Syria's vote on constitution: Chance for democracy or trick by Assad?

As dozens more Syrians die in a government crackdown, a few make it over the border to neighboring Turkey. NBC Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel reports.

DAMASCUS, Syria -- Syrians began voting Sunday on a new constitution that's meant by President Bashar Assad's regime to placate critics but seen by the opposition as a ploy to divert attention from a brutal government crackdown in which thousands have been killed.

Polls opened at 7 a.m. local time (9 p.m. ET), Al Jazeera reported.

Syria has defied international calls to halt attacks on rebel enclaves and at least 89 people were killed nationwide on the eve of the referendum.


Assad presented the revised charter — which allows for at least a theoretical opening of the country's political system — as an effort to placate critics and quell the 11-month uprising against his rule.

The new charter would create a multiparty system in Syria, which has been ruled by the same family dynasty since Assad's father Hafez seized power in a coup in 1963. Such change was unthinkable a year ago.

After 11 months of bloodshed, however, Assad's opponents say the referendum and other promises of reform are not enough and have called for a boycott of the vote.

Assad was roundly criticized Friday at a major international conference on the Syrian crisis in Tunisia, where U.S., European and Arab officials began planning a civilian peacekeeping mission to deploy after the regime falls.

President Barack Obama said Friday of Assad's rule: "It is time for that regime to move on."

Syrian rebels have tried to fight back, but they are losing the battle after being outnumbered and outgunned. NBC's Richard Engel reports.

On Saturday, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Assad's crackdown belied promised reforms.

"That kind of logic unfortunately renders any kind of reform meaningless," he said. "To fight on the one hand with your people and then to claim that there is reform is contradictory."

Still, Assad enjoys substantial support in many parts of the country. Some have benefited from his policies, others fear chaos or sectarian civil war if he falls.

The insular nature of the regime makes the extent and character of that support hard to measure, and the regime has prevented most media from operating freely in the country during the uprising.

Syrian activists: The world has abandoned us

In the capital Damascus, where Assad retains support among religious minorities and the business class, many said they were eager to vote.

"This constitution is not for one faction against the other," said Suhban Elewi, a 55-year-old businessman who trades in antiquities. "It is for the nation and for all the Syrian people."

Elewi said he planned to vote yes, and dismissed opposition calls to boycott the vote.

"The country is going forward with them or without them," he said.

Posters around town urged people to vote. "Don't turn your back on voting," one said.

Another — showing the red, black and white Syrian flag — touted new constitution. "Syria's constitution: Freedom of belief," it said, referring to clauses protecting religious minorities.

Syrian Interior Minster Lt. Gen. Mohammed al-Shaar said more than 14,000 voting centers have been set up for more than 14 million eligible voters across the country.

But the suggestion of political reform led by Assad's regime rang hollow in many parts of the country, where government security forces continued their deadly crackdown on rebels seeking to end Assad's rule.

The violence could also prevent the vote taking place nationwide.

An activist in a neighborhood in the central city of Homs that government forces have besieged and shelled daily for one month laughed when asked about the vote.

"How can they ask us to talk about a new constitution when they are shelling our neighborhood?" said Abu Mohammed Ibrahim from the embattled neighborhood of Baba Amr via Skype. "They are hitting us with all types of weapons. What constitution? What referendum?"

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After murdering tens of thousands? Suddenly, he's going legit? TRICK.

  • 10 votes
#1 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 1:44 AM EST

The full message on the posters was "Syria's constitution: You'll have freedom of belief, because we can't block your internet or censor your news once we've killed you."

  • 2 votes
#1.2 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:20 AM EST

This is the same Pattern, Mubarak of Egypt, Libya's Gadhafi, and Iran's Leader took for voting--A Sham--

That is why there are all the uprisings. Voting is a trick; the people know it, and want out--the people cannot speak, nor tell their fellow citizens how they truly feel. Remember Death to the Commoner for voting. They don't know what a real Democracy is; as they have shown in Egypt.

But they must be Slaughtered first by their Leader..

Assad has had it. Hopefully someone will soon find him hidden in a Foxhole- Someone worse than Assad will take his place, the existing Military, or The Muslim Brotherhood, and then the newly "elected President" who will be invisible or never appear.. Another Dictatorship---The Arabs will never be able to get out of being held hostage for eons.

What a phony front to keep Assad. The people rely on their leaders, because they have hopeless lives.

Appeasement.

  • 3 votes
#1.3 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:21 AM EST
bicfjDeleted

Christ you people are stupid.

Everyone on the planet knows NATO is behind this insurrection in violation of their own puppet UN's mandates except double digit IQ Americans. There are three different terrorist groups supporting this "uprising" and both MI6 and CIA as well as Germans are already in country supporting them with logistics.

In case you don't have a popup book which tells you in pictures what that means? It means this government is violating its own NDAA and Patriot Act as well as international law by providing material support for known terrorist organizations.

What's it going to take before you dopes open your eyes? A government and its people are separate entities in the eyes of onlookers until said people, tasked with ensuring their government acts in its people's and the world's (in that order) best interest, instead turn a blind eye to the evils their government commits. At that point, the people become part of the problem.

