I checked Breaking News on CNN Monday night, and read John Kerry's urgent plea for quick and punitive response to Al-Assad's criminal use of chemical weapons against civilians. At school Wednesday there was talk of a US air strike in Syria. Four US destroyers are in the Med right now, just over the horizon, positioned to send the cruise missiles over our heads and into Damascus. All they need is the phone call.
I ask, How does this solve the problem of using chemical weapons? What "lesson" will this teach Al-Assad and his regime? What repercussions could follow?
Lebanon is under extreme pressure with the Syrian Civil War broiling next door. The war has taken on religious proportions, as Shia Al-Assad opposes the Sunni rebels. Shia Hezbollah of Lebanon took a stand in favor of Al-Assad, further pressuring the Lebanon, which has been struggling to remain neutral. The Syrian civil war has crept into Lebanon, as seen in Tripoli, where Shia neighborhoods are targeting Sunni neighborhoods, and vice versa. We are seeing this situation play itself out in the news every day.
If the US responds with an air strike, I don't understand why. First, it could further embroil the region. Second, Americans will no longer be sitting on the sidelines of Syria's war; we will become players. Third, who are these rebels? What kind of leadership are they going to promote? If Al-Assad is assassinated it could unleash turmoil that will be beyond our control. And who, pray tell, will rise up out of the dust?
Wednesday at school we met as a staff to discuss the possibility of school being postponed, pending the outcome and timing of a US response. So far the Lebanese Minister of Education has not made any changes to our school schedule. The air strike response was delayed.
Principals Justin and Bryan dropped into each of our classrooms Thursday to ask "How are you doing?" They wanted to make sure we are okay. I appreciate how they have been so open with us, even when they don't have answers.
Early Friday morning I met up with Phil and Ingrid for a swim in the Med. We swam to the marina wall and back, in time for the sun to rise. As we floated, buoyed up in the salty water, there was a time of silence to throw out prayers and wishes for peace. That time in the water helped me to let go of fear, and take hold of gratitude. The way I look at it, every hour that passes without missiles is time for the hot heads to cool off, for REASON to reign, for the best course of action to be found. Having missiles doesn't mean we have to use them. How could we use our power constructively?
Meanwhile, as cousin David and swimmer Krista advised: "Keep your head down!" and I'm doing just that; hunting for sea turtles.
I ask, How does this solve the problem of using chemical weapons? What "lesson" will this teach Al-Assad and his regime? What repercussions could follow?
Lebanon is under extreme pressure with the Syrian Civil War broiling next door. The war has taken on religious proportions, as Shia Al-Assad opposes the Sunni rebels. Shia Hezbollah of Lebanon took a stand in favor of Al-Assad, further pressuring the Lebanon, which has been struggling to remain neutral. The Syrian civil war has crept into Lebanon, as seen in Tripoli, where Shia neighborhoods are targeting Sunni neighborhoods, and vice versa. We are seeing this situation play itself out in the news every day.
If the US responds with an air strike, I don't understand why. First, it could further embroil the region. Second, Americans will no longer be sitting on the sidelines of Syria's war; we will become players. Third, who are these rebels? What kind of leadership are they going to promote? If Al-Assad is assassinated it could unleash turmoil that will be beyond our control. And who, pray tell, will rise up out of the dust?
Wednesday at school we met as a staff to discuss the possibility of school being postponed, pending the outcome and timing of a US response. So far the Lebanese Minister of Education has not made any changes to our school schedule. The air strike response was delayed.
Principals Justin and Bryan dropped into each of our classrooms Thursday to ask "How are you doing?" They wanted to make sure we are okay. I appreciate how they have been so open with us, even when they don't have answers.
Early Friday morning I met up with Phil and Ingrid for a swim in the Med. We swam to the marina wall and back, in time for the sun to rise. As we floated, buoyed up in the salty water, there was a time of silence to throw out prayers and wishes for peace. That time in the water helped me to let go of fear, and take hold of gratitude. The way I look at it, every hour that passes without missiles is time for the hot heads to cool off, for REASON to reign, for the best course of action to be found. Having missiles doesn't mean we have to use them. How could we use our power constructively?
Meanwhile, as cousin David and swimmer Krista advised: "Keep your head down!" and I'm doing just that; hunting for sea turtles.
He called the Syrian attack a "challenge to the world"
that threatens U.S. .... "It's important for us to recognize that when over 1,000 people are ... However, last week's attack obliterated the "red line" Obama set just over a .... if military action would be confined to air strikes using cruise missiles, support rises.
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