Today I'm taking a detour. I don't typically blog about politics because I find that the ensuing contention isn't pretty. I'm willing to rant to Lindsey or talk with my daughter Sara but spending half my life living in one of the most conservative states in the US (Utah) and 12 years living in one of the most liberal (Oregon) has prompted me to walk gingerly in public when it comes to politics. Two factors came to light in the preceding few days that have prompted me to abandon that rule.
First, the current administration refused to meet with Tibet's Dali Lama.
Second, the current administration's state department elected to discontinue funding for the Iranian Human Rights Documentation Center, an entity tasked with compiling the human rights violations committed by the the Iranian government against their own people since the contested election several months ago. This is an apolitical organization--neither left nor right--that seeks to protect the rights of those seeking basic liberties in Iran.
What essentially this amounts to is the Obama administration toadying to dictators and tyrants. This is capitulation to the Chinese and the Iranians. This is appeasement. This is not a right or left issue. This is a humanity issue.
I was appalled by the adminstration's move to shaft the Czech and the Poles to placate Russia just a month ago. Not entirely a surprise that Secretary Clinton believes you can make nice nice with the Kremlin, but still--there's a principle that you watch your friend's backs and we sold them out for the criminals that run Moscow.
But come on. The Dalai Lama? Does anyone in the world except the Chinese believe that Tibet isn't an example of repression and human rights violations?
And since when are we, the "shining light of democracy" kowtowing to Adminijad who is flagrantly flaunting his nuclear potential and justifiably worrying most governments in Europe and elsewhere? The Green revolution in Iran is about freedom and democracy. It is about self-determination. Instead of taking their side, our government is trying to placate crazy Islamic radicals who would love nothing more than to wipe Western civilization from the face of the earth. Do they think that muting the protests of people demanding rights will prevent Adminijad from sending warheads to Tel Aviv?
It is often said that history repeats itself. It depresses me that my country appears to be playing the role of Britain in the 1930's. Welcome back Neville Chamberlain. Who is going to be Hitler? And where oh where is our Winston Churchill?
(image courtesty of fhashemi from the post "Friday Protests in Tehran")
1 comment:
You got it right - absolutely right. The problem with the left today is they have little ability say something is right or wrong. All things are relative or we must be tolerant, even of thugs and dictators. Neville - here we come and I expect the same type of results.
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