As we watch the people of Iran protest against their ruthless and often lethal government, I'm thinking about two statements by two US presidents:

"All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know: the United States will not ignore your oppression, or excuse your oppressors. When you stand for your liberty, we will stand with you." President George W. Bush, January 2005 (source)

Continued...

and

"The universal rights to assembly and free speech must be respected, and the United States stands with all who seek to exercise those rights." President Barack Obama, June 2009 (source)

While these two statements may seem similar they mean two vastly different things. The first takes the side of freedom - a promise to stand beside those who fight oppression. The second takes no side but states that all people should be allowed freedom of speech and assembly only. No matter which side wins in Iran, Mr. Obama can still claim he never directly supported the protesters' cause - he simply supported their right to protest.

It's more of that there-is-no-right-or-wrong-just-cultural-differences way of thinking. Well there is wrong. There is the wrong of a small group of old theocrats oppressing an entire nation and using religion and fear to hold onto their absolute power. There is the wrong of those theocrats threatening bloodshed if their own people continue to stand up for their liberty. And there is the wrong of a United States President who will not clearly and decisively stand with the Iranians who are risking their lives for real hope and change.