[Chicago Tribune] Editorial - For a few days this month, it was enthralling to witness a tidal surge of Iranians in the streets of Tehran, demanding that their presidential vote be heard and respected by the country's leaders. But that didn't last long. Now Iranians know the truth: They do not live in a true democracy. They live in a Soviet-style police state that sends militias and riot police to beat and kill unarmed protesters for daring to speak their minds. But no matter how much Americans root for Tehran's demonstrators, the outcome of these protests cannot be the U.S.'s main issue. Stopping Iran's outlaw nuclear program remains America's top priority. Iran now has enough centrifuges spinning to create enough fuel for as many as two nuclear weapons a year. President Obama has said the U.S. should know in six months if Iran is serious about negotiating. But that was before the election disgrace. And before Obama blasted Iran's leadership for its brutality in response to protests. The president can't - and shouldn't - ease up on Iran's thugocracy. But he also can't allow his end-of-the-year deadline to slip. Obama needs to keep America's focus on this overriding priority: It's the nukes.
2009-06-26 06:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive