Posted on 06/28/2009 10:53:17 AM PDT by John Semmens
In a move characterized as “a major step toward restoring fiscal responsibility to the federal budget, the Obama Administration has “zeroed out” funds earmarked to promote democracy in Iran. The funding began in 2004 with an appropriation of $1.5 million. More recently, around $60 million was appropriated, mostly to fund Persian language broadcasting services at Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
“This relic of the Bush Administration is both dangerous and unnecessary,” contended White House chief-of-staff Rahm Emanuel. “At a time of turmoil in Iran, the US Government should not be seen as taking sides. This foments instability. I mean, how would we like it if Iran were funding English language broadcasts urging Americans to join the Islamic jihad?”
Emanuel argued that such broadcasts by the VOA are no longer necessary. “The President’s speech in Cairo supplants all lesser efforts,” Emanuel boasted. “Its timeless eloquence made it a self-sustaining beacon for all mankind’s aspirations for a better world. Further statements by the Voice of America or others dilute the President’s message and waste resources that could be better used elsewhere.”
Despite the President cutting this program, Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad still called Obama a “meddler” for not discouraging questions about the Iranian election. “When Mr. Obama was elected president I sent my congratulations,” Ahmadinejad recounted. “I did not attempt to undermine his regime by harping on the widespread allegations of vote fraud leveled by his opponents. Why can he not return the favor?”
In related news, families of those slain by the Iranian government during protests related to the recent election have begun receiving invoices for the cost of the bullets used to kill their loved ones. Even though the cost of the bullets that actually killed the individuals in question is low, the invoice amount per victim is the equivalent of $3,000 in US currency. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei explained, “it is insufficient to recover only the cost of the ‘hits.’ We must also replace the ammunition that missed the targets. Imposing these costs on the families of the troublemakers reinforces our message.”
read more...
http://azconserv1.wordpress.com/2009/06/27/fed-audit-feared/
BTTT
This isn’t just satire BTW dear readers... Obama has indeed done this.
Obama Cut Funding for Iranian Democracy Program
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2276521/posts
I seriously doubt the money was ever going to true pro-democracy efforts anyway, so it’s probably money well saved.
Kind of odd though that he would announce such a cut now.
Almost makes the statement more powerful than the money itself.
You are wrong, Emanuel! If anything... Obama's foreign policies have made this world a much more dangerous place. NK, Venezuela, and Iran are stirring up more troubles...
In WHAT world is that a more peaceful one?
Further investigation of this is definitely called for....
Ramm it Rahm.... todays topic is Democracy even though you and barry -o do not support it.
With internet and the 21st century the people are seeing what is going on outside their borders. They have a lust for knowledge , freedom , rights , and democracy. The youth know the future is not in their theocracy. Its in the democratic experience.
He should do it. We can’t afford to keep paying for it. Woodrow Wilson is dead. Live with it. Now....if only he would start cutting other things....
We are wasting bazillions on every conceivable nonsense. We could cut that and very well afford to undermine our sworn enemies. Cheaper than wars.
Woodrow Wilson is dead.
Ron Paul is still a loon. Live with it. Just saying.
Leftists use similar arguments to justify welfare e.g. it will "save" money in the longterm. The reason that our debt is out of control is that everyone has a pet cause that they want the federal government to support.
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