Famed children’s television show host Mister Rogers once said, “ What really matters is whether the alphabet is used for the declaration of war or for the description of a sunrise.” His words are echoing more today than they have in recent memory.
It is no secret that a horrifying civil war has divided a country and weapons of an unknown toll may be put into effect; and I haven’t even begun to talk about Syria yet. The United States is split on what should be done with or in Syria. President Barack Obama has called upon lawmakers and citizens to authorize military intervention within Syria to eliminate the threats of any chemical weapons that may still be used. It is known that a chemical weapons attack took place, but by who exactly isn’t known yet…but does that make it any less awful?
In some minds that may lay true. The president has now reached out to the nation, answering questions about what the U.S. would do, how long it would last and why the country should do anything at all. For a war-wary country, these questions carry a heavy weight.
President Obama knows this. He was a leader elected to end wars, not to start them. He is not a warmonger nor out to end the Syrian conflict. He simply wants to hold those accountable for breaking an international law. He knows that is not America’s job either, but he believes America has a duty to uphold. President Obama also knows he has a reputation.
He said that the use of chemical weapons would be a “red line” in regards to foreign intervention in Syria. Now that they have been used, he must make good on that statement. Perhaps he has.
President Obama has voiced his opinion. He wants “a targeted strike with a clear objective.” Now, like a good leader of a democratic society, he has asked Congress and the public to voice theirs. The jury was split and that is why he spoke out last night. His postponing of the Congressional resolution and the willingness to listen to Russia’s compromise show the diplomatic duty America has. He is steadfast in his want to intervene, but at the same time, cautious in his quest for war. He is split just like the nation.
The president is serious on Syria and will not let the atrocities there become memories. His stance is unwavering and he is ready to lose the popularity contest to do what he believes is humanly right. Regardless of what he ends up doing, the alphabet will always have 27 letters, including WMD.