Iran Election Result

[August]

Originally Posted by Letum

It wasn't a point so much as a question.
It's not unimaginable that they where for 'domestic consumption'.

Yeah because you Brits protest in French all the time right?

[Sea Demon]

Originally Posted by August

Yeah because you Brits protest in French all the time right?

Excellent point. Yep, these people are looking for moral support from Western governments, primarily the USA and the UK. A good start would be to call out Ayatollah Ali Khameini for what he is, and proclaim open support for the Iranian people who are looking to have their rights legitimized. Our President is leader of the free world, so there is no excuse for not proclaiming solidarity with these people. I was disappointed in his affirmation of "non-meddling". I also have to look at a silent SecState and Congress as well. Republican members of these bodies who have been silent as well. There truly is alot of blame to throw around.

Golden opportunities like these should be exploited and finessed.

This is Mr. Obama reverting back to his senate days and voting present.

Its not leadership but it isn't cowardice either, its just useless.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by CastleBravo

Its not leadership but it isn't cowardice either, its just useless.

Yes, born from the illusion of assuming that if he changes language with Iran, they would become less determined and start playing ball during negotiations over their nuclear program.

Add Iraq and the constantly growing Iranian influence there, as predicted since long and now becoming obvious.

The hole policies on that region are a pile of smashed crockery. Saddam's foreign minister Asis said after he was arrested that the day will come when the West wishes Saddam would still be there. Well, I wish that since long indeed. Removing him maybe was as brillian tan idea as would be to remove Mubarak in Egypt.

[Jimbuna]

It's all Britains fault apparently

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standa...hed/article.do

[Tchocky]

The American government expressing public support for the protestors would hurt them, and throw a really unneceessary spanner in the works. The US is unpopular in Iran, and associating the protesters with America would give Ahmedinijad a great plank with which to beat them.

Interesting piece on the usage of English in Teheran - http://www.slate.com/id/2220307/

[Max2147]

Originally Posted by Sea Demon

Excellent point. Yep, these people are looking for moral support from Western governments, primarily the USA and the UK. A good start would be to call out Ayatollah Ali Khameini for what he is, and proclaim open support for the Iranian people who are looking to have their rights legitimized. Our President is leader of the free world, so there is no excuse for not proclaiming solidarity with these people. I was disappointed in his affirmation of "non-meddling". I also have to look at a silent SecState and Congress as well. Republican members of these bodies who have been silent as well. There truly is alot of blame to throw around.

Golden opportunities like these should be exploited and finessed.

What part of "American intervention would help Ahmadinejad" don't you understand?

Sometimes you have to do the policy that works, not the policy that sounds nice or scores you political points back home. Sometimes doing nothing is the best option. As Albright says, choosing to do nothing is a major choice in itself. Sometimes it's the best choice, as in this case.

Obama here is following the example of George H.W. Bush, who very wisely chose to not cheerlead the 1989 Eastern European revolutions.

[Tchocky]

Khamenei speaking today, blamed the protests on Western intervention.


Best not to prove him right, I think.

[Steel_Tomb]

How have we "interfered" ??? "Death to the US, UK and Israel" The blokes of his bloody rocker.

[JSLTIGER]

Originally Posted by Steel_Tomb

How have we "interfered" ??? "Death to the US, UK and Israel" The blokes of his bloody rocker.

Yeah, well, what else is new?

[geetrue]

Like the article states this letter can't be proven, but still worth wondering about: Secret letter

Iranian Film Makers: Document Shows Moussavi Won
by Maayana Miskin

Two Iranian film makers met with members of the Europen Union Parliament on Tuesday and displayed a letter that they said proves the recent elections in Iran were rigged. The letter, allegedly written by the Iranian electoral commission, shows that reformist candidate Mir-Hossein Moussavi won over 19 million votes and was the rightful winner.

After Moussavi was Mehdi Karroubi with 13.3 million votes, followed by incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad with just 5.5 million, according to the document. The document's authenticity has not been proven.

The film makers, Marjane Satrapi and Mohsen Makhmalbaf, called on the EU not to recognize the official results of Iran's presidential elections. Iranian authorities say Ahmadinejad won the elections with 62 percent of the vote.
The letter was supposedly sent secretly from Iran's Interior Ministry, which runs the nation's elections, to Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The document includes the alleged real results of the election, and a promise to keep Ahmadinejad as president regardless of the popular vote.

"Following your concerns regarding the results of the presidential election and per your given discretion to have Dr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad remain as president during this sensitive juncture. Therefore, everything has been planned in a way that the public announcement will be made in accordance with the interests of the regime and the revolution,” the letter states.

[August]

Originally Posted by Max2147

What part of "American intervention would help Ahmadinejad" don't you understand?

Doing nothing apparently helps Ahmadinejad just as much so how is remaining silent the best choice?

[geetrue]

Originally Posted by August

Doing nothing apparently helps Ahmadinejad just as much so how is remaining silent the best choice?

Sort of like America before Pearl Harbor ... we're just sitting on the fence while Hillary is getting her elbow fixed.

[Max2147]

Originally Posted by August

Doing nothing apparently helps Ahmadinejad just as much so how is remaining silent the best choice?

How does doing nothing help Ahmadinejad?

The United States can't have a positive impact on the outcome in Iran. There's nothing in our foreign policy toolbox that will give us the desired result. Therefore, it's all about minimizing the damage, and doing nothing is the best way to do that.

I know that saying "we aren't able to do anything" offends the American psyche, but it's better to admit a truth you don't like than to pretend that something false is true.

[August]

Originally Posted by Max2147

How does doing nothing help Ahmadinejad?

The United States can't have a positive impact on the outcome in Iran. There's nothing in our foreign policy toolbox that will give us the desired result. Therefore, it's all about minimizing the damage, and doing nothing is the best way to do that.

I know that saying "we aren't able to do anything" offends the American psyche, but it's better to admit a truth you don't like than to pretend that something false is true.

Well my psyche isn't any more offended than it is by the fact we've never paid them back fully for taking our embassy staff hostage back in 1979.