Syria deploys troops and tanks in brutal crackdown

[HolyCity2012]

Run time: 02:55 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm5pLcG-HV0   Posted on YouTube: April 25, 2011 By YouTube Member: Channel4News Views on YouTube: 14   Posted on DU: April 25, 2011 By DU Member: HolyCity2012 Views on DU: 631

 
Monday 25 April 2011

The Syrian government mobilises hundreds of troops, backed by tanks and armoured vehicles, in a determined effort to crack down on anti-government protests.


Most of today's violence was in the city of Deraa, where the popular uprising first began a month ago.

At least five people are said have been killed there in the first reported use of tanks inside a population centre since pro-democracy demonstrations began on 18 March. One activist said 18 people have been killed, with many others wounded or missing.

Witnesses are speaking of bodies in the streets after eight tanks and two armoured vehicles were deploy in Deraa's old quarter.

One leading human rights campaigner has said that security forces – which have also descended on Douma, another centre of unrest on the outskirts of Damascus – are waging "a savage war designed to annihilate Syria's democrats".

The 48-year state of emergency in Syria was lifted on Thursday, but activists say the violence the following day, in which an estimated 100 people were killed in protests across the country, shows that President Assad is not serious about addressing calls for greater political freedom.

On Friday US President Barack Obama urged President Assad to stop the "outrageous use of violence to quell protests". The United States is now considering possible sanctions against the regime.


http://www.channel4.com/news/syria-deploys-troops-and-tanks-in-brutal-crackdown

[jody]

1. US leaders use military force to counter rebel groups.

1957, President Eisenhower used elements of the 101st Airborne Battle Group, 327th Infantry in Little Rock.

1970 Governor Rhodes used state guard at Kent State University.

My point is what are rebels to one side are freedom fighters to the other as we are discovering about prisoners released from Guantánamo Bay prison supposedly fighting in Libya.

It’s becoming very difficult to tell the good guys, as in Eisenhower’s day, from the bad guys.

[DeSwiss]

2. I didn't have any trouble recognizing the good guy from the bad ones back in Eisenhower's day.

- None at all.

[jody]

4. And Nixon's day? n/t

[DeSwiss]

7. Nixon was the cherry on top, but.....

...by the time Nixon showed up I think (in retrospect), that all this (republic/democracy business) was already a foregone conclusion. A done deal. We just didn't know it yet. Or at least didn't want to believe it. Even now most don't want to believe that their precious democracy is gone. But it is.

The main difference between then (during Eisenhower's/Nixon's time) and now is that most politicians don't even bother to try to hide the fact of who is in control anymore.

- We are, for all practical purposes now, a Fascist State. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWKG6ZmgAX4">It just hasn't sunk in yet.......

[jody]

8. "Fascism should more appropriately be called Corporatism because it is a merger of State and

corporate power."

Benito Mussolini purportedly adopted that sentence from another person.

[DeSwiss]

3. Looks like President O's gonna.....

...need to send in more Predators.

- K&R

[HolyCity2012]

5. Where there is oil there will be predator drones.

[jody]

6. "Predator" is appropriate "one that preys, destroys, or devours" without regard for the victim.

Innocent and guilty both die, a target for a nameless person sitting in a dark room in NV.

A person who can go home each evening and enjoy the good life under the bright lights of Las Vegas, content that she/he has carried out the orders of a commander in chief who is occupied running for election in 2012.

I'm sure innocent victims understand.