The world has grown tired and incapable of making that separation any longer. You might want to think about what that means before you do anymore fist pumping about everything your government is doing "to keep you safe".

  • 4 votes
#1.5 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:39 AM EST

At least Syria is doing this much.

What about that Saudi ruler with 5000 princes and princesses, Kuwaiti rulers, Bahrain and other Sunni bigoted beastly club known as Arab League?

Oil club determines what is democracy, despotic rulers, human rights and so on!

Why not look to the above mentioned big words in article(s) in the above nations and project what is being blown up in Syria?

Have stability been established in Iraq and Afghanistan?

  • 4 votes
#1.6 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:41 AM EST

President Barack Obama said Friday of Assad's rule: "It is time for that regime to move on."

Tens of millions of Americans have been saying that about Obama's regime since he began his dictatorial rule in the White House over three years ago. I don't see Barry making any plans to listen to the "will of the people".

  • 6 votes
#1.7 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:57 AM EST

rhynn, better tighten that tinfoil hat, before those evil puppet mind controllers get you...

  • 6 votes
#1.8 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:13 AM EST

Tens of millions of Americans have been saying that about Obama's regime since he began his dictatorial rule in the White House over three years ago. I don't see Barry making any plans to listen to the "will of the people".

Sure he listens. Even against the will of the destructive party that we took out of power, he is still doing great things and will continue to for another four more years as well.

  • 4 votes
#1.9 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:14 AM EST

Sure he listens. Even against the will of the destructive party that we took out of power, he is still doing great things and will continue to for another four more years as well.

Spoken like a true delusional and mindless Obama zombie. You think Barry listens and cares about anything or anyone but himself? If you really do, your going to be a very disappointed koolaide drinker.

  • 5 votes
#1.10 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:25 AM EST

@Zathrose

Was Bush any better? Obama is just continuing Bush policies.

Patriot Act ->NDAA

No Child Left Behind ->Obamacare

Intellectual Property Protection Act ->SOPA, PIPA, ACTA

Iraq withdrawal ->Followed Bush timetables

Bush & Obama on Syria: Regime change. Obama supports every aspect of Bush's so-called war on terror.

If you blame Obama, you can't help but to blame Bush as well.

If you tire of Goldman Sach's Obama brand, try Goldman Sach's Romney brand! Isn't choice great? [Warning; ingredients may appear to contain Democracy, however lab studies have proven this to be an illusion]

  • 7 votes
#1.11 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:38 AM EST

One thing we have learned from you nutcase, backward extremists is that your people do not care about anyone or anything other than yourselves. As far as what our great President, Mr.Obama thinks and feels, you zealots haven't a clue as to what he is about or what he is trying to do. Hell, your people have no clue as to what they think or feel themselves as they are showing through the voice of their certifiable nutcases now.

  • 3 votes
#1.12 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:45 AM EST

@Jungleboogie

You are absolutely correct except for one thing. Neither Bush nor Romney are the current dictator in the White House. Bush is sooooo 3 years a go and Romney may never be. But unlike the ignorant Obama faithful, I dont give Barry a pass because of previous or possible future presidents.

  • 5 votes
#1.13 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:48 AM EST

Mikela, 1.9

Time will tell how successful the Presidency of B. Obama has been. I do think however, that when all is said and done and the full impact of the Arab Spring is realized, history will not be kind to him.

  • 3 votes
#1.14 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 4:06 AM EST

If Arab Spring isn't kind to him then it will demonize the previous regime that set the Arab Spring in motion once they toppled the Iraqi regime and gave false hope to the people of the countries trying to make change.

  • 3 votes
#1.15 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 4:15 AM EST

Sig-1249839

There are many minorities in Syria who are worried about the outcome of the current uprising, including Christians. These minorities will vote for him because the alternative is too horrible to contemplate. One only needs to look at the outcome of Egypt’s Spring, “democracy” in Iraq and the turbulent “childhood” of the new Afghanistan.

Assad looks for legitimacy and he will get the vote he so desperately needs. The death of countless thousands however, will complicate the process and he will be lucky to stay alive. With Russia and China backing his regime luck may be on his side…..

  • 2 votes
#1.16 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 4:33 AM EST

Mikela, 1.15

The only people who will benefit from the Arab Spring are the Islamists. They are the only ones sufficiently organized to form government, just like in Egypt and Libya. Syria will be next and so on……

In a few years we will be faced with Islamist governments, in general not too friendly towards us and the West, from North Africa ( incl. Somalia) all the way through the Middle East, including Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Iran will see to that! The open border policies and the subsequent influx of people with Muslim background will have a major impact on future government policies of the EU and ours as well.

How we will handle the Arab Spring outcomes is anyone’s guess. One thing however is clear, we have a lot of ground to make up for our (and UN’s) inaction and one sided policies of the past.

  • 3 votes
#1.17 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 5:22 AM EST

sig,

"After murdering tens of thousands? Suddenly, he's going legit? TRICK."

I don't know for sure if it's a trick, but, at any rate, it's too late. If he had done this at the beginning, people might have believed it was legitimate, but after he has slaughtered thousands of his own people like cattle, he has lost all credibility. They just don't trust him anymore, and it's hard to make democratic reforms when the people don't trust the ruler.

