President Obama on Protests in Iran: “It Would Be Wrong for Me to Be Silent”

Hey Obama..
“It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt”

“…the world is watching…” This is embarrassing.

PLEASE HELPPPPPPPPPPPP All Iranians…
We need your help against dictator.
We would not forgive however don’t help us. Help for the god’s sake. They are killing innocent young boys and girls.

Yeah Obama – You run right over to the U.N. and get that dreaded “strongly worded” paper that will scare those bad ol’ Iranians into submission. That’ll teach ‘em!

Yeah Obama – You run right over to the U.N. and get that dreaded “strongly worded” paper that will scare those bad ol’ Iranians into submission. That’ll teach ‘em! – Jon
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And your suggestion would be? Of course you don’t have one, all you can do is bash! This is a sovereign nation, all we can do is watch, did you have this suggestion when South Africa was going through it’s changes? Most likely not. Sad for you!

By all means, let’s start another mide-east war. The two we have haven’t lasted too long, haven’t been too expense, too bloody, or heartbreaking. Are you Neo-cons serious?

Jason -Because you don’t hear about it, it doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened! Do you expect all conversations that have happened to be public? If so, you really should discuss the whole torture thing with Buhsh & Cheney!

JV says: “Some of the comments left here definitely show just how ignorant Americans can be.”
Yeah, there are a few people on here that could be thought of as ignorant, I choose to define them another way. Idealistic to the point of irrationality.

It’s the Democratic primaries all over again, but Obama seems to have flip-flopped. Now the voices of the people should be heard, then the voices of Democrats, and their votes, were ignored. He’s on the right side this time, but he has absolutely no credibility.

I’m sure Israel is watching closely. If the violence spreads to other cities the greater the danger is that the radical regime in Iran will do something stupid to engage in an external conflict to rally the Iranian people to fight a common enemy. No wonder the US defense department has advised the US naval forces in the area to do all it can to avoid being drawn into a skirmish.

Man, obama is a coward!! Take a stand! Any stand, but take one!! What does Obama believe in?? What a coward.

well,well, iraq is looking like a bastion of freedom and a fine example of a young democracy in that hell of the middle east!!!
GREAT Job BUSH!!!! He was right!!!!!!!!

“I think that the, the democratic process, free speech, the ability for people to peacefully dissent, all those are universal values and need to be respected.”
But on the other hand….Obama indicates he will continue dialogue with (and implicit recognition of) Ahmadinejad (as a legitimate head of state).
Hope and Change! Hope and Change! Hope and Change!
Yes We Can! Yes We Can! Yes We Can!

So far the response from the American government has been reasoned and measured – support for peaceful demonstration, condemnation of violence against peaceful demonstrations and support for an inquiry into the legitimacy of the election.
People with no ideas hurl stones at the President, because they have no ideas.
What did the extremists on this forum expect – and who in their right mind cares?

Horse Rider – It’s the Iranians time, not ours! What do you want, a third war? Think of what happened when the Shah (whom we propped up) was over thrown. That is their country, this is their time, if we interfere whomever succeeds will not have the respect. Where you this outraged when S.African’s fought for their independence?

“….inspired by their participation regardless of the outcome…..” Amazing…students are being beaten and murdered in the streets and President Obama is inspired by their participation. They’re willing to rally and protest and possibly be murdered to experience democracy which we take for granted every day! I don’t believe we should get involved militarily, but our President needs to develop a backbone and call evil for what it is. These students are looking to America to at least show support for what they are doing. How will Iran ever develop into something other than an extremist Islamic regime if outsiders don’t support what these brave young people are doing?

“To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.”
— President Barack Obama, Inaugural Address 2009
Hmmmmm.
President Obama added that the United States had no observers watching the election so he could not comment on allegations of fraud. He noted that the Iranian government promised an investigation, and said he hoped it would be done fairly and without any further violence.
Okay?

Yeah Obama – You run right over to the U.N. and get that dreaded “strongly worded” paper that will scare those bad ol’ Iranians into submission. That’ll teach ‘em!

yellow belly prez has spoken. yawn.

