So I'm watching CBS news a few minutes ago

They're doing a story on Syria/Lebanon. I'm not familiar with Arabic, but I see what I assume to be a protest sign at a rally in Lebanon. It was difficult to read it, again, since I don't speak Arabic. But it said, in these letters, "What Don't You Get; Syria Out Now".

So I'm guessing there is a big English speaking grass roots population in Lebanon, making sure the American people know that they believe in us and want our help.

Or maybe that sarcasm is too much. Maybe there is a significant portion of Lebanon that speaks, and creates signs, in English. Please tell me there is. Then tell me that Syria, with the world bascially focusing on them at the time as the next possible US target, would kill the former leader of Lebanon. Please tell me that I'm just a fringe conspiracy nut. It would make me feel a lot better.

and in many cases these demonstrations are playing to the international press, not the locals.

and blame the group/country you are targetting.

They did this throughout the 70s and 80s.

is still fresh in the DoD's / PNAC mindset and revenge is the main focal point for all militarist groups, whether Iranian-backed Hezbollah or our guys. Hezbollah was behind the 1983 Marine barracks bombing:

Judge: Iranian government responsible for 1983 Beirut bombing
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2003-05-30-bombing-lawsuit_x.htm

"A federal judge on Friday blamed Iran for the 1983 terrorist bombing that killed 241 U.S. Marines in Beirut and said Tehran would have to pay damages to survivors and relatives.

U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth said the suicide truck bombing was carried out by the terrorist group Hezbollah with the approval and funding of senior Iranian officials."

So, you can see this recent dustup with Syria is more pointed at isolating and destroying Hezbollah operating inside Lebanon ... eventually pushing them inside Syria proper, and then expelling or destroying them inside Syria itself to Iran proper...and then taking care of business from there.

Lebanese don't want to go back to the civil war days. Armed militants inside Lebanon proper increase the likelihood of that happening.

I must say, a deft move on the US's part. Slowly ever so slowly the noose is tightening on Hezbollah and its Iranian sponsors. Syria doesn't want to join that club.

BTW, Dems and Progressives should not want to appear to be supporters of Hezbollah or Islamic Jihad (a big DUH here), because family/relatives/friends of those marines and state dept. employees would automatically support Republicans and/or Bush simply because he represents 'revenge' in their eyes and a way to get back at these terrorists.

A delicate course of diplomacy in securing Palestinian rights to statehood and Israeli security within its legitimate borders needs to be charted.

DU would be wise to enable us to speak up on HOW to best do this and at the same time not appear to be appeasing these terrorist groups.

it was Clinton's fault!

.. to the Americans. My husband used to work with a group of Lebanese fellows who had come to Canada. Nice fellows, unless the USA came up in the conversation. Then they positively spewed venom and hatred. During the Gulf War, they'd gather together in the evenings to watch CNN's coverage and cheer for Iraq. When they got started talking about the US, they were downright scary. Could have just been this group, but I got the definite impression that their feelings were how most in Lebanon felt.

There is plenty of American money and organization behind those "spontaneous crowds", just as in the Ukraine. It's one of the only things the current regime does really, really well.

Consider, for example, the remarks that public relations consultant John Rendon—who, during the past decade, has worked extensively on Iraq for the Pentagon and the CIA—made on February 29, 1996, before an audience of cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

“I am not a national security strategist or a military tactician,” Rendon said. “I am a politician, and a person who uses communication to meet public policy or corporate policy objectives. In fact, I am an information warrior and a perception manager.” He reminded the Air Force cadets that when victorious troops rolled into Kuwait City at the end of the first war in the Persian Gulf, they were greeted by hundreds of Kuwaitis waving small American flags. The scene, flashed around the world on television screens, sent the message that U.S. Marines were being welcomed in Kuwait as liberating heroes.

“Did you ever stop to wonder,” Rendon asked, “how the people of Kuwait City, after being held hostage for seven long and painful months, were able to get hand-held American, and for that matter, the flags of other coalition countries?” He paused for effect. “Well, you now know the answer. That was one of my jobs then.”
http://www.masnet.org/articleinterest.asp?id=340

But lately the play has been infuriating. x(