, actress and director Jodie Foster is not backing down from her support of Mel Gibson.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JODIE FOSTER, ACTRESS/DIRECTOR: Well, I'm not responsible. I can't excuse Mel's behavior. Only he can explain that. And, you know, we're all responsible for our own behavior. But I do know the man that I know, who's been a friend for many, many years and somebody who is probably the most loved actor in Hollywood that I can think of.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

So is Ms. Foster's opinion patriotic, the loyalty factor, or pinheaded, sticking up for a questionable guy? Please vote on BillOReilly.com.

Wednesday night we showed you an "Oprah" look-back.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OPRAH WINFREY, TALK SHOW HOST: You look like you were 10 at the time.

TOM CRUISE, ACTOR: I know.

WINFREY: Look at that. Twelve. You look 12, yes. And what was up with my hair?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Cruise looked a little like Wally Cleaver. Well, it was a close vote: 51 percent think the sequence is pinheaded, 49 percent patriotic.

— You can catch Bill O'Reilly's "Talking Points Memo" and "Pinheads & Patriots" weeknights at 8 and 11 p.m. ET on the Fox News Channel and any time on foxnews.com/oreilly. Send your comments to: oreilly@foxnews.com.