right. but when you get this kind of response to widespread mass hopelessness, it's time to get a serious move on the economic situation.

it's one thing to go "woah" when you hear the kind of xenophobia coming from certain segments of white america.

it's another to realize that there really are drastic economic circumstances underlying it.

would hitler call himself an extremist? or just a nationalist?

extremism is never self-designated.

would the british be willing to offer aid to the syrians to help them update their military technology to allow for more targeted strikes?

the americans do not need the syrians to send them information, and then waver over it's truth. they can gather it on their own and know for sure.

here's the thing about this guy...

he doesn't want this. any of it. he wants to be running a medical practice. he's an eye doctor.

somebody killed his brother, and he got stuck with something he didn't want. he's been trying to organize an orderly transition since the day he was appointed. a democratic transition is what he was trying to put together. willingly. with no prodding.

but, you can't do that under these conditions. and, guess who hates democracy? starts with an s, ends with "abia".

the saudis launched a war in syria to prevent a democratic transition.

the official narrative is so wrong as to channel orwell.

but, now he must step down as a condition to end the fighting in the area - and his generals must step down with him. after years of destruction and chaos, he cannot be trusted to let this go. should he be left to gather strength in the region, he will return the favour. and, as much as i'd like to see the saudis firebombed to hell, it can't happen like that. the stronger assad becomes the more necessary it is that he be removed.

he was not his father when he got the job. but, he will become more and more like him with each passing year spent fighting an existential war.