well....since everyone else is...
here's my two lira on the events in Iran and why Obama isn't castigating harshly:
Obama didn't really have a choice - if he had said "Mousavi should have one" or demanded a recount, that would play into the current Presidnet's hands ("hey look, the Americans are telling us who should be in charge of Iran"...most of the folks in Iran's government remember the last time the US tried that)
...and suddenly Mousavi loses a chunk of his supporters - those who don't want to think of themselves as disloyal to their country, and also those who don't like foreigners telling them what to do.
seriously. think of it this way: if during the 2008 US elections, the Supreme Leader of Iran had gone on television and gave his full and unwavering support to the McCain/Palin ticket.....I think even FOXnews would have been praising Obama as a result.
EDIT: without qualification or hesitation, I feel for the protesters (and for the law enforcement folks who have to follow orders)
Obama didn't really have a choice - if he had said "Mousavi should have one" or demanded a recount, that would play into the current Presidnet's hands ("hey look, the Americans are telling us who should be in charge of Iran"...most of the folks in Iran's government remember the last time the US tried that)
...and suddenly Mousavi loses a chunk of his supporters - those who don't want to think of themselves as disloyal to their country, and also those who don't like foreigners telling them what to do.
seriously. think of it this way: if during the 2008 US elections, the Supreme Leader of Iran had gone on television and gave his full and unwavering support to the McCain/Palin ticket.....I think even FOXnews would have been praising Obama as a result.
EDIT: without qualification or hesitation, I feel for the protesters (and for the law enforcement folks who have to follow orders)