Senior Iranian Cleric: Death To America Iranian Protesters! More: Obama/Merkel Press Conference

Above the post update:

Once again, Obama talks about Iran respecting it's people, while Merkel says vote was tainted and calls for a recount. I know a recount isn't what Mousavi calls for but again, Germany is taking a harder line on Iran than the US. Unbelievable.

The NYT reporter asks if Obama will apologize as Ahmadinejad demands (amazingly, Obama passed on that opportunity) and if Obama will demand an apology from Ahmadinejad for comparing him to Bush.

Yes, it's the same asswipe who wanted to know what Obama was enchanted by as President.

Says direct dialogue efforts will be affected by what's happened. Doesn't know how and still maintains that it has to be done at some point soon.
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Original Post:

I'm guessing this guy didn't get the, "dissent is the highest form of patriotism" memo.

In Friday's central Muslim sermon at Tehran University, a senior cleric, Ayatollah Ahmed Khatami, called for harsh retribution for dissent.

"Anybody who fights against the Islamic system or the leader of Islamic society, fight him until complete destruction," he said in the nationally broadcast speech.

The cleric alleged that some involved in the unrest had used firearms.

"Anyone who takes up arms to fight with the people, they are worthy of execution," he said. "We ask that the judiciary confront the leaders of the protests, leaders of the violations, and those who are supported by the United States and Israel strongly, and without mercy to provide a lesson for all."

Khatami said those who disturbed the peace and destroyed public property were "at war with God," and said they should be "dealt with without mercy."

He reminded worshippers that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, rules by God's design and must not be defied.

Meanwhile, our old friend Ahmadinejad is still complaining about US involvement (if only!) in the Iranian turmoil.

In a speech at a petrochemical plant in southern Iran, Ahmadinejad said Obama was behaving like his predecessor, George W. Bush, and suggested that talks with the United States on Iran's nuclear program would be pointless if Obama kept up his criticism. Obama, who has expressed interest in talking to the Iranian leadership about the nuclear issue, said at a news conference Tuesday that he was "appalled and outraged" by recent violence against demonstrators, and he accused the Iranian government of trying to "distract people" by blaming the unrest on the United States and other Western nations.

"Do you want to speak with this tone?" Ahmadinejad responded Thursday, addressing Obama. "If that is your stance, then what is left to talk about?"

He added: "I hope you avoid interfering in Iran's affairs and express your regret in a way that the Iranian nation is informed of it." He asked why Obama "has fallen into this trap and repeated the comments that Bush used to make" and told the U.S. president that such an attitude "will only make you another Bush in the eyes of the people."

How's that cool, detached, don't want to say a mean word pose working out Mr. Obama? He admitted during his Tuesday press conference that the Iranians were deliberately mistranslating his words to make it appear the US is involved. So why not say and do the right things since you are going to be blamed anyway?

As many of us here have pointed out, the answer isn't because Obama is so damn smart but rather because he stupidly prizes negotiations over all else. John Bolton takes at whack at Obama on this topic today.

Just a reminder, this is the guy (not the Supreme Leader) who Obama promised to meet with this year, without any preconditions. Tick-tock Obama, time is running out. John Bolton takes a swing at Obama on that front today as well.

And us not forget, Obama promised to meet with Ahmadinejad (not the Supreme Leader, look at the photo in the video below) this year and without any preconditions.

Tick-toc Mr. President, only 7 months to go!

posted by DrewM. at 10:27 AM

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