i talk a lot about religion as a tool of control, wielded by the elite to keep a compliant population in line. this holds true whether under feudalism, capitalism or whatever other kind of top-down hierarchical arrangement that the elite has put in place in any specific geographical area.

...but, there are times when that control is altruistic.  really.

this is what syria needs right now: to heal.

we can get back to debunking the bullshit tomorrow.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-assad-idUSKBN19G06K