Here is the Neda video and photos, a beautiful Iranian woman shot in the streets of Tehran by state militia, serving as a rallying cry for freedom in Iran and around the world. She was shot in the heart by a Basij soldier on Saturday June 20th while peacefully protesting on a sidewalk with her father, holding a sign that simply said “freedom.”
Neda: Iran Martyr, Obama Silent
Everyone but our own president seems to realize that we are on the cusp of an Iranian Revolution in Iran that Americans feel compelled to support. The silence of Barack Obama on the important democratic struggle taking place in Iran is dumbfounding.
Neda means “voice” in Farsi so she has quickly taken center stage as the voice of Iran in troubled times. You can read more about her here and here and here.
FDR assisted our democratic allies in Europe during the darkest hours of World War II. Ronald Reagan stared down the “evil empire” while famously demanding that Mikhail Gorbechev tear down the Berlin wall. George Bush appropriately labeled North Korea, Iran and Iraq an “axis of evil” for the way they suppressed their own people.
These presidents were not afraid to take the side of freedom, a long tradition among American presidents dating back to George Washington himself and something that is bred into our American psyche. Freedom is in our blood, and that of our fathers who spilled it so that others may enjoy democratic freedoms around the world. But not this tepid president who has straddled the fence of moral relativism, seemingly afraid or unwilling to choose a side in a historic struggle.
You can read a poem about her martyrdom. The photo above of the Iranian woman shot, Neda, is before she passed. The Neda Iran video is below the fold. Warning that this YouTube content is graphic, and presented as a key historical moment in the Iranian Revolution.
Update: a second video has been found which shows Neda before she was shot. She is in the black gown standing next to her father in the blue striped shirt.
Neda Video
Neda Before Shooting
June 21st, 2009 at 2:19 am
Wow, the rabid right is really so pissy that we have a smart, wise man in the White House, aren’t you? “Axis of Evil,” “Bring It On,” “Mission Accomplished,” these were epic fails on the part of the last president which tragically isolated America in the world and made world-wide violence worse. Obama has spoken out against the violence in Iran and will continue to make the correct decisions. Just stand back and watch. Try not to get in the way. You’ve done enough damage over the past 8 years. We’ve got this now.
June 21st, 2009 at 2:30 am
What are we going to do? Condemn them? Say how evil things are there? Tell them to stop? Invade them with what troops? The ones on their tenth deployment? against a military dozens of times as powerful as Iraq. Speaking of Iraq, 70 people were killed, 200 wounded in a truck bomb. Hundreds of thousands of innocents were killed in Iraq.
Sorry Charlie, start the draft, find some hidden trillion somewhere, then declare war on Iran and invade, and prepare for mass us casualties. What about Darfur and Congo? A real genocide there. Iran, 9 people killed so far.
June 21st, 2009 at 3:09 am
What astonishes me is that the right doesn’t seem to have all the Iranian EXPERTS who have said “Obama is striking the exact right tone in regards to his response to Iran.” Why is it that they can rattle sabers, call for unnecessary war, send our men and women to be killed in Iraq and yet when the moment calls for say it with me CONSERVATIVE RIGHT WING LOONS “D-I-P-L-O-M-A-C-Y” (sound it out if you must də-ˈplō-mə-sē), that call cries on deaf ears? Wake up, if and when the Iranians ASK for help we will be there, but in case you didn’t hear the chants of “Death to America” that were echoed during Friday’s speech I will ask you to look into history and see that we have done plenty to damage our image in the past and the US trying to play bully in another countries politics will end with more hatred and more terrorists trying to keep us in our place. And you “Rightpundits” using the death of an innocent girl as a prop of the right is nothing more than disgusting! I bet you, Rush, Cheney, McCain, Behner, Cantor, etal will all get together and try to put the gun in Obama’s hand…bravo, you’ve done it, you’ve become everything you all once raged against. You’re an embracement to the US.
June 21st, 2009 at 3:11 am
Leo, what scares me is that you are allowed anywhere near a voting booth.
June 21st, 2009 at 3:11 am
Correction: You’re an embarrassment to the US! Damn spell check!
June 21st, 2009 at 3:22 am
Leo is delusional, so much so that he has already determined that all future decisions of Obama will be correct. Leo is awash in the kool-aide and trying to sell it to the rest of us.
