Shame On You, Mr. President

by: nancy morgan | published: 06 22, 2009

Graphic video of an Iranian woman being shot dead while watching the Iran protests with her father is sweeping the net. While Iran state media is doing its best to put a muzzle on foreign media reporting on the violent revolution unfolding in Iran, American media is under no such constraints. Americans are treated to the news that Obama is eating an ice cream cone.

As news of 20 deaths so far between protestors and police in the streets of Tehran is reported by Iran's state media, American media reports that Hillary Clinton is recovering from surgery on her elbow. Though the surgery has been described as minor, it has apparently left Hillary without a voice, as no statement has been forthcoming from our Secretary of State about the millions of Iranians who are risking death to protest their oppression by a tyrannical government.

President Obama, after being elected President in part due to his carefully crafted image as a champion of the oppressed and supporter of equality for all, has decided that America will remain neutral, as he made clear while addressing (and validating) 'Supreme Leader'. As the chaos in Iran accelerates, Obama assures the world that he is 'bearing witness.'  I'm sure the Iranian people are breathing a collective sigh of relief.

As events continue to unfold, Obama has been forced to devote a small part of his never ending television face-time to opine that Iran should stop "all violent and unjust actions." Noticeably lacking in Obama's address was the passion he showed a mere two days ago, when he put critics of his financial overhaul on notice, saying, "While I'm not spoiling for a fight, I'm ready for one."

One would almost believe that our president considers American businessmen more of a threat than a murderous regime, systematically involved in oppressing and killing its own citizens for the crime of seeking freedom.

Shame on you, Mr. President. Shame on you for being the first American president in history to decline to stand up for freedom and democracy.

As our president takes to the airwaves to exhort American fathers to be better fathers than his own, millions of Americans are doing what he is not. Standing up for the Iranian people. Demonstrations are springing up in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and across the country as the American people strive to make known their support for the Iranian people in their quest for freedom. Ditto in France, as thousands of people gathered north of Paris on Saturday to show their support for Iranian opposition protesters.

This American, while shamed by our current administration, is proud of America, knowing that the example our country has set and the freedoms we enjoy, serve as an example of what is possible. This American is proud that the Iranian people also have the example of Iraq to serve as a barometer of what might be feasible in their own country.

As our President concentrates on empty rhetoric and his own political viability, the people of America are taking to the streets. Showing by their actions that the American ideal of democracy and freedom is alive and well. And showing the Iranians that the American people, if not its president, are actively supporting them as they risk their lives to gain the basic freedoms that we take for granted. 

Who knows, maybe one day the Iranian people will return the favor.

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