Somewhere in the middle of President Obama's 7,000-plus word ramble last night, wedged between the same old worthless promises and the obvious disdain for anyone (politician or average citizen) who dares to oppose him, he mentioned Iran three times. Twice while discussing his useless diplomatic efforts and offering another empty threat regarding that country's nuclear aspirations:

Continued...

"That is why the international community is more united, and the Islamic Republic of Iran is more isolated. And as Iran's leaders continue to ignore their obligations, there should be no doubt: they, too, will face growing consequences."

And again shortly thereafter when he brought up America's role in fighting HIV/AIDS, curbing climate change and the relief effort in Haiti:

"That is why we stand with the girl who yearns to go to school in Afghanistan; we support the human rights of the women marching through the streets of Iran; and we advocate for the young man denied a job by corruption in Guinea. For America must always stand on the side of freedom and human dignity."

The women marching through the streets of Iran? One would think the oppressive Iranian government did not murder, maim and imprison hundreds (if not thousands) of its own citizens after tens of thousands of brave Iranians took to the streets to protest the latest fraudulent election and demand change. Mr. Obama makes it sound as if a few ladies were allowed to start the Middle East Chapter of Code Pink.

The reality in Iran was made even more obvious the day after the American President made his ridiculous and wholly inadequate speech. On Thursday, Iran executed two men accused of involvement in an armed anti-government group as the public prosecutor announced that new death sentences have been issued against opposition activists involved in protests over June's disputed presidential election.

Never mind that the two men who were hanged had been arrested before the election and were not even connected to the post-election protests, the Mullahs and their puppet President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are using the courage of the opposition as cover for murdering political prisoners and anyone else they believe might threaten their hold on power.

And Thursday's executions will not be a one-time atrocity: Tehran's prosecutor has announced that five people have been sentenced to death for involvement in the most recent major demonstration, on December 27. Eight others were killed in clashes between police and protesters that day and hundreds were arrested. (source)

But rather than speak out strongly and clearly against this horror, the American president minimizes what is going on and squeezes even that tiny mention in with medical and environmental issues and aid given during a natural disaster. This administration has responded to past criticism of its non-reaction to Iran's savagery by saying they did not want to "meddle in Iran's domestic situation". They also did not want Iran to be able to blame US meddling for the unrest among their citizens. Guess what? They are blaming us anyway. Iranian authorities regularly accuse the US, Britain and other foreign enemies of fueling the unrest in a bid to oust the country's clerical leaders. (source)

So while the brave citizens of Iran continue to protest; continue to cry out for freedom even though it means they are risking their very lives, the threats of their oppressive government have certainly worked to silence the alleged leader of the free world.