We have been discussing Syria lately, and conservatives seem slightly divided on whether Senator McCain is right that American intervention is required, indeed imperative.

The Mandarin says no, of course, and that McCain of all people should understand the importance of keeping our military free for… other military activities should they become necessary in the near future.

The Czar surprised Mandy yesterday at lunch when the former suggested McCain absolutely needs to push that argument. Not because McCain is right and that we should tie up our military in another country’s civil war.

But because McCain is being a gadfly to President Obama. Indeed, President Obama involved our military in Libya under the same pretense that McCain suggests, but with considerably less evidence. Syria is killing its people at a ghastly rate—possibly butchering daily what Libya did in its entire revolt. Given this, where is Obama? Dithering, and wondering what to do about his poll numbers.

And that’s why McCain is right to demand some sort of comment from the administration: Obama opened the door wide open when he sacked Libya without any real rationale; now, once again, the President seems confused that his actions invariably have consequences. Which the Czar reminds you every three weeks.

The Czar of Muscovy

Божію Поспѣшествующею Милостію Мы, Дима Грозный Императоръ и Самодержецъ Всероссiйскiй, цѣсарь Московскiй. The Czar was born in the steppes of Russia in 1267, and was cheated out of total control of all Russia upon the death of Boris Mikhailovich, who replaced Alexander Yaroslav Nevsky in 1263. However, in 1283, our Czar was passed over due to a clerical error and the rule of all Russia went to his second cousin Daniil (Даниил Александрович), whom Czar still resents. As a half-hearted apology, the Czar was awarded control over Muscovy, inconveniently located 5,000 miles away just outside Chicago. He now spends his time seething about this and writing about other stuff that bothers him.