Quote of the day
posted at 10:50 pm on June 18, 2009 by Allahpundit
“Of all our foreign-policy failures in my lifetime, our current shunning of those demanding free elections and expanded civil rights in Iran reminds me most of Hungary in 1956.
For years, we encouraged the Hungarians to rise up against oppression. When they did, we watched from the sidelines as Russian tanks drove over them.
For decades, Washington policymakers from both parties have prodded Iranians to throw off their shackles. Last Friday, millions of Iranians stood up. And we’re standing down.
That isn’t diplomacy. It’s treachery…
Now our president’s attempt to vote “present” yet again green-lights the Iranian regime’s determination to face down the demonstrators — and the mullahs understand it as such.
If we see greater violence in Tehran, the blood of those freedom marchers will be on our president’s hands.”
Blowback
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No, it’s incompetence. From the team ready to go on day 1.
ddrintn on June 18, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Obama: Isn’t Hungary one of those countries where they speak Austrian?
Upstater85 on June 18, 2009 at 10:54 PM
No. Ready on Day 1 was Hillary’s meme.
Obama said he would be right on day one. How quaint. Righteousness: a glorious Obama virtue.
lansing quaker on June 18, 2009 at 10:54 PM
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Obama Administration!
/they’ll be here three more years…OMFG
john1schn on June 18, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Isn’t this what we did when the Iraqi’s rose up in Basra in the early 1990′s? We stood by and did nothing and they got crushed.
SouthernGent on June 18, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Obama needs to learn that this isn’t kindergarten. “Present” is not an acceptable response.
jimmy2shoes on June 18, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Picking sides is a distraction…from the flies.
AUINSC on June 18, 2009 at 10:57 PM
But it’s just a tiny country.
boomer on June 18, 2009 at 10:58 PM
May God help us all. Especially those who would fight for freedom.
boomer on June 18, 2009 at 10:59 PM
If we see greater violence in Tehran, the blood of those freedom marchers will be on our president’s hands.”
no…no…no ap your wrong, it’s all dubya’s fault….
SHARPTOOTH on June 18, 2009 at 11:00 PM
cant say i disagree. he could’ve done or even just said so much more than he did. we’ll see what happens, but im deeply offended by the fact he couldnt muster so much as a 1/2 assed defense of the basic human right of not getting shot by your own government’s militia for supporting a slightly less hardline fanatical candidate. weak.
ernesto on June 18, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Treacherous and Treasonous Liberals!
Obama’s silence=Approval for the Mullahs,and
I’mWearingaDinnerJacketCrazyNutJob!!
canopfor on June 18, 2009 at 11:00 PM
I aqree 100 percent. How difficult is it for an unarmed people to rise against a regime that they know will shoot them down. Damn difficult, damn near impossible.
This time will not come again real soon. When the moment passes there is going to more bloodshed and nobody will there to witness it or report it.
That is why any president needs to have lived awhile and read a bit of history or have some balls to make up for it.
For guy who gives flowery speeches every 30 minute how difficult would it be for Obama to come out and offer support to these people. Not very
kangjie on June 18, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Obama’s notes:
It’s
Fox’sIsrael’sThe Jews’Big Oil’sAmerica’sfaultScratch that… Let’s talk about Obamacare…
Upstater85 on June 18, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Shameful, yet not surprising. Not at all.
sheesh on June 18, 2009 at 11:02 PM
The only blood I would like to see is all the mullahs heads on a pike.I am going to bed and dream of the sweet smell of hoppes #9.
fourdeucer on June 18, 2009 at 11:02 PM
It’s not treachery, its collusion. President Obama and his lackeys are fascists, who agree with authoritarian governments. He isn’t voting present, he is aiding the Iranian mullahs by withholding support from the oppressed.
Rode Werk on June 18, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Where the *&%$ is the media. Shouldn’t that bunch of anti-theist commie bastages be all over this. What of the Hippie-crites who demonstrated in the 60′s that claim to believe in “freedom”.
Well, at least we have a new AssHat thread.
Laura in Maryland on June 18, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Picking sides is a distraction….from the flies.
AUINSC on June 18,2009 at 10:57PM.
AUINSC:…..from flies,and healthcare!:)
canopfor on June 18, 2009 at 11:03 PM
But just yesterday John Kerry informed us to lock our doors and pull the blinds.
