FEEDBACK TO A MODEST PROPOSAL CONCERNING SYRIA

An Unincorporated Division of The Anonymous Anything Society September 18, 2013

Early last week, we suggested that countries governing populations made up mostly by followers of Islam should intervene with a peace-keeping force in Syria. I am fully aware of the impracticality of such a notion, due greatly to the murderous schism in their religion, but it would be the best solution for Shiite and Sunni alike.

I pause to remind myself that the sectarian violence between the Catholics of the Republic of Ireland and the Scottish Protestant immigrants of Northern Ireland roiled murderously for four centuries, and only recently has there been an uneasy peace between the two Christian sects there. This has not been the only time there was conflict between the worshipers of Christ.

Sadly, all slopes in this uncertain world lead downward toward mutually assured destruction of all life on this planet, and right now there are none more slippery that the ones in the Middle East.

While our world leaders present their arguments and the rest of humanity hopefully awaits the outcome of negotiations, I'm going to sample my bulging electronic mail-bag. Most of the following remarks are fragments excised from longer, thoughtful pieces. I want to give as many as possible an opportunity to comment. - Phil

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The United States has interfered in the Middle East for decades. Our involvement has brought us to the point we are at today. An entire region of people hate Americans and want to do us harm.

Objecting to this war, or any in the future, does not demean our troops. In fact, it is the opposite. It is done because we value our men and women in uniform, and are tired of sending them to foreign countries to fight someone else's wars and have them come home broken or dead. - Cathy Gouch

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Phil, this mess was avoidable with measured action, two years ago. Now our action will be futile - and who knows what the reactions will be. So, we're setting ourselves up for a bigger mess. - Dick Kampa

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I think there is a huge consensus among the American public to stay away from Syria. They are understandably wary of these virtually meaningless Middle East wars. Killing more civilians (collateral damage) is not going to capture any hearts or minds. I hope that there is some diplomatic solution short of munitions. The Russian "suggestion" holds the best hope to defuse this aspect of the standoff.

I have no doubt that this despot should be taken out. But then, there's no clear idea of just who would then seize power. Anyone who is of a mind to believe that we can bring democracy in the Mid East is fooling themselves. More than 10 years of wasting American blood and treasure has not created anything resembling an enduring democratic system in the Middle East. - F.C. Tucker

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The President said if we don't take action against Syria for their use of chemical weapons, it will send a message to rogue nations and other assorted terrorists that they can "develop and use weapons of mass destruction and not pay a consequence." That seems a little naive. I don't think there will be any deterrent if we act or don't act. We have been at war with two of the Middle East countries for the past ten years but the terrorist attacks and unrest continues. - Don Wallace

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I believe that our involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan proves the famous quote from George Satayana, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Although it would be foolhardy to get involved in another "Muslim War," I would suggest that the US should participate (using our "air assets") with the other countries you note in your assessment. - Art Segal

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We haven't seen anything yet. The consequences of dabbling in Syria are mind boggling. If we push the current regime out, the results will be the extermination of the Alawite ruling power and we will be giving the Muslim Brotherhood and Al Qaeda Syria on a platter, along with its gas weapons - Donald K. Nevins.

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Phil Richardson, Observer and Storyteller

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My thanks to Jim Bromley for providing an ARCHIVE of prior blogs.

"@AgainRight"