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Sunday, April 15, 2018

Syrian Christian Leaders Condemn Missile Strike

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Syrian Christians fear ISIS, not President al-Assad. Now why would that be? (AP Photo) Syrian Christians fear ISIS, not President al-Assad. Now why would that be? (AP Photo)

The Christian leaders of Syria issued a reality check for the war hawks:

1) This brutal aggression is a clear violation of the international laws and the UN Charter, because it is an unjustified assault on a sovereign country, member of the UN.

2) It causes us great pain that this assault comes from powerful countries to which Syria did not cause any harm in any way.

3) The allegations of the USA and other countries that the Syrian army is using chemical weapons and that Syria is a country that owns and uses this kind of weapon, is a claim that is unjustified and unsupported by sufficient and clear evidence.

4) The timing of this unjustified aggression against Syria, when the independent International Commission for Inquiry was about to start its work in Syria, undermines of the work of this commission.

5) This brutal aggression destroys the chances for a peaceful political solution and leads to escalation and more complications.

6) This unjust aggression encourages the terrorist organizations and gives them momentum to continue in their terrorism.

7) We call upon the Security Council of the United Nations to play its natural role in bringing peace rather than contribute to escalation of wars.

8) We call upon all churches in the countries that participated in the aggression, to fulfill their Christian duties, according to the teachings of the Gospel, and condemn this aggression and to call their governments to commit to the protection of international peace.

9) We salute the courage, heroism and sacrifices of the Syrian Arab Army which courageously protects Syria and provide security for its people. We pray for the souls of the martyrs and the recovery of the wounded. We are confident that the army will not bow before the external or internal terrorist aggressions; they will continue to fight courageously against terrorism until every inch of the Syrian land is cleansed from terrorism. We, likewise, commend the brave stand of countries which are friendly to the Syria and its people.

COMMENT: This statement was issued by the Patriarchates of Antioch and all the East for the Greek Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, and Greek-Melkite Catholic, released in Damascus on April 14, 2018. Presumably, these Christians on the ground know a bit more about what actually happened there than does Anderson Cooper.

Even if President al-Assad had "gassed his own people" — which is laughable on its face — this is still not a crime for America to adjudicate, prosecute and penalize. There are state-sponsored atrocities going on all over the world, with death tolls that dwarf the supposed number of victims in this case. And yet we don’t bomb those countries.

Take China, for instance.  Why isn't CNN broadcasting heart-breaking images of the dead baby Chinese girls that result from China's mandatory two-child policy, so that we can get behind some missile strikes on that country?  

Ah, but that country can fight back. Besides, Israel doesn't have a pressing need for China to be wiped off the face of the earth.

Right, so let’s get back to the show: President al-Assad gassed his own people, and we righteous Americans cannot—WILL not—sit by and let babies die in Syria, dammit! Sure, we wipe out millions of the little people here at home. But that’s different. For one thing, that's legal, whereas chemical weapons are illegal. If you're going to kill babies you gotta make sure it's LEGAL!

If this insanity isn't checked, the embattled President Trump can forget about whatever re-election bid he may have in mind. He has few friends in the Swamp as it is, and even fewer supporters. If he loses his base by becoming a neocon puppet like George Bush, he loses everything.

So, what's really going on here?

Donald Trump is a man accustomed to getting his way. I honestly believe he doesn’t know how to handle the bullies standing in his way right now, i.e., the deep state, CNN, RINOs. With all of his billions, it's likely he's never actually been bullied before and, quite frankly, he’s not very good at it—thus the reactionary tweets.

armsThe Swamp creatures have their own billions, and they seem to be breaking him down. More and more we see the President with his arms crossed awkwardly over his chest, a dead-giveaway sign of defensiveness and isolation. Understandably, Trump is a man on the ropes. But taking refuge in the arms of neo-cons isn't the answer. He won the presidency precisely by opposing them. And if he goes down that road now, he’s a one-termer.

On the other hand, Trump's heart was clearly not in the strikes on Syria. Only days before, he'd announced he would be pulling U.S. troops out of Syria. But that was before al-Assad had—a-hem—gassed his own people. Come to think of it, maybe that's WHY al-Assad “gassed his own people.”  RED ALERT: Trump's about to make a serious America First move. Cue video of suffering babies. Get CNN on the line! Get me some photoshopped visuals of al-Assad looking vaguely Hitlerian.

Who knows.

But Trump’s retaliation against Syria seemed so forced. First it was delayed and then conducted in a manner that satisfied really no one. The surgical strikes on alleged "chemical weapons plants" -- so careful to avoid civilian and Russian targets -- were nowhere near enough for the hawks and way too much for the doves. So what was accomplished here? A token bombing to keep us in Syria, please Israel and alienate Russia. Mission accomplished. Dog wagged.

Mr. President, enough already. Stick to your guns—the American-made ones—and bring our troops home!

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Last modified on Sunday, April 15, 2018
Michael J. Matt | Editor

Michael J. Matt has been an editor of The Remnant since 1990. Since 1994, he has been the newspaper's editor. A graduate of Christendom College, Michael Matt has written hundreds of articles on the state of the Church and the modern world. He is the host of The Remnant Underground and Remnant TV's The Remnant Forum. He's been U.S. Coordinator for Notre Dame de Chrétienté in Paris--the organization responsible for the Pentecost Pilgrimage to Chartres, France--since 2000.  Mr. Matt has led the U.S. contingent on the Pilgrimage to Chartres for the last 24 years. He is a lecturer for the Roman Forum's Summer Symposium in Gardone Riviera, Italy. He is the author of Christian Fables, Legends of Christmas and Gods of Wasteland (Fifty Years of Rock ‘n’ Roll) and regularly delivers addresses and conferences to Catholic groups about the Mass, home-schooling, and the culture question. Together with his wife, Carol Lynn and their seven children, Mr. Matt currently resides in St. Paul, Minnesota.