And it's true, you hear things in Damascus and, after a few hours, the human double-take stops operating.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
Here's the problem the Free Syrian Army has. They really want to topple the regime in Damascus, and this is where most of the fight takes place, between Aleppo and Damascus for the Free Syrian Army.
In one way, I fear all Damascus is a dungeon. Or do you have to live here to appreciate that?
It is always an eerie experience to sit among Bashar al-Assad's soldiers.
Ever notice that the whisper of temptation can be heard farther than the loudest call to duty.
Many governments are quick to condemn Assad, but a dwindling number of them would celebrate a rebel victory in Damascus.
Conversion for me was not a Damascus Road experience. I slowly moved into an intellectual acceptance of what my intuition had always known.
Damascus is the center of world terror. All these organizations, Jihad and Hamas, their headquarters are in Damascus. Syria supports Hezbollah.
Egypt has a devout population. People go out, they pray, they fast.
The presence of jihadis in Syria should be no surprise.
I landed in Kabul the day before Shock and Awe in Iraq, and you could all but hear the collective groan.
No opposing quotes found.