Syrians to Bush: We're Not Buying What You're Selling

The liberal opposition in Syria has refused to accept a $5 million donation from the US State Department - basically telling Bush and his bunch who think they can buy democracy around the world to take a hike.

(See? This is why I'm not a professional journalist. I'm just not polite enough.)

Now, back to the story:

The United Sates imposed several sanctions on Syria in 2004, accusing Damascus of supporting "terrorism." Two weeks ago it announced a $5 million grant to fund what it called "democratic reformers" in Syria.

A U.S. State Department official said the money was not aimed at opposition or political groups in Syria.

The funds are there to help civil society groups interested in promoting democracy at large. It is not a promotion of direct political parties or views," he said in response to whether Washington was disappointed with the Syrian opposition response.

Right. And Bush is the most brilliant president in the world.

The opposition's founding member was quite clear about why the money was rejected:

"Our project is nationalist, independent democratic change in Syria, not through occupation or economic pressure as we see the United states doing," he said.

At least someone has those good old-fashioned American values of hard work and honesty that seem to be lacking in the Bush administration. Take that, Condi! And, while you're at it, there are a whole lot of people down in the Gulf Coast area of your United States who went through a hurricane last year (remember that?) who could really use that $5 million. Then again, buying democracy (ie. complete subservience to the Bush cabal) down there isn't working all that well for you lately either, is it?

It seems that only 34% of Americans now support Bush. I wonder when Bushco will start handing over big bucks to the opposition Democrats so they can spread democracy in a country in which it is so sorely lacking as well: The United States.