
Parson Alltalk
His appeasement of the mullahs exposed for what it was by the force of events, Obama tries to play catch-up. “Obama talks tougher on Iran violence,” by Jennifer Loven for AP, June 23 (thanks to James):
WASHINGTON (AP) – President Barack Obama on Tuesday declared the United States and the entire world “appalled and outraged” by Iran’s violent efforts to crush dissent, a clear toughening of his rhetoric as Republican critics at home pound him as being too passive.
Obama condemned the “threats, beatings and imprisonments of the last few days. ”
“I strongly condemn these unjust actions,” Obama said in a news conference at the White House that lasted slightly less than an hour.
Obama said his message has been consistent, and he shot back at Republican critics who are calling him timid: “Only I’m the president of the United States.”
When asked if his strong language on Tuesday was influenced by pressure from such Republicans as Sens. John McCain and Lindsey Graham, Obama scoffed: “What do you think?”…
“I have made it clear that the United States respects the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is not interfering in Iran’s affairs,” Obama said. “But we must also bear witness to the courage and dignity of the Iranian people, and to a remarkable opening within Iranian society. And we deplore violence against innocent civilians anywhere that it takes place.”
Obama noted the killing of a young woman, Neda Agha Soltan, whose apparent shooting death was captured on video and circulated worldwide.
“We have seen courageous women stand up to brutality and threats, and we have experienced the searing image of a woman bleeding to death on the streets,” Obama said. “While this loss is raw and painful, we also know this: Those who stand up for justice are always on the right side of history.”
Obama said he’s watched the video. “It’s heartbreaking,” he said. “I think that anybody who sees it knows that there’s something fundamentally unjust about it.”
So, uh, gonna let them have nukes anyway?
Anyway, for continuing up-to-the-minute and excellent coverage of the events in Iran, don’t miss Atlas Shrugs.