perfidy

OMG! LOL! ROTFLMAO! YGBK! And other acronyms to express disbelief and hilarity!

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) -- Syria is preparing a law that would prohibit trade dealings with the United States in response to U.S. sanctions imposed on the Arab country last month, Syrian legislators said Saturday.

More than 130 members of the 250-seat legislature have prepared a draft of the "America Accountability Act" that would impose "strict sanctions" on American interests in Syria.

So... what? They're going to stop exporting terrorists?

Turns out, no.

Muhammad Habash, a lawmaker with moderate Islamic affiliations who is one of the campaigners for the draft law, said the law was meant to maintain the dignity of Syrians.

"We are not simple-minded to the degree that we imagine we can affect the great American economy," he said. "But we are able to maintain our dignity and slap the Americans so they know that if they continue with their arrogant policies, people everywhere around the globe will spit at them."

Good luck with that, folks. Hope it works out for you. (Thanks to blogmother Kathy Kinsley for the pointer.)

[wik] In yet another example of the uncanny interconnectedness of the world, Syria's decision will actually affect me directly. I bought a pair of discount slacks last week at Marshalls' that according to the tag were made in Syria. They're comfy and have enough room in the butt, so I won't be taking them back even though the little spangled Patriotism fairy on my shoulder tells me I should do so instead of supporting state-sponsored terrorism with my pants dollar. Under sanctions, this debate would be moot because there would be no more Terror Pants for me to buy. So, Syria. Nice job. Pretty soon everyone in the US will be walking around without any Terror Pants. Is that what you wanted?

[alsø wik] Goodwyfe Two-Cents was wondering whether the pants were just manufactured in Syria, or whether the wool and fabric were also domestically produced. It occured to me; maybe my pants were once just fibers, wrapped around a case of Sarin or a disassembled Scud bound from Tikrit. It'd be perfect! "No, no sir, just some wool for the Syrian trouser trade. Nothing to see here."

Just a crazy idea, I know. I'm full of 'em. Maybe I should go work for the State Department as Special Minister of Crazy Ideas that Just Might Be True.

[alsø alsø wik] One might ask: Are these sanctions a legitimate state action taken by the Syrian government in protest of US policy? Or is this whole thing just an orchestrated performance by the parliamentary puppets of the Syrian trouser concern to game the world market in single-pleated brown three-season wool slacks? Inquiring minds want to know!

[wi nøt trei a høliday in Sweden this yër?] Then again, maybe State has enough of its own crazy ideas to deal with right now. I'd better steer clear.