I was a huge Elvis fan. I grew up loving and singing Elvis’ songs. His death saddened me, but not enough to make me want to make a pilgrimage to Graceland. His drug use disappointed me, but like most Elvis fans I chose to focus on his service in the Army, love of his family, and legendary generosity. To the best of my knowledge he never maliciously hurt anyone except himself.

Farrah Fawcett also died today. She too was an icon, but certainly not as big as Michael Jackson or Elvis Presley. Her death was duly noted in the media; mostly it talked about her brave struggle with cancer and how she died with dignity.

As much as Americans would like to see the popular uprising in Iran succeed, that’s not likely right now. Unfortunately, they’re not that well organized, not that well led, and completely out gunned. And despite claims by the Iranian government that the CIA is behind the demonstrations, it’s highly doubtful that President Obama has let the CIA get anywhere near the demonstrators. That’s also unfortunate. The US has a mixed record when it comes to CIA support for opposition groups in countries with governments we don’t like; and the risks are big. Then again, the risks of allowing the current Iranian government to remain in power and on course to produce nuclear weapons are even greater. At least the White House finally rescinded the invitations for Iranian diplomats to attend July 4 celebrations at our embassies overseas.

President Obama went further today in criticizing the government of Iran in his news conference than anytime since protests broke out following the Iranian election 11 days ago. Still, he modulates his words, concerned about how the Iranian government might use them, and he won’t disinvite Iranian diplomats to US Embassy July 4 celebrations. Is it that easy for the Ayatollahs and Ahmadinejad to turn the president’s words against him by invoking memories of the US involvement in the 1953 overthrow of Prime Minister Mossadegh and the US support of the Shaw? I doubt it.

Certainly there are Iranians, Ahmadinejad supporters and members and families of the Revolutionary Guard, who harbor ill will for America. But the Iran of 2009 is not the Iran of 1979. The Shaw’s oppressive secret police, Savak, has long been replaced with the Ayatollahs’ secret police. The anti-American fervor that allowed “students” to hold American diplomats hostage in their own embassy for 444 days has long passed. The Internet and digital cameras didn’t exist then, making it much harder for the outside world to know the truth. And most Iranians weren’t even born then. Their unpleasant memories are of the devastating Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s and the continuing oppression by religious clerics and their henchmen.

Attempts by the ruling regime to shift blame for the uprising to America by making accusations that CIA agents are behind it would have no credibility. The world and Iranians on the streets would see them for what they are--feeble attempts to change the subject. Protesters carry signs in English not to criticize America but to plead for America’s and the English-speaking world’s support. Let’s not let them down; and if any Iranian diplomat has the courage to show up at a July 4 celebration let’s hope he gets an ear full.

No one, not even the protesters on the streets of Tehran, knows how the popular uprising in Iran will turn out. The Iranian people, who have had enough of the oppressive theocracy that runs Iran, are up against the formidable forces of an autocratic police state. Regardless of the outcome, however, the protesters and everyone who supports them is on the right side of history.

We’ve seen all this before many times in the capitals of Eastern Europe, Moscow, Manila, Beijing, and elsewhere. It doesn’t always end well. Shouts and hastily drawn posters are no match for bullets and tanks. What tips the scales in favor of freedom and democracy is the contagiousness of the desire for them burning in the hearts of those who take to the streets to demand them. If enough people catch the fever, no government can stand against them. Support from free peoples around the world is the medium by which that contagion spreads. Whether you twitter, email, or just express that support when you talk to your friends, I assure you, Iranians on the streets will feel it.

With all our problems here, I know it’s tough for most people to get excited about permanently stationing people on the Moon. On the whole, we’ve generally become bored with men and women in space, until there’s an accident. It’s all too routine, and we don’t like to think about what it costs. The Star Trek and Star Wars fans among us still like to think about our decedents someday traveling to the stars, but we know that will never happen in any of our lifetimes.

What’s more difficult is deciding what you want your government to do. The US government has a long history of involvement in popular uprisings. It’s even started a few. There was a time when a little money from the CIA, a few well-placed operatives, a pirate radio station or two and a little luck did the trick. And if you had the Pope on your side and your name was Ronald Reagan, you could overthrow an empire. But you always have to be careful. If you misjudge, a lot of people end up in pine boxes in unmarked graves. Tiananmen, describes that situation.

UN resolution 1874 authorizes inspection of air and sea cargoes suspected of containing materials used for the development of nuclear weapons or ballistic missiles. Unfortunately, it fails to authorize the use of force to inspect ships and aircraft that resist inspection.

Palin is certainly fair game for political humor as is any politician; even if a good bit of that humor is deliberately intended damage her image. That’s nothing new. When a comedian does what David Letterman did Monday night, however, he crosses the line. Referring to Palin’s “slutty flight attendant look” and saying her daughter was “knocked up by Alex Rodriguez” at a Yankee’s game weren’t intended to be humorous at Palin and her daughter’s expense, they were intended to demean and degrade them.