I am not suggesting arming the rebels, but Lyle you too are oversimplifying the situation. It's a bit of jump to suggest that all the rebels are crushed civilians pushing for a democracy, just as it not true to assume that they are all Islamic extremists with visions of a more hardcore regime than Assads. A Government is killing it's own civilians and outside influences are helping them do it. There is where pressure should be applied, diplomatically.