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5 Ways Obama Should End His Silence on the Iran Election Protests

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it's a good thing them Persians can't point to any voting irregularities in American elections, i mean, we wouldn't want any pots calling the kettle black, would we? (uh, that's just a turn of phrase, don't make it into anything it ain't)

bozozozo of VA 9:18PM June 23, 2009

That will be in Iranian headlines and broadcasts if Mr. Roff's plan is carried out.
You seem to have forgotten that we squandered all of our good will over the last 8 years. You also forgot that Iran had a moderate president for several years and the U.S. still had no respect in Iran.
How the Republican party's Nixon and Kissinger morphed into the foreign policy neophytes of today is beyond explanation.

BillInStl of MO 2:08PM June 22, 2009

Really hard for Mr Obama to back Iranian protestors when last April 15th the "President" was "completely unaware" of his own Countrymen protesting his Outlandish Spending Policies and Nationalistic takeovers of business.
The very same day, Obama's "security" Czar announced right-wing dissenting opinions should be considered "terrorist threats" including members of our fine military.
Hard for "our" Favorite Junior Senator to say a word about...
"Freedom".
18 Plus un-elected, un-confirmed by OUR Congress "Czars" that report directly to Mr Obama. Centralized Executive Power.
When "they" own your cars, your mortgage, your education, your Military, your Energy, your Medicine AND your MONEY...
What exactly do YOU have left?

Chris Petty of GA 9:27PM June 20, 2009

Good points all " barzan". Anyone consider that Ahmadinejad could be a Russian agent?Reds are nothing if not opportunistic-especially if it means starving the West of oil.If the Revolutionary Guard really want to drive out all infidels from the region-why give Godless communists a pass?Last, I second the question-just what the hell is Obama doing allowing Hezbollah ANYWHERE near the continent(S.A.)?

Robert of NH 7:05PM June 20, 2009

Obama is doing the right thing by showing restraint. However he should forcefully speak out against any violence against anyone protesting in Iran. There is a related post at http://iamsoannoyed.com/?p=1863

carly of NY 7:38AM June 20, 2009

Mr Obama´s policy of "Watch but do not touch" has not and will not work or help iranian. He can not make a pack with devil and at the same time talk about fairness, human right and living in peace and harmony.
Mr Obama, this is not enough or right. Iranian people are looking for the support from you and America. Your reactions so far has been very similar to Carter administration during the Khomeini era.
Please do not give this regime the same opportunity to strength its grip around the people,
Please do not turn your back on Iranian people.
Please do not standby and watch,
Now is the time for reaction otherwise there will be new wounds in the relation between our countries.

Ali of TX 4:10AM June 20, 2009

"the Only thing necessary for EVIL to Triumph is for GOOD men to do NOTHING."
I understand that US doesn't want to get involved, but the least you could do was:
1- How the hell 5000 Hezbolla and Hamas militia could fly over Turkey (US Ally!!!) to go kill the people in Iran?
2- How the hell two loads of Venezuelan riot police could fly half the globe to kill Iranian people?
3- Russia is showing his complete support to Ahmadi Nejqad, US is just watching!
4- This is a one time only opportunity, if the freedom movement dies by the bloodshed, you should expect a bolder Ahmadi Nejad ,which means more instabilities in middle East,and rest of the world
5- What the hell is Hezbolla doing in South America?
6- President Obama, Iranians are ASKING for help. US was known to do help the freedom movements.

barzan 11:30PM June 19, 2009

Hey Tom & Muser – innocent people are dying for their beliefs in a free government. America has ALWAYS stood by their side when it comes to liberty and freedom. You Obama lovers are tearing down everything this country stands for from the inside. We will soon be the people on the street fighting to return this country to its greatness. Inexperience and radical agenda are showing their flaws…

mkurbo of FL 8:26PM June 19, 2009

The Obama Administration must under the Truth about Islam and their intended Goals. They must come to grips and understand that you can NOT negotiate with EVIL and must do all that they can to strengthen U.S. alliances with those nations that stand for FREEDOM (i.e., Israel, Georgia, etc.) and continue to engage the enemies of Freedom. As Ronald Reagan put it, "the United States, as a country is ONLY one generation away from losing its Freedom." The Obama Administration needs to BOLDLY stand up for Freedom and NOT let down its Guard, keeping ever vigilant. It must NEVER waiver, flinch, or acquiesce at the presence of EVIL and must continue to hold to the Truth that GOOD will ultimately prevail.
It has been said, "the Only thing necessary for EVIL to Triumph is for GOOD men to do NOTHING." I hope the Obama Administration takes this to heart.
Some KEY things that I believe the Obama Admnistration should address:
1. Health Care Reform - a Single Payer Health Care System, ie., Socialized medicine will NOT work and will entrench the USA and its citizens into further DEBT. The American people do NOT need more TAXES. Switching to a Government-Run System will ONLY cause more Bureacracy and Inefficiencies. I believe the Government should help reform some of the Regulations so that their is better health coverage for the people by private insurers, but ultimately the people should have the choice about how to Pay for healthcare in a free-market system. It's all about individual choices that people make .... from the foods that they eat (Nutrition), the amount of exercise they engage in, and the preventative care one carries out (i.e., Teeth cleaning, etc.)
2. Cap and Trade - this piece of legislation needs to be trashed. Capping U.S. companies for carbon dioxide emissions during manufacture of goods is non-sense. Carbon dioxide emission is NOT a major contributor to this so-called Global Warming event. Restricting U.S. companies from producing at full capability NOT only hinders Production, but it ends up costing Americans more in TAXES and increases the cost of Goods because the manufacturers have to pass on the cost of making these Goods to the consumer. What to do?? Less government involvement with private industry. The United States need to be competitive on the International Market so that we have more exports than imports.
3. No more BAILOUTS by the Government - the Obama admnistration needs to STOP the practice of bailing out the private sector of a free-market system. What they need to do is to Revamp some of the Regulatory measures so that loopholes are closed so that abuse and financial meltdown is NOT an option...... BUT they should allow the companies to operate and manage for themselves under Competitive Capitalism. Hard work, ingenuity, innovation have been the mainstay of America's past successes and will be the CORE ingredients to achieve Future Success for the Next Generation.

Robert Sohn of FL 3:43PM June 19, 2009

and does not need editorial advice on how to make the United States into an obvious and despised meddler.
The truth of the matter is that Islam itself is highly questionable, but that it further morphs into a complete crock when mixed with government. The Iranians took to the streets and "marched" themselves right into this mess 30 years ago, and they alone need to "march" themselves right back out of it now--if that's possible. There is no way American mouthiness will help with that.
Our goal--and our only goal--is to prevent any Iranian regime from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Muser of NM 3:24PM June 19, 2009