i think us goverment has to help iranian people because our people seek freedom but with empty hand!!

I'm glad Obama has kept out of what's going on in Iran. We are not the world's police. Look at the mess we're still in with Iraq.

"Seethed"? I don't think I've heard one Republican 'seeth' yet on this topic. If you had listened to John McCain's comments they were in fact very respectful to the President. Much, much more respectful than Obama's comment of 'what do you think' when asked at yesterday's press conference if McCain's comments had influenced his thinking. Roland you need to brush up on your history. Take the Solidarity uprising in Poland that you mention. Reagan if fact made a very strong statement in support of that movement while demonstrations were happening in the strrets. That didn't stop the dramatic thawing of US/Soviet relations that began under Reagan. Our enemies respect thrength. Show indecisiveness and you've already lost. If Obama is afraid of a little hard rhetoric, how can he ever hope to get Iran to stop their nuclear program? This is a tough world and nice guys finish dead. I guess as an avowed Obama supporter, you can't really be thought of as an objective reporter any more can you?

Show the world that the USA has learnt a lesson from all the mistakes made during 8 years of Repulican/Bush era. Mind your own business; dont interfere in another countries electoral process. Let the world know your opinion, that they are being watched but stay out of the conflict. If the USA needs another project to stir up – finish rebuilding New Orleans, get new jobs created, develop wind/solar power, just get busy in your own country and solve your own problems.
PLEASE!!

I agree that it is not America's place to step in here, but what about the UN? People are being slain, thrown off of bridges, and beaten for peaceful protests. Is that not enough of a human rights violation for some sort of international intervention? Iran's government would happily kill off all of the protesters so they won't have to deal with them anymore. At what point can we all stop watching and do something?

Mr. Martin: Once again, I find myself in total agreement with you. The only thing republicans have to talk about is terror. They certainly can't talk about their record for the past 8 years! Yet they keep on going with the same old, same old. All alot of the people in this country know about our country's relationship with Iran is from 1979. If people would look at our total history with countries in the middle east, then they would know why our country is so despised by them. We are in Iraq (and shouldn't be) and in Afghanistan (where we should have stayed in the first place). Good article Mr. Martin.

I think its important that we stay out of others buisness,,thats what they want and its what we need,to focus our efforts on Americans for a good long time instead of political parties and big business like big oil and big pharma,and the prison and military industrial complexes!

Wow,absolutely great atricle,Mr Martin! I tip my hat to you sir,for such a candid,and accurate testimony to the past,and what has transpired chronologically through Iran's sordid ,and sad history! I'd like to add a note about our," British ,and French Counterparts" that we hold so dearly, as our most staunch alies. People don't understand ,even today that the English,and French have always been silent adversaries of America. Why? We ignor to remember (historians are very biased?),or show little of history highlighting their deceptive ways regarding,and respecting our countries independent sovereignty as a "Whole Nations" as written in our constitution (The United States of America)! Here's the rub,during the heat of the " American Civil War", the English ,and French were supportive of the "South",and were planning to actively intervine. But, as fate would have it, President Lincoln got some unexpected (good news) help from the," Tsar Of Russia" who was having his own problems with the English,and French! Thus the Tsar of Russia issued (ultimatum) orders that if either England,or France helped the South,Russia would consider such actions,a "Declaration of War",and take the side of President Lincoln! To show his intent,and how serious the situation was ,he sent part of his Pacific Fleet to port in San Francisco,and another part to New York! Please note Mr. Martin that this relates directly to your great story line,of letting democracies grow from the bottom-up! Once again,fantastic article,...! Go President Obama

Occidental countries are requesting to respect to act of the people express their nonconformity with no more deaths or arrests.

Support and intervention are two different things and we must not confuse the two. America and the rest of the world can be supportive of the Iraninan people's struggle for freedom without intervention. Twitter, Facebook, CNN have supported this struggle each their own way but have not intervened. US and other free nations should not recognise this government as a legitimate body in the world community. They must put in place real sanctions that would hurt the government's souce of income, Oil. Imagine what would hapen if Iran cannot sell one ounce of Oil or Gas in the world!!

I believe this is an Iranian struggle but we must make sure that they understand that the moral support of the whole world is behind them. They have crtainly shown amazing barvery.

I couldnt agree with you more, Mr. Martin.

There most definitely IS a reason that alot of foreign countries hate the USA. And they rightfully should.

While President Obama has had no impact on the violence and crime in his hometown of Chicago, taking the same approach to Iran is a far more concerning matter.

If not for America, the world may be speaking German today; this seems to be something lost on countless leaders but certainly not on the honorable men and women who understand the price of freedom.

As an Independent who voted for Barack Obama, it seems that President Obama is being hand delivered opportunities to lead; unfortunately, it just doen't seem to be in his nature.

And why would anyone think the US has learned any of its lessons when we "install" governments? We need only look to the Shah, to Marcos, Noriega, etc. Our history in this area is not so good. And we have yet to get it right in Iraq, or Pakistan or Afghanistan.

At some point we do need to realize ... we kinda suck at picking "leaders" for other countries.

I agree completely. These countries are always saying the U.S. should butt out etc, and then when we hold them to it, now it's 'oh, the U.S. is turning its back!' –can't have it both ways.

We as Americans must be carefull when it comes to Iran. We must all ways speak
out against all human injustices. My question is, will all those who denounce
President Obama, for his stand on injustic
,be as loud, when it comes to our up and coming illegal immigration problems. I for
see our streets looking like Iran, when our leaders misuse those, we now abuse.
The World, will also be watching.

Support and intervention are two different things and we must not confuse the two. America and the rest of the world can be supportive of the Iraninan people’s struggle for freedom without intervention. Twitter, Facebook, CNN have supported this struggle each their own way but have not intervened. US and other free nations should not recognise this government as a legitimate body in the world community. They must put in place real sanctions that would hurt the government’s souce of income, Oil. Imagine what would hapen if Iran cannot sell one ounce of Oil or Gas in the world!!

I believe this is an Iranian struggle but we must make sure that they understand that the moral support of the whole world is behind them. They have crtainly shown amazing barvery.

Lisa in CA need to educate yourself about the U.S. installing leaders. Germany and Japan were examples of our good work after a war. The elections in Iraq and Afghanistan were democratic and all we did was make it safe and fair for those citizens to vote for a leader. A democratically elected government in those countries? What is wrong with that? Some foreign policies are flawed, but stop thinking that America is the bad guy. Wake up.