Obama: "Appalled and outraged" by Iranian Government Repression, Violence

From President Obama's prepared remarks at the White House press conference going on right now.

...The United States and the international community have been appalled and outraged by the threats, beatings, and imprisonments of the last few days. I strongly condemn these unjust actions, and I join with the American people in mourning each and every innocent life that is lost.

I have made it clear that the United States respects the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and is not at all interfering in Iran’s affairs. But we must also bear witness to the courage and dignity of the Iranian people, and to a remarkable opening within Iranian society. And we deplore violence against innocent civilians anywhere that it takes place.

...This tired strategy of using old tensions to scapegoat other countries won’t work anymore in Iran. This is not about the United States and the West; this is about the people of Iran, and the future that they – and only they – will choose.

The Iranian people can speak for themselves...

... Above all, we have seen courageous women stand up to brutality and threats, and we have experienced the searing image of a woman bleeding to death on the streets. While this loss is raw and painful, we also know this: those who stand up for justice are always on the right side of history.

This is exactly the right tone for President Obama to take: respect Iranian sovereignty, emphasize that the Iranian people are quite capable of speaking for themselves, denounce violence against innocent civilians, and make it clear that the United States stands on the side of those - like the courageous Iranians confronting a violent theocracy - who "stand up for justice." With that, Barack Obama has gone as far as he can go without crossing the line that gives Iran's hardliners more of an excuse to go completely apes**** on the protestors. Excellent job, and let's just all be thankful we don't have a hothead like John "Bomb Bomb Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran" McCain in the White House (let alone a complete ignoramus like Sarah Palin - gack!).

UPDATE: Check this out, (Ba)rock and roll! :)