Obama Cuts Funding to Democracy Protesters In Iran.

kokonut · 06-20-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Newsmax has learned that the Obama administration also has zeroed out funding for pro-democracy programs inside Iran from the State Department budget for fiscal 2010, just as protests in Iran are ramping up.

Funding for pro-democracy programs began in 2004, when Congress earmarked $1.5 million of the State Department budget for “educational, humanitarian, and non-governmental organizations and individuals inside Iran to support the advancement of democracy and human rights in Iran.”

The funding ramped up dramatically two years later, when Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice requested $75 million for pro-democracy programs. More than half of the $66.1 million Congress finally appropriated went to expand U.S. government-funded Persian language broadcasting services at Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

But no money has been earmarked for such programs in the administration’s fiscal 2010 foreign operations budget request. Congressional sources told Newsmax they doubted that a Democrat-controlled Congress would add it when the budget comes before a committee next week.

Controversy has surrounded the programs from the start, with pro-regime lobbying groups, such as the National Iranian-American Council urging the State Department to cancel the funding.

Newsmax.com - Obama Erases Pro-Democracy Money for Iran

Meanwhile, Iraqis back Green Revolution in neighboring Iran...but not Obama.

AFP: Iraqis back Iranian protesters' call for change

Yete, he is still looking for the Iranian regime to send the international community a clear signal "on what it is -- and is not." Which is a pathetically weak response from an American president. Even Egypt condemned Obama's cautious stance on Iranian uprising.
MEMRI: Latest News

He's either in support of a regime or not. Judging from his actions, he's for the regime and their killings of protesters who do not have the backings of international support, including Obama.

Shame on him.

**Jiro** · 06-20-2009, 01:34 PM

Kokonut - I think that disturbing video should not be displayed in here. It belongs to ogrish.com, not AD.

Looks like Obama is going to destroy what previous Administrations including Clinton have long worked for.... yep shame on Obama. Shame on him being a girly man.

I have read the link that Obama's strategy to Iran situation is to let it collapse itself. That is a very dangerous strategy.... even more dangerous than being a hard-ass to Iran because when Iran collapses, the revolution will become much more violent and longer. It leaves an open hole for any fanatic to take over Iran.

Royale · 06-20-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

Kokonut - I think that disturbing video should not be displayed in here. It belongs to ogrish.com, not AD.

Looks like Obama is going to destroy what previous Administrations including Clinton have long worked for.... yep shame on Obama. Shame on him being a girly man.

I have read the link that Obama's strategy to Iran situation is to let it collapse itself. That is a very dangerous strategy.... even more dangerous than being a hard-ass to Iran because when Iran collapses, the revolution will become much more violent and longer. It leaves an open hole for any fanatic to take over Iran.

I agree with you about the youtube link. He should put just a link with NWS warning.

Also I suggest you to follow #iranelection on Twitter. Many entries have been interesting. The Twitterers in Iran have posted many youtube links and images there.

Some of the entries that I have read are:

The pro-government milita group called Basijis use ambulances to grab injured and dying protesters.

Some injured protesters have been turned up in some foreign embassies so they can be taken in for medical care.

The injured protesters have been taken away from hospital by Basijis, the pro-government milita.

Royale · 06-20-2009, 01:56 PM

Here's a link of images from the Iran Protest.

Iran Presidential Election 2009 | Demotix.com

**Foxrac** · 06-20-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

Kokonut - I think that disturbing video should not be displayed in here. It belongs to ogrish.com, not AD.

Looks like Obama is going to destroy what previous Administrations including Clinton have long worked for.... yep shame on Obama. Shame on him being a girly man.

I have read the link that Obama's strategy to Iran situation is to let it collapse itself. That is a very dangerous strategy.... even more dangerous than being a hard-ass to Iran because when Iran collapses, the revolution will become much more violent and longer. It leaves an open hole for any fanatic to take over Iran.

Be ready for fresh vote on congressional election in next year and I could imagine if it going be repeat of 1994.

kokonut · 06-20-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

Kokonut - I think that disturbing video should not be displayed in here. It belongs to ogrish.com, not AD.

