Massive Pro Syrian Demonstration In Beirut/A Huge Fly In The Bush Ointment

[DistressedAmerican]

Just watching the reports of the Pro Syrian demonstrations going on and wonder if this is a problem for Bush or is it the excuse the Neocons need to demands US troops to "Keep Peace" In Lebanon.

What do you think about these demonstrations?

On edit: BTW - CNN reporting it as "tens of thousands" while simultaneouely showing central Beirut FULL, FULL, FULL of protesters. I'd guess at least 300,000, although it is difficult to tell.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[DistressedAmerican]

2. Well if they are able to call out that many, they must be a decent

sized group of member, and relatives. I'm guessing enough to cause trouble, no?

Mobilizing this large a crowd at one time is a clear indication that they can mobilize them again.

[Name removed]

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[DistressedAmerican]

4. Let me be clear, I am with you!

I am very pleased to see people turning out in favor of Syrian withdrawal. I think that would be fantastic. I am just trying to feel out the potential ramifications of the developments. The American media is woefully inadequate on the interpretive end. In addition, I think it is important to point out that they seem to be downplaying the size of the protest (I assume because it is Anti-US).

I just worry about the possibility of instability and how that possible instability may be exploited by Bush and friends.

Sorry for your loss. I abhor such violence and work for peace everyday.

[Zuni]

5. hezbollah is very large and well organized

it is no surprise that they would be able to get 300,000 for a rally.

[Smarmie Doofus]

7. But it's significant if 300,000 is being universally reported here...

"tens of thousands".

[DistressedAmerican]

11. 300,000 was just my visual estimate from the CNN WIDE shot.

May be more or less. I am certain though that the numbert wouls more reliable be described as "hundreds" than "tens"of thousands. That is a lot of folks I see there. If the Iraqi insurgency is that large, we have serious issues. If these folks rise up, they have serious issues (into which Bush will certainly keep sticking his Mideast dominating nose).

My main question is can this be used as Bush's trigger to go in? Are they pushing for a Syrian pullout just to go in to provide in the words of the neocone "peace keeping and stability opperations"?

[DistressedAmerican]

12. Can they get that many ti pick up a gun or bomb vest AGAIN?

I fear yes.

[trumad]

6. You're also in favor of the bankruptcy bill

and asked commented smugly that you thought Walter Cronkite was dead.

[Atman]

9. He's already gone, Trumad

Every one of Unhappy Taxpayers posts on every thread this morning have been deleted. But I got one deleted for daring to suggest, at Post 6, that he sounded awfully republican! Oh well...at least he's gone.

[Mika]

10. DU is fair and balanced.

:eyes:

:shrug:

[AValdoux]

8. Missing component from MSM coverage

There's no mention of Israel when Lebanon is discussed. They are part of this situation. There are many lebanese who don't want Syria isolated because they border Israel. They don't want western and israeli forces telling an arab nation what to do. It will further impower Israel.

AValdoux

[DistressedAmerican]

13. And George Asks, "What's Wrong With That?"