  • 1 vote
#1.18 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:06 AM EST

Correct sid, trick. assad needs to be arrested and stand trial for his crimes against humanity. NO WAY OUT.

  • 3 votes
#1.19 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:27 AM EST

After the vote they will change dictatorship for representative government and once again highjack the people's will away from them. Mickey, can ANY ruler be trusted to work for the people or to work for themselves. TRICK!

  • 3 votes
#1.20 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:37 AM EST

What has the Arab Spring or the awakening of a region's peoples- who finally saw/recognize the inequality of their existence, where the rich and connected get richer and more connected while the poor continue struggling even more so with the high cost of food etc, and the people in the middleclasses are finding that education does not guarantee a job good or a job period- have to do with President Obama?

President Obama was not the one who tanked the USA economy and the world economy, as much as many T'publiconjobs want to convince the masses that he did. The tanking of the economy started in 2001 if one wanted to be realistic about it.

The Iraq war and the Afghanistan wars/conflicts were simply distractions to take folks attention away from the effects of the massive outsourcing overseas of entire industries that was taking place, leading to uptic in unemployment of a certain segment of our society.

One could even say that the questionably hot housing market was another distraction to take the masses attention from the massive outsourcing of industries and thus jobs overseas, and the negative effect that this outsourcing was causing..i.e. the loss of jobs. The increased housing starts and the subsequent overbuilding of homes, provided many jobs in the construction area, giving the illusion that many many jobs were available.

Plus with the encouragement to purchase these homes by offering all sort of exotic financing, to folks who would or could not otherwise qualify, while doing away with many of the requirements, rules, regulations and oversight during that time also set up that vicious circle where even more homes were built, more homes financed, more people working building homes, working as realtors, finance officials etc, causing more homes to be built, more people working in construction and the other trades, home impovement etc, realtor, finance folks, homeowners and others moving hither, thither and yon, and around and around creating that crazy bubble both housing and finance.

While this was going on the masses were not paying attention to 1. the wars, and the fact that the continuously increasing cost of these wars were getting more expensive and were not included in the nations budget and increasing our defict. 2. that Bush Administration tax breaks for the rich and the corporations were pushing us deeper in debt as again the cost of the wars were not factored in the country's budget and was increasing our deficit. Also that we continued to lose jobs in other non-housing areas as these other jobs continued to be outsourced overseas while no new jobs were being created. The service industry jobs that was promised to take the manufacturing jobs place were also being outsourced overseas too, as it was stated that there were not enough qualified people to do those service jobs... LOL

All this also worked to blind folks to the fact that the economy of that time was stagnating and falling behind even as people were encouraged to and were busy buying these homes using all sort of exotic financing and they were not taking note of the shrinking jobs market in the many other inductries, the actual cost of these prolonged wars, the increase in the cost of living etc, creating that bubble waiting to burst.

The housing/ financial bubble that was created due to this craziness, could probably have had the air let out of it more slowly rather than let it burst like it did in 2008. Many of these exotic homeloans were 5 and 7 year ARMs, and were getting ready to or were resetting higher. Perhaps if the banks had not reset the ARMs rate higher as was suggested at one point, and kept them at the rate that they were originally while tightening up the lending rules, finding ways to work with homeowners to prevent the forclosures, who knows the housing/financial bubble bursting like it did may not have had such a negative impact on the economy.

But the banks/financial folks did not want to keep the interest rate where the homeowners could afford to pay their mortgage rather resetting the interest rates higher, and then the forclosures started, and a lot of homes were dumped on the market. Plus with all the overbuilding of homes coupled with the millions of forclosures...... what a mess.

Perhaps the banks/financial folks thought that mortgage insurance would help insulate them and cover their loss. Unfortunately the insurance companies also tanked, under the weight of all those forclosures too.

With the mortgage industry in the tank, financial/investment companies tanking, too many homes on the market to sell, folks curtailing their spending, less investments going on , the tightening of and the absence of credit for the smaller businesses, other types of construction was being taken off line, Federal and States, cities etc losing their tax base as property/income/business taxes shrunk, resulted in more layoff etc, road and school impovement etc put on hold, leading to less money in the economy and more layoffs, as the masses tightened their belts etc.... even as the forclosures continued, jobs losses continued as corporations and companies trimmed their budget, some continued, as well as some simply sent jobs overseas to maximize profits.

While this is going on the wars continue to become even more costly, unemployment insurance benefits that people need started being cut back, public safetynets started being trimmed to the bone, while the too big to fail bank/financial institutions got bailout monies in 2008 with no strings attached, so they did not have to help the homeowners losing their homes or mainstreet small businesses seeking extention or credit.

It is not as if the President has not been trying to speedup the turn around and trying to create jobs. Unfortunately the T'publicondinos have their own agenda so they have been busy since 2009 trying to stop progress.

Our infrastructure needs rebuilding... and people need jobs.... changes need to be made re our trading bills etc. Listening to the T'publicondinos in these T'gop primaries suggests that if one of those folks should get elected we will be worse off, stagnate/regressing into divisiveness, inequality, intolerance, unable to participate in the vote, and women barefoot and pregnant tied to the kitchen sink. LOL These T'pubcondino seem to long for the days of slavery, but will settle for serfdomination and serferation.

