Syria

[HairOfTheDog]

He graduated from medical school . . .

I guess the Hippocratic Medical Oath only applies to your patients . . . not your citizens.

He's no longer practicing, but it does reek of hypocrisy.

I'd like to see the slaughter stop, of course, and I'm not defending Assad. He really didn't have any political experience when he took over for his father (aside from being the son of a 30 year ruler) a decade ago and I believe that he gravely mishandled the original protests that ignited this whole shit storm. I think that Syria lowered the age requirement by several years so that he could be sworn in and he registered a popular vote of over 90% (at least, according to the government, so I take that with a grain of salt).

Whatever he may be aside from relatively young and now in the world's eye (corrupt, evil, monster... maybe amongst his characteristics), Assad is not a stupid man nor is he without his supporters in and outside of Syria. It took decades to take out Hussein and Gadaffi and whether or not Iraqis and Libyans are better off (at least in the short term) is debatable, imo. It's another world.

What I find interesting is those who chime in emotionally from the sidelines that Assad ought to have already been wiped off the planet within two years of this civil war. That suggestion, to me, indicates a lack of understanding regarding the potential repercussions and how that action might well worsen the situation for the Syrians in the short term and expand into a multi-country "conflict" of great proportion.

I could be wrong, but I don't believe the Australian army is going to the lead the charge on such an extreme action. Nor do I think that Australia would govern the country in the absence of a qualified Syrian leader and administration.

The US has its hands full already, at home and elsewhere. But, our involvement in Syria is increasing and I do expect something major to go down in 2013. I don't have answers, but lots of concerns. I'm tired of war, period. But, it ain't going anywhere.

[aussiefriend]

C'mon, Aussie . . . with an "advanced" degree comes responsibility.

pffft

[aussiefriend]

What I find interesting is those who chime in emotionally from the sidelines that Assad ought to have already been wiped off the planet within two years of this civil war.

I could be wrong, but I don't believe the Australian army is going to the lead the charge on such an extreme action. Nor do I think that Australia would govern the country in the absence of a qualified Syrian leader and administration.

Personally, I would like to see Al Assad in the Hague for war crimes. That is what I would like. People are not necessarily chiming in from the sidelines emotionally. This shit is serious and some people have had enough of his antics. You can't go around butchering people and continue to sip your tea.

As for Australia, we do whatever the US tell/ask us to do.

[Duchess]

I long for the good ol' days when our biggest problem was a Prez who couldn't keep his pecker in his pants.

[HairOfTheDog]

I think that this is a good top level analysis and interview regarding what's next for Syria in 2013.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/02/world/meas...hpt=hp_bn2

[Maggot]

When you have a nut in power sometimes its better. You know the nut, you understand its thinking and sometimes can figure out which way the nut will spin. If you kill him another nut or an entire can of nuts takes their place. Then you really have a bunch of nuts running around and you don't know which way they will spin.

[username]

Almond Joy has nuts.

[Duchess]

Mounds don't.

[HairOfTheDog]

When you have a nut in power sometimes its better. You know the nut, you understand its thinking and sometimes can figure out which way the nut will spin. If you kill him another nut or an entire can of nuts takes their place. Then you really have a bunch of nuts running around and you don't know which way they will spin.

This is precisely why Gadaffi was rightly not "taken out" for decades, as far as I'm concerned. It was no accident or because he was able to hide well. The alternative was worse and based on some of the declassified DOD docs I've read over the years, few in the global leadership community viewed him as the greater of multiple potential evils. I think if we'd wanted him dead when we struck in 86, he probably would have been dead (with or without Craxi's warning call to Tripoli) and the US could easily have killed more than 60 Libyans. Whether Gadaffi actually saw it the same way or not, he always publicly maintained that Reagan was a foolish mad dog who was out to kill him.

Gadaffi was a player and was also quite predictable. After a US threat or strike, he'd declare a great victory for Libya and then recoil for years. He was nuts from this American's perspective, but he wasn't stupid. He didn't want to die or lose power. He negotiated to pay the US for some of the terrorist acts that he'd supported (and did indeed pay) and the US in turn paid Libya for some global oil operations located in Libya.

A predictable nut (by US definition) who can negotiate, retreat and rule is often best for everyone when the options consist of unknown nuts and known terrorists with no ruling experience and a strong opposition force still in place; I agree.

