Syria

[gfwgfw]

The horrific happenings in Syria . . .

Should the Americans/UK intervene ?

This was the subject of this mornings Daily Mail readers poll

More than surprised the way the majority voted

Personally I am sadly "sitting on the fence"

[Boris+]

Hi Graham,

I've been thinking about this one - will this have any affect on late season Eastern Med cruises?

More importantly, I just can't see how any 'intervention' will help - if anyone starts whizzing off missiles, I don't like that sound of that.

Em

[oldbluefox]

Horrific though the situation is I would rather we provided humanitarian aid than get involved. Wherever we have got involved in Middle Eastern politics our soldiers lay their lives on the line only to be seen as part of the problem rather than the answer to it. It's a thankless task for them in countries where culture cuts across our own Western values. Maybe it is time for Muslim countries in the Middle East to play their part in stopping the genocide and brokering a peaceful solution. I hope we do not become involved based on our experiences in other conflicts, except in providing aid.

I am afraid I am fed up seeing our troops coming home in boxes whilst their presence in theatres of war encourages any old muslim extremist to bomb and maim innocent people.

[ChesterfieldJohn]

Hi Graham,

I've been thinking about this one - will this have any affect on late season Eastern Med cruises?

More importantly, I just can't see how any 'intervention' will help - if anyone starts whizzing off missiles, I don't like that sound of that.

Em

How can your first concern be about a cruise

[Not so ancient mariner]

I overheard a person expressing the opinion that "If we left them alone to kill one another, they wouldn't then be coming over here to intent on killing us!" (or words to that effect)

I don't particularly agree with the sentiments behind this, but have to admit there is more than a basis of truth in it!

[gfwgfw]

Has there ever been a unity and peace in the Middle East ?

Not that I can remember in my life time, but this recent event is absolutely diabolical, the
pitts of humanity

[Silver_Shiney]

It's an Arab problem for them to sort out, not ours. Yes, it is terrible what is happening, but no-one appointed us (or the US) as the world's policemen. Our military strength has been pared to the marrow, never mind the bone.

[gfwgfw]

Alan so true

Even Dad's Army has no survivors

Surely we, nor like minded countries cannot turn a blind eye to the Middle East problem

It is my firm belief that they are well on the way to aim WOMD at whom ever they dislike by their misguided beliefs

We need a Mr Hadrian to build another wall it work well for many a good year

[Boris+]

Hi Chesterfield John,

I know that you must wonder how I can worry about a cruise - well it's like this - I don't know anyone in Syria; and when I see images on a screen I do not know for absolute fact what exactly or where exactly those images are originating from. Then we have the situation that I am just a female in the middle of my life and I am absolutely powerless to stop all this happening. At the same time I am absolutely powerless to redirect any monies which might be used (wasted really when they could be put to better use perhaps), and I am equally unable to do anything to assist injured people - those who have been injured, are being injured and will be injured if this gets out of control.

On the other hand (maybe it's not much of a hand) I do know people who are planning (and all that planning for a cruise involves) to go on cruises later on this year, and I do know them, I do care about them and therefore I do worry. By posting the words I posted, maybe someone will think carefully and be able to change their plans and so enjoy the cruise which they have worked hard for.

So, forgive me for my impotence in terms of the Syrian theatre, but at the same time could you just allow me to try and be caring about other people that I can do just a little something for?

Em

[Wobgoescruising]

Well tonight my husband had to take out special insurance to cover our cruise because normal insurance doesn't cover him being at war. He had to do the same in 2003, he was away and four days before we were due to meet Adonia in New York we had to cancel. Did we care ?. Not really, it's just a holiday and his role and what he does is far more important. If the same thing happens this time then we'll book another holiday later on. He's more than happy to do the job he's trained for - but it's bloody annoying that he has to pay extra insurance to do it !.

