Is this really a stand against dictators who vicimize others?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

Really?

Jihadists who overran Syria's ancient town of Maalula last week disparaged Christians as "Crusaders" and forced at least one person to convert to Islam at gunpoint, say residents who fled the town.

Many of Maalula's people left after a first rebel assault knocked out an army checkpoint at the entrance to the strategic town on September 4. Some went to a nearby village and others to Damascus, about 55 kilometres (34 miles) to the south.

http://news.yahoo.com/syria-rebels-still-christian-town-maalula-084558304.html

How come all those wringing their hands in favor of a strong, morality-based response have nothing to say about the jihadists victimizing people who have lived peaceably for centuries?

[pampango]

1. Is it that difficult to be critical a dictator's repression and jihadist terrorism

at the same time? Or do we have to follow Assad's guidance choose between "me or the terrorists" (as if his troops would never resort to terror).

How come all those wringing their hands in favor of a strong, morality-based response have nothing to say about the jihadists victimizing people who have lived peaceably for centuries?

If you mean posters here, please point them out. We need to counter their one-sided posts.

BTW, check this out:

Atrocities are committed by all sides, but 8 of 9 in this UN report and the "vast majority" in Amnesty International's analysis are committed by Assad's regime and its supporters."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=3644309

[leveymg]

2. No. But, if we're going to punish one we must punish both, along with the enablers, e.g., ourselves.

Even a minority of the atrocities still amount to a war crime.

There is plentiful evidence of US involvement and complicity in organizing the armed insurrection inside Syria. I also hold the Russians and Iranians guilty for their roles in continuing to arm the regime, which, yes, carried out more than its share of atrocities - but, the point here is, both sides are guilty and they and their enablers need to be held accountable, or none should be.

[pampango]

3. Agreed. "both sides are guilty and they and their enablers need to be held accountable, or none

should be."

Well said. Whether it's Assad's forces or the rebels, the US or Russia, Iran or Saudi Arabia, perpetrators and their enablers/suppliers should be held accountable.