President Assad of Syria delivered yet another rambling speech combining vague promises of reform with threats of an “iron fist” response to the “terrorists” opposing his regime.
We’ve been here before since the uprising against Assad began in March and, I suppose, we’ll probably be here again before the blessed end of his rule. And it appears the regime and its thugs have given up the pretense of restraint during the visit of the Arab League observers.
But what struck me this time was Assad’s use of the word “mongrels” to describe those trying to bring him down. Perhaps someone can let us know if “mongrel” has the same meaning in Arabic as it does in English– that is, “a dog of mixed or indeterminate breed” or “any animal or plant resulting from the crossing of different breeds or varieties.” If so, what point was he trying to make about his opponents?
