By Scott W. Winchell and Denise Simon
When it comes to foreign policy, the pundits and the media seem to believe the Obama Administration has had a good track record – making him a better candidate based on foreign policy aspects. Of course, that is simply not the case.
There have been zero diplomatic victories in ages, let alone during this administration. The reason they fail so often is they are utterly naive about Israel and the dangers it faces, Iran and its global intentions, the ideology of Islam, the Syrian revolution, the true nature and intentions of the Muslim Brotherhood, and eastern culture in general.
Therefore it will be interesting to find out how they respond to a recent petition posted on the “We the People” web page on the White House’s official site. The petition was posted today, and their goal is 25,000 signatures. If that threshold is achieved, the White House says on the site that they will respond. In the case of this petition, they should not wait for the threshold to be achieved – this one needs to be addressed now!
The subject of this petition is:
WE PETITION THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO:
Petition to end direct and indirect aid to the armed opposition rebels in Syria.
Indirect and direct aid to the armed opposition in Syria is causing continued slaughter of innocent Syrian citizens. Even with US aid surrounding middle eastern countries, the money is funding weapons to the armed opposition. There is a connection with the armed opposition and Al-Qaeda. Majority of the armed oppositions rebels are not citizens from Syria. Bashar Al Assad has placed many positive reform in Syria. He has, openly and on many occasions welcomed open dialog with the opposition. Including the Free Syrian army. The armed opposition including the Free Sryian Army rejects any and all forms of civilized dialog. The way to insure human rights in Syria is to listen to what the real Syrian citizens are saying.
Of course, this person is woefully uninformed, but how would the people know otherwise? Obama has done almost nothing but call for Assad to step down. There is talk of $25 million that has been earmarked to go to Syrian opposition in only non-lethal aid, but the stories of the CIA helping the FSA is untrue. Yes CIA Director David Petreaus has visited Turkey twice now, but that was for talks. The constant talk that AQ has a big hand in this feeds into the propaganda that SUA knows is untrue – those are excuses created by Russia and Iran to give Assad some sort of credibility – which he is now devoid of entirely.
From Fox News:
The State Department set aside $25 million to supply the political opposition with non-lethal assistance, distributing 900 pieces of equipment through one program called the Conflict Stabilization Office. The gear includes cameras to document atrocities for potential future prosecutions, encrypted radios, phones, laptops and software that can be used to circumvent Internet controls, according to officials speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the details.
Propaganda has been flowing from Russia and the Assad Regime, but all the talk about helping the rebels is all over the map, most of which is untrue from American sources of aid.
Therefore, it would be interesting to see how the White House can inform the public – dispelling the incorrect assumptions, providing the citizenry with a firm understanding of what they intend to do, and “Giving all Americans a way to engage their government on the issues that matter to them.” Okay Mr. Obama – time to engage!
This page’s intent is described in a statement by Obama:
“My administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in government. We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation and collaboration. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and efffectiveness in government.”
Here is a screen shot of this site where one can browse petitions and sign them; if one is not available, you can create one, and at some point the administration will respond to it:
Here is a screen shot of this petition:
Perhaps all Americans should start petitions here and see what the White House does in this election season. Go ahead, take a shot, make them engage on what matters to you.