After President George W. Bush employed the words, "You’re either with us, or you’re with the terrorists," addressing a joint session of Congress in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks – as the President prepared for the impending war in Afghanistan – liberals eventually treated those words with consternation as if the blunt declaration reflected poorly on America. But pro-democracy activists in Iran seem to like a similar message, as a group of protesters in Iran called on President Barack Obama to support their cause, chanting, "Obama, Obama, either you’re with them or you’re with us!"
Uniquely among the broadcast network evening newscasts, NBC Nightly News correspondent Ali Arouzi – stationed in Tehran – showed a clip of anti-government demonstrators chanting their message to President Obama, as he translated their words into English. During a report that focused mainly on the government-orchestrated anti-America protest organized to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Iranian Hostage Crisis, Arouzi also passed on the activities of anti-government activists: "On a day when anti-American sentiment runs high, the opposition was looking for support from President Obama, chanting, "Obama, Obama, either you're with them or you’re with us."
The CBS Evening News did run a similar story about both sets of demonstrators, relaying that anti-government protesters faced violent retaliation from government forces, although only NBC picked up on the message to President Obama. ABC’s World News with Charles Gibson did not mention the anniversary of the hostage crisis, although they coincidentally ran another story that also reflects poorly on the Iranian government, informing viewers of a large weapons shipment intercepted by the Israeli military that was headed from Iran to the terrorist group Hezbollah.
Below is a complete transcript of the relevant story from the Wednesday, November 4, NBC News:
BRIAN WILLIAMS: Overseas tonight, in Iran, fresh violence in the streets there today as security forces use tear gas and batons to break up anti-government protests on the 30th anniversary of the U.S. embassy takeover. We get more from NBC News Tehran bureau chief Ali Arouzi, the only journalist working for an American broadcaster who is currently in Iran.
ALI AROUZI: Despite severe warnings by the authorities, the opposition used today's ceremony to protest against the government. It didn't take long before the scene turned ugly. Thousands of Iranian security forces were assembled on the streets to crush opposition rallies and rein in political dissent. Shots were fired in the air. Tear gas was fired, and demonstrators were beaten with clubs, batons, and fists.
Authorities wanted to carefully stage manage the event, which was meant to commemorate the storming of the U.S. embassy in 1979. The press were constricted to an area outside the U.S. embassy, but this did not reflect what was going on elsewhere in the city as cries of "death to the dictator" echoed around Tehran. Thousands of pro-government supporters have shown up here at the site of the former U.S. embassy to celebrate 30 years of the seizure and to vent their hatred towards the United States and Israel.
But in an ironic twist, the opposition movement are also planning anti-government rallies across the city. Defeated presidential candidate Mehdi Karoubi joined the crowd, but, according to reports he fell to the ground after being overcome by tear gas. Witnesses say his supporters carried him to his car, which plainclothes militia attacked as it drove away. The opposition has so far refused to back down. On a day when anti-American sentiment runs high, the opposition was looking for support from President Obama-
CLIP OF PROTESTERS CHANTING: Obama! Obama!
AROUZI: -chanting, "Obama, Obama, either you're with them or you’re with us." Opposition has also vowed to convert all future holidays into opportunities for political protests. Ali Arouzi, NBC News, Tehran.
—Brad Wilmouth is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.




ALI AROUZI: Despite severe warnings by the authorities, the opposition used today's ceremony to protest against the government. It didn't take long before the scene turned ugly. Thousands of Iranian security forces were assembled on the streets to crush opposition rallies and rein in political dissent. Shots were fired in the air. Tear gas was fired, and demonstrators were beaten with clubs, batons, and fists.














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I See In The Future . . .
November 5, 2009 - 03:11 ET by DoktorFrankenI foresee a day of golf followed by a date night.
JMHO, you understand.
If Saul Alinsky owned a news channel it would be MSNBC. ---- Me
"Obama, Obama, either
November 5, 2009 - 03:17 ET by stratmanB U S H W A S R I G H T A G A I N !
Shame on Obama and his administration for not helping these freedom yearning, liberty wanting people of Iran.
How someone could not understand that bringing freedom to Iran would secure true peace in the Middle East faster than appeasing dictators is absolutely mindboggling.
AROUZI: -chanting, "Obama,
November 5, 2009 - 06:52 ET by MidAmericaAROUZI: -chanting, "Obama, Obama, either you're with them or you’re with us."
(sigh) I don't think they will like obama's answer. Obama has already made it clear that he will not confront our enemies but is determined to appease them. Leftists, like obama, have convinced themselves that America is to blame for creating it's own enemies by it's beligerant and arrogant behavior. So for them, wherever America has an enemy what they see is a future friend if the correct attitude is applied. So no matter how much the people of Iran call out for support, obama is more interested in shaking hands with the despotic rulers of that country because to him that is the way to true peace. (for further review, study the Lefts fascination with supporting Castro)
An opportunity of a lifetime
November 5, 2009 - 07:11 ET by HeavyChevyand it happens to come under Obama's watch and sadly he will screw this up as well.