[HK phooey]

Boris, I will confess that for a moment I envied your total lack of sympathy/empathy mindset, it must make life so much more bearable. On reflection however I would much rather be human. I'm sure none of us know the
answer here but I'll bet I wasn't the only one crying over the pictures of the dead children.

[wolfie]

Who could consider any cruise more important than human life? Only one who only cares for themselves and *** everyone else.























Who could consider a cruise more important than human life? Well some obviously can.

[The Monocled Mutineer]

gfw gfw

Yes.

The liberal democracies' record to produce regime change only when finally intervening with these sort of disgusting regimes is well known but sadly under appreciated by many who live in liberal democracies

The need to minimise "boots on the ground", the deployment of surgical strikes against regime security assets including WMD and removing the "scolex" of the regime via special forces, is key whilst ensuring that the sowing of liberal democracy is ensured. This is why the PR of China and the pseudo-democracy of Russia are opposed to the liberal democracies.

[Not so ancient mariner]

Who could consider any cruise more important than human life? Only one who only cares for themselves and *** everyone else.

Who could consider a cruise more important than human life? Well some obviously can.

To be fair, Boris+ wasn't concerned with the cruise itself, more the effect the situation in Syria might have on the safety of people she cares for very much, should the aforementioned cruise take them near the danger area.

[Manoverboard]

We, as a Country, will get involved because our politicians wish to be seen to be doing the right thing and making all the right noises ... then we pay for that with decades of retaliation by extremists.

I am opposed to bombing missions and using troops in this region for a variety of reasons that range from the loss of the lives of those forces to the potential withdrawal of much needed oil supplies at a later date ... also the cost of air strikes because they will achieve nothing.

The Russians may have some influence or even the French but not the Brits and especially not the Americans, not in the longer term anyway.

Humanitarian help certainly but nothing else as far as I am concerned.

[Frank Manning]

How many more innocent Syrians will our so called surgical strike kill? Certainly the death toll will not be zero. Have we learned nothing from our war crimes in Iraq? Stay out I say, no matter how abhorrent the regime, we are not the world's police force. Humanitarian aid certainly, but more murder? Not in my name please.

[Silver_Shiney]

Graham, you are quite right.

Someone should do something but what, and who? We all applauded the "Arab Spring", but how many Arab nations stepped in to help their brothers? It was down to the West to take action. It's not as if the Arabs don't have good military resources - Oman and Saudi are well equipped.

I have heard it suggested that the chemical weapon attack was actually done by the rebels to smear the Assad regime. What is the truth? If the rebels win the war, will they be better than the existing regime? Lok what happened in Libya. The West went in to help the rebels and the country's in a terrible state. Iraq - I would suggest that nation was better off (internally) under Saddam. Okay, he definitely needed taking out after he raped Kuwait, but that was an aggressive act on another sovereign state, who cried out to the world to help. IMHO, we had the mandate to take Saddam out during GW1, but GW2 was a big no-no - and look at the awful price we have paid in the blood of our heroes. I used to be scared spitless of the Spetznaz but if the might of the Soviet army couldn't subdue Afghanistan, what possessed us to think we could do it? So many lives destroyed - and for what?

There WILL be a world war in the middle east, mark my words, which will turn on Israel. This could be the thing that starts it off.

When this kicks off, the only winners will be the arms manufacturers.

Frank - well said.

[ChesterfieldJohn]

Hi Chesterfield John,

I know that you must wonder how I can worry about a cruise - well it's like this - I don't know anyone in Syria; and when I see images on a screen I do not know for absolute fact what exactly or where exactly those images are originating from. Then we have the situation that I am just a female in the middle of my life and I am absolutely powerless to stop all this happening. At the same time I am absolutely powerless to redirect any monies which might be used (wasted really when they could be put to better use perhaps), and I am equally unable to do anything to assist injured people - those who have been injured, are being injured and will be injured if this gets out of control.

