Crowley Post Signal

tell Assad to go

Six months into the Arab Spring, the Obama administration is struggling to keep pace with events and communicate a revised regional policy. The administration has supported change broadly, as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton did in a prescient speech in Qatar in January . But it remains uncertain about what to do and say regarding specific countries.

One White House official described the current approach as “leading from behind,” a curious yet valid reflection that the United States cannot control events as they unfold. It might also be called leading from the shadows, doing many things in private and saying little in public.

But this traditional diplomatic approach ignores the networked nature of the Arab Spring. Events are playing out in real time and in the open. These are genuine revolutions, but social media have served as an accelerant, enabling protests to jump borders while compressing the time that governments, including the United States, have to respond. Regimes have turned off the Internet and new media (Egypt) or traditional media (Syria), attempting to shut down these rebellions, but they have survived.

Six months ago, almost no one, including American diplomats, knew these reform networks existed. Now they are new political interest groups that must be taken seriously and fully engaged. Given their increased connectivity and situational awareness, protesters have specific demands. They want other countries to choose sides. They want recognition and support — now.

Whatever happens in the months ahead, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and even Syria will not be the same. Neither will other countries that have been able to contain or co-opt protest movements.

And while the United States waits for the region to draw a new map, hesitation carries real costs.

Reduced credibility now could translate into reduced influence down the road if these transitions are successful. Polling since the Arab Spring shows little change in regional attitudes toward the United States. In Egypt, while the United States never publicly called on President Hosni Mubarak to step down, President Obama pushed hard behind the scenes. But public opinion there gives the United States little if any credit. Elsewhere, the administration is seen as doing not enough (Bahrain) or too much (Saudi Arabia). Some of this is inevitable and attitudes could change over time, but so far there is no “new beginning” as Obama sought in his Cairo speech two years ago.

Ricky Dale Mire: An Editorial - Reward Offered [Front Page Post ...

On Wednesday, November 12, [1975], between the hours of 4:30 and 5 p.m. one of the most horrendous crimes ever committted in Acadia Parish history was perpetrated in an empty drainage canal a few miles southeast of Crowley, while many of us were driving home from work or preparing for our usual evening meal. At that spot, an apparently unwarranted execution took place. A young, 16-year-old boy was hog tied and beaten to within inches of his life, only to succumb to the critical injuries he sustained in the beating later that night. Ever since the night of Wednesday, November 12, the Acadia Parish Sheriff's Department and the Crowley City Police have launched a full scale, round-the-clock search for the person or persons responsible for this barbaric act. Quite frankly, both law enforcement agencies have admitted that this case has baffled even the experts and that there are very few clues available to pursue, to lead to solving the murder. We believe someone out there witnessed the bludgeoning of young Ricky Dale Mire and is afraid to come forth because of fear for his life or that of persons close to him. We, KSIG and The Crowley Post Signal, have taken it upon ourselves to jointly offer a reward of $500 to anyone providing information leading to the arrest and subsequent conviction of the barbarians who committed this crime. Rest assured that if you voluntarily give us these facts, your identity will remain anonymous. If you believe you can contribute the necessary information which could solve this case, you are urged to contact either Sheriff Elton Arceneaux or Police Chief J. Allen Castille. They in turn will advise us as to the authenticity of your information. Again, let us remind you that this entire transaction will be handled with the strictest confidence to protect you. We've all heard of The Charles Manson Massacres in which persons were mercilessly butchered and shot for no apparent reason other than the victims represented an element of society foreign to the beliefs of this group. Although, The Manson Murders have no connection with this incident, it is interesting to note, however, that some person or persons in the same frame of mind as was Charles Manson may be walking in our midst. We feel that the responsible parties must be brought to justice and our environment returned to one of peace and tranquility instead of chaos and tenseness.

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