Several Senators are putting forth a bill to bring freedom and democracy to Iran. Jennifer Rubin has a nice write up on the particulars in Commentary.
Rubin then goes on to note:
It will be interesting to see the Obamiâ??s reaction to this piece of legislation. Are they interested in aiding democratic activists, or are they committed to not rocking the boat? Do they have the nerve to document the specific Iranian human-rights atrocities, or would they prefer to say as little as possible?
One basic problem with using human rights as a geo-political cudgel is the obvious cynicism of it - a cynicism that does more to undermine the cause of those rights than its boosters care to admit. We are willing to stand on the moral high ground vis-a-vis Iran, but not with Saudi Arabia? Or Egypt? Or Jordan? Why not? If we only believe in human rights for our enemies but not our friends, then we really don't believe in human rights, do we? Because I don't see too many elections in Jordan, much less protest movements. As far as women's rights go, you'd be much better off living in Iran than Saudi Arabia.
Realists take a lot of abuse for supposedly not supporting American values. But who is doing those values the most harm? Those who proclaim them loudly only when it's geo-politically convenient. Or those unwilling to preach what they won't practice?
