Where’s Obama on Iranian oppression?

Jun, 23-2009 11:52 am

To the editor:

Youthful Iranians, freedom-loving Iranians, fair-minded Iranians, vigorously protest the sham reelection of their despotic president Mahmoud AhMADinejad. Hundreds of thousands of them march through the streets of Tehran, kindred spirits of young Chinese students ruthlessly murdered in Tiananmen Square by jackbooted thugs with stinking government badges; but where’s Obama?

If ever America had a chance to recapture her moral authority so carelessly squandered; if ever America had a chance to loudly proclaim the true message of Old Glory; if ever America had a chance to unflinchingly support Iran’s disillusioned and rightfully furious masses it is now; but where’s Obama?

Why doesn’t America’s new great communicator announce to the world with inspiring rhetoric that his nation fully backs those who are willing to demonstrate for free and fair elections in Iran; that his nation refuses to recognize the results of Iran’s rigged election; that his nation will forge a United Nations resolution to invalidate that election; that his nation will do everything in its power to support those who risk their own safety by demanding the right to choose a leader fairly?

If U.S. President Barak Obama doesn’t soon act forcefully, courageously, throw caution to the wind, he will miss perhaps the greatest opportunity he will ever have to let the world know what America stands for; that his nation refuses to coddle leaders that disrespect the will of their people; that his nation will promote justice for all.

How much blood in the street, flowing from the bodies of pummeled protestors, will he tolerate before he condemns Iran’s dysfunctional and dangerous government in no uncertain terms? When will moral conviction trump nuanced strategies?

It is high time for today’s Chicago politician to truly become a world-class leader; that is why he was elected.

Lawrence Uniglicht

Galloway Township