Limerick on June 18, 2009 at 11:04 PM
The Epic Fail of the Year, if I may say so myself.
There are people over there who desire to rid themselves of the Mullas, and the Ayat’allahs, and our Prez is sitting there going “uh.”
How sad is that?
the leader of the MOTHAFCKIN FREE WORLD!!!!
Saying “menedunam!” to the iranians.
(“i dont know” in farsi)
blatantblue on June 18, 2009 at 11:05 PM
The Iranian Putin?
Target practice.
Like so many other unsupported revolutions, the end won’t likely be peaceful but the shame will land where it belongs, with the Chief in charge of apologizemania.
Speakup on June 18, 2009 at 11:05 PM
I’m still waiting for B Hussein to apologize to America for having stupidly insisted that we must sit at a table with Achmadinejad and the mullahs. That is what he needs to do, first, especially after he had just gone to Cairo, reiterated his idiocy about Iran having “the right” to nuclear technology and promising his people in the muslim world that GITMO will be closed, over the objections of Americans.
But … instead, we get a full-court press by The Precedent on our capitalist system. Insane.
progressoverpeace on June 18, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Obama has proven once again that he is not ready for the 3 AM phone call….
ladyingray on June 18, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Indeed. hat was shortly after the first Gulf War. George Herbert Bush encouraged the Shi’te majority and Kurds to rise up against Saddam, then hung them out to dry when they did. The Kurdish village gassings by Hussein’s helicopters were a direct result of that. The elder Bush has much innocent Iraqi blood on his hands because he refused to act after encouraging their revolt.
a capella on June 18, 2009 at 11:08 PM
O’Reilly: Obama is being quiet because e doesn’t want the Iranians starting trouble again in Iraq.
So I guess in Bill’s world a regime fighting for its very existence with 2M of its own people in streets has time and resources to start trouble in another country.
Now I remember why I don’t watch O’Reilly…click…
TheBigOldDog on June 18, 2009 at 11:08 PM
No, he’s proven that he screens his calls… Believe me, if Israel were to have a major bombing of the toilet bole strip, Obama would be out condemning the “needless violence”
Upstater85 on June 18, 2009 at 11:09 PM
What will happen,to the women,and students,who
are protesting,or just out shopping,
will be the very same demise,that Saddam Insane did to
the Iraqy’s!!!!!!!!!!!!
canopfor on June 18, 2009 at 11:10 PM
I’m guessing that the Mullahs have the type regime that Obama envys. And he’s not able to comprehend the Iranian publics outrage.
multiuseless on June 18, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Later man. I’m out. Peas to the Middle East!
Upstater85 on June 18, 2009 at 11:10 PM
According to Susan Rice (think I have it sourced right) He is ready to rule on day one…
bikermailman on June 18, 2009 at 11:11 PM
I got you’re distraction right here……
There’s a coming out party in Chicago and I’m fairly sure we’re not invited.
Hizb ut-Tahrir America Enters Public Stage
This is the new real-life in America, folks…. no joke……. y’all might want to look into self-defense/self-offense items – especially the ones that go ‘bang’.
E T Cartman on June 18, 2009 at 11:11 PM
Obama lied, Iranians died.
SoxNation on June 18, 2009 at 11:12 PM
This has been a travesty for Iran and for our credibility. Obama is a menace to the planet.
elduende on June 18, 2009 at 11:12 PM
President “Present”.
jgapinoy on June 18, 2009 at 11:13 PM
night bro
blatantblue on June 18, 2009 at 11:13 PM
There are things that the Obama administration has done domestically that we can and perhaps will roll back.
But this foreign policy mistake will haunt us forever.
myrenovations on June 18, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Limerick on June 18, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Upstater 85 on June 18,2009 at 11:10PM.
Goodnight Upstater85,pleasant dreams!
I’m off as well:)
canopfor on June 18, 2009 at 11:15 PM
night bro
blatantblue on June 18,2009 at 11:13PM.
blatantble: BB,forgot to answer you a while back,signals
must of got crossed up,but no,I’m not a
pilot!!
Goodnight BB:)
canopfor on June 18, 2009 at 11:18 PM
What Obama is doing is cowardly.
Skandia Recluse on June 18, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Straw-Man of the United States is pathetic.
