“It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.” —Macbeth, William Shakespeare
Last week, Obama failed the republic for which he says he stands. At a Tuesday, June 23 press briefing, Obama replied directly to inquiries about his stance on the Iranian uprising. He finally made a tepid statement condemning the government brutality in beating protesters, but only referred to Neda’s death.
“The United States and the international community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, beatings and imprisonments of the last few days,” Obama said Tuesday, adding that he strongly condemns “these unjust actions.”
There have been many more. 450 protesters were arrested last weekend. Homes were invaded. Confessions are being tortured out of the imprisoned protesters. Last Wednesday, June 24, 2009, hundreds of state police in riot gear waited in a mosque for the protesters to arrive. Then they viciously attacked and beat them bloody, resulting in broken bones, cracked heads, saving the most brutal attacks for women who dared to be in public to voice their opposition. By some accounts, they wielded axes and threw people off bridges.
And we thought this would be different than Tienamen Square. And we (well not us, but you know who) thought that Obama would be different than George Bush I, who remained silent as unarmed Chinese protesters were slaughtered or jailed.
The president lied outright, and no one called him on it. He answered a question from Fox News’ Major Garrett who followed up on Obama’s regrets by asking a tough question (Shock!): Were Iranian government officials still invited to US Embassies’ Fourth of July celebrations? (Here at 8:19) Given the repressive government crackdown on its unarmed citizens, shouldn’t Obama make a statement about it by uninviting them? Obama replied, quite haughtily I might add, that the US does not have diplomatic relations with Iran, (so they would naturally not be included). However, contrarily CNN reported that Obama contacted “Supreme Leader” Khamenei before the election, and that invitations for the 4th celebrations had been extended. CNN reports that these invitations have not be rescinded.
(CNN) — U.S. President Obama sent a direct message to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei weeks before this month’s disputed election, Iranian sources said Wednesday.
“See, I can use my middle finger just like your guy.”
The letter requested dialogue and engagement between the two nations, the sources said.
The sources said that Khamenei has yet to reply to the letter but that nonetheless it “had set the negotiating table in order for both sides to sit around it after the election.”
The White House refused to “get into the specifics of our different ways of communicating,” a senior Obama administration official said.
“We have indicated a willingness to talk for a long time and have sought to communicate with the Iranians in a variety of ways,” the official said.
It’s like Obama is trying to make friends with all the tyrannical countries and leaders who don’t like us, as if he’s trying to win the love of his father who treated him like crap. It’s like now we’re experiencing Bizarro Bush III. But instead of bullying bad agents, he’s rolling over and acting submissive.
Khamenei made an indirect reference to the letter in his sermon on Friday at Tehran University.
“The U.S. president said that we were waiting for a day like this to see people on the street,” the Iranian leader said. “Some people attributed these remarks to Obama, and then they write letters to say we’re ready to have ties, that we respect the Islamic Republic, and on the other hand, they make such comments. Which one should we believe?”
And this is the country our president courts? Well, we can see where they’re at. CNN continues:
One Iranian source said, “We thought President Obama would send congratulations to President Ahmadinejad,” and before the election, his senior advisers prepared a response to the anticipated note, which never came.
The Iranian source said the election dispute is wasting time on the issue of starting U.S.-Iranian negotiations. 
Watch how the reported letter is part of a new policy of engagement »
Following Amanpour’s coverage of this at the above link, you can hear the sad account of a woman who was part of Wednesday’s protests.
“The longer it is delayed,” [an Iranian official] said, “the less likely [U.S.-Iranian talks] will happen.”
Another Iranian government official said there is still “no trust” between Iran and the United States.
Say what? What invitations? I don’t got no stinking invitations.
But the administration’s tack toward Iran may be changing, as senior officials in Washington said the Obama administration is seriously considering not extending further invitations to Iranian diplomats for July 4 celebrations overseas. Some invitations had been sent and will not be rescinded, senior administration officials said.
The officials said intense discussions on the issue were taking place, but the final decision had not been made.
UPDATE Oh, wait. There were invitations:
6/24/09 WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Obama administration has decided to rescind invitations to Iranian diplomats for July Fourth celebrations overseas because of violent crackdowns against protesters in Iran, the White House said Wednesday.
Look at who really rescinded the invitations. Not this guy.
He didn’t even make the statement. He was the obfuscator. It was this guy:
“July Fourth allows us to celebrate the freedom and the liberty we enjoy: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to assemble peacefully, freedom of the press,” White House Spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters. “Given the events of the past many days, those invitations will no longer be extended.”
The administration had decided to invite Iranians to the celebrations at overseas posts as part of the president’s policy of engaging the Iranian regime.
In late May the State Department sent a cable to its embassies and consulates worldwide informing them they “may invite representatives from the government of Iran” to their July Fourth celebrations.
Who is the person that evidently felt the pain of the protesters and actually gets it? . . . Guess who-ooo?
67th US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
But in a fresh cable sent to all embassies and consulates Wednesday evening, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ordered posts “to rescind all invitations that have been extended to Iranian diplomats for July Fourth events.
“Unfortunately the circumstances have changed and participation by Iranian diplomats would not be appropriate in light of the Iranian government’s continued violent and unjust actions against its own people,” said the cable, obtained by CNN.
“For invitations which have been extended, posts should make clear that Iranian participation is no longer appropriate in the current circumstances. For invitations which have not been extended, no further action is needed.”
A senior administration official said Clinton made the decision, and then informed President Obama.
One senior administration official said Wednesday the reconsideration of the July Fourth invitations is consistent with Obama’s comments Tuesday, in which he said he was “shocked and appalled” at the violence against demonstrators.
President Obama on Tuesday toughened his stance on Iran’s crackdown on protesters.
Post script: Here’s a line from CNN’s article that I omitted. I like it better in.
The source said he is waiting for “real change” even though the Iranian government welcomed the change in tone of the Obama administration before the current election turmoil in Iran.
About that “. . . waiting for “real change” thing. Yeah, buddy, get in line.
[cross-posted at The Widdershins]
