On December 2, the National Iranian American Council published on its blog a bizarre entry condemning “neocon” racism toward Obama — providing not a shred of evidence for this slander — and linking “neocons” with al-Qaeda, which is just outright silly and belies a lack of professionalism on the organization’s part. I responded by pointing out the Islamic Republic, whose positions NIAC and its founder Trita Parsi often defend, had issued statements of vile racism toward Obama before al-Qaeda did so.

To date, the National Iranian American Council–which complains bitterly when described as a de facto lobby for the Islamic Republic–has refused to live up to its own standards and issue a denunciation of Iran for its officially-sanctioned racism. What better way would there be to build understanding than to counter such slanders?

Disappointing, but no surprise.