Looks like Obama is going to destroy what previous Administrations including Clinton have long worked for.... yep shame on Obama. Shame on him being a girly man.

I have read the link that Obama's strategy to Iran situation is to let it collapse itself. That is a very dangerous strategy.... even more dangerous than being a hard-ass to Iran because when Iran collapses, the revolution will become much more violent and longer. It leaves an open hole for any fanatic to take over Iran.

I just included the YouTube link. I had no idea it would show up like that.
Oh well. May the victim rest in peace.

As for a collapse, which is why the United States helped fund educational, humanitarian, and non-governmental organizations and individuals inside Iran to support the advancement of democracy and human rights in Iran in order encourage the idea of democracy for the people of Iran, it's better to help the Iranian people to have the means to overthrow a brutal regime at this point than to send in troops.

netrox · 06-20-2009, 04:36 PM

We have no business to meddle with Iran, no matter how violent it gets there.

***Calvin*** · 06-20-2009, 04:45 PM

Mod note:

Due to the bloody graphic nature of the youtube video and to the sensitivity of some members here, I have to take that down.

**Foxrac** · 06-20-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calvin

Mod note:

Due to the bloody graphic nature of the youtube video and to the sensitivity of some members here, I have to take that down.

What about use link to youtube instead of embed it with warning words?

kokonut · 06-20-2009, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxrac

What about use link to youtube instead of embed it with warning words?

Already did. I just realize that if you use the entire http://www.youtube...... it will pop up a picture of a YouTube video still.

Royale · 06-20-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokonut

Already did. I just realize that if you use the entire http://www.youtube...... it will pop up a picture of a YouTube video still.

It already showed on CNN and other news networks as her face and injury were simply blurred. I guess it is now in public domain.

***Calvin*** · 06-20-2009, 08:30 PM

That YT video that was displayed here before is flagged at the site because of graphic and not suitable for minors. The video is not blurred there and it did not come from CNN or any of our news network.

netrox · 06-21-2009, 02:28 PM

"Like most Iran in power, Moussavi rejects the existence of Israel. He defended the taking of hostages at the U.S. Embassy in Iran in 1979, which led to the break in ties between the countries.

He was part of a regime that regularly executed dissidents and backed the fatwa, or religiously-motivated death sentence, against author Salman Rushdie.

Rushdie's novel "The Satanic Verses" came out in 1988. Iran's leaders said the book insulted Islam. The country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, called for the death of Rushdie, and Moussavi, in a radio broadcast, said the order would be carried out."

Moussavi: Improbable challenger for Iranian regime - CNN.com

And you're saying that we should keep funding them?

Hear Again · 06-21-2009, 02:49 PM

Good question netrox. I couldn't agree more.

kokonut · 06-22-2009, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netrox

And you're saying that we should keep funding them?

Who them you're talking about? Again, I said,

Quote:

Funding for pro-democracy programs began in 2004, when Congress earmarked $1.5 million of the State Department budget for “educational, humanitarian, and non-governmental organizations and individuals inside Iran to support the advancement of democracy and human rights in Iran.”

kokonut · 06-22-2009, 01:38 AM

Vid (link that was removed) not suitable for minors? That's a matter of perspective when it comes to issues like war and violence over the internet where the truth sometimes need to be seen and heard. After all, protesters smply want greater freedom and democracy but get bullets instead. All one has to do is go to YouTube and type in "Iran" and "protest" in the search engine box and you'll find a whole list of the most recent protests as well as those protesting over those who got killed by the Iranian police.

kokonut · 06-22-2009, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foxrac

What about use link to youtube instead of embed it with warning words?

Apparently, that is also unacceptable.

