Posted by Jim Lindgren:
Obama Delivers on Promise in Cairo Speech: "we would not presume to pick the
outcome of a peaceful election."
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2009_06_14-2009_06_20.shtml#1245043630
So far, the response of the Obama Administration to the Iranian
election must be a disappointment to all those who desire freedom for
oppressed people around the world. The response has been compared to
that of George H.W. Bush to the fall of the Iron Curtain, which
initially was similarly [1]"flat-footed." (tip to [2]Instapundit)
This is in marked contrast to Ronald Reagan's insightful
[3]encouragement of rebellion against Communism in the 1980s.
Hillary Clinton expresses the [4]wait-and-see approach of the Obama
Administration:
�We, like the rest of the world, are waiting and watching to see
what the Iranian people decide,� Secretary of State Hillary Rodham
Clinton said during a visit to Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Saturday.
�We obviously hope the outcome reflects the genuine will and desire
of the Iranian people.�
In one sense, this unsatisfactory response is entirely consistent
with the nuanced approach that President Obama laid out in [5]his
Cairo speech.
The fourth issue that I will address is democracy.
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 upon 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.
Those are not just American ideas, they are human rights, and that
is why we will support them everywhere.
There is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is
clear: governments that protect these rights are ultimately more
stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in
making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and
law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we
disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful
governments � provided they govern with respect for all their
people.
So the current response of the Obama Administration follows just what
he promised. He promised that "we would not presume to pick the
outcome of a peaceful election" and the Iranian election through
election day was mostly peaceful, so the Obama Administration will not
presume to pick the outcome of the election, even if it was stolen.
But, if Obama decides that the election clearly was stolen, then what?
Again, his Cairo speech provides a possible answer: (1) Obama will not
"welcome" such a government (but he will not necessarily oppose it);
and (2) Obama will retain his belief that the Iranian people the
desire the "freedom to live as you choose."
As with the pirate crisis, I hope that the Administration evolves a
better response when they have a day or two to think about it.
If Obama chooses to be bound by the chains of his Cairo speech, two
things that Obama will not presume to do is try to pick the winner of
the Iranian election or try to impose a democratic system of
government on Iran.
I have [6]no doubt that President Obama loves this country more than
any other, but [7]does he understand evil -- or how to deal with it?
References
1.
http://bdroppings.blogspot.com/2009/06/obamas-reaction-to-iranian-chaos-is.html
2. http://pajamasmedia.com/instapundit/80108/
3. http://www.nationalreview.com/flashback/dsouza200406061619.asp
4.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/14/us/politics/14diplo.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
5.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/04/us/politics/04obama.text.html?pagewanted=6
6. http://www.volokh.com/posts/1215005806.shtml
7. http://www.volokh.com/posts/1215005806.shtml
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