Where did the adults go?
daesleeper on June 18, 2009 at 11:20 PM
While what you say is true, President Bush (41) made the mistake of following the UN mandate that said not to invade Iraq.
That is why we never crossed the border to support the Kards.
Bush was hoping for a larger uprising (like we are seeing in Iran today) to over through Saddam.
Most (but not all) of the blame has to be placed on the UN.
In a domestic picture at least a President took a stand regardless of wrong or right (unlike today).
F15Mech on June 18, 2009 at 11:21 PM
all your base belong to us.
moonbatkiller on June 18, 2009 at 11:21 PM
Kards = Kurds
F15Mech on June 18, 2009 at 11:22 PM
Actually, the gassing of the Kurds took place in ’87 and ’88 because Saddam thought the Kurds were aiding the Iranians in the war. He still has a lot of Shiite blood on his hands.
Kafir on June 18, 2009 at 11:23 PM
From Rush, I wonder if the Iran uprising is in some small part due to seeing a free Iraq.
txag92 on June 18, 2009 at 11:24 PM
You can feel the passion and contempt for Obama in his writing.
Wow…
I concur!
katy on June 18, 2009 at 11:24 PM
Damn
over through = overthrow
A bad speller should never trust spell-check
F15Mech on June 18, 2009 at 11:26 PM
Crappy economy…Check
Pussy foreign policy…Check
Iranian crisis…Check
We’ve arrived. It’s Barak Obama in Jimmy Carter II: Stagflation Boogaloo.
Now, all Obama has to do is boycott the Olympics and the sequel will be complete.
Kafir on June 18, 2009 at 11:27 PM
It is just about dawn in Tehran.
This the latest from BBC: The rallying cry of the protesters has been “death to the dictator”, and the BBC’s Jon Leyne in Tehran says the chant is surely directed at Ayatollah Khamenei.
tic-toc, tic-toc…..
Limerick on June 18, 2009 at 11:28 PM
Hard to speak when you have run out of apologies…
mjbrooks3 on June 18, 2009 at 11:30 PM
Don’t forget our half-assed backing of The Bay Of Pigs invasion.
mizflame98 on June 18, 2009 at 11:32 PM
Looks like they’ve been keeping a low profile until they had a government that was a little more….empathetic to terrorist.
I am locked and loaded and loaded and loaded…
katy on June 18, 2009 at 11:34 PM
We’ve become the leader of ambivalence.
Saltysam on June 18, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Monsters, indeed….Every knock on the door
Limerick on June 18, 2009 at 11:40 PM
Point taken. I thought our routine overflights prior to the 2nd engagement were to prevent further Kurdish atrocities. Obviously I have my timing wrong.
a capella on June 18, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Hungary 1956
Czechoslovakia 1968
Vietnam 1975
Laos 1975
Cambodia 1975-1980
Vietnamese Boat People through 1982
The Montanards To this day they think we’ll go save them
Collapse of Iran 1979
Collapse of Nicaragua 1979
Afghanistan 1989
Kurds/Marsh Arabs 1991-2
Israel 2009 (?)
Iranian dissidents 2009 (?)
You see we have a rather exquisite record of shameful betrayal of our friends, allies, and those that look to us for inspiration and aid.
elduende on June 18, 2009 at 11:45 PM
Hell yes! Change is a comin!
even reasonable dems are admitting that iraq is becoming a democracy
CWforFreedom on June 18, 2009 at 11:47 PM
Yes sir
CWforFreedom on June 18, 2009 at 11:47 PM
We also have a good track record of rising to the occasion from time to time.
Most of the failures can be traced to the politicians, not Americans as a whole.
America is not perfect, we sometime make mistakes (even major ones), but it is still the best system of government the world has ever seen.
F15Mech on June 19, 2009 at 12:03 AM
I fervently hope the Iranian military takes the side of their own people in this struggle, if not now then after the Basiji thugs start killing. If the army stands by and does nothing, Iran is officially a banana-republic and we are going to get effed because Ogabe isn’t up to the task.
Bishop on June 19, 2009 at 12:05 AM
Did anyone think it would be otherwise with The One. After all he can see both sides of any issue. Past performance is a good predictor of future action. He’s voted “Present!” previously when decisions were required. He’ll do the same in the future. It’s safer when you don’t make decisions, because it then becomes someone elses fault.