Even with a warning come attached with the link address.

kokonut · 06-22-2009, 09:07 AM

The woman in the YouTube video that was killed was featured in Time magazine.
In Iran, One Woman's Death May Have Many Consequences - TIME
And the magazine explains that there could be consequences as a result, especially among protesting Iranian women who have a lot to gain from in Iran who are seen as 2nd or 3rd class citizens.

kokonut · 06-22-2009, 09:30 AM

Earlier this week Iranian student activist Kianoosh Sanjari in an audio repsonse also said that the people of Iran will not forgive Barack Obama for siding with the evil regime.
Heritage New Media Partners, Inc. - NMA TV - Iranian Activist Kianoosh Sanjari: The Iranian People Will Not Forgive Obama For Siding With Regime

jillio · 06-22-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netrox

We have no business to meddle with Iran, no matter how violent it gets there.

Exactly. We cannot force democracy down the throats of a culture that has never experienced such and expect it to work.

**shel90** · 06-22-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netrox

We have no business to meddle with Iran, no matter how violent it gets there.

Right...I think that's what sparked the resentment towards USA.

jillio · 06-22-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel90

Right...I think that's what sparked the resentment towards USA.

Exactly.

**Jolie77** · 06-22-2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel90

Right...I think that's what sparked the resentment towards USA.

I agree.

You know, If the situation was reversed to say that if USA was in a turmoil and other countries were stepping in to meddle into our business; There is no question that a lot of us would be resenting other countries for meddling in our business unless one is welcoming them to do so but until otherwise, all we can do is either offer for help or not to get involved because it was not our responsibility to take after them when it wasn't there in the first place.

**Jiro** · 06-22-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shel90

Right...I think that's what sparked the resentment towards USA.

The resentment toward USA existed a long long time ago back in Cold War.

**Liebling:-)))** · 06-22-2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jolie77

I agree.

You know, If the situation was reversed to say that if USA was in a turmoil and other countries were stepping in to meddle into our business; There is no question that a lot of us would be resenting other countries for meddling in our business unless one is welcoming them to do so but until otherwise, all we can do is either offer for help or not to get involved because it was not our responsibility to take after them when it wasn't there in the first place.

Exactly what I am trying to say in other thread.

**Liebling:-)))** · 06-22-2009, 05:02 PM

World Reaction

Iran elections and reaction - Picture Stories- msnbc.com

I personally think Ahmadinejad should agree that re-election is the best solution to calm the protesters down?

**Jiro** · 06-22-2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liebling:-)))

World Reaction

Iran elections and reaction - Picture Stories- msnbc.com

I personally think Ahmadinejad should agree that re-election is the best solution to calm the protesters down?

so you're admitting that we're right?

kokonut · 06-22-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiro

The resentment toward USA existed a long long time ago back in Cold War.

Er, where do you think the idea and inspiration of pro-democracy and freedom came from? Where'd they get the idea to spread the news of the protests via Twitter? An American invention.

Quote:

"It might startle some Americans to realize that Iran has one of the most pro-American populations in the Middle East. Iranians have adored America for nearly three decades..."

Stars (and Stripes) in Their Eyes - washingtonpost.com

Quote:

In Iran, Bush is regarded as a liberator, Fakhravar said. “People are afraid to express what is in their hearts, but in small, private gatherings, they see him as a saviour.”
.
.
Fakhravar believes dialogue with Iran is useless. “The regime wants to have a nuclear bomb so it can wipe out a country it doesn’t like,” he said. “We don’t understand why the rest of the world doesn’t understand this.”

Fugitive pleads with US to 'liberate' Iran - Times Online
Twitterverse working to confuse Iranian censors | Webware - CNET

Ayatollah Khamenei addresses Iran for first time since disputed election | Breaking Tweets

I remember clearly how many Iranians in Iran turned out to remember and respect the victims of 9/11.

Quote:

The last policy aspect is the collision course between the Iranian theocracy and the United States. The average Iranian does not bear ill will against America, as evidenced in the large turnout for a pro-America rally to sympathize with the victims of 9/11. The animosity brought about by the Iranian government's sponsorship of terrorism is devastating to Iran's economy because much needed American expertise and capital for the oil sector is unavailable and the Iran-Libya Sanctions Act of 1996 limits the amount of investment from other nations.

CCC - Regime Change in Iran: An Analytic Framework

Ya'll looking at the wrong crowd here. Iran as a whole doesn't hate America.

Hear Again · 06-22-2009, 09:41 PM

Bush a liberator? That's funny!

