Women Barred From Running in Iranian "Election"

One of the problems I have with President Obama, amongst many, is that he cannot discern a totalitarian state from a democracy.

During his appearance with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a couple of days ago, Obama was asked about engagement with Iran. I found his comment on Iran's elections interesting:

I think it’s important to recognize that Iran is in the midst of its own elections. As I think all of you, since you’re all political reporters, are familiar with, election time is not always the best time to get business done.

President Obama spoke of Iran's "elections" as if they were like elections in Israel, Ireland or for that matter the United States.

Yet Iran's "elections" are neither free nor fair. Iran's Guardian Council has barred 42 women who sought election to Iran's parliament from participating in next month's ballot.

Now consider what President Bush said about Iran's "elections" in 2005:

Iran is ruled by men who suppress liberty at home and spread terror across the world. Power is in the hands of an unelected few who have retained power through an electoral process that ignores the basic requirements of democracy.

Indeed, women were also barred from running four years ago.

Change has come to Washington. But it has not come to Iran.