GarandFan on June 19, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Looks like Moussavi’s wife is the rock star in this deal. I notice they soft pedaled his involvement with killing our Marines.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31434770/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa
a capella on June 19, 2009 at 12:09 AM
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2009/06/to_the_iranian.html
jjraines on June 19, 2009 at 12:17 AM
Heh
That is a quality I look for when I vote for a POTUS.
F15Mech on June 19, 2009 at 12:18 AM
Yep, taught them to stay under the iron hand.
The bravery of these protestors is remarkable. They have to know there’s a great chance many of them might be killed.
But they don’t care. Sadly, neither does Obama.
Obama doesn’t comprehend bravery like this.
B Man on June 19, 2009 at 12:19 AM
King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz has told the Obama not to meddle in the affairs of Muslims. And cover your woman’s bare arms, it’s offensive.
Kini on June 19, 2009 at 12:20 AM
Debbie has some anger and communication issues. She might have made her point in a less adversarial way, but apparently enjoys doing it this way. I think it makes her feel good.
a capella on June 19, 2009 at 12:24 AM
Um… it’s not his only foreign policy failure. Don’t we also have a couple of hostages in North Korea, too? You know – the nuclear power that is going to shoot a missile at us on July 4? Mr. Lord of the Flies, are you there? Hello?
Daggett on June 19, 2009 at 12:24 AM
“Yes, I’m here, but I’m upset that the students in Iran have taken away my sole center-stage spot in the universe. The sooner they’re crushed, the sooner I’m world god again” –TOTUS, a.k.a. Flyswatter/Cipher in Chief
Schadenfreude on June 19, 2009 at 12:28 AM
I’m sure the Obama will just talk to North Korea’s Kim and all will be well.
Those hostages you mentioned. Their GoreBots, and they are in a good place.
Kini on June 19, 2009 at 12:30 AM
He is too busy destroying our economy, running up record deficits and trashing our health care system to worry about Iran.
echosyst on June 19, 2009 at 12:42 AM
There are no words left to describe how utterly ignorant and incompetent this sorry excuse for a President is. Hell, at this point I think I’d rather have Carter.
Fed45 on June 19, 2009 at 12:49 AM
As Iran struggles with bloody revolution, the press focuses on the sublime megnificence of Obama killing a fly?
Please MSM, do the right thing!
clnurnberg on June 19, 2009 at 12:50 AM
H has never been much a freedom and liberty guy.
WisCon on June 19, 2009 at 12:51 AM
Freedom is for his friends, only. All the rest pay taxes.
DL13 on June 19, 2009 at 1:09 AM
Perhaps the best historical comparison of Obama’s lack of action is to that of Stalin; specifically how he reacted to German militarism throughout WWII:
* As the tanks rolled over the Low Countries, Stalin did nothing.
* When the Nazis set their eyes on France, then Britain, Stalin signed a “non-aggression” pact.
* Stalin sold the Nazis war materiel all the way to the point of the invasion of Russia. Only *then* did Stalin “do something”, but only because his hand was forced by the invading Germans.
* His motives for pursuing the Nazis back to Germany after they abandoned the Western Front were entirely self-serving.
and…
* Stalin only joined in the fight against Japan as we were preparing to drop the Bomb, an event of which he was well aware beforehand (thanks to the treason of Klaus Fuchs).
Can you imagine how Obama would respond to the bombing of Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941…?
/there will be blood in Iran, and it will be on Obama’s hands
Wanderlust on June 19, 2009 at 1:27 AM
Good point!
Socratease on June 19, 2009 at 1:28 AM
Hmm…
The Monster on June 19, 2009 at 1:29 AM
When has Barack Hussein Obama ever stood for freedom….?
Seven Percent Solution on June 19, 2009 at 2:27 AM
If the Iranian demonstrations are brutally repressed, then there is no way politically feasible way for Barry to have talks with Iran. He cannot shake the hands of people who brutally mowed down peaceful protesters. If he doesn’t understand this, then he’s a moron.
Illinidiva on June 19, 2009 at 2:30 AM
This, to me, was the most important assertion in the Ralph Peters essay:
Finally! Someone else has realized it and uttered the opinion. It would be wrong to hope for more scenarios like what is occurring in Iran, but I hope there are more scenarios that make this clear to others. Namely,
Cap & Trade – Crashes and Burns
Obamacare – DOA
Re-election in 2012 – America wakes up in time
Am I missing anything?
