President Obama, Edmund Burke & Iran

I was reading Jack Kerwick's column, "Classical Conservatism: A Return to a Politics of Humility."

In the piece, Kerwick praises President Obama's approach concerning Iran in the aftermath of the "election" as being in the finest traditions of classical conservatism as personified by Edmund Burke.

It is quite possible Burke would have had little enthusiasm for the protesters in Iran. His disdain for revolution is well known and slogans like "Death to the Dictator!!!" would probably hold little appeal to him.

On the other hand, it was Edmund Burke who said, "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." So it is hard to fathom Burke endorsing Khamenei and Ahmadinejad much less President Obama's clarion call that we not meddle. If what is happening in Iran isn't evil then nothing is.

I also cannot imagine Burke being supportive of a policy of engagement of a regime that has no interest in engaging us and is, in fact, keen on doing us harm never mind its malignant designs for genuine friends.