Babyblue · 06-22-2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hear Again

Bush a liberator? That's funny!

His purpose was not to help liberate the Iraqi's?

06-20-2009, 01:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jiro Aparecium Deletrius Legil Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: The Soprano State Posts: 61,221	Kokonut - I think that disturbing video should not be displayed in here. It belongs to ogrish.com, not AD. Looks like Obama is going to destroy what previous Administrations including Clinton have long worked for.... yep shame on Obama. Shame on him being a girly man. I have read the link that Obama's strategy to Iran situation is to let it collapse itself. That is a very dangerous strategy.... even more dangerous than being a hard-ass to Iran because when Iran collapses, the revolution will become much more violent and longer. It leaves an open hole for any fanatic to take over Iran. __________________ - Don't forget to buy Jiro's Special Edition Sunglasses for $19.95

06-22-2009, 05:02 PM	#26 (permalink)
Liebling:-))) Sussi 7.7.86 - 18.6.09 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 31,032	World Reaction Iran elections and reaction - Picture Stories- msnbc.com I personally think Ahmadinejad should agree that re-election is the best solution to calm the protesters down? __________________

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06-20-2009, 01:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Royale Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: World's Second Coldest Capital City! Posts: 4,444	Here's a link of images from the Iran Protest. Iran Presidential Election 2009 \| Demotix.com

06-20-2009, 04:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
netrox Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,780	We have no business to meddle with Iran, no matter how violent it gets there.

06-20-2009, 04:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
*Calvin* Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 5,010	Mod note: Due to the bloody graphic nature of the youtube video and to the sensitivity of some members here, I have to take that down.

06-20-2009, 08:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
*Calvin* Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 5,010	That YT video that was displayed here before is flagged at the site because of graphic and not suitable for minors. The video is not blurred there and it did not come from CNN or any of our news network.

06-21-2009, 02:28 PM	#13 (permalink)
netrox Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,780	"Like most Iran in power, Moussavi rejects the existence of Israel. He defended the taking of hostages at the U.S. Embassy in Iran in 1979, which led to the break in ties between the countries. He was part of a regime that regularly executed dissidents and backed the fatwa, or religiously-motivated death sentence, against author Salman Rushdie. Rushdie's novel "The Satanic Verses" came out in 1988. Iran's leaders said the book insulted Islam. The country's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, called for the death of Rushdie, and Moussavi, in a radio broadcast, said the order would be carried out." Moussavi: Improbable challenger for Iranian regime - CNN.com And you're saying that we should keep funding them?

06-21-2009, 02:49 PM	#14 (permalink)
Hear Again Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 20,122 Blog Entries: 6	Good question netrox. I couldn't agree more.

06-22-2009, 01:38 AM	#16 (permalink)
kokonut Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 15,348	Vid (link that was removed) not suitable for minors? That's a matter of perspective when it comes to issues like war and violence over the internet where the truth sometimes need to be seen and heard. After all, protesters smply want greater freedom and democracy but get bullets instead. All one has to do is go to YouTube and type in "Iran" and "protest" in the search engine box and you'll find a whole list of the most recent protests as well as those protesting over those who got killed by the Iranian police.

06-22-2009, 09:07 AM	#18 (permalink)
kokonut Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 15,348	The woman in the YouTube video that was killed was featured in Time magazine. In Iran, One Woman's Death May Have Many Consequences - TIME And the magazine explains that there could be consequences as a result, especially among protesting Iranian women who have a lot to gain from in Iran who are seen as 2nd or 3rd class citizens.

06-22-2009, 09:30 AM	#19 (permalink)
kokonut Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 15,348	Earlier this week Iranian student activist Kianoosh Sanjari in an audio repsonse also said that the people of Iran will not forgive Barack Obama for siding with the evil regime. Heritage New Media Partners, Inc. - NMA TV - Iranian Activist Kianoosh Sanjari: The Iranian People Will Not Forgive Obama For Siding With Regime

06-22-2009, 09:41 PM	#29 (permalink)
Hear Again Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 20,122 Blog Entries: 6	Bush a liberator? That's funny!