On the other hand (maybe it's not much of a hand) I do know people who are planning (and all that planning for a cruise involves) to go on cruises later on this year, and I do know them, I do care about them and therefore I do worry. By posting the words I posted, maybe someone will think carefully and be able to change their plans and so enjoy the cruise which they have worked hard for.

So, forgive me for my impotence in terms of the Syrian theatre, but at the same time could you just allow me to try and be caring about other people that I can do just a little something for?

Em

Regardless of the fact that we do not know where the images are coming from, they are real images and people are getting killed and maimed.
I have no idea whatsoever why you bring money in to the discussion it is not at all about money.

To call it a 'Syrian theatre' is disgusting, it is not theatre it is life and if some of your friends need to cancel a cruise then it is unimportant compared to people loosing their lives.

John

[Boris+]

Well whether people like it or not I don't 'cry' for people I don't know. Yes it's terrible, etc., but I don't know these people and I can't do anything about it; so I think I am better occupied in doing something for people I do know of, and can do something to help. That's probably come out all wrong, but I'm nothing if not practical.

It wasn't just passengers on cruises - what about the workers on cruises (or even on cargo vessels etc)? This is going to have a wider effect - if travel (be it passenger or cargo) is interrupted, do the staff still get paid?

They say that it is easier (or uses less muscles) to smile and carry on than it does to get all worked up and upset. Well, I can't do anything about all this in the Syrian theatre, QED I'm not going to get all upset about it - that's not going to benefit anyone.

As for calling this situation the Syrian theatre - as and when this sort of thing develops, I have heard other geographical areas described as 'theatres' as in 'theatre of war' - so I most certainly don't think that my descriptive name-tag is out of place.

I hope that it doesn't escalate - I truly do.

Em

[Silver_Shiney]

To call it a 'Syrian theatre' is disgusting, it is not theatre

"Theatre" is a recognised term in the military for areas of conflict.

[ChesterfieldJohn]

To call it a 'Syrian theatre' is disgusting, it is not theatre

"Theatre" is a recognised term in the military for areas of conflict.

It may be but that certainly wasnt the way that it was meant here.

John

[ChesterfieldJohn]

Well whether people like it or not I don't 'cry' for people I don't know. Yes it's terrible, etc., but I don't know these people and I can't do anything about it; so I think I am better occupied in doing something for people I do know of, and can do something to help. That's probably come out all wrong, but I'm nothing if not practical.

It wasn't just passengers on cruises - what about the workers on cruises (or even on cargo vessels etc)? This is going to have a wider effect - if travel (be it passenger or cargo) is interrupted, do the staff still get paid?

They say that it is easier (or uses less muscles) to smile and carry on than it does to get all worked up and upset. Well, I can't do anything about all this in the Syrian theatre, QED I'm not going to get all upset about it - that's not going to benefit anyone.

As for calling this situation the Syrian theatre - as and when this sort of thing develops, I have heard other geographical areas described as 'theatres' as in 'theatre of war' - so I most certainly don't think that my descriptive name-tag is out of place.

I hope that it doesn't escalate - I truly do.

Em

Let money be your god then

John

[royalprincess]

Despite the fact that it is the 21st century it would appear that we still cannot love our fellow man.

The world has to sit up and take notice of what is going on in Syria. It is not acceptable behaviour. If it means that the world has to intervene then so be it. Countless countries chose to ignore what was happening in Germany all those years ago and look what happened there. Millions died both in this country and in Europe.

All the Arabs want to do is be free from dictatorship - after it is supposed to be a free world.

As to the person who worried about a cruise - you need to get a reality check. The cruise line will not take you anywhere that is dangerous.

[Manoverboard]

Kindly accept that this Topic is about the deadly serious subject of Syria ... not Em bashing.

All opinions are welcome.

Regards MobyMod

[ChesterfieldJohn]

Kindly accept that this Topic is about the deadly serious subject of Syria ... not Em bashing.

All opinions are welcome.

Regards MobyMod

It is not Em bashing it is the comments that she makes that people disagree with.

John