S is for Syria

What is America's role in the international community?

What is the one thing they can do, that no other country can do?

In my opinion it is very simple, America fights to protect those that can't protect themselves. We can stand up to bullies and this makes the world a little safer.

Sometimes this works well. Like that time we:
-helped defeat Germany in World War I
-helped defeat Hitler in World War II
-stopped Japan
-took back Kuwait from Iraq in the Gulf War: Part I

Sometimes, admittedly, we stick our nose where it doesn't belong in the name of "standing up to bullies." Like that time we:
-entered the Vietnam war on false pretense in the name of fighting communism
-used the CIA to overthrow the democratically elected Iranian government

and most recently

-invaded Iraq in the name of a "preemptive attack" to merely prevent the risk of chemical weapons (that turns out didn't exist) from being used.

That last one is in my mind one of the biggest black eyes on America in all of history. It went against everything we believe in. We don't attack, we aren't the aggressors, we are the protectors- at least we should be. But in taking over Iraq, whether we had bad intelligence or simply bad motives, we were wrong. Our soldiers fought bravely over there, they paid the ultimate sacrifice to do good and I will always respect them, their memory and their families who gave so much to let them fight. But that doesn't change the fact that it was a mistake to invade a foreign country that wasn't attacking us or our allies.

Sometimes, we should do something, but we don't. Like that time:

-Clinton stood back and watched during the genocide in Rwanda. Somewhere between 500,000 and a 1,000,000 people were killed, most of them slaughtered with machetes. To this day Clinton sees his inaction as one of the biggest regrets of his presidency.

It should be noted, that Clinton was gun shy. We had recently been embarrassed in Somalia, where American soldiers were dragged through the streets for the camera as made famous by "Black Hawk Down," and we didn't want another international embarrasment on that same scale. That historical context is important to the situation we are faced with now.

Syria apparently has used chemical weapons, sarin gas to be specific. A neurotoxin that according to the CDC may result in: vomiting, convulsions, paralysis, and respiratory failure possibly leading to death. Over 1200 were killed, somewhere near 3,000 affected - most of whom were civilians including women and children. It appears that al-Assad has crossed the bright line drawn in the sand by Obama himself. He has bombed a highly populated civilian area.

So, what is our President going to do?

Ten years ago, there wouldn't have even been a question. Democrat or Republican, there would have been no other option but a fierce and immediate military response. We are the protectors, we are the only country with the power and the resolve to fight off the international bullies. But Obama is gun shy.

It isn't ten years ago though, Iraq happened. America will deal with the consequences of Iraq for years to come. But does that mean we ignore Syria? Work through diplomatic means? (Which is short-hand for slapping Syria on the wrist.)

A lot of Americans may think that after Iraq we have lost the moral high ground, that we can't behave like we used to. I just don't buy that. We are America and we will continue to be the protectors. Obama seems appears to be taking his time in deciding how to respond, making sure he has all the facts. John Kerry has said that Syria's us of chemical weapons is "undeniable," yet Obama sits and waits. And as he waits, innocent people continue to die.

Its your move, Mr. President.