When candidate Barack Obama promised "Hope & Change" he forgot to mention the hope part would be his foreign policy. Iranian security forces once again beat anti-government protesters on Wednesday, violently attacking citizens who dared to speak against their oppressive government. Even those who simply marched silently wearing the green scarves supporting President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's opposition were at risk.

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According to witnesses at state-sanctioned rallies marking the 30th anniversary of the US Embassy takeover, paramilitary units and militiamen from the elite Revolutionary Guard swept through the hundreds of demonstrators staging a counter-protest. In addition to clubbing, kicking and slapping protesters; the Iranian government disrupted mobile phones, text messaging and Internet access to frustrate protest organizers. (source)

Back in June when the first brave Iranian protesters were met with violent oppression, President Obama "voted present" by saying he didn't want to meddle in internal Iranian affairs. His response to today's acts of violence in Tehran? White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said, "We obviously have seen and are following the reports of this, and hope greatly that violence will not spread." (source)

Following the reports. Hope greatly. Follow and hope. These are not the words of a leader but they do represent the indecisive, non-committal, politically minded rhetoric we have come to expect from this president.

Teddy Roosevelt had "Speak softly and carry a big stick". Evidently Barack Obama has "Speak constantly and keep your fingers crossed".