On Monday, Syrian forces under the control of the dictator Bashir al Assad killed 70 members of the armed forces who were deserting at Idlib near the Turkish border rather than attack local people protesting against the regime. It was a record high number of deaths in one day in the Syrian fighting. The record, however, did not stand for long. Yesterday, the Assad forces slaughtered 111 people who were fleeing from a protest broken up by the police. According to unverified reports, in neither instance did those who were killed attack or even threaten anyone. That means that 181 people were just killed by the Assad regime as a warning to others who might protest.
Reaction was swift from Washington. President Obama said nothing. Secretary Clinton said nothing. My guess is that they are "studying" the situation. Maybe they are "consulting" with our allies. After all, Obama does not want to act "rashly".
Innocent people are being slaughtered. It is time for the USA to get together with our allies and put serious sanctions on Syria. If China and Russia want to continue to shelter the Assad regime at the UN, then the Security Council will be a dead end. I cannot, however, be the end of the road. America does not need to commit its military forces to protect victims everywhere; that is clear. America, however, does need to be a voice for freedom. It would be nice if we had a president who recognizes that simple but powerful truth.
UPDATE: To be complete, I have to report that Jay Carney, the White Hosue spokesman, told reporters in a briefing today that Syria needs to stop killing protesters or the "international community" would "do something about it". This non-response truly makes my point. Are we to understand that 181 dead in two days is not enough to get action? It is just the basis for some vague warning? Shame!
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