US has blotted its copybook

It will come as no surprise to anyone who has followed events in the Middle East that the US, sadly, has squandered any opportunity it might have had, to broker a peace in the region.

This report, a couple of days ago, from the BBC clearly shows where Syria [one of George Bushs' "axis of evil" countries] stands:

"Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said the United States does not have "the will or vision" to pursue peace in the Middle East.

In a BBC interview, President Assad said Syria was prepared to hold talks with Israel but he said there needed to be "an impartial arbiter".

He said there was no sign the Americans were prepared to play this role.

President Assad acknowledged Syria and Israel could live side-by-side in peace accepting each other's existence."

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Mahler's Prodigal Son

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