Syria. Horrible what is happening there. Great what is happening here.

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   Ericdierkerposted 11 years ago

   This on going massive debate is astounding but not confounding. The raging debates we see on every thing use of force to threats to "mind our own business" to politics to our allies? Is just amazing. I for one have learned so much.
   
   My country is engaging in peaceful arguments over very serious matters. Our leaders are doing the same and even our military is doing the same. My family does it. At work we do it. At school it is happening.
   
   We here are writers and we are doing a fantastic job of covering and debating the issues. Of course most people wish Syria well, some pray and some just send good intentions.
   
   This is my country and I am damn proud -- no not that we have freedom of speech and press,,, but that we exercise them with vigor and candor and even rancor but peacefully and thoughtfully. We are not devoid of emotions and feelings and they are part of the mix but in a reasonable fashion.
   
   Do you think we should be proud of this great debate?

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      Brenda Durhamposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes.   Just not proud of the propoganda and the confusion as to what's true and what's not.

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         Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         But that is part of the beauty of it, you just questioned it. And perhaps it is not black and white and a whole lot of gray. So as long as we continue to question both some truth will prevail.

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   Education Answerposted 11 years ago

   Actually, I'm disappointed that we are talking about Syria so much when we have so many important issues that have been tabled. It's a diversion from business.  I know how that sounds, cold.  Still, I can't help but feel that our country needs to focus on our own deep, troubling issues before we try to fix all of the world.

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      Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      NO doubt you are right -- I did not intend for this to be about Syria it is about the civil discourse that our country freely and properly engages. I would rather debate about our foster care system and homelessness.

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         Education Answerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         These are two issues that I consider near to my heart, because some of my students deal with these issues.

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            Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Then you are a very good teacher. Sometimes the questions are the answers.

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               Education Answerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               You're too kind.  Thank you.
               
               Best wishes.

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   Zelkiiroposted 11 years ago

   The worst part about this whole Syria mess is that, no matter what we do, we lose.
   
   Step in and support the rebels? There goes even more of our national budget, not to mention that the rebels hate us and will likely turn on us. And it'll be another long, worthless, excruciating waste of time like Iraq was.
   
   Step in and support the regime? ...Why?!
   
   Stay out of it and wash our hands of it? Then the rest of the world will think we've gone soft and we lose some political clout. Oh, and also the whole "letting children get gassed" thing will continue to be a thing.

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      Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      So I learned something new. I had never heard the suggestion that we were sending troops in -- where did you get that idea?

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      innersmiffposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      "Then the rest of the world will think we've gone soft and we lose some political clout. "
      
      If the worst thing you can say about an outcome is "What will people think?", then it's not so bad.

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   cleaner3posted 11 years ago

   Considering that our president ..has made our country look weak by vascilliating  over using power .. showing once again that he has no intention of making a decision... that could go wrong and he will not be able to blame no one but himself.  This whole proposition has embolden the enemys of America ..to challenge us and see what we do.! Now making The country  and the world more dangerous  for all ..!
   If he had any guts he would have moved in the first place and .now he wants to ask congress for the ok .. now ?? he knows that congress will not give him the ok.. there fore  showing he does not have the guts to make a decision .   
   God help us all..!

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      Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I think you have a great point. I suppose when we elect a president with a shown indifference to really being our Commander and Chief and who injects politics into the ranks of our Joint Chiefs then this leads to this problem. Will Kerry resign?

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         cleaner3posted 11 years agoin reply to this

         well  after being constantly undercut by the pres.. he should ..be afraid to speak ..

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