Captain Scarlet on June 19, 2009 at 3:53 AM
This is all too funny coming from the same folks who a short time ago lampooned what you claim were the hysterical, hateful Bushitler comments from the left. Well, at least it took the left a few years and a war of aggression that a President lied a Nation into to start those comments. It hasn’t even been 6 months since Obama took office and you nutjobs on the right are already raving lunatics.
greggish on June 19, 2009 at 4:01 AM
Obama doesn’t give two sh*ts about foreign policy. He’s always been that way. He just doesn’t care what’s going in the world because he’s too busy trying to dismantle and destroy what makes America great.
amkun on June 19, 2009 at 4:19 AM
Actually, this reminds me more of the Iran-Iraq war than it does of Hungary.
Ronnie on June 19, 2009 at 4:24 AM
Apparently, whether or not it’s moral for a government to murder it’s own citizens in the streets is just another one of those things that’s above his paygrade…
0bama’s indifference to these people is dispicable and beneath contempt.
SuperCool on June 19, 2009 at 4:24 AM
I was 9 years old and I was heartbroken that no-one could or would stop the invasion of Hungary. Didn’t understand the politics of course. That came later and was no consolation. There are many ways for the US to support the cause of liberty wherever it arises. Not seeing it here and I believe I know why. It’s always some kind of political rationalization, and it’s always wrong.
Randy
williars on June 19, 2009 at 5:27 AM
Dismantling America and turning it into the Lefts great ideal of the Socialist Republic of America tends to do that greg.
Jeff from WI on June 19, 2009 at 6:08 AM
Bush stood up for freedom , Obama don’t. And as you know , You moonbats were lunatics even before Bush took office.
the_nile on June 19, 2009 at 6:42 AM
Obama is a historic and epic failure already. Now he is building a legacy.
Right_of_Attila on June 19, 2009 at 6:43 AM
Off key twice. There were two no fly zones: one in the north to protect the Kurds (who are not in a separate country as someone suggested, nor Shiite) and one in the south to protect the Shiites.
Basilsbest on June 19, 2009 at 6:58 AM
greggish on June 19, 2009 at 4:01 AM
Little early in the morning for hating don`t ya think.How is it a war of aggression. When attacked by wolves you go to the den not wait for them to attack again. Survival 101!
LSUMama on June 19, 2009 at 7:01 AM
greggish on June 19, 2009 at 4:01 AM
Its a little early in the morn to be hating don`t ya think. It is not a war of aggession it is national security. If you get attacked by wolves you destroy the wolves den, not wait to be attacked again. Suvival 101!They may have hated Bush but I assure you they feared him.
LSUMama on June 19, 2009 at 7:08 AM
Sorry for double post.
LSUMama on June 19, 2009 at 7:08 AM
I don’t know if it is treachery or not, but it certainly is disgraceful. I did a quick glance at Fox news home page there was Khamenei ranting like a loon, swearing the election was not rigged….all in front of a crowd chanting {you guessed it} death to America.
So what did all the sideline naval gazing get us anyway?
Terrye on June 19, 2009 at 7:09 AM
If by “stood up for freedom”, you mean, lie to take a Nation into a war of aggression, then I agree.
greggish on June 19, 2009 at 7:11 AM
greggish:
On the contrary. You guys made this sort of crap acceptable, even good. Like Obama and his minions keep telling us: We won.
If you can beat em, join em. Good for the goose, good for the gander. etc.
Terrye on June 19, 2009 at 7:11 AM
glad ur enjoying it. there’s more coming :)
JiangxiDad on June 19, 2009 at 7:11 AM
greggish:
When did Bush lie? When he repeated what most of the Democrats in Washington had been saying for years. This right here is why I left the Democratic party forever. This selective and revised memory. The Democrats supported and passed the Iraqi Liberation Act because they said Saddam had wmd, was a threat to his own people and the world and that nothing but regime change would ever deal with him.
That was their national policy. The intel guy was Tenet, he first got his job under Clinton.
The truth is when it worked for the Democrats and the left in general to hate Saddam and want him gone, they did. When it worked for them to champion his cause, they did that too. The fact that the two positions were mutually exclusive is just a detail to idiots like you.
But the truth is right now the Iraqi government is far more representative of the will of the people than the Iranian government is.
Terrye on June 19, 2009 at 7:15 AM
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