THE SYRIAN SCENARIO

The United States has been termed the "Policeman of the world," as we took steps to curb wrongdoing, and attempted to preserve the peace in places like Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Iraq, etc., etc.  This reminds me of the New York City Police Department's Youth Division stepping in to prevent or break up a "rumble" (youth gang conflict) on the Streets of New York.  However, the U.S. is now assuming the role of "parent" of the world--as we determine methods to "slap the wrist" of a misbehaving nation, or a faction therein.

Secretary of State John Kerry will see to it that the "spanking" we give the Assad regime is an "unbelievably small, limited kind of effort," to be directed toward a limited number of targets within a limited period of time.

I am reminded of "modern" parents, who may resort to "swatting" a misbehaving child on his "backside"--once!--as a means of dealing with his transgression.  (I don't recommend more brutal means be inflicted upon children--or anyone else, for that matter.  However, I can't help but consider such steps being laboriously considered and debated by nation "A," in response to suspected misbehavior by nation "B," to be not only ineffectual, but even a bit comical.)

In my book, World Unity, I liken nations' behavior to occasionally resemble that of children in a schoolyard, or youth gangs in certain urban neighborhoods.  I should have broadened these similes to include that of parents and children, when instances such as the Syrian scenario arise.