A Chance for Greatness

The United States should always and without fail be an advocate of human rights.  During the Cold War, political prisoners in the USSR, like Solzhenitsyn and Sharansky took heart from the thought that there were American leaders who were not willing to appease the Soviets and who steadfastly demanded that the citizens of the USSR have their rights acknowledged and defended.  The demand from some US leaders was non-partisan.  Reagan obviously walked the walk, but so did Democrat Senator Henry “Scoop” Jackson.  In his book, The Case for Democracy, Natan Sharansky acknowledged that the continuous support of western leaders like Reagan and Jackson was something that gave them hope and encouraged them to continue to work to bring about change.

A couple of weeks ago, Barack Hussein Obama appeared to continue that tradition, stating this in his address to the “Muslim World”:

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.

Similarly, now is also the time for leadership from the west when it comes to the Iranian elections.  As more and more evidence arises that there was fraud in last week’s election, and as the protests against the current hateful, apocalyptic regime continue to grow, now would be the time for the President of the United States to speak out in support of human rights and the ideals of freedom that we have and wish for all people to share.  If America appears weak or ambivalent to the protests or the violent government response, the government of Iran will be heartened and will accelerate the crackdown.  And if America appears weak when it comes to Iran, what image will that convey to our other rivals in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Venezuela, North Korea, and even in Russia and China?

Weakness begets weakness, but strength now will have repercussions in our ability to execute diplomacy with other countries.  We have a moral responsibility to support freedom and human rights for everybody.

Barack Hussein Obama’s response to the crisis in one of our sister Muslim countries has been tepid at best.  He’s said he’s “deeply troubled.”  A president shouldn’t be “troubled,” he should be outraged and vocally supportive of those who are currently fighting for, and starting to die for, human rights in Iran.

His strongest words so far have been to say that, “I do believe something has happened in Iran where there is a questioning of the kind of antagonistic postures toward the international community that have take place in the past.”  Great!  Let’s take a stand on the side of good and human rights and come out in support of those who are demanding new, free, uncorrupted elections.

Obama has responded to the crisis also by suggesting that differences between Ahmadinejad and Mousavi may not be great, and the US would still be dealing with a hostile regime.

That may be.  Maybe Mousavi isn’t exactly Thomas Jefferson, but consider three things:

1) The Iranian people should, as Obama suggested in his speech, get the leader they peacefully elected, and allow them to trust the rule of law.

2) Mousavi has advanced the idea of reengaging with America in a spirit of openness and diplomacy again.

3) Supporting a just, open and fair election now would encourage reformists to continue to come forward and participate in the political process in the future.  But if we leave the people who are demonstrating for their human rights to their own devices and hang them out to dry today, they’ll know they can’t rely on the West to support them in the future, either.  It’s essential that we unequivocally support these people.

Now’s your chance, Barry.  You talked the talk.  Walk the walk.  These people no doubt heard your words and took strength from them, believing that someone with a name like theirs, with a Muslim history like them, finally understood their plight and their yearning for freedom.  You portrayed yourself as a hero for freedom, a fellow traveler who understood their religion and their struggle.  If you let this chance for change wither and allow the authoritarians in Iran to crush these people under their bootheels, this will be blood on your hands.  These people are demonstrating for change.  This is your moment.  Reach out to them.