The White House announced Wednesday that it has rescinded the invitations made to Iranian diplomats who may want to barbecue and watch fireworks to celebrate Independence Day.
"As you all know many weeks ago the administration extended an invitation to celebrate the freedom that this country enjoys. not surprisingly based on what we see in Tehran, no one has RSVP'd," said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.
"Understand that July 4th allows us to celebrate the freedom and liberty that we enjoy. I don't think it's surprising that no one has signed up to come given the events of the last few days. Those invitations will be no longer extended.
Of course, it may be more that no Iranian diplomats wished to extend their own open hand.
And this is hardly a great stand for freedom, given earlier administration explanation for wanting to cancel the invitation:
But officials said the violence against protesters that has ensued since the June 12 election has caused the administration to rethink the timing of such engagement.
Ah yes, the "timing." As I've written, the administration just wants a decent interval between the last dead protester and our first social occasion with the mullahs.
I assume the administration hopes nobody lingers on in a coma or anything, lest the fall back Labor Day weekend is scuttled.
