Lease on Death

I was listening to coverage of the worsening state in Syria on NPR this morning. I was driving to drop off my resume and get this, a cover letter for a job selling chocolate at a local chocolate shop. The cover letter was rough. Despite many an hour spent on Capitol Hill, in private offices, and in ventures abroad, my most relevant experience was what I gained from selling khakis at the Gap. Try as I might, I just could not write a full page but hey I got close. In all honesty it would be a lovely summer job. But we have more important issues to discuss.

The Syrian government has claimed that 120 of its security personnel were killed by angry mobs. Since the beginning, there has not been much condemnation paid to the violence perpetrated by President Assad's government towards peaceful protesters. Sure some sanctions, some harsh words here and there, but nothing befitting the unacceptable actions the government has taken against its own people. In President Obama's recent Middle East/North Africa address he had this to say about Syria, "President Assad now has a choice: He can lead that transition, or get out of the way. The Syrian government must stop shooting demonstrators and allow peaceful protests." Riveting Mr. President, just riveting.

Matters since have only worsened. The government has vowed retaliation for the killings of its security personnel. This retaliation will not come in the form of measured justice, but rather a major assault. "People were struck by fear and panic after the government statements ... it's clear they are preparing for a major massacre,'' a resident told the AP news agency on Tuesday." Indeed, activists are claiming that the security personnel were killed by government soldiers for refusing to fire on civilians. The government insists its personnel were killed by "armed gangs."

France and the UK have been coordinating a UN Security Council vote to support a resolution condemning the government's use of violence in Syria. This is a positive step and something the U.S. will most likely support. Now I know I do not have the 8-10 years of experience or advanced degrees that usually accompany this kind of critique, but even a part-time Gap employee can tell you that it is awkward at least, inhumane at worst that the U.S. has been largely silent when it comes to the Syrian uprising. It is in our interest to defend basic human rights (which includes not being massacred by your own government). End of story.