Syria in Decline, Surprise?

Is it any surprise that yet another entrenched mideast president is facing thousands of protestors demanding reform and as yet will offer no concessions?  Not really.  We have seen a similar scenarios play out over the past few months across the Middle East.   Populations are unhappy with their country and its policies, there are no signs of changes from the leadership, and a breaking point is reached and protests ensue.  Some countries have been able to transition rather peacefully while others, Syria included, have resorted to killing protesters in an effort to stifle the protestors and send them packing.   It seems that a growing part of the problem is that the leaders, especially the "presidents" are out of touch with their citizens, have no concept of what they are going through, and frankly probably don't care.  Mr. Assad, president of Syria, in a show of just how disillusioned he really is, is specifically not offering concessions and blames the protests and uprising on "foreign consipracies" seeking to fragment Syria and to promote an Israeli agenda. 

It is sounding as if Mr. Assad is taking lessons from Mr. Amagonnapoop in Iran, blaming outside influences and consipirators for riling their citizens into action.  The only conspiracy there is, (and it really isn't a conspiracy) is the ability to use social media sites, designed and created in the U.S., to organize and initiate these protests.  Mr. Assad, whose family has held power in Syria for four decades now, seems extremely out of touch with current affairs in his own country.   There has been emergency law in place for years now and although there is talk of maybe lifting it, many view that declaration has merely lip service with no effectual outcome.  Even with most of his government's cabinet resigning over the protests, there is no indication that any meaningful change will be made.  It is clear that the orders come from him, he is ready and willing to fight this battle, and he will not step down any time soon.

There are massive protests and demonstrations scheduled today, Friday April 1st, in Syria.  Hopefully people are not scared off by Mr. Assad's harsh words of being ready to fight the battle.  With over a hundred dead so far as a result of the protests, we can only hope that no new deaths will occur with the new protests.  Today, the protests are supposed to be nationwide instead of just localized in specific cities.  Hopefully they will have a greater effect at showing Mr. Ass that his way of ruling is simply not working anymore and meaningful change needs to happen, starting with him stepping down.  He is inherently afraid of democracy, as most leaders are in that region, because it means that his hold on power will most likely come to an end.  With the choice left to the people, very few would elect to keep him in power.   Let other countries learn from Egypt.  The people are a powerful force and one man's will can not be shoved down the throats of millions. 

There are those, even in our country, that would say democracy must be handled carefully in the Middle East.  Why, because of the chance that extremists might be voted into positions of power and then advocate against the United States.  This line of thinking is crap.  We must show that we support democracy regardless of who is elected into power and hold democracy as the ultimate goal.  If we promote a shift to democratic rule, regardless of who is elected as a leader, then maybe these countries might not take as harsh a view of us as they currently are.  Many of these countries view us as meddlesome conspirators, only interested in how we will benefit ourselves in the region.  Maybe by offering our support and help in setting up these democracies irregardless of ideology or beliefs, we can show that we really do stand for freedom and democratic rule.  But first, the protestors must succeed in removing their current leaders.  To do that they need as much support as they can get.  There is a facebook page set up for the Syria Revolution of 2011.  Lets offer our support on their page, show them that we as a people will stand behind them as they seek to oust their current president.  This may sound like a repeat of other blog posts, but this is still an issue that needs our attention as millions suffer under totalitarian rule.  But in the end, if you live in free country, embrace that freedom and be the change you want to see happen.  (Coming soon, a three part series on individualism and the pitfalls of socialism.)