  • 4 votes
#1.21 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:43 AM EST

Yes the wonders of Arab Spring, why did it take you so long to arrive after the Desert Storm, but alas it has arrived. We can reap the benefits from the seeds that where planted so well. We can build Islands in the Sea, Towers to the Sky, yes, Arab Spring has been good to us. Long term investments do pay off.

  • 1 vote
#1.22 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:48 AM EST

I find it odd the US media can see potentially questionable motives in foreign governments but can't (or refuse to see) political chicanery here in their own house ... or perhaps they see it, they realize it, but they choose not to bring it up to the people who are best kept in the dark and following along like meek sheep to slaughter.

  • 1 vote
#1.23 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:00 AM EST

If the People fall for this ploy, it's The Silence of the Lambs.

"Clarice: where are you now that we really need you?"

  • 1 vote
#1.24 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:14 AM EST

And what happens if/when he wins a rigged election, or squirms out and takes the upper hand in the "new election", declares a "state of emergency", and resumes the mass slaughter now that he has time to regroup and get the world off his back at least temporarily?"

The translation from Arabic is roughly: "Too bad, sucka!"

    #1.25 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:18 AM EST

    When a man deftly murders tens of thousands of his own people, what is to say he won't repeat (continue) it?

    Insanity is the repetition of the same thing (pleas for peace) and expecting a different result (different from the slaughter?)

    If you can't distrust this butcher, who can you distrust?

    • 1 vote
    #1.26 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:20 AM EST

    There's a problem with trusting Assad. It is difficult to trust someone who just indiscriminately murdered your unarmed entire family, including you.

    • 1 vote
    #1.27 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:27 AM EST

    Syrians....
    When crossing streets in the realm of fire have two individuals block the snipers fire with iron or metal shielding device.
    Anything heavy enough to block the bullets from hitting individuals.

    Utilize, sound as a means of confusing the enemy while coming up with a way to find out where the armies position is around the city.

    Once the positions are known, strategize using simplicity to determine how to defeat them while in their position.

    THink Syrians people, think......

    Water passes from various locations in order to go to the palace!!!!

    Cut off the water supply to cut off the food supply to the military and or palace!!!!!!

    There are a million and one things that can be done in order to defeat ASS AD!!!!

    There are also a million and one things that we who are concerned can be doing as well.

    Right now there is an opportunity to create the WORLD'S PEOPLE ARMY!!!!

    If provided with enough funding, I will get this thing going and we will be able to protect individuals in any part of the world if their governments do this to them.

    As a Matter of fact we the people of the world do not have to wait on our own leaders in our own countries in order to do something about this.
    If we can come up with enough funding to begin recruiting for this WORLD ARMY We will go into Syria Right Now WITH our STRATEGIES to go after this government until they have been defeated!!!

    If the UN Wants to put in their two cents then they better act now because once we begin our entire effort will be to overshadow the UN and Be the LEADER In Protecting Individuals from Powerful entities that abuse their power around the world!!!!

      #1.28 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:35 AM EST

      Without a strong, positive-outcome presence, his "Constitution" is too late and the country will collapse in an anarchic civil war, if that is not the situation already. The presence and infiltration of the Russians and the Chinese for years is ominous in a power vacuum. It bodes especially ill for the minorities.

      The question is: how can the US, the Arab League and even the UN be effective amidst impending and worsening chaos?

      • 1 vote
      #1.29 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:35 AM EST

      Ask what Dad would do--are you reassured?

      Now stir in Iran and Hezbollah....

      • 1 vote
      #1.30 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 10:39 AM EST
      bicfjDeleted
      Reply

      Paranoid...

      If there is a fair and free election, then take it, especially for constitutions and for democracy. U.N. may be part of the monitoring team if they are invited; but do not stir up the violence.

      To mess up a nation, like Iraq, it takes several thousands of foreign soldiers' lives, including about 4000 U.S.A. soldiers' lives, and it also takes up several billion USD dollars. U.S.A. military expense has doubled up in a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, upto about USD 700 billion dollars in 2011. There are million civilians have been killed and thousands and thousands of households have been destroyed.

      It is not worth it to provoke a war. If the president has reinforced the constitutional election/voting, then encourage people to participate to change their own nation. Give them time and space. Think about China and Russia today and both of them are the giant in terms of economy and politics and military and space.

      • 1 vote
      Reply#2 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 1:55 AM EST

      Millions? Really? Iraq was not WWII. Perhaps a 100,000 dead. But, most of those killed were killed by Sunni and Shiite killing each other. Oops! That can't be happening - it say so in the Koran.

      • 4 votes
      #2.1 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:01 AM EST

      If you want to know why the rebels are really calling you a boycott of the vote, this is it:

      ... touted new constitution. "Syria's constitution: Freedom of belief," it said, referring to clauses protecting religious minorities.

