Regrettably the parody of the famous Mikado lyrics of Gilbert and Sullivan applies to the inadequate and confusing actions of our President and his spokespersons on the threatened military action in Syria.
OBAMA;
A more humane President never
did in U.S. exist;
to nobody’s second,
I’m certainly reckoned
A true philanthropist.
It is my very humane endeavor
to make, to some extent,
each evil liver
A running river
of harmless merriment.
My object all sublime
I shall achieve in time —
To let the punishment fit the crime —
The punishment fit the crime;
And make each prisoner pent
Unwillingly represent
A source of innocent merriment!
Of innocent merriment!
We continue to hear of the heinous crime committed by the Syrian government when chemical weapons were used in the past days. We have been told of thousands dead, including hundreds of children. Even if this number is three times larger than the one given by other nations and the human rights organization in the field, it is still a concern. After yesterday’s declaration avoiding responsibility for the utterance of the infamous red line statement, again failing to assume leadership for his actions and continuing his habit of blaming others, he made this latest atrocity by Assad an extremely grave world problem that needed prompt action. So now back to the Mikado! How does the punishment fit the crime? By not ordering immediate action? By not assuming his duties as Commander in Chief, and punting to the congress? By giving ample time to the Assad regime to hide their weapons? By announcing that the response would be limited in scope and time, not meant to change the present status, and forbidding the use of troops on the ground? Like the Japanese ruler in Gilbert and Sullivan, who desired so much to be loved that was perceived as weak, the leadership of our country in the world has diminished, and our enemies are rejoicing, our friends stepping back, and our national security in greater danger.
Fernando J Milanes MD
