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Is Obama Too Neutral on Iran?
Republicans are blasting President Obama for not being more publicly involved in the debate over Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s hotly contested victory in Iran’s presidential elections. Obama said today that investigations into the election should involve no bloodshed and that the “world is watching” and is inspired by the protests. But he stopped short of issuing a mandate. “It is up to Iranians to make decisions about who Iran's leaders will be,” Obama said Monday. “We respect Iranian sovereignty and want to avoid the United States being the issue inside of Iran.” Earlier, House Republican Eric Cantor called on Obama to "take a strong public position in the face of violence and human rights abuses." Other Republicans also urged the president to encourage the protesters. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has spoken out, saying there were “irregularities” in Iran’s vote and calling for a transparent review. Several protesters were wounded and at least one killed today as hundreds of thousands marched in Tehran.
garryboyle
Do people like Cantor have no sense of how things are perceived on the other side of the world?
As soon as we publicly interject ourselves in their process, it gets reframed as the US advocating the reversal of an Iranian election while Ahmedinejad gets to stand firm against imperial pressure.
It's better to publicly let Iranians take care of their own issues. Any material support we lend should be covert.
Progressive2
"Republicans are blasting President Obama"
yeah go figures.
Who cares what these losers thinks.
MaliciousDisorder
It's obvious Obama knows nothing about Iran. He's the Paper Tiger that will get us killed.
Uberjeff
Your username perfectly describes what you are. How absurd and malign your statements are.
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n--Y--charles116This user is no longer registered.
n--Y--charles116allonfla
If the GOP is against it then Obama is doing the right thing.
Spasticula
I voted for B.O, but he's looked like a pussy all week, afraid to make even a peep about the Iran situation. He didn't even need to take sides. All he had to do was say a few words,a nd come out of hiiding. It's called leadership. This was pathetic.
Uberjeff
What would you have him do? Anything "substantial" would be idiotic and show a lack of understanding of the situation. The more he allows the situation to devolve the better his position becomes to take action in the future. This ain't checkers, it's not even chess. This is a part of a greater game being played for our image and power throughout the region and across the globe.
Spasticula
I'd have him lead. Read my post again, checkers.
Uberjeff
-Spastacula
He has made statements, he hasn't been in hiding. There would have been no point to him saying anything before the election except to ensure a valid loss for Musavi.
Earlier today he stated he was deeply troubled, he called for an end to violence and warned the Iranian regime and military that the World is watching. He stated that the hearts of Americans go out to the protesters.
What *specifically* would you have him do differently? What do you really think the purpose of that would be?
Progressive2
Did you even read the article?
"Obama said today that investigations into the election should involve no bloodshed and that the "world is watching" and is inspired by the protests. But he stopped short of issuing a mandate. "It is up to Iranians to make decisions about who Iran's leaders will be," Obama said Monday. "We respect Iranian sovereignty and want to avoid the United States being the issue inside of Iran.""
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n--Y--charles116Uberjeff
Obama cannot intervene. This cannot be allowed to become an Iranian referendum on America.
All Obama can do is speak out against violence and oppression, calling for transparency. Beyond that we would be perceived only as interlopers.
rowland
Perhaps Obama will give a speech apologizing to Iran for the US and specifically Bush's role in fostering an environment in the Middle East wherein people have learned to take conspicuous and public exception to despotism and demand fair, democratic transitions of power. Maybe he will go on to condemn our cultural insensitivity to other nations' means of governance.
Uberjeff
Oh please. Iran was a democracy back in 53 when we deposed their leadership with a dictator. They have then since been a theocratic democracy, a republic which is given oversight by religious leaders. Their current democratically elected leader has committed massive voter fraud and the people are rising up as they did in 1999. They were unsuccessful in 99 and their success 10 years later is yet to be seen.
All Bush did was take away any credibility we have now, because of Bush we have not just zero but in fact negative leverage to make any statements supporting freedom. All we can do is watch for now.
roark33
Anyone who thinks Obama should stick our nose w/in Iran's election is a complete moron. It's exactly what the current regime over there wants. If real change is to happen, their people needs to see how corrupt & self interested the Iranian leadership really it. What's happening is exactly what needs to happen. And I'm truly impressed by the people of Iran's strong backbone in standing up. This will indeed lead the the downfall of the leaders, if not now...it's surely coming.
Oh yeah...Eric Cantor is the biggest baffoon in elected office. What an utter moron!
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n--Y--charles116Plantagenet
Demonstrators in Tehran are now being beaten and murdered by the police. They are begging the US and other western countries to speak out against the fraudulent election and the violent repression that is now occurring Obama should show the same kind of leadership that Angela Merkel of Germany has shown, and clearly call on the Iranian regime to stop the police beatings and murders of demonstrators.
Uberjeff
I've been following this and haven't seen a single report of protesters calling for foreign support and admonishments.
Obama has called for an end to the violence, stated that the American people's hearts are with the Iranian protesters and that the "eyes of the world are watching".
Would you have him promise military support for the protesters? Could you imagine what would have happened if a foreign power said they would offer military support to protesters against Bush in 2000? Are you effing kidding me?
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n--Y--alcamadusUberjeff
And thank gawd for that. I am so glad to not have some cavalier cowboy running around sticking his nose in everyone's business.
tankertodd
Say what you want about Bush, he was no pussy. Geez, even Merkel is making Obama look like a Jimmy Carter 2.0. If Obama keeps this up I'm going to do a Michelle Obama and feel ashamed to be American.
Uberjeff
You have no understanding of how this all works. We can't just make everyone do what we want, that's how we get caught up in two quagmire wars that drain our military and economic power.
He's made his statements and they are clear. What else would you have him do and what do you think it would accomplish? Our resources are not limitless and we can't afford to write checks out military can't cash without further tarnishing our image abroad.
Military adventurist neoconservative hawks have done more damage to this country than any terrorist organization. More US troops have died in Iraq than civilians died in 9/11, not counting Iraqi citizens and the damage to our image. Would you have us promise to engage in a third war without even giving the Iranians time to sort through this themselves?
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n--Y--mutch13rPlantagenet
It was good to see Obama accept the advice of the Republicans and belatedly express American concern over the violence in Iran.
Uberjeff
-Plantagenet
if you think Obama does anything because the Neocons tell him to you're living in a dream world.
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n--Y--charles116This user is no longer registered.
n--Y--charles116Peter0000
I see no evil.
I hear no evil.
I say nothing.
Thank you.
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