The History of Syria, the Slaughter of Innocents and Should the U.S. Get Involved?

I love Peace. I oppose War. However, as a Humanitarian I am concerned about what is happening in Syria. People, including children, are being slaughtered with poison gas. This is a monstrous act. The videos show it all. Most Americans are tired of war. We've been engaged in wars in the Middle East since 1979.  This region has been at war for centuries. Syria gained independence from France in 1946 and, as its own country, has been in the midst of a Civil War since inception. Their President Assad has used poison gas on his own people since 2012. 
Our President Obama is asking Congress to intervene. We are the only country who has shown a willingness to help the victims.
Some countries support this intervention, but many countries oppose it. The problem is, no other country will act and the countries that hate us and want to overthrow our way of life are watching our actions. Congress will decide this week if we will intervene. We need to study the issues and contact our Congressmen with our views.

History of Syria:
From 1516 - 1918, all of the countries in the Middle East were part of the Ottoman (Turkish) Empire. After World War I, their Empire was split up and the countries in the Middle East were established and had sponsor countries. Syria was a "mandate" of France from 1918 - 1943. It was a difficult rule. French troops occupied Syria and there were constant revolts. France evacuated their troops in April, 1946.

Even with Freedom, there was constant upheaval in Syria. In 1948, they were involved in the Arab-Israeli War, aligning themselves with other Arab states attempting to prevent the establishment of the State of Israel. In 1956, Syria signed a pact with the Soviet Union to gain military equipment and military training for their constant battles with opposing religious groups (internally) and with neighboring countries. In the 1950's, they began building their Military Committee. In 1966, the Military Committee overtook their own Ba'athist political party. In 1967, their military participated in the War against Israel. Israel turned their sights to Syria and captured the entire Golan Heights in less than 48 hours. This defeat caused an internal split between Jadid - who ran their political party and al-Assad (Sr.) - who was the Lead General of their Military.  In 1970, the Military (bloodlessly) overthrew the government and General al-Assad became the Leader of Syria. The first President al-Assad was well known for using terror, intimidation, guerilla warfare and assassinations to extend his control over his country and neighboring countries.

Syria, Lebanon and Egypt continued their wars with Israel. Israel attempted to take more lands from Lebanon. Syria and Egypt fought with each other for control and also sought to defeat Israel.

In the 1970s, an internal religious group sought to free themselves from the Military Rule of the Ba'athists. This internal Islamic group, primarily comprised of Sunnis, named themselves "The Muslim Brotherhood." Their group began as a moderate, humanitarian group opposed to al-Assad's tyranny. They represented 88% of the Syrian people (60% Sunni). They started with 500 and by 1978, their numbers grew to 300,000.

Syria's military Ba'ath Party consisted of Alawites. The Alawites were only 12% of the population and they lived on the northwestern seaboard.

The Brotherhood fought hard against the military. The Military fought back. In 1982, during these Civil Wars, the Syrian Military's "Hama Massacre" killed up to 40,000 of their own people.

In the late 1980s through the 1990s including the Gulf War, the Syrian Army made a major shift. Instead of partnering with their other Arab States, they partnered with the U.S. (Bush Sr. and Clinton) The U.S. provided them military weapons and military training. Syria also started negotiating with Israel.

In June, 2000, al-Assad (Sr.) died and his son, Bashar al-Assad was elected President -- he ran unopposed. It's very important to understand that al-Assad (Sr) was very ill and since 1993, knew he was dying. He put careful plans in place to ensure his son would succeed him. In fact, he retired many of his Military Generals and brought in new staff to specifically ensure that his son would be elected and to ensure his son would have a supportive staff.

The civil wars continued; many intellectuals were imprisoned and killed.

In 2003, Israel bombed a site near Damascus, Syria's capitol, claiming they were bombing a terrorist training camp.

In 2011, the Arab Spring began as a chain of peaceful protests. The protestors were attacked by the Syrian Army. In July, 2011, the "Free Syrian Army" was formed by Army Defectors and is comprised primarily of Sunnis.

In March 2013, as a result of the ongoing civil war, an alternative government was formed: "The Syrian National Coalition" which is said to represent the vast majority of the country.  Representatives of this government were invited to take up Syria's seat at the Arab League on March 28, 2013. The opposition coalition has been recognized as the "sole representative of the Syrian people" by several nations including the United States, United Kingdom and France

The U.N. and other sources say over 100,000 civilians in Syria have been killed by the Syrian Army. "The Human Rights Watch" referred to Syria's record as "among the worst in the world." Internet and telecommunications are controlled by the military. Arbitrary detention, torture, and disappearances are widespread. In 2011,  the United Nations reported that over 250 deaths were children as young as 2 years old, and that boys as young as 11 years old have been gang raped by security services officers.

Over 1.7 million Syrian refugees have escaped to their neighboring countries of Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon and Turkey.  As the civil war has dragged on, there have been worries that the country could become fragmented and cease to function as a state.

In August 2013, Syria was accused of using chemical weapons against its civilians. In early September 2013, President Obama told U.S. Senators that the CIA had trained the first 50-man insurgent element and that they had been inserted into Syria. The deployment of this unit and the supplying of weapons may be the first tangible measure of support for the Opposition by the U.S.

Syria continues to foster good relations with her traditional Allies, Iran, China, Venezuela and Russia. The primary source of Syria's earnings are: 40% Oil Export, 20% Agriculture and increased Taxes upon their people. Their tourism industry has dropped to almost zero. Since the Civil War in 2011, their economy has shrunk by 35% and the Syrian Pound is down to 1/6 its former value. Their government is increasingly relying on loans from Iran, Russia and China.

