The U.S. response to what appears to be an Al Qaeda-like attack on the U.S. embassy in Damascus illustrates everything that is wrong with Bush’s war on terror. After Syrian security forces killed three of the attackers and captured one (losing one of their own in the process), Tony Snowjob has the temerity to respond:
“We are hoping they will become an ally and make the choice of fighting against terrorists,” he said.
Ah, gee Tony, I’d think killing or capturing the guys who attacked our embassy was a pretty good example of “fighting against terrorism.” Would you have preferred that they play sheshbesh while the terrorists were lobbing grenades over the embassy walls?
Meanwhile the Syrian government, perhaps pissed off at the type of asininity bruited about by Tony Snow released this withering statement:
“It is regrettable that U.S. policies in the Middle East have fueled extremism, terrorism and anti-U.S. sentiment,” said a statement on Tuesday from the Syrian Embassy in Washington. “What has happened recently in Lebanon, the Palestinian territories and Iraq is exacerbating the fight against global terrorism.”
Not perhaps the most delicate means of expressing oneself, but I can’t argue with the logic of it. Of course, it conveniently omits Syria’s involvement in fomenting trouble in the region. But as far as the comments about the U.S. as a motivator of terror, it’s perfectly cogent.
To be fair, Condi (who usually has a bit more smarts and grace than the jerks at the White House) thanked the Syrians:
“I do think that the Syrians reacted to this attack in a way that helped to secure our people and we very much appreciate that,” she said.
“I think it’s very early to try and speculate why this may have happened,” she said.
Getting back to my opening sentence, here’s what’s wrong with this picture: Terrorists attack our embassy. Syria, where the attack takes place, has a lousy relationship with us and is a nasty thorn in our side and the Israeli’s as well. Instead of using the incident to create an opening to resolve tension, we pile on.
Everybody in Washington DC and Tel Aviv knows that what will bring Syria into our fold is a return of the Golan and Shebaa Farms (either to Syria or Lebanon). Yet, what’s the first thing out of the Bush flack’s mouth? They could do better. Well, I’ve got news for BushCo. They could do better as well. They could talk to Olmert and tell him to give back the Golan. They could tell Olmert to close the deal for the Hezbollah prisoner exchange. That’s the way you fight terror. Not by stupid posturing like Snow’s.