Where are all the “liberals” now? They are telling us that the “right” thing to do is to do nothing and say nothing because that is what their great god Obama decided to “do.” Where is their great compassion for humanity that causes them to want to fix all the problems of society? They are advocating silence, “it’s not our problem…” So, it begins to become clear that the core of their belief is about control and domination of the America citizens, not about defending the rights of humanity.
Sometimes, fighting is the right thing to do. The people of Iran fight using only their words and their bodies, for they have no weapons. Imagine the extent of their hunger for freedom.
A free nation that does not endeavor to share freedom with others will inevitably lose its very own freedom. A nation where government sees its role as managing the lives of its citizens and enforces national mediocrity is not a free nation. America is now rapidly following this course. The people of Iran suffer and die in greater numbers because WE have lost our way.
“Liberals” hate the idea of American exceptionalism. They endeavor to take us down to the levels of others, in order to make the world perfectly “fair.” In doing so, they will extinguish the torch of Lady Liberty - and the world will suffer greatly.
Before this week, who would have imagined that we would see Iranian citizens holding up signs pleading for help from America? Who would would have imagined that? Yet, who would have imagined that the American “president” would merely “monitor” the situation, ignoring the pleadings of the citizenry of Iran. Who would have imagined that the American “president” would verbally give legitimacy to the “Supreme Leader” of Iran instead of calling for real democratic reform. Tacit approval of despotism is the reality of Obama’s new approach to the Muslim world, and perhaps to the world at large.
The shallow minds of the useful idiots will never understand the hunger for liberty. Their cowardice has driven them to give up that right in exchange for the fantasy of being taken care of by society and that it is their duty to enforce the rules of the commune. History teaches us that this way of thinking never ends well.
Neda, I am sorry. My nation failed you. It may have only taken words from America to save your life.
June 21st, 2009 at 3:23 am
The fact that the right wing is using this poor woman’s murder to further its agenda is disgusting but not surprising.
June 21st, 2009 at 3:32 am
The Right wing has officially played the “B-b-b-but OBAMA!” card with the bonus “Bush got all John Wayne and ‘labeled’ countries, then invaded Iraq on a lie and got 4,000 soldiers killed! Now *that’s* a real man!”
The referee will await the judges’ decision on just how stupid that really is.
June 21st, 2009 at 4:04 am
The fact that the MSM compared Obama to Clint Eastwood and Mr. Miyagi for swatting a fly says it all.
Iran and North Korea have already responded to Obama’s overtures by flipping him the bird. You can’t negotiate with terrorist dictators.
June 21st, 2009 at 4:50 am
What about all the other atrocities that happen around the world on a daily basis by government to their own people is that Obama’s fault too? Zimbabwe is a classic example of governmental oppression that no one gives a shit about. Trying to score political points like this just underlines how evil and heartless the right really is.
June 21st, 2009 at 5:02 am
I think CNN’s Zakaria described Obama’s actions very well; “I think a good historic analogy is President George H.W. Bush’s cautious response to the cracks in the Soviet empire in 1989. Then, many neo-conservatives were livid with Bush for not loudly supporting those trying to topple the communist regimes in Eastern Europe. But Bush’s concern was that the situation was fragile. Those regimes could easily crack down on the protestors and the Soviet Union could send in tanks. Handing the communists reasons to react forcefully would help no one, least of all the protesters. Bush’s basic approach was correct and has been vindicated by history.”
June 21st, 2009 at 5:12 am
It pains me to say, but Obama is playing this correctly. The US Government meddling is not looked at favorably in Iran. All you need to do is look at our track recorded over the past 30 odd years. We supported the Shah, we supported Saddam Hussein in the Iran/Iraq War, we included them in the Axis of Evil. Even the most liberal reformist in Iran does not want the US to meddle. The clerics are trying to bait the US into getting involved so they can then use that as an excuse to begin rolling tanks down the street and machine gunning down mass groups of people.
June 21st, 2009 at 5:16 am
Not quite the same thing but leave it to Zakaria to try and make it work.
