COULD ANY TERRORISTS JUST PUT UP THEIR HANDS PLEASE!!!

So, coming a little late to the game, I decided to try and figure out exactly WHAT IS happening in Syria. Laugh all you want, all those who know me and fully understand that I purposely stay uninformed about world events that involve, bombs, maiming, suicide attempts, senseless killing, promises of virgins or animals getting hurt. I really, really did try and figure this one out.

And I HAVE: It's all about marketing and being manly men.

While getting a world wide view of things by reading the Winnipeg Free Press, BBC world News and Al Jazeera (yes - it IS in English!) I have come to the conclusion that this "unrest" is basically an "old boys club."

Here are two definitions of an Old Boys Club:

1. a group of men that -when together - act like boys; joking around and goofing around with each other.

2. a term for a club that only allows men into their group. often used as a way to get away from their wives/girlfriends and hang out with other like-minded individuals.

Just to prove the point about being "like minded" I want to list a small selection of the names that the Syrian " Men / Old Boys Club " have come up with to truly represent themselves and their " I think WE should run this country, not YOU! " groups:

Army of the Emigrants and Helpers
Free Syrian Army
Martyrs of the Syria Brigades
Northern Storm Brigade
Free Men of Syria
Falcons of Syria
Army of Islam
Battalion of Islam
Islamic Movement of the Free Men of Levant
Syrian Islamic Front
Grandsons of the Prophet
Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade (formerly known as Prince)

Okay - I made up the part about being formerly known as Prince. I think some of the groups may now be represented by a symbol you can't pronounce. But in actuality many of the groups have changed their names several times or split up and formed new groups.....with new names.

And to go along with these catchy names they have logos! I kid you not. The Army of Islam has a crest next to an upright rifle with a flowing banner. Sorry, I couldn't read the banner....but I am sure it says something along the line of: The Army of Islam.....and in small print....Formerly Known as Prince.

So basically, you get a bunch of  " like minded individuals "  together, figure out a catchy name for your "cause" and design a logo? Then you go out and fight.

Today - honestly, and kidding aside, I am no wiser. All I know is that back in 2011 schoolchildren had been arrested for writing anti-government graffiti on a wall. They were tortured. There were protests in the streets, which brought out the military and all hell broke loose. Now we have hundreds of splinter groups all saying they are right and they should run the country, or at the least, their little corner of the world.

The majority of fighting is in the north and to the east. Cities and towns have been captured, lost and recaptured. In August of this year chemicals were used for the first time and the activists and the foreign governments (all supplying arms - why?) pointed fingers at each other. I noted....In the middle of Syria there is a large empty space that, it seems, nobody wants.

This year President Assad announced he will not step down and that his vision of Syria's future includes a new constitution and an end to support for the opposition, which he calls terrorists. The opposition refuses to work with Assad's government, and I can only imagine what they call him.

There where 22 million people in Syria. It is estimated that by next year over 3 million will have fled the country and right now 100k, and counting have been killed. Within all of the rebel forces you can add in another 100k and I can't find an exact figure on how many military are involved because they are continually defecting.....to form even more splinter groups...... All with new names and new logos.

So, I figure, if this continues for another five years, the population in Syria will be minimal and in the end when one group arises from the ashes and claims victory they will have won........dirt! I have seen the pictures - piles of rubble and a whole lot of dirt. There will be nothing left!!!

War does not determine who is right......just who is left.

There are eleven wars going on in our world right now. These are considered Major wars, apparently minor wars with under 1,000 people killed per year aren't considered 'major' so don't count.

Just recently at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem said that Syria is not engaged in a civil war, but a war on terror.

At this point, I'm just not sure where the terror is coming from.






Things I have learned this week:

Iowa is now issuing gun permits for the blind.

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Ahhhh, in an interview Tom Hanks stated the best lines he has ever had were " I do." when he married Rita some twenty odd years ago....I think that is kinda sweet.

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In the household advice column this week there was a tip from a would be homemaker that said you could use baby oil on stainless steel to remove fingerprints. Then the Advice Lady put a note : Remember to keep baby oil out of the reach of children.  HUH?