Catching Up with History
Over the weekend, after calls from members of both parties to say something clear and forceful about the unrest in Iran, the Grand Orator finally opened up. In a CBS interview about the crackdown against citizens protesting a stolen election, Barack Obama finally said, "I want to repeat it that we stand with those who would look to peaceful resolution of conflict, and we believe that the voices of people have to be heard, that that's a universal value that the American people stand for and this administration stands for."
No, it doesn't quite rank with "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall," but it's a start.
While Ronald Reagan is remembered for facing down the "evil empire," George H.W. Bush for driving Saddam out of Kuwait, Bill Clinton for intervening in the former Yugoslavia, and W. for ousting the Taliban and Saddam after 9/11, the current occupant of the Oval Office seems destined to be remembered for facing down Big Tobacco. While Obama fiddles, Tehran burns.
Why has Obama been so slow to take a stand? The former presidents stood for freedom, but that's not the first thing that comes to mind when pondering the current administration. Obama stands not for freedom (though he's not personally opposed to it, unless you make a lot of money, smoke, drive a junker, or do other things not favored by the federal goivernment). President Obama's passions, such as they are, are focused elsewhere: reregulation. Inspiring, isn't it?
Obama has also staked much of his political reputation on his ability to talk with dictators, such as Iran's Ahmadinejad. If the people of Iran throw the guy out, then who will be there for Obama to charm before the cameras?
Sad to see, Obama seems to be sprinting to catch up with history. Perhaps he should heed the following words, which seem prescient today:
Sixty years of Western nations excusing and accommodating the lack of freedom in the Middle East did nothing to make us safe -- because in the long run, stability cannot be purchased at the expense of liberty. As long as the Middle East remains a place where freedom does not flourish, it will remain a place of stagnation, resentment, and violence ready for export. And with the spread of weapons that can bring catastrophic harm to our country and to our friends, it would be reckless to accept the status quo.
Who said them? George W. Bush.
posted by Stan Guthrie at 9:06 AM
StanGuthrie.com
5 Comments:
Why has Obama been so slow to take a stand? It might be because he seems to govern by polling data and not principle (look at his recent retreat on health care). His comments today come in the wake of recent polls that show his approval ratings dropping. Agree or disagree with W., he did what he thought was right regardless of the polls.
Now that it's too late to matter, the president has finally gotten around to condemining the thugs who run Iran. If only he were as resolute with them as he was with corporate execs who fly to Vegas.
Stan, I think the question is, what is the best way to help the people of Iran who are facing this violence from their govt.? Putting aside the question of whether Obama has any principles, what sorts of pressures will be most effective? The Ayatollah welcomes Western denunciations as evidence that the West is trying to overthrow the govt., a tired theme, I know, but one Obama is obviously trying to avoid handing to Iran's Guardian Council.
Good point, Steve. I think the people who are in the streets aren't susceptible to that kind of manipulation and dislike the regime anyway. My guess is that the mullahs are already attacking the U.S. rhetorically, whatever Obama says, so he ought at least to put some heat on Tehran and encourage the demonstrators, many of whom actually like the U.S.
It's in our interest to see this regime replaced with a more tolerant, democratic alternative. I hope there is some kind of plan to encourage this. It sure beats bombing.
Stan
I suspect what might turn heads of leaders in Iran is a widespread outcry among leaders in the Muslim world, more than denunciations from the West. There's no doubt there's a real door of opportunity here. But if I were Obama, I'd be on the phone with heads of state in various Muslim countries right now.
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