      The rebels are really just different sects of Islam who all want control for themselves. This is the reason they have not been able to unite into a single force to fight against Assad, they hate each other as much as they hate Assad. This is the problem with many of these Muslim sects, they each feel that they are the only valid form of Islam and anyone who does not go along with their particular views is an infidel to be killed. Having Assad leave will not make things in Syria any better. In fact, it could very well make things worse. Under Assad's rule, all of the different flavors of Islam were free to worship as they chose. I would not go so far as to say Assad is a secularist, but he is far more tolerant of other sects of Islam than many other rulers in the region. I do not support Assad or condone what he is doing in any way. All I am saying here is that to a degree I understand why he is doing it.

      The different flavors of Islam and their underlying attitudes towards each other is the reason why real democracy will never work in the Middle East. The only way to unify a country where the people practice different flavors of Islam is through a strong hand. It takes a strong ruler with might and the willingness to use it in order to keep the varying sects in line and keep them from fighting with each other. Iraq is a prime example of this. Now that the US has left, the entire country has descended into sectarian violence with the different Islamic groups are attacking each other and fighting for power. It is impossible to get them to come to the table and work together in unison because each feels the other should not even exist and because of this they refuse to share power with each other. You see it is not just non-Muslims that these fanatics hat, it is anyone who does not adhere to their particular brand of Islam. I am not sure of the exact count, but I believe that there are something like 17 or 19 major different branches of Islam. Of course some are more violent and less tolerant than others, but each feels that they are the only true Muslims.

      • 4 votes
      #2.2 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:12 AM EST

      What good is proposing a multiparty system in a new national constitution when all of the regime's opponents are killed off? A single party will remain in power until their leaders step down or die, because they are willing to use violence to destroy the voices of other opinions on how to justly govern their country. And it wouldn't be beyond the Assad Regime to only arbitrarily comply or conveniently ignore the basic laws of a new Constitution. In my opinion, the bad timing of this offer of a new Constitution smells like a cynical, Machiavellian 'trick' of Assad and his inner circle of Advisors.

      • 2 votes
      #2.3 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:56 AM EST

      Assad, if you do not call for a truce, stop the shelling, and open up diplomatic negotiations with all sides, then the world will know you are NOT sincere about your offer of drafting up a new Constitution. Based on the track record of you and your father, it is not beyond you to arbitrarily decide that you will not comply to it, or conveniently ignore the basic laws written in any national constitution, old or new, whenever it suits you.

      • 1 vote
      #2.4 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:10 AM EST

      Is there a free and fair election in any ME muslim nation?

      Why different yardsticks are being applied to different nations right in ME?

      In Iraq, before Iraqi wars, all the ills of the world including WMDs were being invented and discovered!

      Saudis, oil companies, lobbyists had outsourced their dirty jobs in Iraq to the US, Britain and the whole range of puppets like UN, human rights groups and others.

      This was a good business to them.

      Oil could easily jump from $30 became critical and could jump to $145.00 and these Saudis and co became richer.

      US, British and European citizens became bankrupt in the process.

      US has take huge debts from China too!

      Here also Saudis, UAE rich sharks helped the British, US and other wesern banks by swindling them more instead of helping them!

      Now we have the Saudi sponsored Sunni Salaffi and Wahhabi mosques right in our streets to direct us how we should live and lead lives!

      The same outsourcing job of Syria and Iran is being done with similar songs!

      But the problem with the world is that not all are dumb to listen to old songs!

      Now "international", "human rights", "democracy", and so on have become worthless except for McCains!

      • 2 votes
      #2.5 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:26 AM EST

      He he he tricky Bashar just like his father wants to cling to power for life after tasting how good it is to keep being a prez. Democracy in muslim world ?? You are joking right? It will never happen, unless it's like secular like Turkey. Look at the Shiite in Irag, Hamas in Gaza and Iran, Islamist once they cling to power they will never want to let go and hog it for life. Once an Islamist party gets control of power, they will do anything to stop others from gaining over them, be a referendum, decrees, election law changes, assasination. Sadr in Irag ordered his tugs to kill an opposing leader. In muslim country, no one can give different view than the leader ( he's God), like Irag's Sadr and Khameini in Iran, always say God's communicating with them, dunno how tho, but that's what these shiite claimed. Does a good job with brainwashingthe illiterate masses. Democracy and human rights does not and will not coexist with Islamand it's law, human life is cheap. Democracy Islam style means the right to kill someone who disagree with your opinion. Human rights Islam style means kill who ever kills your relative, if a woman gets raped kill the woman for dishonoring the family. Barbaric stone age law that lacks common sense and still practiced in modern times.

      • 1 vote
      #2.6 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:19 AM EST
      Reply

      Of course it is a trick! No Muslim country is a true democracy. Think Syria is going to be the first? - Not!

      • 2 votes
      Reply#3 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 1:56 AM EST

      Who cares about Syria? I don't.

      • 2 votes
      Reply#4 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:04 AM EST

      Iran, Iraq, Yemen,Serbia, Afghanistan,,,and Israel...must be allowed to destroy eachother in order for there to be any kind of WORLD PEACE!!! this will just keep repeating it self..cost us billion and lives...enough, let the slaughtering resume !!!

      costing us too many lives and $$$$$$$$

        Reply#5 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:04 AM EST

        Stevo, fascinating isnt it ? This entire area of the world is the seed of civilization, yet they have been in violent conflict with each other for about a thousand years.

