Hama Rules, the IHH, Syria and Marco Rubio
I've written quite a bit about the IHH and it's not a secret that I found their role in the Mavi Marmara fiasco repulsive. But as I've noted before, the IHH's focus has now switched to Syria. There used to be big posters sponsored by the IHH on Tarlabaşı Boulevard calling upon Turks to aid Gaza. Those signs have been replaced with similar posters calling upon Turks to aid Syria. They mean it, and on this one, I'm with them.
People keep asking, "So, why aren't these Freedom Flotilla people sending aid to Syria, huh? See, they're hypocrites." Yes, they are. No argument from me, that's for sure. But the IHH did pull out of the Gaza Flotilla and is sending aid to Syria. They're fundraising like crazy for this and they've made many people in Turkey aware that there is something ghastly taking place there.
Today we read--as I knew we would read, because you could see this coming a mile away--that Syrian forces raided Hama and killed more than a dozen people. (That, I assume, is what the Wall Street Journal could confirm--I have to imagine the toll was much higher.)
A doctor at a hospital appealed for blood donations and said injured people lay on the streets. Stores and businesses remained closed Tuesday as people were unable to leave their homes amid constant gunfire, residents said. Young men threw rocks at members of the security forces trying to storm homes, they said.
And what's the United States' reaction? Well, we've apparently "turned the rhetorical heat on Syria up a notch." Don't worry, the dial goes to eleven. The State Department said the US is “very concerned” about continuing and spreading violence that is taking Syria “in the wrong direction.” But no, the US is not calling for Assad to step down.
Now, please join me in the real world, as opposed to world we'd like it to be, and ask yourself: If you were a Syrian unable to leave your home owing to constant gunfire and in need of a blood donation thanks to Assad and his goons, who would more look like someone who gave a damn whether you lived or died? The IHH or the United States?
When the Assad regime collapses--which it will--and when the Syrian people seem rather attracted to the IHH and those who share its ideology, please don't tell me that it's just in the genome of this region to love Islamists and hate the United States. Our policy here has the combined demerits of moral ignominy and complete opposition to our national interests.
I am, however, increasingly impressed by Marco Rubio, who seems to grasp this well.
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Mar '11
Re: Hama Rules, the IHH, Syria and Marco Rubio
It's a pity Mr Rubio doesn't seem to think himself ready to run for President, yet (somewhat like Mr Ryan).
Bachmann/Ryan would be fine, though - he might go for that.
"...the combined demerits of moral ignominy and complete opposition to our national interests" well describes our present President, who was barely in the Senate and considered himself ready to run - maybe because of a stronger motivation to bring about "fundamental change".
Edited on Jul 6, 2011 at 4:31amMay '10
Re: Hama Rules, the IHH, Syria and Marco Rubio
A Ryan/Rubio ticket would be unbeatable.
Nov '10
Re: Hama Rules, the IHH, Syria and Marco Rubio
This young man is presidential timber. He may need a bit of seasoning, but not too much. I'd hate to see his fresh and penetrating intelligence dulled by too much exposure to the Washington's "go along, get along" culture.
Oct '10
Re: Hama Rules, the IHH, Syria and Marco Rubio
What exactly is the US supposed to do? Go into "cowboy" mode, a la Iraq, and start sending arms, money, and troops to overthrow the Assad regime? Or wait for the UN to give orders, as in Libya? Or stay out of it completely, Iran style? And which one of these options won't be seen as an evil, imperialist, Zionist plot?
May '10
Re: Hama Rules, the IHH, Syria and Marco Rubio
Did you not listen to what Rubio said?
You sound positively Obama-like with your false alternatives.
Re: Hama Rules, the IHH, Syria and Marco Rubio
I'd start with what Rubio suggests, as a beginning.
Edited on Jul 6, 2011 at 5:57amJun '10
Re: Hama Rules, the IHH, Syria and Marco Rubio
The best way to kill potential is to advance a candidate too quickly. As Obama proves over and over again, the presidency is much more than a couple of good speeches read from a teleprompter. For Rubio to be a serious candidate for president he must gain experience in the cesspool that is Washington, if for no other reason than he can see them coming, because they will be coming and coming for him—make no mistake. So sit back relax and watch him develop. When he has the experience and the skill set, and perhaps most important the instincts, he will run should he choose to.
Jun '10
Re: Hama Rules, the IHH, Syria and Marco Rubio
Oh and the issue of Syria in a political sense is a no brainer in the West. What proves most instructive as to the character of a candidate are the issues on which the country is divided, where no matter which way he jumps he burns support. Those are the issues which, if America is lucky, will anneal Marco Rubio as opposed to destroy him. And yes those are the only two options.
Oct '10
Re: Hama Rules, the IHH, Syria and Marco Rubio
I love Rubio, and I agree with what he's saying, but isn't he simply "turning the rhetorical heat on Syria up a notch"?
The impact of rhetoric, "influence", and sanctions seems to be inversely proportional to the viciousness of the regime. Rubio's words may provide some mileage towards winning hearts and minds, which is important, but I'm not optimistic that anything short of military support will get rid of Assad.
Nov '10
Re: Hama Rules, the IHH, Syria and Marco Rubio
That's a nice speech. Now when can we stop talking about this and actually do some violence to the Syrian regime?
Oct '10
Re: Hama Rules, the IHH, Syria and Marco Rubio
Sounds like a job for Turkey. It would give Ergodan the opportunity to focus his wrath on somebody other than his own media. On second thought, half of the Turkish military is also in jail, so never mind.
May '10
Re: Hama Rules, the IHH, Syria and Marco Rubio
Jhimmi is right. I respect the principles voiced in Rubio's speech, but his plan for action is merely to call others to action. That's not bad, but it's not that impressive either.
After we cut domestic expenses and get our finances in order. Actions are less charitable when performed with "loans" one has no intention of repaying. Americans should indeed want to help peoples around the world to secure their natural rights as human beings, but we should not do so on IOUs.
Claire Berlinski, Ed.:
They're fundraising like crazy for this and they've made many people in Turkey aware that there is something ghastly taking place there.
So they're "raising awareness", are they? We're beginning to sound like liberals. Somehow, I doubt the problem is that foreigners don't realize Syrians are struggling.
Jul '10
Re: Hama Rules, the IHH, Syria and Marco Rubio
Can't we mess with Assad's overseas bank accounts? You know he's got some.
Re: Hama Rules, the IHH, Syria and Marco Rubio
I hope anyone with eyes to see can tell that the Assad regime is a vicious tyranny (and has always been tyrannical).
Does anyone have any idea what might follow if the Assad/Alawite tyranny fell? I am asking in all seriousness--I have no idea myself. Syrian repression is far more extensive than say Mubarak's Egypt from what I can tell. Can anyone see any "movements"?
From what little I know, the fall of the Assad regime would also mean a decrease in Iranian influence. Does that seem accurate?
Aug '10
Re: Hama Rules, the IHH, Syria and Marco Rubio
Do people all over the world really live in freedom? Do half the people? Take out the Anglophone countries and what percentage live free of tyranny? Rubio is impressive indeed but if I may say so, a bit starry-eyed on this issue. That said he is entirely right that Assad should be cast out,should in my opinion be subjected to soft power such as his Jewish neighbours have deployed so brilliantly against the high-seas hooligans of the flotilla.And if that doesn't work, then something tougher; and tougher again until he and his ilk get the message.But it will be a beginning, no more.