Everyone has been hearing lately how in so many ways the Obama Administration resembles that of Jimmy Carter. Under Carter, inflation went through the roof, there was a general malaise in our society where people felt there was nothing we could do to turn things around, the President went on the air to say that the best way to handle a cold winter wasn't more energy but to wear a sweater and, finally, a large number of American diplomats were held hostage by Iran while we looked on helplessly. Now I realize that constituted a long sentence, but it seems like the Carter period was agonizingly just as long. At the time it seemed like it might never end.
But compare it to today and what do you find? Carter made things look like a "Sunday school picnic" compared to the current officeholder. And nowhere is it more evident than in our dealings with Iran. He has totally misread the Mullahs, either through naivete or on purpose, and the result has been an even more belligerent Iran nearing the point where it will be able to delivery a nuclear strike on Israel and likely parts of Europe with America likely not far behind.
Early on in his administration, Barack Obama had the opportunity to speak out strongly for freedom in Iran. The Iranian people were restless, they were tired of the oppression being foisted on them by the Mullahs, and they took to the streets. While things were tense, the Iranian government seemed reluctant to shut them down for fear of what the response from the world might be and, of course, the United States has always been the leader in setting the example here. But what did Obama do? Nothing, at least not on behalf of the people clamoring for freedom, and the result was a blood bath which, despite the bravery of their citizenry, quickly ended the protests.
The truly sad thing about all of this is that many in Iran are pro-Western with close ties to Americans and Europe. After all, the former Persia is a highly intelligent society which has been placed largely under wraps by narrow-minded clerics, but their yearning for freedom got no support from America. What a disgrace.
And now it has gotten progressively worse. Obama is intent on lifting many of the sanctions against them, most notably the block on transport into the country of refined oil which originated in Iran and which they need desperately. He has sent his hapless Secretary of State John Kerry, who served in Vietnam (thank you, Rush) to reach an agreement whereby Iran will renounce any further action to develop nuclear weapons capability. So what do you think we have left as diplomatic ammunition to force them to comply? The answer is nothing. Iran will obfuscate and delay, maybe even sign an agreement which they have no interest in honoring, and America will once again be "had" due to the foolish idea that you can negotiate fairly with a tyrant.
Israel has adamantly opposed this, knowing full well that they are the likely recipient of any Iranian military strike. After all, the Iranians have made it abundantly clear that they want Israel wiped off the map and even other Arab nations are fearful of this possibility knowing how much more volatile the region will become without Israel.
So a funny thing happened on the way to allowing Iran to use its muscle? France, yes you heard me right, France has taken a strong stand against the U.S. proposal and has put at least a temporary kabosh on Kerry's misguided service as Obama's point man. The United States, the only real super power although that capability is being tempered daily, takes second seat on the world stage to France in an effort to control a dangerous Middle Eastern government. Not in a million years could this have been predicted only a few years ago.
Make no mistake, Iran is a dangerous adversary intent upon using its influence to push terror around the world. It's only a matter of time before the impact is felt in the West, including the United States. America needs to step up to the plate and take the leadership role that is now in a vacuum but I guess it will have to wait for a new President. Add this to the list of factors you use the next time you vote in the one true national election in 2016. In the meantime, apply as much pressure as possible on Congress to speak up. If something isn't done, the smell of a new and different kind of Holocaust might soon be in the air
But compare it to today and what do you find? Carter made things look like a "Sunday school picnic" compared to the current officeholder. And nowhere is it more evident than in our dealings with Iran. He has totally misread the Mullahs, either through naivete or on purpose, and the result has been an even more belligerent Iran nearing the point where it will be able to delivery a nuclear strike on Israel and likely parts of Europe with America likely not far behind.
Early on in his administration, Barack Obama had the opportunity to speak out strongly for freedom in Iran. The Iranian people were restless, they were tired of the oppression being foisted on them by the Mullahs, and they took to the streets. While things were tense, the Iranian government seemed reluctant to shut them down for fear of what the response from the world might be and, of course, the United States has always been the leader in setting the example here. But what did Obama do? Nothing, at least not on behalf of the people clamoring for freedom, and the result was a blood bath which, despite the bravery of their citizenry, quickly ended the protests.
The truly sad thing about all of this is that many in Iran are pro-Western with close ties to Americans and Europe. After all, the former Persia is a highly intelligent society which has been placed largely under wraps by narrow-minded clerics, but their yearning for freedom got no support from America. What a disgrace.
And now it has gotten progressively worse. Obama is intent on lifting many of the sanctions against them, most notably the block on transport into the country of refined oil which originated in Iran and which they need desperately. He has sent his hapless Secretary of State John Kerry, who served in Vietnam (thank you, Rush) to reach an agreement whereby Iran will renounce any further action to develop nuclear weapons capability. So what do you think we have left as diplomatic ammunition to force them to comply? The answer is nothing. Iran will obfuscate and delay, maybe even sign an agreement which they have no interest in honoring, and America will once again be "had" due to the foolish idea that you can negotiate fairly with a tyrant.
Israel has adamantly opposed this, knowing full well that they are the likely recipient of any Iranian military strike. After all, the Iranians have made it abundantly clear that they want Israel wiped off the map and even other Arab nations are fearful of this possibility knowing how much more volatile the region will become without Israel.
So a funny thing happened on the way to allowing Iran to use its muscle? France, yes you heard me right, France has taken a strong stand against the U.S. proposal and has put at least a temporary kabosh on Kerry's misguided service as Obama's point man. The United States, the only real super power although that capability is being tempered daily, takes second seat on the world stage to France in an effort to control a dangerous Middle Eastern government. Not in a million years could this have been predicted only a few years ago.
Make no mistake, Iran is a dangerous adversary intent upon using its influence to push terror around the world. It's only a matter of time before the impact is felt in the West, including the United States. America needs to step up to the plate and take the leadership role that is now in a vacuum but I guess it will have to wait for a new President. Add this to the list of factors you use the next time you vote in the one true national election in 2016. In the meantime, apply as much pressure as possible on Congress to speak up. If something isn't done, the smell of a new and different kind of Holocaust might soon be in the air
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