DIANNY RANTS: A “Friend” of Iran
Oh sweet heavenly days!!! Senator Tom Cotton is a TRAITOR!! Why, he’s guilty of SEDITION!!!! He wrote a letter to the Mullahs!!!
Even President Barack Obama is fuming. Why, to contact Iran even to explain the role of the US Senate in treaties is “working with the hardliners.”
But it turns out that Senator Barack Obama, during the 2008 Presidential election, did far worse.
On October 2, 2014 Gateway Pundit posted about an interview between Mark Levin and Iranian expert Michael Ladeen.
Dr. Ladeen, it turns out, revealed in August 2014 that Senator Barack Obama assured Iran that he would win the 2008 election, and, as a “friend” of Iran, would be more amenable to them than Bush.
Ladeen wrote the following at PJ Media:
During his first presidential campaign in 2008, Mr. Obama used a secret back channel to Tehran to assure the mullahs that he was a friend of the Islamic Republic, and that they would be very happy with his policies. The secret channel was Ambassador William G. Miller, who served in Iran during the shah’s rule, as chief of staff for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and as ambassador to Ukraine. Ambassador Miller has confirmed to me his conversations with Iranian leaders during the 2008 campaign.
In October, radio host Mark Levin had Dr. Ladeen on to discuss this very thing. Listen to the conversation between Ladeen and Mark Levin:
Well, now. That kinda mucks up the whole “Tom Cotton is a Traitor” meme, doesn’t it?
Tom Cotton didn’t secretly send an emissary to Iran with a wink and a nod, to assure the Mullahs that he was a “friend” of Iran.
Senator Barack Obama did that.
Let’s get down to brass tacks.
Which is more outrageous? 47 Senators signing on to a letter to Iran informing them that any deal made with the US must be approved by the Senate, or a sitting Senator who is running for President secretly sending a private emissary to Tehran letting the Mullahs know that he is a “friend” of Iran who will be more amenable to working with them when he becomes president?
Those who are taking to the fainting couches over the letter these 47 Senators sent claim that they have violated the 1799 Logan Act.
Here’s the pertinent portion of the Logan Act:
“Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
“This section shall not abridge the right of a citizen to apply, himself or his agent, to any foreign government or the agents thereof for redress of any injury which he may have sustained from such government or any of its agents or subjects.”
So, here’s my question to these Defenders of Obama:
If the 47 Senators, who have the right to be involved in foreign policy, sending this letter violates the Logan Act, doesn’t Senator Barack Obama’s secretly sending an emissary to Iran also violate the law?
The Wall Street Journal actually has a fascinating article about the Logan Act which you may want to check out (since it is the primary argument these hysterical Liberals are using against Cotton).
From the WSJ article:
Scholars say there are a number of reasons the law’s relevance is in doubt. Because the Logan Act doesn’t say “anyone except the president,” whether or not the senators have authority as determined by the law is likely too vague to be prosecuted, says Steve Vladeck, a law professor at American University. While the executive branch – including the president and secretary of state – lead on foreign relations and negotiations with foreign governments, the senators are still federal officers. Senators have met with foreign leaders before without the president’s approval. When Nancy Pelosi met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2007, she faced similar criticism. [emphasis mine]
Senator Obama did not contact Iran on behalf of the United States Senate.
Senator Obama contacted Iran secretly through an emissary in order to let them know that he is a “friend” of Iran, who objects US Iranian policy, and would be more willing to work with them.
Though that may not violate the Logan Act any more than Tom Cotton’s letter, make no mistake about it. It stinks of treason.
Tom Cotton wasn’t trying to buddy up to the Mullahs in defiance of US policy.
Senator Obama was.
Tom Cotton wasn’t trying to give aid and comfort to the Mullahs.
Senator Obama — the “friend” of Iran — was.
The reason everyone is in a snit isn’t because the 47 Republicans violated any laws or the Constitution. They’re upset because these Republicans aren’t supposed to be proactive.
You see, these Republicans aren’t supposed to assert their authority as members of the United States Senate.
These Republicans are to remain silent and permit Barack Obama to do whatever the hell he wants.
Even if what Barack Obama is doing violates the Constitution.
Even if what Barack Obama is doing undermines US national interests, and the interests of our allies.
As I said the other day, for these Liberals, loyalty is to Obama, not the Constitution. Not the nation. Loyalty to Obama trumps loyalty to country. Because for these Liberals, Obama is the State, therefore, treason is defiance of Obama, not defiance of the Constitution.
But when the President of the United States acts in a way that undermines this nation and the Constitution these Senators took an oath to uphold, should they stand silently on the sidelines and permit him to act?
Liberals believe the answer is yes.
And herein lies the problem.
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Diann Russell is the author of
RANT 2.0: Even More Politics & Snark in the Age of Obama,
Liberals Gone WILD!!! The Not-So-Silent Conquering of America,
RANT: Politics & Snark in the Age of Obama,
and two novels: Sliding Home Feet First and Under the Cloud
Buy my books at these fine e-book sellers:
Diann is the owner of DiannyTees.com — a Conservative & Christian T-shirt Store.
She is a political dissident residing in The People’s Republic of New York.
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