What if Saeed Abedini were a gay rights activist?

 

Saeed Abedini is the American pastor who is imprisoned and being subjected to torture in Iran because he is a Christian. To date, the White House has neither contacted nor offered assistance of any sort to Saeed's wife, Naghmeh, despite her repeated pleas for help. Very little, if anything, has been reported on this case in the mainstream media.

 

Until the last day or so, we hadn't heard a word from the State Department either. But new Secretary of State John Kerry, I'm sure, has the Iranians quaking in their boots with this forceful statement released only a day ago:

 

"I am deeply concerned about the fate of U.S citizen Saeed Abedini, who has been detained for nearly six months and was sentenced to eight years in prison in Iran on charges related to his religious beliefs. I am disturbed by reports that Mr. Abedini has suffered physical and psychological abuse in prison, and that his condition has become increasingly dire. . .I am also troubled by the lack of due process in Mr. Abedini’s case and Iran’s continued refusal to allow consular access by Swiss authorities, the U.S. protecting power in Iran. I welcome reports that Mr. Abedini was examined by a physician and expect Iranian authorities to honor their commitment to allow Mr. Abedini to receive treatment for these injuries from a specialist outside the prison. The best outcome for Mr. Abedini is that he be immediately released."

Well, isn't that nice? John Kerry is "concerned" and "troubled" and "welcomes" reports that Abedini has been seen by a physician. And just what, may I ask, does that do to accomplish Mr. Abedini's return to his family?

Do you think that if Mr. Abedini had been imprisoned for protesting for gay rights instead of being a Christian, that the White House and the State Department and the media would be even more concerned and troubled and would be going bonkers trying to get him out? I suspect so.