Words Matter on Iran; From John Kerry.com

[and-justice-for-all]

With the protests on the streets in Iran and a lot of hot rhetoric here at home, I wanted to send a message about how careful we need to be in the messages we're sending back around the world - so I penned this OpEd for this morning's New York Times - especially to flag the dangers of some of what we're hearing from the neocons who dug us a very deep hole in the first place in American foreign policy. Later today I'll be on Hardball with Chris Matthews and the Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer to talk about this some more if you'd like to tune in. -- JK

With Iran, Think Before You Speak
By JOHN KERRY
Published: June 17, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/18/opinion/18kerry.html?_r=1

THE grass-roots protests that have engulfed Iran since its presidential election last week have grabbed America’s attention and captured headlines — unfortunately, so has the clamor from neoconservatives urging President Obama to denounce the voting as a sham and insert ourselves directly in Iran’s unrest.

No less a figure than Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee in 2008, has denounced President Obama’s response as “tepid.” He has also claimed that “if we are steadfast eventually the Iranian people will prevail.”

Mr. McCain’s rhetoric, of course, would be cathartic for any American policy maker weary of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s hostile message of division. We are all inspired by Iran’s peaceful demonstrations, the likes of which have not been seen there in three decades. Our sympathies are with those Iranians who seek a more respectful, cooperative relationship with the world. Watching heartbreaking video images of Basij paramilitaries terrorizing protesters, we feel the temptation to respond emotionally.

More: THE grass-roots protests that have engulfed Iran since its presidential election last week have grabbed America’s attention and captured headlines — unfortunately, so has the clamor from neoconservatives urging President Obama to denounce the voting as a sham and insert ourselves directly in Iran’s unrest.

No less a figure than Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee in 2008, has denounced President Obama’s response as “tepid.” He has also claimed that “if we are steadfast eventually the Iranian people will prevail.”

More: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/18/opinion/18kerry.html?_r=1

[karynnj]

1. I am impressed at what a good job he is doing here backing President Obama

Between writing the op-ed and then sending it to his email list and appearing on various talks shows calmly explaining why President Obama is doing the right thing, he is doing what people here have asked the Democrats do - help Obama. Here, this is important. The Republicans have the easier (though wrong) message to communicate. They get to wave the flag, speak of freedom and claim Obama doesn't care.

Kerry's actions help make the majority of people come to see that the measured response of the ENTIRE Obama administration is right. This will diminish the pressure on the President to change his reaction - in ways that would be counterproductive in Iran, but popular here.

Here he was on Hardball followed by Chambliss. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/vp/31433050#31433050

[beachmom]

2. John Kerry: More mature than House Democrats. nt

[politicasista]

3. Kick

Kudos to Senator Kerry. :kick: :patriot:


Thank goodness (actually thankful everyday) that McPailin isn't running the country. :puke:

[PresidentObama]

4. K&R!! There is no one who I trust more, especially on foreign policy n/t