NYC Letter: A Study In Contrasts Redux

Day 147 of CHOPE

My understanding is, is that the Iranian government says that they are going to look into irregularities that have taken place. We weren’t on the ground, we did not have observers there, we did not have international observers on hand, so I can't state definitively one way or another what happened with respect to the election.

Mr. Obama,
describing the limits of CHOPE
and minding his own business
PRESS AVAILABILITY
WASHINGTON June 15, 2009 (White House)

You've seen in Iran some initial reaction from the Supreme Leader that indicates he understands the Iranian people have deep concerns about the election.

Now, it's not productive, given the history of U.S.-Iranian relations, to be seen as meddling -- the U.S. President meddling in Iranian elections. What I will repeat and what I said yesterday is that when I see violence directed at peaceful protestors, when I see peaceful dissent being suppressed, wherever that takes place, it is of concern to me and it's of concern to the American people. That is not how governments should interact with their people.

Mr. Obama,
abdicating the title "leader of the free world"
for the less demanding role of concerned onlooker
PRESS AVAILABILITY
WASHINGTON June 16, 2009 (White House)

Don't meddle! [Pause.] There are certain expectations incumbent to the "leader of the free world". One of these is the advocacy of freedom. It may be sufficient for the EU to tongue-cluck "concern" about Iran and do nothing, but it is derelict for someone who has assumed the mantle of "leader of the free world" to sit out world events.

We are reminded of the importance the "leader of the free world" has in the lives of those who aspire to be free by two recent posts.

REAGAN DIDN’T REMAIN SILENT ON POLAND

June 16, 209 (Hot Air) - In mid-December 1981, the Polish government declared martial law, hoping to suppress the Solidarity uprising that started in Gdansk earlier that year. The Soviet puppet Wojciech Jaruzelski imprisoned thousands, including Solidarity leader Lech Walesa, and attempted to suppress self-determination by the Poles through force and intimidation. Then-President Ronald Reagan immediately reacted to the imposition of martial law by publicizing his conversation with Pope John Paul II the next day (emphases mine). The President:

Your Holiness, I want you to know how deeply we feel about the situation in your homeland.

I look forward to the time when we can meet in person.

Our sympathies are with the people, not the government.

... Reagan took a stand on freedom, where Obama sounds desperate for engagement with the forces of oppression. Germany’s Angela Merkel took a much tougher stand than Obama did, calling the oppression “totally unacceptable,” while all Obama can say is that it’s “deeply troubling”.

It’s the difference between leadership and management. Reagan led, and he inspired the Poles to continue the struggle that eventually helped free half of Europe from iron-fisted domination by the Soviet Union. Obama wants to manage the crisis to keep from having to lead. Big, big difference.

THE BIG DIFFERENCE
Left: Leader Of The Free World; Right: Anxious Garden Party Organizer
[Photo sources: Ron Edmonds/AP (R); Stephen Voss/WSJ]

And this.

GEORGE BUSH STOOD WITH DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS --
OBAMA STANDS WITH DICTATORS

June 16, 2009 (Gateway Pundit)

All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you.

President George W. Bush,
Second Inaugural Speech
January 20, 2005

President Bush’s made this pledge to political dissidents and freedom activists in 2005, "We will stand with you." And, the oppressed took him at his word. There was an Orange Revolution in Ukraine, a Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan, and a Cedar Revolution in Lebanon that spring. There were democratic elections in Afghanistan where women were not only allowed to vote but took seats in parliament. There were democratic elections for the first time in the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia released political dissidents. There were Arab democracy conferences in Qatar and women were allowed to vote in Kuwait. Egyptian judges stood up against a regime. Another regime in Libya opened up to the West. And who could forget the Iraqis who walked for miles, braving terrorist death threats, to vote in free democratic elections for the very first time.

Both worth the full read. And the re-read.

CHOPE.

No meddling. No hope. No freedom.