Live Blog from the Anchor Desk 06/22/09
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Tonight on 360°, we'll have the latest details on the deadly subway collision in Washington, DC. At least six people have been killed.
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When it becomes clear that a government is stomping on basic human rights, I see no reason for an American President to refrain from speaking out against that government
Nader: The Iranians know Michelle obama is on their side. That is why they nicknamed the opposition leader's wife "The Michelle Obama of Iran".
The Republicans and Fox News made fun of that saying it proved Pres. Obama was too close to Muslims. Now the Republicans story has changed as they try to score political point.
Why does everyone think the U.S can fix everything?
Yeah we should all unite in support of the people of Iran and the President has unequivocally on their side. The only people that are confused about where he stands are political opportunist that would and aretrying to use the death of Neda as a club against him such as John McCain. This criticism of our President is just maddening. We hired him to do this job and dog gone it we should let him do it. This is not any situation that we have had before and the approach should not be one of aggression. We tried that with Bush look where it got us.
I think the President is doing well with the Iran situation but I do like David G's suggestion that other countries join with us in condemning this violence and repression. I don't think this is going away and the world is watching.
How do the turtles know where the new path is? Are there signs in turtle-eze?
THAT would be impressive.
Doesn't it seem reasonable that as the revolution, if that's what it is, evolves in Iran, President Obama will be more openly supportive and aggressive in his comments? I think he has to wait until a clear leader establishes himself/herself openly in Iran, as it has to be the Iranian people that make this revolution happen in order for it to retain credibility. Mousavi, or another, needs to establish himself and put himself in a position that communicates clearly to the international world that he will be the voice of his people before the international community can aggressively support all of those very brave Iranians. My heart is with them.
Wow - the disappering gov - taking a few days off is one thing, but being gone on Father's Day when he's the father of 4 young sons (and needs time away from his kids) - too strange for me. And his name is being mentioned as a presidential candidate!?!
Hello everyone - Thank you for joining in the conversation tonight; the report from Joe Johns and then those pictures of Neda were heartbreaking. I know that many of you want President Obama to stay out of it, and I respect your opinion, but I continue to believe that he could land should lead a concert of democratic nations in standing firmly on the side of those in Iran - and elsewhere - who are struggling for freedom and democracy. We should not get ourselves involved on the ground there, but we can and should lead a concert of the world's democracies to stand up for basic human rights.
@Tom – we go clear back before that with trying to direct the Iranian government to our own needs. We were supporting Hussein when he was gassing millions of young Iranian men. This continual tit for tat HAS to stop.
On contrary, it appears that US need to stand up to Ayatollahs.
Ahmadinejad and Ayatollahs in Iran are not only bullying people of Iran, but also the people of the free world.
Whoever said "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." got it right. Until they separate the Islamic religion from their government, then those old mullahs will cling to their power and there will be more Nedas.
Hy im from Montréal and i think that Neda is a simbolic person that gone change the wolrd ,oppinion and i hope because in 2009 we dont need to see those thing and before we saw thing like that append in other contry an nobody ever care this is not acecptable and have to stop Daniel
I don't understand why some of us are criticising the president for not getting involved. What is it exactly they want him to do? It is funny how he asks the Iranian government in his speech to stop the violence against it's own people as if they are sitting to see what Obamas orders are to follow. Why isn't anyone asking why the U.N. is not getting involved? They have to come in under the name of the human rights and take action. They should call for a new ellection under the U.N.'s supervision.
S.C. Governor....suspicious...
Sanford is hiking!? He should have at least said that, not like anyone is going to attack him.... sigh....
Obama must lead the Western democratic opposition to Islamic dictatorship just as he does against Al Qaeda. To pursue diplomacy with the Iranian dictators is a betrayal of the voice of freedom in Iran. The Iranian fascists already blame US and UK of intervention. What is he afraid of?
Anderson,
Please, please raise the question: Why has nothing been heard AT ALL from the UN on the situation in Iran? I would have thought that the first stop would have been to harness the international community's support, through the UN, at least in terms of human rights
I agree that the President has to be extremely cautious in voicing US concerns about the situation, but certainly this is/was an opportunity for him to use the UN as a catalyst at least on the human rights side.
Not a single commentator, to my knowledge (and I've been watching the coverage endlessly), has even asked the question, "Where is the UN in all of this?"
Please ask the question, and try to get a response.
Thank you.
Barbara
Good for the Governor. Don't let other people ever tell you how to run your life, no matter who you are. NOW, can we hear some REAL news?
I tend to agree that Obama has done just fine. IF he can get some other countries, like Turkey, and another Muslim country on board, THEN there can be more forceful speak about it. But the US and other western countries on their own will just be dismissed as meddling in places where they don't belong.
It needs to be made clear that it's not Muslim values that are being questioned, but brutality and violence that's not condoned.
The problem is not that he left; the problem is he didn't tell anyone where he was going. That whole story is just very weird...
If Obama comes out with a stronger statement in support of Moussavi and the reform movement, what are the chances that the journalist from Newsweek would be charged with being a spy? There are a lot of factors that play into any decision that the President makes. I agree that caution is the best option.
we shouldn't meddle in Iran's affairs? Didn't they meddle in our affairs in Iraq by supplying IEDs to blow up our troops. a lame excuse. Biden said Obama would be tested. Lets see how he does.