June 21st, 2009 at 5:25 am
There was a brilliant article published not too long ago about Obama’s silence. The author said that Obama is doing the correct thing, as George H.W. Bush did with the collapse of the Soviet Union. The wall fell on Bush’s watch, not Reagan’s. Bush was president when Gorbechev stepped down, not Reagan. There were rallies in the streets of the USSR. But we stayed quiet and let it take its course. If America interfered, it would not have been internal, and the USSR could have used the US interference to bolster its position and crack down on the reformation. Bush wisely kept us outside.
Obama is doing the same. As long as it is internal, and regional, we should let the Muslim states do what is necessary. That way the Iranian regime cannot use outside “evil infidel US” cry to talk about change. Let them take care of it internally. That will allow for the most change, and by our lack of interference better relations with the West.
Obama is being very smart about it. Should assistance be asked, I am sure we will give it.
Also note– WWII– we did NOT get involved until attacked at Pearl Harbor. We were isolationist. Get your facts right, and research all points of view before you mouth off. It’s that attitude that hurts the US image too. I’m glad we have a person in office who stops, weighs all decisions and then acts.
June 21st, 2009 at 5:37 am
I hope you were this upset when our own National Guard murdered four students at Kent State in 1970.
June 21st, 2009 at 5:39 am
Moron website. Keep posting “Neda: Iran Martyr, Obama Silent”, just trying to stir up shit. Obama is doing the right thing. Freedom isn’t given it’s earned. If Iranians want freedom they need to fight for it themselves. That’s the one thing the moron in the White House the last 8 years couldn’t figure out. Oh I’m sorry that was just the exscuse after no weapons we’re found in Iraq. We really need to do away with both the Democratic and Republican parties ourselves.
June 21st, 2009 at 6:10 am
Neda Iran Video: Iranian Revolution Martyr, Obama Silent …
Here is the Neda video and photos, a beautiful Iranian woman shot in the streets of Tehran by state militia, serving as a rallying cry for freedom in Iran and around the world. She was shot in the heart by a Basij soldier on Saturday June 20th while pe…
June 21st, 2009 at 6:11 am
Ahmadinejad has already publicly accused Barack Obama of being too involved. If he stands up and says, “We support Mousavi and the protestors,” then the ruling forces in Iran will have a scapegoat and blame the whole unrest on foreign agents. They’ll say our government is organizing the whole thing and use it as an excuse to do whatever they want. Please demonstrate some non-partisan thinking, I’m a Republican but it’s clear Obama has taken the right path here, and every foreign policy expert who wasn’t Rah-Rah-Rah on the Iraq War agrees.
June 21st, 2009 at 6:44 am
Leo;
“Wow, the rabid right is really so pissy that we have a smart, wise man in the White House, aren’t you? “Axis of Evil,” “Bring It On,” “Mission Accomplished,” these were epic fails on the part of the last president which tragically isolated America in the world and made world-wide violence worse.”
Gee, do you think your little quotes could be any less original mis-directed and disengenuous and an example of delusion on your own part ? Epic fail ? Do you even know what those two words mean and if so what example do you have to back it up with other than rabid mantra from the KOS which is where it sounds like your crap came from.
“Obama has spoken out against the violence in Iran and will continue to make the correct decisions. Just stand back and watch. Try not to get in the way. You’ve done enough damage over the past 8 years. We’ve got this now.”
What have you got ? Please, enlighten me.
All I’ve seen is your gutless leader stand behind the supreme leader and say that he thinks its wonderful that hes asking for a recount. Thats like asking the fox to go count the chickens after half turn up missing.
“Spoken out against the violence”? So what ? Is he supposed to condone it ?
What damage in the last 8 years ?
Since bone head has been in office weve had Americans killed on our soil by radical muslims, N. Korea teasting nukes, threatening to aim them at my state, everyone in Europe telling him “nope, were not gonna help you”,and Iran basically saying no matter what you say, we will build nukes. Our debt has doubled in 5 months what took Bush 8 years, hes spent more than all administrations ever combined, unemployment is at its highest ever, shall I go on ?
In 5 months Obama seems to have done a hell of a lot more damage than anything you assert on the part of Bush.
Mission accomplished ?
Yes, it was. I doubt you’re aware of what that misson was.
Bring it on ?
No attacks on American soil or our interests abroad for 8 years, or until now.