We waited three days for that? Get that man a teleprompter and let’s try this again.

I have been expecting another speech from Mr. Obama about how it’s America’s fault and we have it all coming.

“It seems for Obama, the image of people demonstrating-for any reason-is more important than a fair outcome to an election. In other words, just making noise is fine, but supporting a righteous attempt at a measured attempt at democracy is really not his concern. (Just like he unconstitutionally fired an attorney general recently).”
Lura- There are several accurate distinctions to draw here, but it seems you have the willingness to look at them. What we in the west see with the protests is anger at an injustice of not giving weight to the voices of the people of a nation. The counting irregularities, the rushed count, and the statements after the election looked targeted to exacerbate the protests we are seeing. We are looking for an accurate count and record of the voting. It also looked like our commercial media syndicates, with heavy Israeli influence, as well as the early statements of Mousavi were aimed at either creating or exacerbating the situation. So we can no longer pick sides about that. Here in the US we have to constantly deal with sitting in a majority and accomodating and respecting the minority sentiments again and again, whatever side we might find ourselves on from time to time. We can’t do that for you over there, you will have to figure out how to do that for yourselves.
Also, the AG firing was not unconstitutional, he filed the appropriate letter so we have a history of his reasons, and can use that to judge his actions accordingly.

“It would be wrong for me to be silent”….but then he said basically nothing.

Up until today there was nothing to comment on. It is basically an Iranian issue not ours. We could make it an Iran against the US issue, but I fail to see how that will help.
I Guess we could have a knee Jerk reaction again, but the GOP is not in power, so good luck with that.
Sure am that you are not the one to make the decision.

But it isn’t up to the Iranians. It is up to the Mullahs.
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I would say it is up to the Iranians and the Mullahs. It sure is not up to us.

Gore lost, fair and square.

lura:”(Just like he unconstitutionally fired an attorney general recently).”
? The Constitution says nothing about attorney generals, Obama fully complied with current law, and it was an inspector general not an attorney general.

AS an Iranian I offended by Obama’s remark…What a lame statement. What did he mean that negotiations will go one??? will go on with which government?
This is typical Obama, talking from both sides of his mouth. He left the door open for Ahamdinejad..this is crazy!
By the way, Laura has been doing a great job reporting on her twitter!

Amir:”What did he mean that negotiations will go one??? will go on with which government?”
Quite simply, the one that controls the supplies of weapons to terrorists and the active nuclear research program – Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This is the reality of international politics; we’re done meddling with your internal affairs. (Although as an Iranian, you must realize that the Supreme Leader is ultimately the only voice that matters – for all matters of international discourse, he makes the final call.)

Foghorn Leghorn:”What reality are you alleging he understands?”
To quote myself, “…coming out and explicitly endorsing the protesters would not be in any way helping them. It would be akin to Bin Laden giving a sincere endorsement of John McCain on election eve 2008…” The people with guns may be sympathetic to young Iranians, but they unequivocally hate the US.
You can add to that the point I just made about at the end of the day, the US has to deal with the government “that controls the supplies of weapons to terrorists and the active nuclear research program.”
I missed in the earlier thread – what is your specific proposal of what you want Obama to do? Now that he’s come out with an official position like you insisted was necessary earlier, is it not incendiary enough to satisfy you?

SJ:”it would be unethical of Obama to meddle into the political affairs of another nation ”
Don’t think Obama is a saint – this isn’t a matter of unethical, it is a matter of not possible. Every time the US even breathes on Iran’s internal affairs things get worse. Some analysts still blame the Bush administration for undercutting the 2003 protests by coming out strongly in their favor (rallying the armed power base to stand together against the Great Satan and put down that revolt).

