Getting Syria's

            John Kerrey says over 1400 Syrians, including 426 children, died in the gas attack that originated in Assad-controlled Syria and hit rebel-controlled or contested Syria.  Anyone still thinking war resembles its movie or game station portrayals can wake up now.  As the outrages accumulate, predictions are that (absent a war crime heinous enough to bring about surrender) the civil war in Syria may rage on for years.  I guess Americans know a little something about that, including: it ain’t over when it’s over.  Thus we feel some relief knowing our Syrian foreign policy is not ‘Iraq-ish.’  That may have less to do with smarts than with Syrian defense systems.  Prudence, like revenge, thrives in the cold.

            Meanwhile much has been made of Obama’s ‘red line’ and the world’s perception of America’s will to back up its words.  Most of that is just foggy bottom flim-flam.  Who in the world doubts that America will take military action, however advisedly, when it sees fit?  It has happened so much in recent years that even the fact-starved American people are questioning what war begets.  So far it’s mostly bravery, injury, outrage and abandonment. 

            Assuming our intelligence is not ‘Iraq-ish,’ what should be done to send a message to Syria?  Around here, we think the world should strike at what Assad values most—material things—with 426 cruise missles, one for each dead child, aimed at Assad’s homes, offices, and government buildings.  But send a postcard first—we don’t want anyone hurt.