Yes they can be, but if "our man" is opposed to a philosophy/system/religion that is itself the enemy of freedom and liberty (communism/fascism/radical islam etc...), then big picture, it is better. Needs of the many out way the needs of the few.
I don't disagree with that but my point really was it's a good excuse for putting bad arseholes in charge under the guise of freedom, democracy, apple pie and driving on the wrong side, when in actuality they can sometimes be tolitarian dictatorships that have a lot in common with the enemy when you take ideology out of the picture.
I know exactly what you're saying. I think you're missing my point, people aren't put/kept in position unless for a reason. That reason is normally "for the greater good". i.e. we keep Sadaam around as a buffer against an evil Iran etc...
An interesting article in the Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opini...ave-in-syria/2012/04/23/gIQApLi4cT_story.html The luxury we don’t have in Syria About a month ago the European Union, showing it will not be trifled with, barred Bashar al-Assad’s wife, Asma, and other women in his immediate family from shopping for luxury goods in Europe. For some reason, going cold turkey on Dior, Armani and Prada failed to bring down the Assad regime or to end its vicious attacks on the civilian population. Now the Europeans, presumably with the staunch support of the Obama administration, have imposed an across-the-board ban on the sale of luxury goods to Syria — and yet, somehow, the killing continues. The imposition of the luxury goods ban was cited in a New York Times editorial with all the solemnity usually reserved for naval blockades — as good an example of any of how we have gone to dreamland. In the dream, a vicious dictator, fighting for his own and his family’s lives, will somehow come to the bargaining table because he is down to his last Montblanc pen. Of course, more practical measures and boycotts have also been adopted, but it is always good to remember that severe boycotts were imposed on Saddam Hussein’s regime for about 12 years — and it still took an invasion to bring him down. There is a lesson here.
While Syria burns By Charles Krauthammer, Published: April 26 Last year President Obama ordered U.S. intervention in Libya under the grand new doctrine of “Responsibility to Protect.” Moammar Gaddafi was threatening a massacre in Benghazi. To stand by and do nothing “would have been a betrayal of who we are,” explained the president. In the year since, the government of Syria has more than threatened massacres. It has carried them out. Nothing hypothetical about the disappearances, executions, indiscriminate shelling of populated neighborhoods. More than 9,000 are dead. Obama has said that we cannot stand idly by. And what has he done? Stand idly by. http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/while-syria-burns/2012/04/26/gIQAQUC0jT_story.html?hpid=z2
Syria rebels 'launch sea raid' as Lebanon seizes weapons Syrian rebel gunmen in inflatable dinghies have attacked a military unit on the Mediterranean coast, with deaths on both sides, state media report. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17879022
Possibly one sticking point is the sectarian divide there. Not as complex as Iraq, but it still exists. Libya didn't have that type of issue. I'm thinking the US can't really afford it in terms of blood & treasure. The European countries had a certain say in Libya and IMO so they should in this case as Syria is an old French colony/protectorate. ( I hope that's the correct term here).
The geopolitics of that area give me a headache. Good ole Murica would be in there kicking ass if it wasn't for lil things like Russia, China, Iran, and that whole quagmire. Why can't killing off scumbags like Assadd be simpler?!?
Leader of the Free World, hello! Here's your chance to LEAD THE WORLD!!! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-18216176 26 May 2012 Last updated at 06:58 ET Syria crisis: Houla 'massacre leaves 90 dead' At least 90 people, including many children, have been killed in Syria's restive Homs province, opposition activists say, calling it a "massacre". They said scores were wounded in the violence in Houla, as government forces shelled and attacked the town. Shocking footage has emerged of the bodies of children killed as part of one the bloodiest attacks in one area since a nominal truce began in April. The UN said international monitors were heading to the area. Fighting in Syria has continued despite the deployment of some 250 UN observers monitoring a cease-fire brokered by UN envoy Kofi Annan - a ceasefire which the BBC's Jim Muir in neighbouring Lebanon says now barely exists. The UN says at least 10,000 have been killed since an uprising began in March 2011 against President Bashar al-Assad's rule.
As more and more comes out about this, it begs the question- What the holy fuck are we doing? Lets go. I was getting bored only fighting 2 (errrr, 3?) wars anyway.
I'd say they have been advised it will turn out like Iraq and they do not want to commit.. All the same there are 14000 UN TROOPS across the boarder in Lebanon scratching their hole's ..
Political agendas, public perception not humanity drives response to these type of events. Is everyone waiting for the US do something and lead the way? Well if so I wouldn't hold my breath.