Syria under Assad is anti-Israel, anti-US, and accused of supporting some terrorist activity; very same situation as Gadaffi's Libya. I do hope this civil war can be ended by Syrians without international intervention and question whether the rebel forces are refusing any attempts at negotiation, in part, because they are gaining Western and neighboring financial and intelligence support (no qualms with the humanitarian aid). Are we encouraging peace or hindering it? IDK. But, it's clear to me that neither side is pure in its agenda, both sides include terrorist influence, and many of those migrating to other countries are not running specifically from Assad's regime, but from civil war.

[aussiefriend]

The man is a serial killer. Guilty of genocide of his own people. It's not your call HoTD to assert that Syria would be better off with him in power. It's alright for you, you are not living under that oppressive deadly regime.

[Duchess]

The man is a serial killer. Guilty of genocide of his own people. It's not your call HoTD to assert that Syria would be better off with him in power. It's alright for you, you are not living under that oppressive deadly regime.

Do you understand the point her & Maggot were making when they say a known psycho is better than an unknown one?

[HairOfTheDog]

The man is a serial killer. Guilty of genocide of his own people. It's not your call HoTD to assert that Syria would be better off with him in power. It's alright for you, you are not living under that oppressive deadly regime.

Well, aussie, I don't believe that Syrian rebels, worldwide leaders, nor the UN representatives are reading Mock and about to pounce on the opinion that I posted as if it's a global mandate. I could be wrong, but nor do I think that the international intelligence community has communicated my post content to Assad and that he is now sitting back sipping his tea in relief.

You're wrong, I do get to say what I want here.

As for your opinion, I continue to suspect that you are ignorant as to the make-up of the rebel forces and see them only as glorified freedom fighters. I don't think you acknowledge the possibility that they are responsible for a good portion of the civilian casualties and war crimes, as has been alleged by neutral orgs that have assessed the situation in Syria. And, I believe that you look at issues such as these as if taking out the current ruler is a magic wand solution when experienced global analysts would likely advise firmly against it. This is what I think because you give emotional input, in my opinion, without reasoning. You seem to see everyone as either a completely evil bully or a completely innocent victim. On the other hand, I provided my reasoning and made it clear that it's my opinion, so suck it or argue my reasoning.

FTR, just because I don't think there's a better option on the table right now, doesn't mean that I support Assad continuing to hold future power under the current conditions (or possibly under any conditions). However, if he was gone tomorrow with no replacement plan in place, the chaos and destruction to the Syrian people would be worse than it is today. That's my opinion based on my assessment of the situation. I don't want to see that happen if a more peaceful solution (or at least organized one) is possible.

P.s. look up the definitions of "serial killer" and "genocide".

[Jimbone]

LOL. The Hague. That's a good one aussie!

Because nothing stops genocidal/homicidal dictators like a good legal proceeding.

And contrary to your assertion from down under, there are those of us - including the voluptuous HotD - who are in fact living under an oppressive regime. Instead of blowing up our towns however, they target our bank accounts and just attack them.

[username]

Aussie is a dumb bucket of camel drool.

Exactly who do you see taking his place, dimwit? If you have some inside knowledge on who the rebel forces are and what the leadership would look like after Assad's downfall, I'd really like to hear it.

[Duchess]

Aussie, I'm not part of the Bitch Club...just sayin'.

[HairOfTheDog]

Aussie, I'm not part of the Bitch Club...just sayin'.

Well, if I'm seen as part of the (alleged) Bitch Club, I suspect that I made the cut only because my avatar was interpreted literally.

[Duchess]

Bitch Club makes me laugh. I could see there being one on a "nice" site but on Mock, not so much. On any given day it could be one big bitch fest in here. We'll debate/bitch about anything including "chili - beans or no beans".

[FAHQTOO]

Bitch Club makes me laugh. I could see there being one on a "nice" site but on Mock, not so much. On any given day it could be one big bitch fest in here. We'll debate/bitch about anything including "chili - beans or no beans".

NO BEANS!!!

[Duchess]

That thread went on for nine pages.

[Jimbone]

None of you are in the Bitch Club, because you keep fargin talking about it.

She must be in it alone. Or maybe with Ramsey.