Israel Matzav

No wonder Obama and Rohani get along so well: The Iranian Mooch

It's no wonder that Hassan Rohani and Barack Hussein Obama get along so well. Aside from their mutual contempt for Israel, it seems that Rohani is married to an Iranian version of Mooch Obama.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani came in for criticism from opponents on Tuesday for a "lavish ball" thrown by his wife, Sahebeh Arabi.

The "ball" was held on Sunday on Women's Day, which in Iran is set to the birthday of Mohammed's daughter Fatima. It was held in a palace of the deposed Mohammad Reza Shah in upscale northern Tehran, reports Reuters.

The supposedly lavish festivities were slammed by conservative members of Iran's parliament, at least 11 of whom have signed a petition condemning Rouhani over the party.

"Can one preach austerity and financial sacrifice and yet throw a lavish party on the public coffers?" remarked one of the irked Iranian parliamentarians, noting on the financial situation caused by world sanctions on Iran's nuclear program.

The "lavish ball" was viewed as particularly hypocritical given that Rouhani's government is expected to announce price hikes on Thursday, in a massive cutback of government subsidies for essential goods.

The 'parliamentarians' sound just like the Republican party slamming Mooch's trips abroad... but let's not go there. Rohani's reaction sounds even more like Obama's. Just substitute 'vacation in China' for 'party,' 'event' and 'gathering.'

For his part, Rouhani denied the allegations, saying "it is most shocking and regrettable that even a pure innocent gathering cannot escape an orchestrated chorus of gossip, slander and politically-motivated lies filling the air."

"All Islamic proscriptions were observed in this event ... women turned out in traditional folk dress ... only a few little girls capered and rejoiced," the statement added, in an attempt to play down impressions of a lavish foreign-influenced party.

Maybe the Americans should send Mooch to Iran for a couple of weeks. I wonder whether it's on her map. Or maybe we can introduce Rohani to that cute blonde Prime Minister of Denmark. Hmmm.

Labels: Barack Hussein Obama, Hassan Rohani, Iran, Michelle Obama

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 4:05 PM