The face of freedom in Iran...
One of the most powerful condemnations of President Obama's foreign policy doesn't originate from conservative blogs or GOP press releases. Instead, it is found in yesterday's UK Telegraph and the title is poignant:
Iranian protesters are dying for freedom – where is Barack Obama?
Not only is Obama silent, so is Vice President Biden along with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. What an embarrassment to our longstanding tradition of supporting freedom around the globe. You know it's bad when our own allies outflank us and then turn to criticize our failure to lead.
Many leaders abroad are privately furious that Obama continues to avoid this crisis while vacationing in Hawaii, "golfing and goofing off." I must admit, there is no such thing as "vacation" for the President of the United States. That said, as much as I disagree with Obama on many issues, I stand firm in my support for the Obama family to have time away as a family and to maintain the privacy they deserve as parents to maintain a strong family unit. The events of the past days supercede this courtesy.
We narrowly avoided a Christmas day massacre because of an incompetent terrorist, not because our security network performed its job. During one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, our President remained silent and out of view. (Over 72 hours now) Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano appeared on several network shows declaring, "The system worked." She must go.
Back to Iran. Thanks in large part to Twitter; messages, updates and links to graphic videos are emanating from the peaceful protests turned violent after Iran's Basij militia's were deployed using bullets, batons and tear gas in Tehran. The protesters "freedom fighters" have fought back and there are reports of several deaths yesterday alone, including the nephew of Presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, who many believe was the legitimate winner of the national election last summer.
If this is the moment of vulnerability for the Muslim Mullahs that rule Iran, why are we silent?
Should Israel attack Iran in the coming months as I believe they will, expect world-wide chaos, gas prices of $6-8 dollars per gallon and global economic panic.
There is no "easy button" when it comes to confronting Iran. I believe we have failed to seize this critical opportunity to support the people of Iran who are now shedding their own blood in an attempt to restore their government to reasonable, peace-loving people.
