by Michael Collins

The citizens of this country are in no mood to see U.S. military involvement in Syria. Of course, it has already begun. Consultation, secret assistance, and money given for "communications" (which allows other money for weapons) all contribute to the military effort. For months, Hillary Clinton demanded that Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad leave the country. He hasn't cooperated. What does the toughest guy on the block do when you won't cooperate?

It's time for Syria to take a serious beat down. Others need to see how things are done. This will make things much easier when Hillary is (s)elected in 2016. She can simply issue edicts and mandates from the White House and sovereign nations will obey without question. The job of president is stressful enough. Maximum Leader Hillary won't need push back from any quarter, including domestic dissent. (Is there a drone in your future?)

There's just one problem. Citizens are not cooperating. Look at these polling numbers from Reuters-Ipsos (May 1). A huge majority opposes U.S. military involvement when asked a general question - 10% favor - 61% opposed. When given the choice of a yes for involvement if the Syrian government uses chemical weapons, there is still a majority opposed to intervention - 27% favor - 44% opposed.

But we know how this will work out.

Presidents of the United States are experts at ignoring public opinion. Nixon ignored majority opposition fo the Viet Nam for years and Congress cooperated. Before the Iraq invasion and occupation, majorities of Republicans and Democrats opposed military involvement until the lies about WMD emerged (thank you Judith Miller). Now it's President Obama's turn at bat.

Fresh of a victory in Libya, Obama and his British and French counterparts were ready to roll. They tried to get a "no fly" zone over Syria. That didn't work, so the Gulf states provided hardware and jihadist fighters to supplement the Syrian fighters on the rebel side. The United States and the European neocolonialists were more discrete but involved in supporting the military action.

Before both Libya and Syria ramped up, majorities were opposed to intervention. Ironically, the opposition to involvement today is about what it was in March 2012.

Will our well protected, pampered fearless leaders listen to the will of the people?

That's a rhetorical question. The answer is -- Are you kidding? They will bend the will of the people with horror stories. In this case, things are a little different. The horror stories - unproven claims of chemical weapons - are now discounted by this poll.

Let's see what they come up with next. They have no intention of being denied.

END

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The Agonist