Posted by Anthony Gregory on 11/03/09 2:36 PM [Newer: The Energizer Health Care Bill] [Older: Cal Thomas on the Tenth Amendment]

After an unambiguously fraudulant election, Afghanistan has cancelled its planned runoff election and the West has deemed Karzai the "legitimate" ruler. Contrast this with the wide perception of Iran's election as a clear fraud. Just another example of double standards in diplomacy.

Posted 11/03/09 3:36 PM zoesmom0504 Burien, WA

I am just curious - personally I was a little more than annoyed when Obama congratulated him on his win.....was I the only one? I'm young so I don't know if compared to other presidents this is normal to do, especially given the circumstances.

Posted 11/03/09 3:57 PM Rob Vollat Randleman, NC

I think we all should reflect for a moment as to the evils our government inflicts on other humans. It is outrageous.

Posted 11/03/09 7:58 PM Joey Batz Brooklyn, NY

Zoe, what Obama's doing isn't all that much different than what other presidents do. They all seem to prefer one candidate to another in foreign elections and the relationship between our country and another will shift dramatically when a puppet of the West rises/falls. I can't say I was all that annoyed when Obama congratulated him because I was pretty much expecting it. But I, too, am young, so perhaps our older members can comment on how glaring the double standard is. This is the first time I've ever read about it in the news as it happened, and I could only think of how ridiculous it was that Iran's fraudulent elections were condemned by our leaders (because Ahmadinajad is an enemy of the US) while Afghanistan's fraudulent elections are supported by the very same people (because Karzai is our puppet, I mean friend).

Posted 11/04/09 10:28 AM BruceKoerber Cedar Rapids, IA

http://educationandethics.blogspot.com/ Wednesday, November 4, 2009 What Is The Ethical Thing To Do With Karsai and Afghanistan? Here's the choice: Either prop up the puppet or initiate a free-for-all that unquestionably would result in the political will to expel the foreign occupiers. Which would you choose if you were an imperialist? By definition then, the U.S. is an imperialist. If, in contrast, you were a peaceful person with a concern for liberty and justice yet put in the same position what would you do? Admit the errors of the past, denounce the warmongers and the erroneous logic and impure motives of the neocons, and then bring the troops home!