I can see from the posts in this thread that so many of us know how events are playing out in Iran. Though, there are some that still believe that with an Executive Order, President Obama can change the course of events in Iran.
From demostrations and Rallies held in Tehran, it is obvious that the Iranians are not taking the brazen fraud that characterized the elections with kids gloves.
Ayatullah Ali Khomeini himself knows that he is sitting on a keg on gun powder which may lead to his ouster as the Supreme head of Iran if he is not seen to be on the side of the truth.
The Iranian revolution of 1979 that ousted the Shar is still fresh in everybody’s memory.
With Ayatullar Akbar Rafsanjani on the opposing side and who is seen as the backbone of Mir-Hossein Mousavi, Ali Khomeini knows that he needs to thread gently on the slippery ground lest he trips.
President Obama has done the right thing. Don’t take sides with the Gladiators but be seen to be on the side of People. This is divine wisdom.

DRUDGE SAYS: “ABC TURNS PROGRAMMING OVER TO OBAMA; NEWS TO BE ANCHORED FROM INSIDE WHITE HOUSE”
Nothing, I repeat NOTHING ABC ever reports again is to be given any credibility. It is now an official propaganda arm of the ministry of public deceit.
ABC is now state run media.

“I think that the, the democratic process, free speech, the ability for people to peacefully dissent, all those are universal values and need to be respected.”
Um… Iran does not have a “democratic” process, or free speech, or the ability to peacefully dissent. Thier “democratic” process is for public consumption. It has nothing in common with what a democratic process is. They do not have freedom of speech. If you speak out against the government, your going to jail. The TV is showing what they do with peaceful dissent.
Our President has to be extremely careful here. He cannot give any credibility to this regime. By talking with them, he gives them credibility, and undermines the people of Iran who are against thier regime.
Is there any question that the Iranian “democratic process” is corrupt? Then call it out Mr. President. Show the people of Iran that you support their ability to choose their government.
His statement was not very good, possibly even detrimental to the opposition in Iran.

“It is up to Hitler and the German people”. Gee, I think I remember reading about some British guy saying something like that in the 1930′s.

KR, I beg to differ. Iran operates a Democracy. There is freedom of speech and that is why you could see Mir-Hossein Mousavi addressing a protest rally yesterday. The people that are reported to have been killed in the protest were reported to have attacked a Military outpost.
Their kind of democracy may not be like the US however,since the Iranian revolution of 1979, they have tried to have a semblance of Democracy.

“Iran operates a Democracy. There is freedom of speech and that is why you could see Mir-Hossein Mousavi addressing a protest rally yesterday. The people that are reported to have been killed in the protest were reported to have attacked a Military outpost.”
I’m sorry, I have to disagree. The media clamp down isn’t freedom of speech, foreign media being told to stay in their rooms is not freedom of speech.
Last election the government chose who could run for office, telling most of the opposition candidates they could not run. That’s not democracy. Their election is a ruse to both the people and the world to give the impression that there is elections and they are honored. In the end, the regime powers, those Mulahs behind the scenes, decide the election. If you want to call that a democracy, then I feel you have a far lower standard on what constitutes a democracy that myself.
The more proper term is a Theocracy. They seek this facad of a democracy to give themselves credibility with the western world. However, it is anything but.

“They want change and Obama’s speech is what spurred on the ones who feel surpressed.”
Attributing the protests to Obama’s speech is beyond a stretch, its pretty close to dillusional. This isn’t the first time Iranians have protested their government around elections. One would have to forget that to think Obama is somehow “spurring on” the protests.
“He took his life in his hands by going over there and speaking and I am proud of him.”
I guess you are saying it was dangerous for him to go to Cairo? US Presidents go to Egypt regularly, didn’t realize it was a badge of honor and pride, enduring something a kin to a soldier on a battlefield.

Read up on Reagan and Poland. That is how you handle a situation like this. One does not break silence with more silence.
“(T)he torch of liberty is hot. It warms those who hold it high. It burns those who try to extinguish it.” ~ Ronald Reagan

The thing about this situation is that the leadership will gain more through becomming more open and democratic. It’s not like North Korea, where they have miles of fascist/communist ranks with nothing else in their minds besides an anti-US propaganda poster from 1942. The leadership in Iran just needs a little enlightenment on healthy management of civilian politics. The leadership in Korea needs an enemy.