The Civil War in Syria

BEIRUT, Lebanon — A suicide bomber killed at least three top aides to President Bashar al-Assad of Syria on Wednesday including the defense minister and Mr. Assad’s powerful brother-in-law, state television and opposition activists reported. The attack in Damascus, after three days of fighting in the capital, hit at the very military structure that has been directing the harsh repression of the 17-month-old uprising against Mr. Assad’s rule.

-- NEIL MacFARQUHAR and DALAL MAWAD in The New York Times

It has been a while since we have done anything on the Middle East, and this business in Syria has been going on for months. It's a big question what the toppling of these regimes will do for American interests, considering the prevalence and robustness of Islamist interests, though we continue to sound the offical line that we favor and try to promote democracy wherever we can. In the case of Syria, I am sure that we are even more eager to see a regime change, as there is no question but that this regime is a direct enemy to all things American, as well as being one of the worst police states around, but we have been particularly hamstrung because Putin and the Russians have drawn their line in the sand and insist on protecting Assad's regime, and it is under this protection that the government has been undertaking the most brutal repression we have seen yet against its citizens. Whether this attack marks a definitive turnaround in fortunes there, it remains to be seen, but the government remains plucky, issuing a statement that it remains determined on “cutting off every hand that harms the security of the homeland and citizens.” Now, why would anyone want to see such a charming government go?

The Civil War in Syria

BEIRUT, Lebanon — A suicide bomber killed at least three top aides to President Bashar al-Assad of Syria on Wednesday including the defense minister and Mr. Assad’s powerful brother-in-law, state television and opposition activists reported. The attack in Damascus, after three days of fighting in the capital, hit at the very military structure that has been directing the harsh repression of the 17-month-old uprising against Mr. Assad’s rule.

-- NEIL MacFARQUHAR and DALAL MAWAD in The New York Times

It has been a while since we have done anything on the Middle East, and this business in Syria has been going on for months. It's a big question what the toppling of these regimes will do for American interests, considering the prevalence and robustness of Islamist interests, though we continue to sound the offical line that we favor and try to promote democracy wherever we can. In the case of Syria, I am sure that we are even more eager to see a regime change, as there is no question but that this regime is a direct enemy to all things American, as well as being one of the worst police states around, but we have been particularly hamstrung because Putin and the Russians have drawn their line in the sand and insist on protecting Assad's regime, and it is under this protection that the government has been undertaking the most brutal repression we have seen yet against its citizens. Whether this attack marks a definitive turnaround in fortunes there, it remains to be seen, but the government remains plucky, issuing a statement that it remains determined on “cutting off every hand that harms the security of the homeland and citizens.” Now, why would anyone want to see such a charming government go?

Canada Is Better Than America??

“For the first time in recent history, the average Canadian is richer than the average American.”

-- Stephan Marche

So, what is supposed to be the big advantage in America's more ruthless capitalism? Of course, it is that the rich are richer in America - yay for freedom! Good for the rich, but what about us? To which the rich would say, "What about you?"

In the linked article exploring the issue, it is noted that, in terms of median income, America actually trails behind every developed nation in the world except Sweden and Denmark. Moreover, "The UK, Japan, Italy (!) and Australia more than double the U.S. median." I love the exclamation mark next to Italy. Seriously, this makes me wonder about the statistic. I tend to think of Italy has being a little third-worldish, but they actually double our median income figure!? I guess America may be even more third-worldish.

One could wish that this would administer a wake-up call to Americans, that we are not the best and richest in the world, like a rude electric shock, but I am afraid that they would say this is what happens when you elect a socialist Kenyan to the White House, and that we need to favor the rich even more! Well, this is why I cannot take politics very seriously anymore, regarding it as the tragic theater of the absurd, as with life in general.

Canada Is Better Than America??

“For the first time in recent history, the average Canadian is richer than the average American.”

-- Stephan Marche

So, what is supposed to be the big advantage in America's more ruthless capitalism? Of course, it is that the rich are richer in America - yay for freedom! Good for the rich, but what about us? To which the rich would say, "What about you?"

In the linked article exploring the issue, it is noted that, in terms of median income, America actually trails behind every developed nation in the world except Sweden and Denmark. Moreover, "The UK, Japan, Italy (!) and Australia more than double the U.S. median." I love the exclamation mark next to Italy. Seriously, this makes me wonder about the statistic. I tend to think of Italy has being a little third-worldish, but they actually double our median income figure!? I guess America may be even more third-worldish.

One could wish that this would administer a wake-up call to Americans, that we are not the best and richest in the world, like a rude electric shock, but I am afraid that they would say this is what happens when you elect a socialist Kenyan to the White House, and that we need to favor the rich even more! Well, this is why I cannot take politics very seriously anymore, regarding it as the tragic theater of the absurd, as with life in general.