Let's go back to the Questions:
1. Should the U.S. get involved? Can we allow the Gassing of Innocents to Continue?
2. What involvement would we have? Does it start with Weapons and Training of the Opposition? (as has already occurred by the CIA) Will it end there? What do we do if they and their Allies retaliate against the U.S.? What if the Opposition hates the US too?
3. What happens IF we don't get involved? Will this strengthen them and their Allies? Will they expand their attacks on their opposition and neighboring countries?

The President has brought this request to the People.
We should study the issues -- the facts, decide for ourselves and notify our Congressmen.

Message to Other Countries: DO NOT Misinterpret our Freedom to Disagree with Each Other -- Remember, WE THE PEOPLE of America ARE Americans First!! We The People WIll Never Be on Your Side! WE ARE TOO UNITED!!

Tonight, I want to say I Love America and I Love Being An American.
Regardless of those that attempt to put you down, what is BEST about America is WE ARE the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. and WE THE PEOPLE are Americans First. Sure we might occasionally disagree. But that is the Beauty about America.

ALL of us are FREE to Disagree AND Pursue Our Dreams!

I LOVE Being An American!

I almost feel sorry for those in Other Countries that attempt to dissuade the purpose of our country. I say to Syria and to Iraq, regardless of your Wars and YOUR atrocities, WE THE PEOPLE IN AMERICA STILL LOVE OUR COUNTRY!

It is true that sometimes we ARE Partisan. Sometimes RED. Sometimes BLUE.

However, when it comes down to supporting OUR Country, WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME SIDE.

Don't Ever Think that ANY of Us will side with Enemies of America, even if it sometimes sounds like it in various international media comment sections.
Don't misinterpret when we chastise each other. Fox vs NBC. White vs Brown or Black. In the end, WE THE PEOPLE are STILL American First. Don't FOOL YOURSELVES. WE LOVE OUR COUNTRY. However, Unlike YOUR Country/Dictatorship, WE HAVE A RIGHT TO Disagree, and we do so often. We may Choose a side that we wish to support of fighters in YOUR country. We SEE there are atrocities in YOUR Country. We might take sides for that. However, regarding OUR Support of OUR Country, regardless of what you say, WE STILL LOVE OUR COUNTRY~ Regardless WHAT happens in YOUR Country. YES WE ARE HUMANITARIANS, however, WE ARE AMERICAN FIRST.

No One, NO DESPOT, can STOP Us from LOVING OUR COUNTRY FIRST and pursuing our Dreams! Never.

I Love America and pledge to Always Love America!
WE TRULY ARE THE LAND of the Free AND the Home Of The Brave!!

God Bless America!
And May God Bless Our President, Barack Obama!

It is time for America to Unite and STOP the petty bickering between the Left and Far Right Extremists! WE NEED TO START PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SYRIA AND THE POTENTIAL OF WORLD WAR 3!!

It is time for America to Unite and STOP the petty bickering between the Left and the Far Right Extremists!

The Middle East is erupting and WE THE PEOPLE need to start Paying Attention to What is Going On! (READ THIS ARTICLE!) If this thing explodes, we need to understand how this will effect America! While the Left is reluctant about entering into a World War, they will support it if these continued terrorist actions (Chemical Weapon Killings) continue to occur. Republicans, of course, will be pro-active in supporting a war. However, if a World War ERUPTS, it will involve not only the Pro-War supporters, it will also involve ourselves, our children and our grandchildren. This will effect our own Families -- my sons -- my grandsons -- your own children!

THIS IS VERY SERIOUS and we NEED TO START PAYING ATTENTION!!

While this "Middle East War" has been erupting for the last 4,000 years and there has always been some conflict in the Middle East, this time, it's different. The world powers are different. This time the world powers are taking sides, just like before previous World Wars. It's the U.S. and their Allies VS the Middle East extremists and their allies in Russia, China, Korea, Venezuela and Cuba.

We as a Nation, for the most part, have tried to stay out of the Middle East in-fighting. Now, however, situations are likened to those prior to previous World Wars. There is actual PROOF that the Syrian government has carried out a large-scale chemical weapons attack against their own civilian people last week. (Much like in WW2 Germany).

The U.N. and America have advised the Syrian Government that they will not abide with the use of these Chemical Weapons on PEOPLE. Syria was warned months ago, yet they murdered even more innocent people last week, with the continued use of these chemical weapons.

Yesterday, our President responded. He advised Syria that the U.S. and our Allies (UN & Europe) WILL RESPOND.

As we are about to indicate how WE as a Nation and Our Allies will respond, Russia and China have already stated they will respond to our Response.

While WE AS A NATION Pray For Peace -- WE AS A NATION & Our Allies will NOT Tolerate the use and abuse of Weapons of Mass Destruction against Innocent People.

Given this potential preamble to WW3, here is my prediction as to what COULD Happen Next:

1. The U.S. & their Allies, will respond. We will either disperse Drones or a trained Elite Task Force to "take out" the person most responsible for approving the use of Chemical Weapons that Killed Innocent Victims. (Read this to be "Kill Syrian President Assad")
2. If/When  this happens, the Syrian Military will react and declare some type of response to the U.S. and their Allies -- Israel is closest.
3. Russia and China will somehow become engaged. Next North Korea, Venezuela and Cuba.
4. The Possibilities: IF Russia and China become Engaged, will this mean World War 3.

If my predictions happen, and we begin the first stages of WW3, then the next steps include the re-instatement of The Draft in the U.S. Look around you. Think of your children and grandchildren -- anyone between the ages of 17 and 27. Will they be drafted into the next World War?

If a WW3 occurs, this will mean a drastic change for ALL of our Futures.

Here is what I ask of ALL of My Readers: WE MUST STAY AWARE AND EVER VIGILANT OF WHAT IS ABOUT TO OCCUR NEXT!!