Flight Pundit

We have all suspected that Syria is the two faced, trouble causing nosy neighbor over in the Middle East for a long time. Syria has a track record of aiding terrorist organizations, of aiding the insurgency in Iraq…of stirring the pot of cess over there. It’s high time someone call the Syrian government on this bullshit. Looks like, as always, the US is going to do just that:

Adopting a fast-paced strategy, the Bush administration is gathering support for a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding Syria’s cooperation in an investigation into the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

The target date for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and foreign ministers to agree on a resolution is next Monday in New York.

“Everybody thinks that certainly a resolution would be appropriate with respect to this report, at least in the initial discussions that we have had among our close allies,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.

The report, distributed last week by U.N. investigator Detlev Mehlis, a German prosecutor, concluded Hariri could not have been assassinated without the collusion of top Syrian intelligence officials. Twenty other people also died in the car bombing last February in Beirut.

Syria has hotly disputed the findings as political motivated and stemming from U.S. displeasure with its opposition to the war in Iraq. Civil servants and students massed in the streets of Damascus on Monday to protest the report.

Of course we have to do this in a politically correct fashion, through the UN. Unfortunately this will go no where because of all the America-hating EuropeOns who would rather be pissed on, then see real progress made in peace…any government that forces it’s own people to come out to protest something they cannot even read about in their own media, has a PROBLEM. Using groups like Amal and Hezbollah to force the people out is typical of Syrian tactics and someday it will be talked about. Until then, we can only depend on Great Britain to be a true ally.

U.S. ambassador John R. Bolton and other Security Council ambassadors are due to meet on Tuesday. Punitive economic measures have not been ruled out.

“Let’s see how the diplomacy unfolds over the coming week or so and what action at the ministerial level the ministers decide to take,” McCormack said.

Bolton said in New York, “We will certainly insist on Syrian cooperation. This is true-confessions time for the government of Syria. No more obstruction. No more half-measures.”

What’s not to love about Bolton? He’s so…to the point and blunt. The diplomacy games will be played and will be ineffective. Why the world hasn’t learned this yet is beyond me. I don’t think the UN route is the right way to go, but I’m not in charge of these things.

Cross Posted @ ARS

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A ceremony was held Sunday to honor the Marines and sailors who were murdered in Beirut.

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - (October 23, 2005) — “Oct. 23, 1983. For Onslow County, it was a day that will live in infamy,” said Maj. Gen. Robert C. Dickerson, the commanding general for Marine Corps Installations East.

Civilians and service members gathered together Sunday at the Beirut Memorial in front of Camp Johnson to pay tribute to those who “Came in Peace.” This year’s guest speaker at the observance ceremony was Gen. Michael W. Hagee, the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

“For most of us Marines, that day is seared into our memories,” said Hagee. “I was a young major at the time, and I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I found out. I will remember that until the day I die.”

In the early morning of Oct. 23, 1983, a terrorist-driven truck loaded with explosives, drove into and destroyed 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment’s headquarters building. The resulting explosion and the collapse of the building killed 241 Marines, sailors and soldiers.

Nicholas J. Mottola, a former combat engineer with 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, was on-ship with the 22nd Marine Amphibious Unit when the bombing occurred.

“We were on our way to relieve the Marines in Beirut when it happened,” said Mottola. “As soon as we heard what happened, we were ready to get over there, kick some [butt] and take care of business.”

I don’t know any Marine who doesn’t remember that day. For those too young at the time to remember, I don’t know any who don’t know the stories of honor, courage and strength from those who survived this.

The legacy of those 273 Marines, sailors and soldiers who lost their lives in Lebanon between 1982-1984, is being honored today by the valiant men and women of armed forces continuing the fight against terrorists and extremists, according to Hagee.

“America did not wish to send Marines abroad, but we sent them,” said Hagee. “We did not ask for violence, we answered. We did not start this war on terror, but we will end it.”

Semper Fi

Cross Posted @ ARS

Linked @ GM’s Corner

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