This seems to sum it up pretty well. There is not a substantive criticism of Obama's actions regarding Iran out there. It's a domestic political reaction to Obama and has nothing to do with the merits of Obama's decisions. Some people, like basso presumably, would rather hate Obama than support America's national interest.
this guy's not feelin' the nuance. [rquoter]Iranian protester pleads for U.S., world to intervene Posted: 09:45 AM ET American Morning - amFIX Filed under: Iran A picture obtained on June 21, 2009 shows Iranian riot police on a street of Tehran on June 20, 2009. An Iranian student protester in Tehran made a passionate plea for help from the world community this morning in a phone call to CNN’s “American Morning.” For safety reasons, CNN can only identify the student by his first name, Mohammad. He’s been a part of the protests and a target of the violence there. Below is an edited transcript of the interview. John Roberts: What is the scene like on the streets? Are there more demonstrators out there on the streets? Or is it much quieter than it has been in recent days? Mohammad: Hello. Actually I participated in Saturday’s demonstrations in parts of Tehran. What I saw, I saw thousands of security officers that tried to break up the crowd. They used canisters and batons and water cannons against us. They attacked us. And we also in response attacked them. We attacked them by throwing stones. And we built trenches in the streets and actually defended too. Roberts: So there was quite a large confrontation going on there over the weekend. But can you tell us what the scene is like on the streets today? Mohammad: Today was a long day in Tehran. And yesterday there weren’t any organized rallies in Tehran. Because we take orders from our leader Mr. Karroubi and Mr. Mir Hossein Moussavi. The connections, the communication is very difficult, more than even you can imagine in Tehran. But I myself haven’t received any orders from our leaders yet. But as soon as I get any order, I will participate in any demonstration that they tell us. Kiran Chetry: When you say receiving orders, tell us how the protests are organized. How are you guys called to go and where? Mohammad: Actually, I’m a regular person. I’m not behind the scenes. I cannot tell you exactly how these demonstrations are organized. But as I know, as people said, there is a council, a group of Iranian reformists who organize these demonstrations and they tell us in any way that they could and we just follow. Chetry: Do you get it on your cell phone, text messages, are you able to use the internet? Mohammad: Actually, they reduce the internet speed. We have severe problems with the messenger software and every software like messengers. This is arranged by making calls, messages, calls to his friends or her friends and try to gather as much to tell as he or she can. Roberts: Mohammad, we have been talking this morning about what the students are fighting for and whether the students are fighting for something different than the older more established political candidates like Moussavi. Are the students seeking regime change? Are they looking to bring down the Ayatollah and completely change the form of government there in Iran? Or are you looking for – as has been suggested – more civil rights, more freedoms within the context of the existing regime? Expert: Protesters want civil rights, not revolution Mohammad: Yes. Let me tell you something. For about three decades our nation has been humiliated and insulted by this regime. Now Iranians are united again one more time after 1979 Revolution. We are a peaceful nation. We don’t hate anybody. We want to be an active member of the international community. We don’t want to be isolated. Is this much of a demand for a country with more than 2,500 years of civilization? We don’t deny the Holocaust. We do accept Israel’s rights. And actually, we want — we want severe reform on this structure. This structure is not going to be tolerated by the majority of Iranians. We need severe reform, as much as possible. Roberts: Interesting perspective this morning from Mohammad, a student demonstrator there in Tehran. Mohammad: Excuse me, sir. I have a message for the international community. Would you please let me tell it? Roberts: Yes, go ahead. Mohammad: Americans, European Union, international community, this government is not definitely — is definitely not elected by the majority of Iranians. So it’s illegal. Do not recognize it. Stop trading with them. Impose much more sanctions against them. My message…to the international community, especially I’m addressing President Obama directly – how can a government that doesn’t recognize its people’s rights and represses them brutally and mercilessly have nuclear activities? This government is a huge threat to global peace. Will a wise man give a sharp dagger to an insane person? We need your help international community. Don’t leave us alone. Chetry: Mohammad, what do you think the international community should do besides sanctions? Mohammad: Actually, this regime is really dependent on importing gasoline. More than 85% of Iran’s gasoline is imported from foreign countries. I think international communities must sanction exporting gasoline to Iran and that might shut down the government.[/rquoter]
Almost every single opposition leader in Iran, and dissidents including the Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner disagree as well. But since basso only feels good if somebody is talking tough, or other people are being sent to kill and die in a military action.
Unless there is a massive, bloody crackdown, I do not think the U.S. should get involved. If there is a massive brutal crackdown, then we do need to get involved...in a way that would facilitate the overthrow of the gov't. It would need to be an internationally coordinated move though. Sanctions from the west won't do much unless Russia, India, and China participate, and that seems very unlikely.
List doesn't stop there: Anthony Cordesman, an analyst with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, says President Obama is showing the “right degree of restraint” in his public comments about Iran. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/bab...-obama-showing-right-degree-of-restraint.html Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), when asked if Obama should be more forceful on Iran, answered: “Absolutely not.” Lugar, the top Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, told POLITICO that Obama’s handling of the situation was “about right.” ----------------------------------------------------------------- What I don't understand, what is the value of Obama saying harsh statements to Iran? Iran isn't our friend. If the U.S. speaks out, it actually weakens the opposition. What is the net positive? Obama could have spoken out, and gotten a pat on the back for his George Bush style diplomacy. But what woudl that accomplish? NOthing. It would only make the Iranian leadership more entrenched to fight the opposition, fearing they were who the U.S. wanted to be in power.
seriously, who doesn't like George Will? or respect him at least? i may disagree with the guy at times but it seems like he has a deep history of intellectual honesty. i wish more of our elected officials would take that cue. team sports politics, from both sides, is killing us.
i do agree with you though. i haven't always agreed with him, but he is a great spokesman for the conservative side of things. it'd be great if all pundits were like him.
I asked this in the other thread whether a military coup were possible. I will ask this in this thread. Does anyone think that the Obama Admin.'s response is so measured isn't just that he doesn't want to give the Mullah's more fuel but that if the revolutionary movement where to gain more success Iran might fall into chaos and a chaotic Iran might be worse for the US than a theocractic Iran.
no one's advocating for a military coup, or military action at all (although i would not be adverse to sending the Missouri (i know she's inactive) or it's equivalent to Karg Island, just to make a point. but there's a a huge range of options between the "false choices" of military coup and "grabbing a hot dog while showing consternation." while there may initially have been little difference between Ahman and Mousavi, that's certainly not the case now, and a more forceful statement showing horror and outrage at the violence, while offering support for the demonstrators is certainly needed. the US should always be on the side of democracy, and that's not the case here. at a minimum, O should cancel the 4th of july invite to iranian diplomats. perhaps he'll show some spine in his news conference today- i think McCain's "Neda" speech has put the pressure on.
But you will be if it could score you critical BBS anti-Obama points - the time however is not right Am I just seeing things, or is this a smug little basso portent of possible GREAT NEWS FOR JOHN MCCAIN! Good luck in 2008!
If we’d have listened to John bomb, bomb, bomb; bomb, bomb Iran McCain some of those protesters wouldn't have been able to protest at all. cruel comfort indeed...
they just don't get, like olbermann said last night, they still think because reagan said "tear down that wall", the soviet union collasped. the ignore all our unsuccessfull meddling in other country's affairs, like propping up latin american dictators, or middle eastern dictators for that matter.
