Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Tortured and killed: Hamza al-Khateeb

Hamza al-Khateeb

Since most American news websites aren't bothering to cover this story, let's turn to our friends at Al Jazeera. A 13 year old boy, Hamza al-Khateeb, has been tortured, castrated, and murdered, ostensibly by supporters of the regime there. My prayers for comfort go out to young Hamza's family, who must be suffering unimaginable horror and pain.

The entire issue of Syria, largely ignored in the press, raises many disturbing questions about U.S. foreign policy and what on earth we are trying to do in the middle east. I would like for President Obama to explain to us, right now, exactly why it is that we're not also now attacking Syria, since it's now our "facts on the ground" policy to defend human rights in that part of the world based on the Libya debacle. I won't hold my breath for an answer. Where is the transparency you promised us, President Obama? Exactly what is our strategy toward the "Arab Street"?

Tortured and killed: Hamza al-Khateeb, age 13 - Features - Al Jazeera English