If He Can't......
November 5, 2009 - 07:24 ET by GeneralAlIf he can't make a decision about Afghanistan, Hell will freeze over before he shows these people any support!
If He Can't....
November 5, 2009 - 07:34 ET by CCsteelcityHe can't and he won't. Just like he won't help the Israeli's with the proof they have against Iran with the weapons cache they seized.
"But a constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever." - John Adams
If they're waiting on
November 5, 2009 - 07:33 ET by gmaniac1If they're waiting on Obama, good luck. This is not someone you would want to bet your life on because you'd lose real bad.
They expect the second coming of Jimmy Carter to help them? I guess history will repeat itself once again with Iran and they'll hate us even more because of another weak liberal US president.
Sorry Freedom Fighters
November 5, 2009 - 07:43 ET by beanervtThe won only supports and befriends terrorist, he has little use for Freedom seekers. Hold on until 2012 and we'll get you some leadership that will support your plight.
Let me be clear..
November 5, 2009 - 07:54 ET by sic721Obama's with Them. Fired up. Ready to go.
Now...I know...there are
November 5, 2009 - 09:19 ET by TimeTo FightNow...I know...there are some people out there. People out there, all wee-wee'd up, and they're saying things like "Why won't he help these people? Why won't he extend a helping hand to them?" Well, to those people may I remind them that the previous administration...
why should obama
November 5, 2009 - 08:11 ET by roncare about freedeom in iran? he's doing all he can to take ours.
What do they think he's
November 5, 2009 - 08:21 ET by SnarkestraWhat do they think he's going to do for them? The man spends the first months of his presidency apologizing for our country's very existence and is practically itching to hand over our sovereignty to the UN. Frankly, they should hope he is on the side of the Iran government because he's fairly useless unless there is an award or television camera nearby. And even then, he's still pretty useless, unless you count leading his cabinet by example in throwing hissy fits of the kind of caliber that is normally found on a junior high girl's blog every time someone doesn't agree with him or his policies.
Actually, they would get his support if they just gave him a bowling trophy with original name scratched off and promised that their children would literally sing his praises just like the American children are being made to do in our schools today before they all watched his biography with rapt attention.
Demoncrats have and always
November 5, 2009 - 08:30 ET by nadadhimmiDemoncrats have and always will choose strong, repressive, dictatorial governments over democracy and God forbid, repulican (small r )principles. Obama stood by without even a cross word for the mad mullahs as they murdered Neda and hundreds of other students. Obama has chosen his side, and he sides with the maniacs and enemies of America.
Hey, it's time for another Hope-n-Change campaign speech
November 5, 2009 - 08:36 ET by justasimplepatriotMaslow's axiom:
is applicable here.
When the only competency you have is campaigning, every crisis is treated like a campaign issue - all talk, no action.
"Um, what took you so long?"
November 5, 2009 - 10:24 ET by Sestren_NKTo me it looks more like they're sending him a message as opposed to "looking for support". Considering he turned his back on them during their elections (especially for the reasons he did), it'd be pretty foolish of them to ask for his support again and expect something different.
Memo to Iranian Protesters
November 5, 2009 - 10:50 ET by xraynovaObama's made his choice.
You've been hung out to dry (no pun intended).
This Is Dissent
November 5, 2009 - 12:28 ET by slickwillie2001This is real "speaking truth to power":
Iranian Top Student Confronts Khameini: http://gatewaypundit.firstthings.com
"Top Iranian student Mahmoud Vahidnia confronted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei at a public meeting with students. The Supreme Leader was so distraught by the confrontation that he skipped prayers and left the meeting early. The event was being broadcast by Iranian state-run TV."
This man may be beaten to death for his bravery. It points out also how absolutely ridiculous the Bamster administration's Anita Dunn is, who made the claim that the White House's attacks on Fox News is "speaking truth to power".
Slick: Thank you for
November 5, 2009 - 18:50 ET by stratmanSlick:
Thank you for posting this news.
Vahidnia has more backbone and guts than Obama and his entire administration combined. The video of this young man has links with conflicting reports of his disappearance. I am sure he prepared himself for this inevietable outcome, and will become the second martyr, after Neda the murdered young woman, for the still unfolding Iranian rebellion.
As the refusal of the world to stop the brutal killing in Africa is a stain on humanity, Obama's refusal to assist Iranians desirous of liberty, including his cowardly cutting of funds to Iranian human rights watchdog group, will be a stain on Obama forever.
Instead of a beacon of hope for the world, the un-American acting Obama has set a course for America to become just another second-rate dim bulb on the planet.