Chintito
They Have a Dream
Bashar al-Assad
Fifty years ago, Dr Martin Luther King Jr delivered his celebrated speech at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC. He began by proclaiming that 28 August 1963 would “go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom” of his nation, in attendance were 2,50,000 people of all colours. He lamented then that one hundred years ago President Abraham Lincoln had declared in the 'Emancipation Proclamation' that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states are, and henceforward shall be free. They were not, and so ML Khad hoped that the Negro would be free in their own land, and had said famously, 'I have a dream'.
This year on 28 August in commemoration of that freedom march you have stood on the same steps of the Lincoln Memorial, stared at the United States Capitol across a sea of people gathered on the national mall to assert “that in the face of impossible odds, people who love their country can change it”. You have a dream.
I too have set my eyes on the memorial stone that mark the exact place where stood Dr. King to explain his dream. I have walked in awe that very terrace treaded since Dr. King's soaring oratory by millions of freedom-loving people. I too have a dream.
My dream is to see peace return to Syria without indiscriminate military action by forces inside or outside that may kill thousands of innocent civilians including children and women, and maim a few thousand more. Do they actually count the injured that live to tell their tale?
You have tried to instil peace in Iraq since 2003, and although the Ba'ath government has been overthrown and Saddam Hussein executed at the cost of thousands of civilians still dying, peace has not returned to the Mesopotamian land. Neither can it return to Syria by an armed engagement, endorsed by Congress or not, that has the grim potential to kill and maim thousands who know not the difference between a democratic Barack Obama and a despotic Bashar al-Assad.
The most recent tracer bullet from pro-Assad Syria is ominous, as they have mocked your late Congressional appeal as retraction from your resolve to attack in retribution of the Assad regime's use of chemical weapons on civilians. The UK parliament has not helped. That was a welcome surprise for many, perhaps you too privately. In fact, generally people are rather sceptic about any war in our present time because there are no winners except the arms dealers perhaps.
At home you have been criticised for abdicating your responsibility as commander-in-chief and for undermining the authority of future US presidents, all because you seek the 'yes' vote of 535 Congress members to enforce a power already entrusted on you. Need I remind you that your job is not really a bed of roses although you deliver major decisions from the Rose Garden.
Democracy yearning people in Syria opposed to the decades-old rule of dynastic ruler Assad and his family have built up a strong movement to oust him. Fair enough, as it is likely to usher in democracy. Many countries and people outside Syria have sided with the anti-regime campaigners and fighters. As sad as it maybe, Assad responded militarily, not so fair. His regime has used every item in his armoury including chemical weapons on civilian men, women, and children. Absolutely unacceptable this sort of murder! And for that he must now go. Yes. But instead of asking 'why you', I will be more realistic and settle for 'why bomb a whole country to find one rat?' Or a dozen more?
Your action will bring the same results, however selective your warriors may be. Syrian civilians, women and children, and infants, and pregnant mothers will die in any outside attack. As a father you would know how painful that can be.
You could opt for any other of several peaceful measures, if you think you are the right authority to do so, to teach the killers a lesson or two. The first tactic that comes to my mind is to invite chemical Assad to your land. I cannot do that, you have to. It is unlikely that he will accept your generosity, but if he does, here's a pat on your back. And once he arrives, lead him up the steps of the fabled Lincoln Memorial, and make him stand where Martin Luther King, Your Excellency and humble I have stood, and as have thousands of freedom fighters and liberty lovers.
Invite the entire world. Allow Assad to explain his position. If he begins his speech with 'I have a nightmare!' it will mean he is experiencing feelings of helplessness, extreme anxiety, and sorrow. So tuck him in your best hospital, provide him with your finest physicians and psychiatrists, and start medication. No chemicals, please, huh! Also please remember to cover up the bed shackles; your media often suffers from wiki. And oh! The attending nurses must be from the marines. I have heard the Syrians have a counter intelligence outfit eager to strike.
It is most important that you freeze research, production, sale, storage of chemical weapons everywhere on our planet and outside. I am aware about your people's adventures beyond the stratosphere. Assad cannot and must not use them, and no one else should have them. War mongers are not mentally suited to have such a destructive weapon at their disposal.
Put the ball in Putin's court because he has challenged your claim of Assad's chemical strikes. Ask the Russian president of Vladimir fame to dissuade Assad from the destructive path that he and his government has chosen. I cannot because he does not know me. He may not even pick up my phone. Ask the former Russian prime minister whether this is a matter between your two giant countries, or is it about a selfish man's desire to rule his people by any means and his people's hungering for self-rule.
If all fails, why not use your commandos who shot and killed Osama bin Laden May 2011? I have heard of their superlative training and camouflage technology. In fact, I believe they could capture Assad alive, bring him over to Lincoln Memorial, and ask him to explain his position. If Assad begins his, what could be an epic, speech with the words, 'I have a nightmare…' Mr. President, you have a case.
I plead with you and every other human being with power to influence the workings of our planet, please spare a thought for the helpless child, the innocent father, the worried mother… they too have a dream.
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