          #5.1 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:17 AM EST

          After the birth of Islamic cult, seed of civilization, has turned the area into seed for raping, looting, stealing, telling lies, killings of different varieties including mass ones and mass producting ground for international liabilities and curses on earth!

          Take any Muslim nation and any Muslim area with more than five percent of Muslim population.

          The mother of all world problems (80 percernt) are due to Sunnis. Here Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are fountainheads. So they should be erased first.

          Another 20 percent of problems are due to Shiites.

          This is also the ratio of the Muslim sects populations.

          • 2 votes
          #5.2 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:34 AM EST

          Jonathan, it is obvious that you are Muslim (lol). But seriously, step back and look at Iran (without political and media spin). Iran is very stable and organized and pretty much 100% Muslim. Look at all the other countrys around Iran. Iran is a gold mine for the world to help stabalize the other Muslim countrys of the middle east and we should realize this and treat them as such.

          • 1 vote
          #5.3 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:56 AM EST

          Kevin, you've got to be joking. You write like a rational, coherent person--but what you say is just gonzo nuts. "Iran is very stable"??? Surely you're aware of the enormous government repression and brutality that maintain the superficial appearance of stability.

          After the fraudulant sham of an election in 2009, when Ahmadinejad was declared the winner even before the votes had been counted, there was a popular uprising, which was violently and brutally suppressed. There is no freedom in Iran; no human rights. The "morality police" patrol the streets, beating any woman of any age who has the temerity to be wearing nail polish or whose veil doesn't adequately cover her ankles.

          Women accused of "adultery"--which can mean, only, being in a situation in which contact with a man could have happened--are stoned to death in Iran. Today. Men accused of homosexuality are killed by crushing. There is, right now, a Christian priest in prison facing execution for choosing Christianity over Islam.

          As for Iran being a "gold mine to help stabilize the other Muslim countries"...the other Muslim countries are in absolute terror of Iran, especially now that it's on the verge of having nuclear bombs. Iran is on the march, in an expansionist crusade to take over the Islamic one-world caliphate for themselves and their brand of Islam (Shi'ism).

          Far from being a gold mine...the are bringing the world to the edge of possible nuclear conflagration.

          • 6 votes
          #5.4 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 4:18 AM EST

          Stevo14, do you just keep writing the same comment over and over? I've run into this exact one from you before.

          You seem to have some need to include Israel--

          [which is not Islamic, which is not anti-American, which is not a dictatorship, which does not initiate violence (and even when under almost constant attack by Muslims--the same Muslims that are attacking the US, and for the same reason: it isn't Muslim--it does the absolute minimum possible in the way of self-defense, careful to an extreme to avoid harming any civilians)]

          --with a list of bloody Islamic anti-American dictatorships.

          If it's too much for you to understand that Israel and the Muslim countries of the Middle East are not one and the same...would it be too hard for you to simply leave it out when it has nothing whatsoever to do with the topic at hand?

          • 3 votes
          #5.5 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 5:57 AM EST

          livia-779624 Could not refrain from answering your comment... I am not sure what country you live in, but your outlook of Iran is typical of the wests propaganda. A few exapmples for you to chew at.. (US, = Recent law passed on arrests made on suspects to be held indefinitely without definite proof, under the recent terrorist act, extradiction of any citizen who acts against the US Interests from anywhere around the world!!, etc.. etc..) (UK = Up the US's Ars*e on every move with no-questions-asked. Backed by political corruption, a police state corrupt to its teeth... and led by media tycoons and propaganda).

          If you really believe that your democracy is better served in Iran, I suggest you dig deeper into the political agenda and read between the unsaid lines the real issue behinf all this.

          Iran WILL survive, no matter what. Short of a full nuclear confrontation, I cannot see an immediate solution at hand. I'm sure this is widely known and accepted. The rest is "letting off steam".

          • 1 vote
          #5.6 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:53 AM EST

          Biba, Liva,Kifiic ,Salam. My Grandfaher was born in Damascus and my mother in Lebannon.Some of My family are Marionites and Greek Orthodox . I was born in America,educated well and traveled home to Lebanon with our bishop. At that time lebannon was known as the pearl of The Middle East only later to be turned into rubble,who can forget the cedars on the hillsides?

          Bibi made a good point that Israel was left out of Livia's post.I always loved The History Of Western Civillization, Mesopotamia and Hammarubies codes.

          However, this is 2012. Yes, and every Sunday at dinner there would be twelve of us at the table.My mother would make kidbee,yabra,suf soof and tahini and an American meal.

          What started to be a conversation ended up with everyone arguing over Israel.Thats all they did for two and a half hours.I didn't know about Zionism and my Grand father would say we are not being anti semetic,for we are semites.

          To make a long story short the hot heads had a point and it went back to the British Colonial Empire and how the conquered Ireland grabbed the land divided the country and left one religion pitted agaist each other. They did the same in India,Pakistanand where ever they went.

          I would read the Brtish White Papers and especially The Partioning of Palestine and the displacement of four million Palestinians(Zionism) Israel was and is a terrorit nation and it stared with the Mossad and now the Lakood.Maybe, it has to be to survive.

