In case you were unaware, the Intramuralist has at times been quite specific about the love of grammar.\u00a0 In fact \u2014 hands down \u2014 my favorite punctuation mark is the question.\u00a0 Asking questions.\u00a0 I love it.<\/p>\n
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To ask a question implies humility.\u00a0 It\u2019s the only punctuation mark that invites a response.\u00a0 And unless only asking to hear oneself think \u2014 and yes, I am making the almighty assumption that the asker actually listens to the answer \u2014 to ask means to acknowledge that we don\u2019t have all the answers.<\/p>\n
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Friends, the situation in Syria is serious.\u00a0 If you aren\u2019t paying attention, I would strongly encourage you to quickly take note.\u00a0 The situation is intense and evolving, and the potential consequences and results from both action and inaction are ambiguous at best.\u00a0 Hence, the Intramuralist has many questions.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Because we don\u2019t have all the answers.<\/p>\n
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One caveat prior to the asking…<\/p>\n
Military conflict is not a partisan issue.\u00a0 There should be no politics involved.\u00a0 While \u201cshame on you\u201d is a phrase not in my vernacular, if there was a place for the consideration of employment, it would undoubtedly be here.<\/p>\n
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Hence, the questions…<\/p>\n
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What\u2019s new that has led to this level of seriousness?\u00a0 This conflict has been ongoing since 2011.\u00a0 According to the latest estimates by the United Nations, more than 70,000 Syrians have died.\u00a0 Why consider getting involved now?<\/p>\n
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Syrian Pres. Bashar al-Assad has led Syria since 2000, succeeding his deceased father, who was president for 30 years.\u00a0 What is Assad\u2019s agenda?\u00a0 Are any of his motives hidden?\u00a0 What are they?<\/p>\n
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What role do Islamic extremists play?\u00a0 The terrorist group, Hezbollah, has supported Assad\u2019s government, while the Associated Press has been reporting that a primary rebel group in Syria has pledged allegiance to the terrorist group, al-Qaeda.\u00a0 Are we aligning with terrorists? \u00a0Whose side are we on?\u00a0 Whose side should<\/i><\/b> we be on?<\/p>\n
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We must therefore extend our questions to address American involvement.\u00a0 Pres. Obama is advocating interference due to the believed use of chemical weapons.\u00a0 Pres. Bush advocated involvement after the believed existence of chemical weapons.\u00a0 Let me ask now:\u00a0 where did Syria actually obtain their chemical weapons?<\/p>\n
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Should America be involved in the civil war of another?\u00a0 Is that our job?\u00a0 Is that our role?\u00a0 \u00a0 Are we capable of being effective?\u00a0 And if we aren\u2019t certain it\u2019s effective, should we even entertain the role?<\/p>\n
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Attacking anyone will cost us millions.\u00a0 Billions.\u00a0 Maybe more.\u00a0 We are a country that is continuously spending more than we take in.\u00a0 Few others in the world have affirmed an attack and committed to support any military intervention.\u00a0 That means the role is ours; the lead is ours; and the expense is ours.\u00a0 And the reality is that the cost may mean more than money; it may mean military lives.\u00a0 Is that too much to pay?<\/p>\n
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Is it America\u2019s calling to be the world\u2019s police?\u00a0 Was it right under Pres. Bush?\u00a0 Is it right under Pres. Obama?\u00a0 Is it ever right?<\/p>\n
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Friends, I have a lot of questions.\u00a0 I don\u2019t have a lot of answers.\u00a0 We must acknowledge we don\u2019t have all the answers.\u00a0 The situation in Syria is serious indeed.<\/p>\n
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Respectfully,<\/p>\n
AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In case you were unaware, the Intramuralist has at times been quite specific about the love of grammar.\u00a0 In fact \u2014 hands down \u2014 my favorite punctuation mark is the question.\u00a0 Asking questions.\u00a0 I love it. To ask a question implies humility.\u00a0 It\u2019s the only punctuation mark that invites a response.\u00a0 And unless only … <\/p>\n