Mr Gergen again on the spot with a thoughtful comment! a "concert of nations" does sound like a good idea. multi-lateral is generally better than uni-lateral. but you know, whatever the president says or doesn't say, there are people waiting to pounce on him.
**********Two things are key developing democracy. Education and a free flow of truthful information. Through the Internet we need to show the people in countries who do not enjoy democracy (like the brave people of Iran) what our daily lives are like. **************
Genevieve M, TX.......
I agree with you, Madoff is very creepy tonight, he found guilty charge his murder someone, he will go to jail his sentence life.
Neda is the symbol of Joan of Arc for people of this new era in Iran. What I believe strongly is that no matter what our nationality is, we all should ban any form of brutality and make moves against it . Neda in our language means ' calling voice', now more than ever
The Supreme Leader calling on killers to attack and murder innocent Iranian citizens is no less than making a pact with the Devil.
The regime has been exposed for what it really is..Evil.
Neda, her friends and the peaceful Iranian people deserve better than this.
God please Bless Neda's family and comfort this beautiful young woman with you in Heaven.
David Gergen
This is the first time that i do not agree with you. President Obama has spoken to the human rights issue. He needs to tread lightly so that Iranians are not punished by too much involvement from USA (there have been reports on CNN where Iranians have outright stated that they do not want America to be the issue here).
Pres. Obama is having a press conference tomorrow. I expect we will hear much more from him then.
@Rex Borup
Perhapse they have imported their uniform and shields.
God bless David Gurgen for his position on Obama's conservative approach to the struggle in Iran, and his show of solidarity with the Iranian movement by wearing a green tie!
I think President Obama is doing exactly the right thing. Unless there are many democracies speaking out in a united voice - it will look like the US is trying to interject itself, yet again - and incite more anti-American hatred. Think the last eight years are evidence that we can't rule the world -
@Rex....huh, never thought about the police written in English bit before...that's a very good question....
President Obama is shoiwng great restraint and a level-headed approach to foreign policy. The net result will be more respect on the world stage. AND, when we DO speak, we WILL be listened to. Knee-jerking rhetoric (as many Republicans advocate) simply becomes noise and, eventually, erodes respect others have for the U.S.
@David Gergen
What should he be doing. He gave a perfect response and what exactly do you want him to say? This whole argument is ridiculous. The people of Iran that are in these protest will be portrayed as the puppets of America and crushed into dust if we interfere. We have interfered before, how did that work out ? Not so well since its how we got this mess
I think this train accident is very scary and sad....I wonder if they will find that the train operator took the safety off or was distracted somehow.
I refuse to ride the rails for that reason, and because it is too crowded.
I am proud of Iranian people, specially young women, who have proved their courage and braveness.
Hello all I am an Iranian American and I just would like to make a comment about Obama’s reaction to the situation in Iran it is just the best approach. Any comment against the government of Iran is the biggest mistake president Obama could make. That would give the government the best opportunity to re-energize already exhausted police and Bassej by using the United States as the cause of this movement. It would just make the situation worst he has to push the UN and other countries instead.
But is that not what the President *has* said? "the world is watching". I'm soooooo frustrated by *everything* right now.
David Gergen has a great point. World leaders need to unite on this. You can't expect one country and one President to solve the world's problems.
When I see street protest it brings back memories of my youth. Freedom is not easy to achieve.Neda you will never be forgotten.
Obama has said was was necessary regarding Iran. We don't need a hawkish America.
I operate NYC subways for a living.
Question: where is the fail safe system to keep trains on the same track separated, in both this crash and the recent one on the West Coast? Text messaging, distraction, yeh sure; but decades ago railway designers came up with ways to prevent just such human error from causing such horrific incidents, especially on crowded mass transit.
It will be the easiest thing to blame the poor dead operator and close the book once again, but ignoring the systemic flaws will continue to put commuters at grave risk.
Weird behavior of the system earlier? Failure of the automatic slowdown sensors?
Maybe the system was hacked!
Btw the great host job John Roberts
you must be tired ?
The Iranian leader is just waiting for Obama to step into his territory so they can start stuff with us.
He is trying to bait us into war.
Obama is good to stay out of it.
I really disagree with Mr. Gergen for once. What on earth are we supposed to do? Invade yet another country? Push some regime change again??? I just do not see just what President Obama is *supposed* to say to appease people and NOT screw up what appears to be a regime that is collapsing under itself. We have screwed up with this nation so many times. I do not want us to do it again.
Why did your pictures of Iranian riot police have POLICE written across their shields in English?
Neda's death is heartbreaking. It makes me angry to watch it. It seems so senseless and the fact that she was at the protest not as a protester but as someone who was concerned makes me even sadder. Once the protests became violent, those organizing them should've ratched them down to prevent something so senseless and terrible from happening. The govt is responsible too for failing to prevent violence. I don't believe in adding fuel to this fire. My thoughts and prayers go out to Neda's family and loved ones and to the family and loved ones of all who have died in the protests and unrest in Iran.
What kind of help can we give them . Can we give them military support? No . These people are brutal and we knew it and because of our interference before we have this mess now.