          I had to go to OCS and then Vietnam another American lie, and a war they wouldn't let us finish.

          On Sunday, I put the grinder on the table and grounded it up, got the grape leaves off the back of the garage and mixed the bulgar in the lamb.We all sat down and it started up again nothings changed at that dinner table in 4 long years.

          In conclusion, nothing will change in The Middle East untill the building of settlements is stopped and the Palestinans have a homeland.

            #5.7 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 1:13 PM EST
            Reply

            Give us a break this leader is darned it he does and darned if he doesn't. OB and Hillary want him out you heard them. It's time to move on.

            • 1 vote
            Reply#6 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:11 AM EST

            Yes I wish Obama the great would shut the f---k up and stop telling other nations what to do.

            I wish Obama would move on.

            We have seen the change that these revolutions have made, with the helping hand of the US, and look at who is now killing and robbing those people, because of all that US military BS freedom cry.

            Obama can move on, he like many before him have gone out of there way to destabilize these countries for the US agenda and nothing more.

            I am sure the people of Lybia know how bad that BS freedom is right now since they no longer have there homes, money, and a lot of other gifts that were given to them and shared by the now diseased leader.

            What a bunch of sh-it this democracy movement is, it is no more then the US dictating who gets what, and guess who gets the most?

            That's right the US........the people are left to die or rot with there new US led brother-hood thugs.

            • 3 votes
            #6.1 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:38 AM EST

            Free, nice try in your manipultion. I can see right through it. You are but a flaming manipulative liberal democrat trying to undermine the Republican Party

            • 1 vote
            #6.2 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:07 AM EST

            kevin , while freeman's comments are definitely on the looney side, the Republicans don't need any help at all "undermining the party", they are doing a wonderful job of self-destructing and self-cannibalizing without any outside help.

            • 1 vote
            #6.3 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:19 AM EST

            Those, who are in the payroll of Saudis, oil companies and their lobbyists, may ask 1000 things. Who cares?

            It worked in Iraq and other places like Afghanistan.

            For 9/11, instead of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, Saudis directed that the responsible are from Iraq and Afghanistan!

            Look at how all the bunker busters, drone masters, intelligence experts and others are being taught a lesson in Afghanistan.

            One "Quran burning" issue was good enough for apologies all around!

            Now Saudi and oil companies paid dance and drama companies don't have much audience also even in the US! Many like Russia and China are enjoying the dances and dramas!

            • 2 votes
            #6.4 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:43 AM EST
            Reply

            .

              Reply#7 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:11 AM EST

              Western Media is part of the problem

              Very cynical

              Even if he is playing pranks, whats your problem??

              Fix your own problems instead of interferring all over the world

              Hillary Clinton has become a war monger to buttress her image

              Shame on her

              • 1 vote
              Reply#8 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:14 AM EST

              t

                #8.1 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:01 AM EST

                Hillary Clinton a "Well Past Sell-by-Date!" scorned woman who found refuge at her age to demonstrate her scornfulness worldwide, at the cost of many innocent American lives overseas, just to prove her point. May God help the innocent...

                • 2 votes
                #8.2 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 6:52 AM EST
                Reply

                A leopard can't change its spots so I say it's a trick not a treat.

                  Reply#9 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:35 AM EST

                  Being a Republican, I will NOT tollerate any attempts at democracy; Whether it be in Syria or Utah

                  • 2 votes
                  Reply#10 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 2:46 AM EST

                  COOOoool! An honest Republican. I salute you.

                  • 1 vote
                  #10.1 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:41 AM EST

                  @Kevin . Since we live in a republic your comment seems to be a moot point .

                    #10.2 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:16 AM EST
                    Reply

                    obama should moveon.org .

                    • 1 vote
                    Reply#11 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:14 AM EST

                    What a crazy confusing mess in the middle east. We go duck hunting for a activety. They kill humans for a activety. This one is our friends, but they hate us. We sell arms to the taiban, now they want to kill us. Each one with a different of religion,each one wants to kill the other. They cry out to China,Russia, France and the US. We need more arms, money and aid so we can kill more people. We set off fire crackers in celebration, they shoot in the air with firearms.

                    Did the US,Russia,China and France lose their minds, selling things like Nuclear Reactors,aircraft, heavy arms and financial aid for these crazy people? I repeat!!!! What a crazy confusing mess in the middle east.

                      Reply#12 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:28 AM EST

                      Free, ligit. elections in Syria?? Sounds like Florida in Bush's election campaign to his second term. (Florida's governor at the time was Bush's brother and Florida voted Democrat, but his brother demanded that there be a re-count and it majically turned out that the majority of the votes were Republican)

                      • 2 votes
                      Reply#13 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:34 AM EST

                      KEVIN ; I still remember when they spilled all those voting containers in Florida while moving them to different locations! we can put a man on the moon and still can not figure out how to make voting booth machines that are fool proof, and that would count the votes, automatically without question the time it would save, and money would be a lot if they do that!

                        #13.1 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 6:33 AM EST
                        Reply

                        He's just trying (with Russia and China's cynical guidance) to gauge how much he has beaten down the population so that he can make "course corrections" to continue in power.

