Posted on 06/19/2009 10:24:56 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
WASHINGTON (AP) - In the strongest message yet from the U.S. government, the House voted 405-1 Friday to condemn Tehran's crackdown on demonstrators and the government's interference with Internet and cell phone communications.
The resolution was initiated by Republicans as a veiled criticism of President Barack Obama, who has been reluctant to criticize Tehran's handling of disputed elections that left hard-liner President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in power.
Rep. Mike Pence, who co-sponsored the resolution, said he disagrees with the administration that it must not meddle in Iran's affairs.
"When Ronald Reagan went before the Brandenburg Gate, he did not say Mr. (Mikhail) Gorbachev, that wall is none of our business," said Pence, R-Ind., of President Reagan's famous exhortation to the Soviet leader to "tear down that wall."
Democrats, who are quick to voice their support for Israel anytime the Jewish state is seen as under siege, easily agreed to push through the mildly worded resolution.
Rep. Howard Berman, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-sponsor of the resolution, said "it is not for us to decide who should run Iran, much less determine the real winner of the June 12 election.
"But we must reaffirm our strong belief that the Iranian people have a fundamental right to express their views about the future of their country freely and without intimidation," added Berman, D-Calif.
Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., have proposed a similar measure in the Senate, although a vote was not certain.
The policy statement expresses support for "all Iranian citizens who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties and rule of law" and affirms "the importance of democratic and fair elections."
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
I haven’t scrolled, and I haven’t looked, but I’ll bet almost anything it was Ellison. He’s the only ROP adherent in the house.
Certainly less chickensh!t than Obama's stand...
Ron Paul, my initial guess was right.
Ron Paul. Figures. Ellison did, however, only vote ‘Present’, and that figures.
"Oh sh*t."
Pelosi?
I think it is useful when folks around the Globe are waiting for a few words from the “Leader of the Free World” to recall this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cd-AJeJvBE
I guess all he can do is just evoke the words of great leaders.
Um, from the article:
Rep. Ron Paul, a Texas libertarian who often speaks out against what he regards as government meddling, cast the sole opposing vote.
Sounds like Ellison is building a presidential resume.
Yep,...my error...
Anybody know any Ron Paul supporters? Has he stated his reasoning, yet?
He voted present didn’t he?
Ron Paul = jerk
Ron Paul doesn’t like the US meddling in foreign political affairs, so this seems like a consistent vote for him.
My understanding is the EU also condemned the violence against the Iranian citizens. BO is slowly being hung out to dry all by himself.
He favors letters of marque and reprisal, something that has been outlawed by every other country in the civilized world, but can’t bring himself to support a simple expression of solidarity with the Iranian people. Ron Paul is a sad, pathetic little man.
I’m not a libertarian like Paul, so there’s issues with which I disagree. However, there is one thing I will say for the man that I very much admire, even when I’m disagreeing, and that is that he is consistent. Anyone knowing what he’s said in the past on foreign issues would expect him to vote against this. He does NOT stick his finger in the wind to decide how to vote. He is principled and consistent. I always listen to what he has to say because he has won my respect.
Ron Paul and Obama, what a pathetic pair.
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