"The suppression of the protest was immortalized in Western media by the famous video footage and photographs of a lone man in a white shirt standing in front of a column of tanks which were attempting to drive out of Tiananmen Square. Taken on 5 June as the column approached an intersection on the Avenue of Eternal Peace, the footage depicted the unarmed man standing in the center of the street, halting the tanks' progress. As the tank driver attempted to go around him, the 'Tank Man' moved into the tank's path. He continued to stand defiantly in front of the tanks for some time, then climbed up onto the turret of the lead tank to speak to the soldiers inside. He reportedly said, 'Why are you here? You have caused nothing but misery.' But this is debatable, as no one was close enough to hear him besides the soldier. After returning to his position blocking the tanks, the man was pulled aside by police. Eyewitness reporter Charlie Cole believes that 'Tank Man' was probably executed after being taken from the tank by secret police, since the Chinese government could never produce him to hush the outcry from many countries. Time Magazine dubbed him The Unknown Rebel and later named him one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century." "Neda had said that even if she lost her life and got a bullet in her heart, she would carry on," [Caspian] Makan said. "Unfortunately, that is how she died, a bullet hit her heart and her lung, and maybe 5 or 6 minutes later, she died." He added: "She gave a big lesson to everyone even though she was very young. "She only ever said that she wanted one thing, she wanted democracy and freedom for the people of Iran," "She couldn't stand the injustice of it all," he said. "All she wanted was the proper vote of the people to be counted. She wanted to show with her presence that 'I'm here. I also voted. And my vote wasn't counted.' It was a very peaceful act of protest, without any violence." "The White House spokesman said that if an escalation were to take place along the lines of China’s Tiananmen Square Massacre — an event to which Republicans critical of President Obama have compared the Iranian protests — then the administration would take another look at their stance. "'Obviously, if a tremendous escalation happened — if tanks happened — obviously, we would evaluate that immediately,' Gibbs said." The battle to have one's voice heard is not necessarily quick or non-violent as history has shown repeatedly, however this "plays out." Voices like Neda's are being heard, but not without bloodshed. As the administration operates in a totally partisan fashion, national networks shut out opposition, and the will of thousands of Americans are ignored; a more strategic reason for the administration's silence emerges.
"My message…to the international community, especially I’m addressing President Obama directly – how can a government that doesn’t recognize its people’s rights and represses them brutally and mercilessly have nuclear activities? This government is a huge threat to global peace. Will a wise man give a sharp dagger to an insane person? We need your help international community. Don’t leave us alone."
Obama too soft on Iran
Commentary: Amid growing calls for a stronger response to the growing violence and protests in Iran, Fox News reported: "Obama also referred back to his speech this month to the Muslim world, saying 'suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. The Iranian people will ultimately judge the actions of their own government. If the Iranian government seeks the respect of the international community, it must respect the dignity of its own people and govern through consent, not coercion.'"
Eloquent words spoken on another occasion but ready made to fit the current crisis; nevertheless.
Obama makes a critical point that history has proven to be correct. Twenty years ago this month, a courageous young student stood alone in front of forces that threatened to silence his voice. That iconic image of the culmination of protests in Tiananmen Square has stood for two decades as a cry for freedom.
Wikipedia:
"On the morning of 5 June protesters tried to enter the blocked square but were shot at by the soldiers. The soldiers shot them in the back when they were running away. These actions were repeated several times.
Recently in Iran another voice has refused to be silent even in death. Michelle Malkin reported on the story of Neda, "which means 'voice' in Farsi." The Telegraph provided more details surrounding the death of the woman who has become known as the "Angel of Freedom" as her story is told around the world:
In Tiananmen Square the violence and unrest raged for months and sparked worldwide protests. So far the response to the Iranian protests have been lukewarm from the Obama Administration. Flopping Aces reports that the administration has adopted what many see as a "wait and see" approach:
After a series on domestic and international crises and tragedies, Obama may be suffering from statement fatigue, but waiting for tanks to roll and more courageous young women to die should not be an option. CNN's interview with an Iranian protester pleading to President Obama seems to have fallen on deaf or uncaring ears:
Neda's death illustrates the will of the Iranian people, a resolve that many Americans can identify with. The Telegraph article portrays a young woman who would rather "live free or die." What is the Obama Adminstration waiting for? Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush both made strong statements in regard to massive attacks against basic human dignity and freedoms, but instead of issuing a "tear down that wall" statement Obama stands on the sidelines and states “We don’t know how this thing is going to play out.”
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Comments
It's amazing what truth is. It feels like freedom...
How can Obama stand by and watch this travesty. I think americans would like a harder line to be drawn even if it was a military one. unbelievable for an american PRESIDENT or is HE?
Is the United Methodist Church, in any way, affiliated with ACORN? Is the Faithful Reform Organization affiliated with ACORN?
Thank you,
MarthaDodd@hotmail.com
So, what should Obama do? Lauch an invasion of Iran? I doubt we have the capability, and even if we did we would probably make matters worse for the reformers in Iran.
We are already stretched militarily around the world thanks to President Bush. So, we should get bogged down into another war? What is going on in Iran is tragic, and I certainly hope a true democracy springs up there. But, honestly there isn't much we can do to help.
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