A young Iranian woman’s death–shot in the heart by Iranian government sharpshooters– has become the symbol of Iranian citizens protesting the recent Presidential election. According to ABC, her death has become a symbol while she has become a martyr of the Iran “regime’s brutality”. Meanwhile, the Obama administration has invited Iranian diplomats to American embassies Fourth of July celebrations:

From ABC on the new symbol of the Iranian people’s protests against the Presidential election:

“…she has still become an icon, a martyr for the opposition in Iran. Neda has given the regime’s brutality a bloody face and a name. Overnight “I am Neda,” has become the slogan of the protest movement.”

According to political journalists and international experts, President Obama has to “walk a fine line” when dealing with the current political turmoil in Iran. The latest message from Obama seemed less like a fine line and more like a pointedly ambiguous stance.

Obama quotes on Iran’s ongoing post-election protests:

“Now, what we can do is bear witness and say — to the world that the, you know, incredible demonstrations that we’ve seen is a testimony to — I think what Dr. King called the — the arc of the moral universe. It’s long but it bends towards justice.”

“The world is watching. And how they approach and deal with people who are, through peaceful means, trying to — be heard — will I think — send a pretty clear signal to the international community about — about — what — Iran is and — and is not.

” … This is not an issue of the United States or the West versus Iran. This is an issue of the Iranian people. The fact that they are on the — the streets under pretty severe duress — at great risk to themselves — is a sign that — there’s something — in that society that wants to open up.”

What was the “issue” Obama referred to? According to Obama the “issue” is this: Dr. King’s “moral arc of the universe” and…. “something’ in that society that wants to ‘open’ up.”

Perhaps Obama can find out just what this “issue” is when American embassies serve up hot dogs–hopefully kosher–and ice cream to Iran diplomats during upcoming Fourth of July celebrations.

From VOA News the Obama administration’s “invite” to Iranian diplomats:

The Obama administration has authorized its embassies to invite Iranian diplomats to U.S. Independence Day celebrations on the Fourth of July.

Officials say the State Department sent a cable to all its embassies on Friday, telling them they “may invite representatives from the government of Iran” to their annual holiday parties.

The gatherings, hosted by U.S. embassies around the world on or around July 4, generally feature fireworks, red, white and blue decorations and typical American food such as hot dogs and hamburgers, as well as remarks about American history.

While Obama is taking a “wait” and “watch” Iran attitude in regards to the deadly protests, Iran has been busy making and delivering to Iraq the deadly roadside bombs which have been the principal means of maiming and killing American forces and innocent Iraqi citizens.

From ABC News:

U.S. officials say roadside bomb attacks against American forces in Iraq have become much more deadly as more and more of the Iran-designed and Iran-produced bombs have been smuggled in from the country since last October.

“I think the evidence is strong that the Iranian government is making these IEDs, and the Iranian government is sending them across the border and they are killing U.S. troops once they get there,” says Richard Clarke, former White House counterterrorism chief and an ABC News consultant. “I think it’s very hard to escape the conclusion that, in all probability, the Iranian government is knowingly killing U.S. troops.”

Searching for more clues to Obama’s stance on “democracy” in Middle Eastern countries and Muslims one can look to Obama’s June 9 speech at the Cairo University in Egypt, a speech that was addressed to the “world’s Muslims”.

Excerpt from Obama’s Speech:

“I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years. And much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear. No system of government can or should be imposed by one nation by any other. That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people.

Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election.

But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed, confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice, government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people, the freedom to live as you choose. These are not just American ideas. They are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere.”

And yet, when the citizens of Iran rose up against a regime known for its brutality and protested against the last Presidential election, President Obama’s version of America’s “commitment” to human rights was one of ambiguity and we have to “watch” what we say because the Iranian government will “blame it on us”.

In his recent remarks addressing the Iranian crisis Obama referred to Dr. King and “the arc of the moral universe. It’s long but it bends towards justice.” It was Dr. King and the hundreds of thousands who took to the streets in peaceful protests that led to the Civil Rights movement. One cannot help but wonder how much longer it would have taken Dr. King’s arc of the moral universe to bend towards justice if, back then, those who made a difference, leaders and such, had opted to take Obama’s tact of ambiguity and of “waiting and watching” instead of speaking out and giving their support?

One cannot even begin to measure the amount of irony over Iranian diplomats enjoying kosher hot dogs at American embassies during the upcoming Fourth of July celebrations.

By LBG

Source – CBS News – Obama Quotes
Image – Hot Dogs