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Varlan Allan
Thunder Bay, On
Canada

Teacher, I CAN READ

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Is the general population of the west turning a blind eye to the actions they have unknowingly participated in in destabilizing the mideast?

There is plenty of evidence that points to the west's use of secret services to disrupt/overthrow and destabilize countries in the middle east. Such examples include the coup in Iran of the 1950s, the coup in Indonesia of 1965(not mid east), and recently the " uprising" of Lybia, and now the "humanitarian crises" in Syria. I think it is high time people start reading a bit more into modern history of warfare and start to understand the destruction that is happening to other countries by the hands of our governments. If we are truly living in global times we can no longer allow the injustices of others to flourish while we live in the safety and comfort of our "civilized" societies... for now.

Closing Statement from Varlan Allan

It is truly a sad situation for those caught in the middle of a conflict of Power. Though it is not always clear who is the tyrant and in many cases the people are the only ones that suffer. My best wishes are with the people of Syria, my prayers go out to the heavens, to give those who are causing the destruction, a right firm smack of justice.

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edward long 100+
- +2
May 17 2012: "Destabilizing" implies existing stability. Can you destabilize something that is currently not stable? Western efforts have been to depose villainous dictators at the request of millions of helpless victims. We choose not to ignore the calls for help from people who wish to escape the flourishing injustices of their self-appointed, brutal megalomaniac demigods.
- Varlan Allan 10+
  - 0
  May 17 2012: Edward I appreciate the heart and valor of your words but when do you recall Syria in the news a hotbed of Political drama and instability? Look up Syria-Girl on youtube, look up the syria conflict online...not only the ones that support the UN's point of view. I have friends who had worked in syria before and they said they don't remember it being like how it is now. The western news seems to always overlook(intentionally) the pro-assad parades, or dismiss them (sometimes 50K or more people) as being put together like a fairy waving a magic wand. It doesn't happen so easily.
  - edward long 100+
    
    +2
    May 17 2012: I lived in Spain under Franco. To be with him was to be safe and secure. To be opposed to him was to relinquish safety, security, freedom and life itself. Both Assad's have ruled Syria the same way, all dictators do. There is always a sizeable, often unheard, mass of people yearning for something more than the personal wishes of the Iron Fist ruling over them. The internet with its social media is much more difficult to control than ham radios were in Spain under Franco. People can be heard today thanks to Al Gore inventing the internet. Life is more challenging for dictators today. All people, with the possible exception of Russians, want freedom from dictatorship. Winter is over. Spring has come.
    - Varlan Allan 10+
      
      0
      
      May 17 2012: Edward are you joking me? For one we all know Al Gore did not invent the internet and that there are many countries with equally as dictatorial as Assad. The difference is that those countries do not have geopolitical strategy or resources worth causing problems in. This is all a power struggle. You would think Singapore is a democracy too...ERR wrong...dictatorship as well, but one that I respect. I may not agree with it, and many many here do not, but it is very easy to control a small island such as singapore. Nowhere for opposition to run or hide...like in Syria.
  - edward long 100+
    
    +1
    May 17 2012: If the people of Singapore sent out an SOS on the world wide web I think the West would take notice.
    The only joke was the Al Gore one, I got the internet confused with global warming, which he really did invent.
    - Varlan Allan 10+
      
      0
      
      May 17 2012: one up for the global warming joke that is hilarious ed. Sadly they cant as they are censored by secret service...only joking.. but if you are opposition of real threat they will bankrupt you or put you in jail ;) it is a fact. Ive been living here for 5 years and its one of my past times.
      
      Again love the Al gore inventing global warming joke... Al gore did make that up LOL
- Zdenek Smith 100+
  - +1
  Host Associate
  
  May 17 2012: Edward I agree with you. With Al Jazeera it is very easy to see what is happening on the ground. Just recently I saw how brave Al Jazeera reporters are showing the devastation that their dictator caused and how Syria Free Army is trying to prevent the official army from killing more people and damaging more towns.
  
  I have many Iranian friends here and I hope that Iran people will again find courage to fight for their rights and freedom. It is similar situation to Syria (thou perhaps not as religiously fragmented) and Iran's regime directly support Syrian regime.
  
  I think more could be done but unfortunately China and Russia keep blocking most of the UN resolutions. However even they cannot keep closing their eyes to events happening in Syria and have expressed they disagreement with what Syrian's regime is doing to their people.
  
  cheers
  - Varlan Allan 10+
    
    0
    May 17 2012: Let me pose the question Mr Smith: What would you do if you had mercenaries being trained in neighbouring countries and disgruntled small minorities(very small) being provided weapons and ammo from a foreign government to overthrow your government?
    - Zdenek Smith 100+
      
      +1
      
      Host Associate
      
      May 17 2012: Yes I agree there might be some small groups (fundamentalists, terrorists, mercenaries etc) that are being manipulated and equiped to pursue someone's interest.
      
      However I think we need to look at the big picture and facts:
      
      1. Fact is that Assad is a dictator that inheritted power from his father and his clan controls most of the country
      
      2. Fact is that large majority (not sure if 20 or 40 or 60%) of people peacefully demonstrated for weeks and they were procecuted, killed and their cities bombarded and raid
      
      Yes there are many foreign players that have certain interests including USA, China, Russia, Iran, Israel etc.
      
      What I think is important is that a) Syrian people have the right for freedom of speech and can vote their government and b) no one else (including USA and fundamentalists) take over control of Syrian state.
      
      Or do you disagree that Syrian people have the right to elect their government and right to free speech?
  - Varlan Allan 10+
    
    0
    May 17 2012: I agree with your first point...
    .the 2nd point feels like it is being pulled out of thin air.
    
    I would love to believe in the fight for free speech and Syrians voting for their own leaders. These are wonderful things for a society to aim for. But all societies were not created equally and I believe that some societies take strong men or women to take control.
    
    We will see when all this is over, maybe it will be like in Iraq? Where the people voted for their leader?
    I don't agree that the syrian people have the right to elect their own government(I would like them to.)

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