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It is a compelling scene - thousands in the streets of
President Obama condemned the violence in a news conference today and used his strongest language yet, saying the world is "appalled and outraged" by
And, the House and Senate passed separate resolutions in support of the Iranian protesters.
Since the election last week, nearly 20 Iranians have been killed - including the murder of a young Iranian girl whose killing was captured on video and posted online.
As you know, Jay, I am not unsympathetic to the plight of the many of the people you represent around the world. There are strong human rights arguments to be made in asylum cases in Europe--and frankly strong ones to be made in the United States as well.
However, tomorrow's speech by the President in Cairo is probably not the time or place to highlight with great specificity religious persecution in the Islamic world. I would expect him to do what he did in Turkey earlier this year: explain that the United States is committed to democracy and religious freedom and expect those principles to be exemplars to the rest of the world. The President noted at that time: "I've said before that one of the great strengths of the United States is- although as I mentioned we have a very large Christian population- we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation, or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values."
In this space, we talk about a variety of issues - mostly along 'church/state' lines. Barry, I am concerned about something I see developing in our 'state' - in our nation - and I want to see what you think.
What is troubling to me is a new - and what I believe - is a dangerous direction that President Obama is pursuing. I am not alone in expressing concern about the Administration's new strategy of internationalism - embracing foreign and economic policies that may very well put U.S. sovereignty at risk.
Through its foreign and economic policies, the Administration is embracing an ideology of global governance - a strategy that may put at risk our national sovereignty - our constitutional framework - all in the interest of international cooperation.
Barry, I just returned from the Middle East where I witnessed firsthand the terror that the Israelis face from the longstanding attacks by Hamas - rockets launched into
I was in two Israeli cities -
I had the opportunity to go to Sderot with Israeli Middle East expert and former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Colonel Raanan Gissin. Colonel Gissin, the Senior Advisor to former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who told me quite clearly that he believes the war
And, now there's growing pressure at the United Nations from many Arab countries to pass a resolution to condemn
President-elect Obama has said little about the current situation in
Even Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid understands what's at stake: "I think what the Israelis are doing is very important," Reid said. "I think this terrorist organization, Hamas, has got to be put away."
That is a priority.
Please note that in discussing political issues, candidates’ positions and political party statements, the Rev. Barry Lynn and Jay Sekulow are offering analysis in their individual capacities as lawyers and commentators. They are not speaking on behalf of Americans United for Separation for Church and State or for the American Center for Law & Justice. Those organizations do not endorse or oppose candidates for public office. Nothing contained in this dialogue should be construed as the positions of the respective organizations.