Let's Talk About 'Saving Face'......

[global1]

The 'red-line' comment by PBO is thought to be one of the motivators for striking Syria now. He made the statement. Assad used (not totally confirmed by the UN Inspectors yet) chemical weapons. The 'red-line' has been crossed and now PBO has to do something because if he doesn't he loses some credibility as a world leader. He needs to 'save face'.

Let's play that out now to other world leaders - other countries.

How about Putin? How about Iran?

Didn't they kind of issue their own 'red-lines'? If U.S. strikes Syria - we'll have to do something - hmmmmm.....

Will they need to 'save face' now as well?

And if they do something to retaliate to a U.S. strike on Syria - there's talk that it might have some ramifications on Israel.

Will the Israeli Government now have to 'save face'?

Can one see how 'egos' and 'saving face' lead to a spiraling out of control and God knows where it will end.

I hope cooler heads prevail.

I think back on the Kennedy days and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Looking back at that - we were on the brink and because people didn't push buttons - we were brought back from the brink.

Let's hope that this Syrian thing is not about 'saving face'.

[sibelian]

1. It's neurotic adolescent garbage.

"Waaaaaaa how will I PERCEIVE MYSELF?"

It's nothing to do with how anyone else perceives the person who's lost face, never ever. It's perfectly clear to outsiders that the person trying regain face is only interested in how they appear to themselves.

[global1]

2. Right - Ego.....

and it's this self-perception that can lead us into a conflict of global proportions.

[MNBrewer]

3. This?

[avaistheone1]

4. Good points.

I lived through the Cuba Missile Crisis. I remember how truly frightening it was.

You are right, the Kennedy administration was a force for cooler heads to prevail, rather than a disastrous battle of egos that could have ended the world.

Thanks for the important reminder global1.

[Iggo]

5. Can't save your face and your ass at the same time.