Obama: Johnny-Come-Lately to the Support of Iranian Protesters

Obama, in a “let me be clear” moment, sends the message to Iran that America may stand by and watch while they do what they will. The President strongly condemned the action of the Iranian Government and called on them to “respect the rights of its own people.” President Obama says, “We will bear witness” to the atrocities in Iran.

The demonstrations in Iran have given life to a democracy movement that has the potential to topple one of the most extreme regimes this young century has seen. With the balance of power shifting in Iran, Obama should be offering encouragement to the populous. The only thing he should be calling on from a regime that kills its own citizens and promotes terror in the region, is the resignation of that regime.

Not much has changed in our Administration’s approach since the stance that Obama took in June: we don’t want to be seen as interfering in Iran. It is clear that the prodemocracy movement is growing. It is time to step up not just the rhetoric, but the calls for sanctions. It is time to further isolate the Iranian government and leave them no ground to go to other than that of its fellow dictators. Obama has made repeated overtures to Iran’s leaders, even claiming during the disputed election, “…[W]hoever ends up winning the election in Iran, the fact that there has been a robust debate hopefully will help advance our ability to engage them in new ways.”  Now is not the time to engage, it’s time to choose a side and push for a positive outcome to the current violence. I just hope Obama chooses the side of liberty and freedom; inaction shows a clear support for the other.

Below is an old video contrasting how Reagan handled a similar situation in Poland.