Another Scapegoat?

Syria is next in line for...

The increasing number of clashes between U.S. and Syrian forces raises serious questions about the Bush administration's intentions and the wisdom of its actions. It appears this escalation on the American side is dictated not entirely by the urgency over the infiltration of foreign insurgents from Syria into Iraq.
Rather, it is motivated by the administration's desire for regime change in Damascus.

Hell regime change was so effective(?) in Iraq, why not export our iron-fist across the border. To invade Iraq we had to use the big WMD lies - not too many believed us after U.N. inspectors said that the WMDes were gone. But now we even have the aid of the U.N. who have implicated Syrian intelligence in the assassination of the former PM of Lebanon. Wow, now we have Bolton's hated U.N. helping us in our quest. So why not take the action right away - won't it be great war for freedom and democracy?

Emboldened by its success in Lebanon, the administration can make a tragic mistake in trying to push the Syrians to the breaking point by launching military strikes inside Syria as some administration officials speculate. The unintended consequences of a bloody conflict with Syria will be far more severe than this administration could imagine, if Iraq offers an example. Conflict with Syria could ignite a regional war engulfing Israel and Lebanon and shattering any remaining hope that the Middle East will see democracy and stability in the foreseeable future.

Another quagmire is awaiting us if we are foolish enough to invade Syria. It is not the time to expand our military presence, it is instead time to pull the troops out NOW. It is the time for diplomacy. It is the time for open hands rather than closed iron-fists. It is the time to work WITH nations - all nations! And they, including Syria, are ready.

Syria is eager to normalize relations with the United States, because the government there knows that much of the country's economic development and national security considerations, and certainly its hopes for recovering the Golan Heights, depend on U.S. willingness to help. Syria is eager to have an open-ended dialogue with the United States that will serve their mutual interests.

Why don't we try.