Black praises the Syrian army's efforts against the forces that have been challenging Assad's power for several years, which the letter claims are 'dominated by our arch-enemy Al Qaeda.' By protecting Christians in the country, Assad has 'followed the practice of his father by treating with respect all Christians and the small.
- CANMORE – Frontline and behind the scenes workers at the Canmore General Hospital were awarded some well-deserved gratitude seven months into the COVID-19 pandemic. 8, the local hospital staff got a letter from Senator Doug Black, notifying the team it received the Senator's Contribution Award for outstanding community contributions.
- Not easy being black in prison. I end this piece with a challenge to all of us from Dr. Martin Luther King: 'we have a task, and let us go out with a divine dissatisfaction.' Black History Month Especially black in Michigan prisons! Fact: More than half the Michigan prison population is black!
- Jan 03, 2021 The Jets, who hired a guy with a 23-25 record as a head coach in the NFL, now must dump that same coach after he went 9-22 in the job, including a 2-13 record this season. Gase was Pat Shurmur in.
It's not every day a member of the Virginia General Assembly makes national news, but Sen. Dick Black has managed to do just that with his letter to Syrian President Bashar Assad:
'I write to thank the Syrian Arab Army for its heroic rescue of Christians in the Qalamoun Mountain Range,' the letter begins. Black praises the Syrian army's efforts against the forces that have been challenging Assad's power for several years, which the letter claims are 'dominated by our arch-enemy Al Qaeda.' By protecting Christians in the country, Assad has 'followed the practice of [his] father by treating with respect all Christians and the small community of Jews in Damascus.'
Black's letter made it to Assad's Facebook page.
A Note From Doug Black Friday
And Black rationalized his missive this way:
'If we were to topple President Assad, then Syria would be taken over by al-Qaeda's allies,' Black said. 'I don't need to debate anyone over whether he's a great man or not, but to me, the decision is a very clear decision between al-Qaeda and President Assad. Now President Assad and his father before him have maintained peace with Israel for 40 years and they have protected the 15 percent Christian minority in Syria during that time.'
'Whatever a person's view is of President Assad, he certainly has never exhibited the savagery of these jihadist groups fighting against him.'
I get what Black is saying about the defense of the region's Christian minority. But God and everyone else knows the United States has a long and checkered record of supporting murderous and/or thieving autocrats because the alternative would be…a murderous and/or thieving autocrat beholden to the other side.
Politically, it's about as stupid as can be. Assad is the author of the wholesale murder of his own people. Not that Assad's opponents are a fountain of sweetness and light. Many of them are just as bad, or worse, as Assad.
But that's no excuse for a Virginia state senator to send a letter of thanks — on official letterhead, no less — to the head of a regime that, even during its peaceful heyday, was a brutal police state that treated its opponents as so much human garbage.
Dear Alberta Graduate,
Congratulations – you did it! Years of hard work have earned you your degree, diploma, or certificate, and you should be immensely proud of your accomplishment. Graduation is an important milestone in life. It symbolizes the transition from adolescence to adulthood and opens the door for greater opportunities. COVID-19 may have disrupted your graduation plans, but it takes nothing away from your cause for celebration.
As the graduating class of 2020, you face a unique set of challenges. But I urge you not to get discouraged. This time of uncertainty is also a time of opportunity. I encourage you to make the most of this period by using the time for self-reflection, volunteerism, skills development, and other character-building activities. Now is the time to do some of the things you previously wished you had time to do: learn another language, read about those who inspire you, participate in a community clean up, or help package food at your local food bank. The opportunities are there and you have the potential to make a meaningful difference.
I've met thousands of young Albertans in my travels as a senator. It gives me great hope that your generation will shape this province and this country in the years to come. You are a generation of kind, determined, and passionate citizens who embody inclusivity and understand the importance of community. While COVID-19 has been challenging, and there will be more obstacles ahead, you are an Albertan. Albertans persevere, innovate, and build towards a better future. I know you will be successful, whatever path you choose. You have been extended a brief break in time – use it to grow and build your character. The promise of Alberta and Canada await.
Sincerely,
Senator Doug Black, Q.C.
'If we were to topple President Assad, then Syria would be taken over by al-Qaeda's allies,' Black said. 'I don't need to debate anyone over whether he's a great man or not, but to me, the decision is a very clear decision between al-Qaeda and President Assad. Now President Assad and his father before him have maintained peace with Israel for 40 years and they have protected the 15 percent Christian minority in Syria during that time.'
'Whatever a person's view is of President Assad, he certainly has never exhibited the savagery of these jihadist groups fighting against him.'
I get what Black is saying about the defense of the region's Christian minority. But God and everyone else knows the United States has a long and checkered record of supporting murderous and/or thieving autocrats because the alternative would be…a murderous and/or thieving autocrat beholden to the other side.
Politically, it's about as stupid as can be. Assad is the author of the wholesale murder of his own people. Not that Assad's opponents are a fountain of sweetness and light. Many of them are just as bad, or worse, as Assad.
But that's no excuse for a Virginia state senator to send a letter of thanks — on official letterhead, no less — to the head of a regime that, even during its peaceful heyday, was a brutal police state that treated its opponents as so much human garbage.
Dear Alberta Graduate,
Congratulations – you did it! Years of hard work have earned you your degree, diploma, or certificate, and you should be immensely proud of your accomplishment. Graduation is an important milestone in life. It symbolizes the transition from adolescence to adulthood and opens the door for greater opportunities. COVID-19 may have disrupted your graduation plans, but it takes nothing away from your cause for celebration.
As the graduating class of 2020, you face a unique set of challenges. But I urge you not to get discouraged. This time of uncertainty is also a time of opportunity. I encourage you to make the most of this period by using the time for self-reflection, volunteerism, skills development, and other character-building activities. Now is the time to do some of the things you previously wished you had time to do: learn another language, read about those who inspire you, participate in a community clean up, or help package food at your local food bank. The opportunities are there and you have the potential to make a meaningful difference.
I've met thousands of young Albertans in my travels as a senator. It gives me great hope that your generation will shape this province and this country in the years to come. You are a generation of kind, determined, and passionate citizens who embody inclusivity and understand the importance of community. While COVID-19 has been challenging, and there will be more obstacles ahead, you are an Albertan. Albertans persevere, innovate, and build towards a better future. I know you will be successful, whatever path you choose. You have been extended a brief break in time – use it to grow and build your character. The promise of Alberta and Canada await.
Sincerely,
Senator Doug Black, Q.C.
A Note From Doug Blackmon
Letters to the Editor published in the Gauntlet‘s opinion section do not necessarily reflect the views of the Gauntlet editorial board. The Gauntlet retains the right to edit submissions for brevity and clarity.
