Pirate's Cove

Yes, finally, President Obama commented on what is going on in Iran, but, lest you think this was scripted, some sort of announcement as so many Obama shills seeming to be saying, um, no. From the White House blog, we find that he commented on Iran because he was asked a question from someone in the media who got over their Obama worship

Just before 6:00 this evening, the President emerged from his meeting with Prime Minister Berlusconi of Italy, and they fielded questions from the press together. They discussed the strong alliance between the two countries, demonstrated in their meeting by the Prime Minister’s agreement to accept three Guanatanamo prisoners in Italy. The first question that was asked, not surprisingly, concerned Iran though:

Q Mr. President, on Iran, does the disputed election results affect — there’s been violence in the street — in any way change your willingness to meet with Mr. Ahmadinejad without preconditions? And also, do you have anything to say, any message to send to people who are on the streets protesting, who believe their votes were stolen and who are being attacked violently?

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Obviously all of us have been watching the news from Iran. And I want to start off by being very clear that it is up to Iranians to make decisions about who Iran’s leaders will be; that we respect Iranian sovereignty and want to avoid the United States being the issue inside of Iran, which sometimes the United States can be a handy political football — or discussions with the United States.

Having said all that, I am deeply troubled by the violence that I’ve been seeing on television. I think that the democratic process — free speech, the ability of people to peacefully dissent — all those are universal values and need to be respected. And whenever I see violence perpetrated on people who are peacefully dissenting, and whenever the American people see that, I think they’re, rightfully, troubled.

There is more to that his comment, but, let’s look at that second paragraph. Obama is “deeply troubled.” Once again, he makes it all about himself (or should that be Himself?). Granted, this was in response to a question, but, why does it seem that Obama makes everything about himself? In case he hasn’t figured it out, and whether those of us on the Right like it or not, he is the President Of The United States Of America. His words have value, and he speaks for this country.

The rest is just a continuation of how he feels. It is one thing to express his own opinion as such, but, how about expressing the opinion of the United States? He always seems to forget that part.

Michael Leeden writes

Western governments have expressed dismay at the violence, and Obama, in his eternally narcissistic way, said that he was deeply disturbed by it, and went on to add that freedom of speech, etc., were universal values and should be respected by the mullahs.  I would have preferred a strong statement of condemnation–stressing the evil of killing peaceful demonstrators–but he finally said something.

And even the BBC finds Obama’s statement lacking, calling it cautious, walking a fine diplomatic line, though they do seem to be attempting to carry his water. But, they make an interesting comparison

We all remember the fatal mistake the Bush administration made in 2002 declaring that Hugo Chavez had been ousted from power.

It was both wrong and counter-productive – fuelling anti-American sentiment.

But at least it was clear which side the Bush administration was on.

Four years ago, when President Ahmadinejad came to power, the Bush administration had denounced the election even before the result was declared. They knew it was rigged by the Guardian Council, acting on the orders of the supreme leader.

It’s not clear which side President Narcissist is on. Not that there will be a heck of a lot of difference between Ahmadinejad and Mousavi. Mousavi may be more moderate on some internal issues, but, the Mullahs really run things behind the scenes, and Mousavi is not much different when it comes to international affairs and nuclear weapons. But, at least Obama could make a strong official pronouncement, rather then an off the cuff remark to a reporters question, condemning the violence by the government and the sham election, and supporting the rights of the protesters. Good luck with that. Because then it would be about the Iranian people, rather then about Obama.