Axis of evil ?
What ? Are you denying it exists ?
Obamas not going to offer any substantial support to the Iranian people.
That would give too many Americans ideas.
Theres an opportunity for America to deal with one of its oldest and biggest problems without one American having to lift a finger and this motherf*cker wont do a thing because without Ahmajinedad in power he runs out of material to work with that will make him look like a hero.
His pi$$ ass little dream is to be the one who finally talked some sense in to one of the worlds most dangerous regimes and right now young Iranians are taking that shot away from him. Media blackouts were easy to pull off in the 70s and 80s, not anymore, this generation has been able to do their research and the results are not anything they pulled out of the Iranian public library.
Whats that saying that came from the left this year ?
“Never let a good crisis go to waste “?
Unfortunatley this crisis doesnt fit into any kind of self serving agenda but rather a self defeating one.
These people are asking us for help, the signs are written in english, they’re sending whatever comuniucations they can to this country, not f*cking Canada, or Europe. If we oblige them by simply saying we are on their side then we are not being arrogant by any means at all.
Arrogance would be to ” assume ” that these people want what we have and impose it on them as well.
Instead, what weve seen is this punk b*tch say that he supported the Supreme leaders call for a recount and go have ice cream. His latest blurb is that he is calling for the Iranian govt. to not suppress the voices and stop the violence.
Whoooooooooooooo, thats tellin em
If we dont do something more substantial today. I dont want to hear anyone b*tching 5 years from now when theres another 911, Israel is destroyed, Iraq is over run by Iran, you cant heat your house or put any gas in your car.
Ahmajinedad has been deligitimized, Obama cant stand it. How can he negotiate in the future with him ? He still will, thats how big a self serving idiot he is.
Jake.
You’re full of sh*t
The lame statement that Obama has issued is already being used as an excuse by the clerics, Ahmajinedad and the Ayatolla.
Ref.
Sit down and shut up. The “Bush lied” argument can be defeated by any 6 year old with a computer.
Deserve Liberty, Well said.
June 21st, 2009 at 7:12 am
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June 21st, 2009 at 7:33 am
I guess a few nukes’ll teach those damned mullahs not to steal an election!!!
You wingnuts are pathetically simpleminded. If we interfere in Iran, we will simply strengthen the hardliners, because that gives them a perfect justification for their hardline stance. Proof that America is “The Great Satan” the mullahs have always called us.
How would you feel if another country bombed Wichita because of the “rightwing terrorist” who killed Dr. Tiller…?
God gave you brains, wingies (hopefully). USE THEM.
June 21st, 2009 at 8:03 am
Says who ? The people who even do not recognize the rights of others to exist. They won’t recognize the right of Palestinian to exist, they won’t recognize right of Muslims to exist, they won’t recognize right of blacks to exist. Right is always not right.
June 21st, 2009 at 8:07 am
Here the Republicans go again!
The US is not patient. Unlike our enemies of the past and present ( Viet Cong, Al-Quida) we go willy-nilly into a fray without any strategy to win the struggle. We now fight, it seems for the tie. A war like WWII is a thing of the past. For some reason we are afraid to committ the resources to win.
With our forces strewn about the globe, what do you expect the President to send troops to Iran?
What troops? And what about the North Korean threat?
If we are patient the people of Iran will rise up in good time WITHOUT our help.
Remember the last time we were going to be hailed as liberating heroes? (Irag).
How did that work out W & Cheney?
June 21st, 2009 at 8:13 am
Leftside Annie.
Your heads up your butt.
No ones talking about bombing anyone, are they ?
Oh, wait, except for the guy who said he’d like to wipe Israel off the map.
Dont talk to us about “simpled minded” when anyone whos the least bit informed can tell you that this is not even remotely about an election anymore.
The pi$$a$$ little statement that came from barry has already been justifcation enough for Ahmajinedad and the Ayatolla to come out and say that the movement is a result of America rehtoric.
God gave you brains ?
Then start looking at the implications this movement has for the middele east, whole world and the future of Americas security instead of using it to push your simple minded narrow minded little left wing ideology.
Whats that you guys say ?
“never let a good crisis go to waste”?
Yeah, right, unless it doesnt serve your agenda, right ?