The Syrian National Coalition has elected a Damascus born Kurd, who spent most of his adult life in Texas, North Carolina, and other parts of the United States as the leader of the transitional government in waiting. Ghassan Hitto is an IT professional and has lived in Texas, North Carolina and other states. He currently resides in Turkey, leading the Syrian government in waiting. This is a major step because for two years the Syrian opposition could not agree on who would lead the transitiona and how. The Free Syrian Army inside Syria is also on board pledging allegiance to Hitto and his transitional government. The fact that he is Kurdish even lends more credence and unity to the notion that all Syrians are opposed to Assad's murderous regime. Now is a good time for the Obama adminstration to recognize Mr. Hitto's government as the only true representatives of the Syrian people. Obama and Clinton have stated that they are waiting for a united opposition. It doesn't get more united than this.

A top Alawaite, Major General Mohammed Khalouf and his son, have both defected and abandoned Syria's brutal dictator, Bashar Assad. In a television interview after his defection he stated that morale amongst troops is very low and that they are trying to recruit new infantry because they have run out. With the opposition's Free Syrian Army now numbering over 100,000 and fighting erupting in the streets of downtown Damascus, the Maj. General says that the end is near.

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If you are faint at heart, don't click through to watch this video. In this video, Syrian government troops round up a group of about 5 men. The men are huddled into a corner with their shirts pulled over their heads and their hands handcuffed behind them. They taunt and yell at the men for a while. They pose and take "funny" pictures and wave at the videographer. But what happnes next is horrific beyond description.

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As the two year anniversary of the Syrian revolution approaches, well over 60,000 Syrians have been killed at the hands of their very own government. A government that is supposed to be protecting them. Meanwhile, the entirety of the world watches, debates, discusses, and doesn't decide on anything.

Women, young and old, are being systematically raped. Children are being tortured, brutalized, and killed. Men of all ages are being detained, tortured, raped, poked, proded, and dismembered. No one is safe from this brutal regime.

As the second year anniversary approaches, we pray that this nightmare ends soon. We pray that world leaders will stop hitching their wagons to the Assad train. We pray that wisdom, justice, and humanity will prevail. 

It's time to start rebuilding Syria.

Despite a difficult and continual disappointment in President Obama's lack of real action on Syria, Syrian Americans should still vote to support Obama. While most Syrians view Obama as ineffective, obstructionist, and useless, there actually is a method to his madness. Unfortunately, Mitt Romney hasn't offered convincing evidence that he would be any different.

Further, a vote for Romney, is a vote for the tea party. No one has demonized and attempted to marginalize Muslims more than the extreme right. It's time to put an end to that. America will not stand for bigotry and racism.

We encourage all 1,000,000 Syrian Americans to go out an vote to re-elect President Obama. Put your disappointment aside and elect an excellent representative of America abroad and at home. We can't go backwards and we can't encourage Muslim hating, black hating, gay hating, women hating, Latino hating, and poor hating behavior. Don't reward bad behavior!

Coalition for a Democratic Syria Asks Obama, Romney to Support No-Fly Zones, Additional Arms for Free Syrian Army

Tougher engagement described as crucial to US national security interests

TAMPA 8/29/2012 - The Coalition for a Democratic Syria released letters today to President Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney asking for their support for tough new measures to bring an end to the crisis in Syria. More decisive action now will help protect American interests in the region and allow the United States to play a larger role in the shaping of a post-Assad Syria, the letters argue.

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The Coalition for a Democratic Syria (formerly American Syrian Coalition) has an event in 30 min at the Republican National Convention in Tampa. The Coalition includes the Syrian American Council, Syrian Expatriates Organization, United for a Free Syria and the Syrian Emergency Task Force. As soon as we find out who is live-tweeting, we'll forward the information. Find out more!

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The Chicago chapterof the American Red Cross is responding to the crisis in Syria and has contributed $200,000 to help in Syria. Find out what the Red Cross is doing.

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