                        I can understand the temptation to participate in this sham but a boycott would send a strong message in their struggle to achieve democracy....Of course, China and Russia are worried because they have even bigger problems than Syria..

                        Poor people

                        ...yes, there are evil leaders in this world.

                          Reply#14 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 3:50 AM EST

                          The USA does not serve as a positive role model for Syria. The fact is that our presidents, senators and representatives have legalized their own corruption . Bribery is classified as campaign funds. Wash D.C and our state governments represent those giving them the money. Both Dems and Republicans are proponents and recipients of legalized bribery. The top 1% and the special interests are in charge. We the people have the right to vote for them or stay home. Freedom like many other values in the USA have become facades. We the people are left with the right to whine and moan. The founding fathers are turning over in their graves.

                            Reply#15 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 4:21 AM EST

                            Kill him, then vote.

                            • 1 vote
                            Reply#16 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 5:11 AM EST

                            A Déja-Vue of 1982 Hama episode... 40,000 + deaths, and the Regime goes on... It is time the Middle East Arabs come to terms and accept that democracy as prophesized by the West will not function in the region. Stability is democracy's Nº 1 enemy.

                            Syria's position is somehow critical to the West, as Iran is poised to infiltrate into Syria as it did in Iraq. This is causing Israel and the West real concern. Regime change by the West has backfired in all the Middle East since the beginning of the "Spring Uprising", where the dreaded "Islamic Brotherhood" having fought for decades to gain control of the region, were now offered it on a plate...

                            Perhaps it is time that We see the truth behind all the propaganda that's being dished out in the media, and come to accept the fact this "REGIME CHANGE" is not the answer.

                            • 4 votes
                            Reply#17 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 5:53 AM EST
                            Donald Coombsvia FacebookDeleted

                            He is starting to sound just Like Barrack Hussein Obama. The people of Syria could be in serious trouble. We need to gelp them

                              Reply#19 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 6:36 AM EST

                              Like we gelped Libya and Egypt?

                              • 1 vote
                              #19.1 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:09 AM EST
                              Reply

                              the unsaid answer to all this is for the "west" to stop meddling into the affairs of others, causing fake uprisings based on self-motivated interests that has nothing to do with the welfare of people at large.

                              domination is a cancer we all can do without........

                              • 2 votes
                              Reply#20 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 6:38 AM EST

                              If they make voting machines where you would vote and the information would go to one source, then walk to another, and vote on the same issue, and the same information would go to another, possible a third, and the two or three would tally the count separately it might eliminate any questions about the count and save a lot of work time, and money!

                                Reply#21 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 6:51 AM EST

                                dale-763548 The word "IF" does not exist in political circles.. Every "Perfect" job need a weak link to slip through. Many descriptions are in circulation..."U-Turn, double-standards, two-faced, on-the-take!, scratch-my-backand I'll scratch yours... etc.etc..

                                We all need to enrol in those specialized Universities where such studies are perfected to a fine art. It has come to be known Political Studies...

                                  #21.1 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:14 AM EST

                                  Fair elections are not just about the counting technicalities (and there are ways to cheat every system), but about voter intimidation and repercussions as well as fair information on candidates through media, etc.

                                  • 1 vote
                                  #21.2 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:17 AM EST
                                  Reply

                                  Who cares? we are not the policemen of the world,and is it not plainly demonstrated how the Mainstream media has stopped showing how our interference in Egypt and Libya has turned out for us?Now Egypt is holding Americans as enemies of the state.Libya is a strong hold of confusion and unrest,and no one really knowa who is in charge.

                                    Reply#22 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:08 AM EST

                                    Which really is an improvement over being a strong hold of confusion and unrest when we KNEW who was in charge - strange as that sounds.

                                      #22.1 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:13 AM EST
                                      Reply

                                      If one were to suppose the revolution was about Democracy this would be a welcome step. If this is about regime change, it is a meaningless gesture made out of weakness by Assad. In either event, it is none of our business. We have no skin in the game. Stay out of it.

                                      • 2 votes
                                      Reply#23 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:22 AM EST

                                      There are billions of people in the world who need help. We can't help them all. Good luck people of Syria. I hope the killing stops. But unless it affects our interests, we should stay out.

                                      • 1 vote
                                      Reply#24 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:07 AM EST

                                      We should keep our forces out, but how do we help with resources?

                                      • 1 vote
                                      #24.1 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:10 AM EST
                                      Reply

                                      And after the new constitution is approved, there will be a fair an impartial election where security forces won't be visiting the names on the list voting for the opposition... right. And lollipops will be passed out to all.

                                        Reply#25 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:09 AM EST

                                        Recipe for peace:

                                        1. Arab countries and Turkey should convince Assad to not run in elections and step down, giving him and his family asylum abroad (not necessarily full protection for their assets)

                                        2. Assad should invite the UN (financed with Arab League money) to send into peace keeping troops and monitor a cease fire plus run and election to be scheduled in six months after the date.

                                        Russia would agree in the UN on that basis. That would be far better than a bloody struggle for power with the minorities worried about a fanatical Muslim government after Assad is thrown out.

                                        • 2 votes
                                        Reply#26 - Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:16 AM EST
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