[Peace-discuss] Paul on the House Iran Resolution

[C. G. Estabrook]

	Posted: 19 Jun 2009 11:36 AM PDT
	Ron Paul spoke today against the House resolution on Iran.

     I rise in reluctant opposition to H Res 560, which condemns the Iranian 
government for its recent actions during the unrest in that country. While I 
never condone violence, much less the violence that governments are only too 
willing to mete out to their own citizens, I am always very cautious about 
“condemning” the actions of governments overseas. As an elected member of the 
United States House of Representatives, I have always questioned our 
constitutional authority to sit in judgment of the actions of foreign 
governments of which we are not representatives. I have always hesitated when my 
colleagues rush to pronounce final judgment on events thousands of miles away 
about which we know very little. And we know very little beyond limited press 
reports about what is happening in Iran.

     Of course I do not support attempts by foreign governments to suppress the 
democratic aspirations of their people, but when is the last time we condemned 
Saudi Arabia or Egypt or the many other countries where unlike in Iran there is 
no opportunity to exercise any substantial vote on political leadership? It 
seems our criticism is selective and applied when there are political points to 
be made. I have admired President Obama’s cautious approach to the situation in 
Iran and I would have preferred that we in the House had acted similarly.

     I adhere to the foreign policy of our Founders, who advised that we not 
interfere in the internal affairs of countries overseas. I believe that is the 
best policy for the United States, for our national security and for our 
prosperity. I urge my colleagues to reject this and all similar meddling 
resolutions.

     ###