Okay, I didn’t have time to write earlier when I posted these videos, so I’ll try to expand more on my one word opinion of “nope” to the above question. President Obama has taken a very restrained response to the controversial presidential election, where Mahmoud Ahmadinejad supposedly won reelection in a landslide. Many Iranians have taken to the streets claiming election fraud, but it’s apparent that their anger has been brewing for years, and this sham of an election which just took place, put them over the boiling point. I disagree with President Obama’s reasoning for taking such a restrained approach to the atrocities taking place in Iran. He’s been far too silent for my liking.
Sure, I wouldn’t want President Obama to mouth off or begin dropping bombs on Tehran, but I do want him to speak encouragingly to those seeking justice and reform in Iran. Let them know that America stands with them. The future and the real hope of Iran lies in those people taking their cause to the streets – people without any way to defend themselves but chunks of concrete and their screams. Their courage deserves our respect, after all we are a nation born of revolution. And if any president could bring about change with only his words, it should be Barack Obama.
I agree with Senator McCain response and I wouldn’t change a word of it:
http://johnmccain.com/news/Read.aspx?id=19
Related link:
http://amfix.blogs.cnn.com/2009/06/22/iranian-protestor-plea/
They would listen just as well as the Taliban listened to the last President and this President. America is no better. I was at Staleys during the strike as a supporter and an observer. I witnessed a peaceful demonstration turn ugly when guards in riot gear started pepper spraying women and children carrying what I assume to be dangerous and intimidating signs. While no one died their wasn’t much difference in intent. The government wants them to shut up just like our government wanted the unions to shut up which is evident from all the legal support they have gotten starting with Regan the robber of the poor to give to the rich. Everything can’t be done by the American President. Yes they are getting a raw deal but we don’t always help those in need not even in our own country.
One other thing that bothers me about this country is we are now letting all of our own childeren and adults that have no one to fight for them go without services because of money. We should at least take care of whats in our own yard before we start taking care of the neighbors. I have a feeling we will see a nuclear bomb go off in our lifetime, I don’t think it will be ours, but I think one of these 3rd world countries we support will surely do us in. We built Sadam and his empire thinking it was a right and look what that got us. Same thing with Bin Laden we even brought him to the U.S. for his training. Its time to take care of our own and the the rest follow that.
I don’t want to give the false impression that I supported everything Reagan did – far from it; what he did to unions and labor is not a shining moment in American history. IMO The United States isn’t without its own flaws. That’s for sure. It’s not like our country allows us to go protesting in the streets at will, without the police coming out with riot gear, water canons and tear gas.
I know it’s a fine line to walk but I really think Obama can make a difference in this part of the world, more so than any other president we’ve had in the past. And no matter how much other countries may claim they hate us, they still look to us for leadership. Actually, the Iranian youth have a positive view of the United States. Many of them want a more secular country that is on good terms with the west. They don’t want to live isolated in the world community under a crazy ruler like Ahmadinejad. Obama’s silence almost gives support to Ahmadinejad over those seeking reform. And I don’t buy the argument that our speaking out would become a “political football” or a “foil” to those demonstrating. Those in Iran who are demonstrating know who the enemy is: it’s their own government. The “death to America” chants are old and they know it too.
They just want to live in a country with opportunity and that isn’t so oppressive to women. Women are a big part of the uprising. In Iran, women are still stoned to death for certain offenses. Gay people supposedly don’t exists and if they do find a stray one running around they publicly hang them. Who knows what other people are taken away and done away with. No wonder Ahmadinejad denies the Holocaust, it’s just another day for him and business as usual.
Well, I just watched Obama’s new comments on Iran during his press conference, and I feel better about his handling of the situation now. I wish he had said those things with as much clarity sooner, but I don’t disagree with what he said. When a YouTube link is up with his comments, I’ll link to it.
I didn’t see it Kris what did he say? I agree the Iraqnians want to be like America so why not let them start a revoulution I heard it works. I just get tired of the world relying on us for everything they can’t do and I am tired of us not taking care of us first. I know most of what I am talking about is at a State level but its at the Federal level we need more support for humanity.
Doug, here’s a link to a video of Obama’s message about Iran: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/23/obama.news.conference/index.html#cnnSTCVideo
Basically, he said what I wanted to hear five days ago.
Now we got to worry about North Korea again. I think they will push us into a war, sort of like a I double dare you type thing. I can’t see them being a threat to out sovereignty but they could spread us out pretty thin and make us vulnerable for some smaller type of attack buy another 3rd world psycho nation.
Yeah, we’ve got to keep our eyes on North Korea. If there were ever a time for them to try and start something, it would be now. Our military is stretched then, our economy stinks and our attention is spread all over the world. I don’t envy the president’s job, or Sec. of State Clinton’s!
I saw Hillary was back at the Whitehouse already. She just had surgery 2 days ago wasn’t it. I bet they are freaking out I know I would be LOL.
I just read where Iran is blaming Britain for all the uprising. It said they always do this when they can’t blame the U.S. I also read that the French President would not allow their women to wear the robes covering their faces he said the dress code wasn’t wanted in France since its a sign of women enslavement or something to that effect. Its good to hear we don’t get the blame for every thing I guess.
Well, there’s always Joe Biden for a laugh to ease the tension. Maybe he’ll beat Duke, the Irish Setter of telling the world what’s in Bush’s Baked Beans secrete family recipe or we’ll finally know what 11 herbs & spices make up Kentucky Fried Chicken’s batter.
And you know Iran is pathetic when they make France look good.
I’m with ya on that!
http://www.infowars.com/ignorance-is-strength/
Eric K. Johnson