Dear Mr. President

I am writing in the hope that, as an online letter, it will reach you directly without the filter of the yes-men and self-serving sycophants that surround you and taint your view of the world. This letter via internet also celebrates your appointment of Amr Salem as minister -a good move- hoping that his appointment will bring greater openness and access to information to the Syrian people.

Dr. Bashar, these are trying times for you and the Syrian people. Despite all the blame and accusations aimed your way, I feel that -sometimes- you are trying to do the right thing. Some will say that I am naive. Perhaps it is the kinship I feel for a fellow physician as our conduct is guided by a professional oath that we both took. So in this spirit allow me to review some of the principle tenets of the Hippocratic Oath as a guide for these difficult times:

I will follow that treatment which according to my ability and judgment I consider for the benefit of my patients (People), and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. The current regime is like a cancer upon the Syrian people. Like all cancers it sequesters blood and nutrients for its own growth leaving the patient (people) weak and cachectic. Distracting the people (ex. Cartoons) from this state of affairs is akin to giving analgesics to a patient dying of cancer. Besides distraction provides only temporary relief. February 14th is upon us and the Lebanese -for good reason- are once again cursing you and by extension, all of us. If the tumor is not excised, Dr. Bashar, both the patient and the tumor will succumb. Drastic surgery is needed, and time is running short. You can start by ridding yourself of Rustom Ghazaleh, no one will shed a tear for this thug.

In the presence of epidemics or other danger I will not allow fear of personal harm to turn me from my duty. It is true that in this time of danger, you have stood your ground, but I am not sure what you have stood FOR. The way forward is clear. Come clean on the Hariri affair and punish those responsible then you can move forward with your promised reforms.

Into whatever house I enter, it shall be for the benefit of the sick to the utmost of my power, holding myself aloof from any act of corruption. This is where, as president, you have to break from the Hippocratic Oath. You cannot hold yourself aloof from any act of corruption especially when it is practiced by the very people you depend on to execute your authority. If you do, you become complicit in these acts of corruption. Khaddam did not suddenly become corrupt when he moved to Paris, you have held yourself aloof his and many others' acts of corruption. The result is a kleptocracy with an impoverished and disenfranchised people.

So Dr. Bashar, you have to do right thing. The Syrian people, you seem to suggest, have to choose between the status quo of a sclerosed and corrupt system and chaos. These are not real choices as the status quo is unsustainable and will lead to chaos. The Syrian people are ready for positive change, big, bold changes, not timid cosmetic changes. Do it not because George W and Condaleeza are turning up the heat on you, but because it is the right thing to do. Do it now and take ownership of your decisions and you will gain the respect and admiration of your own people. Do it piecemeal and grudgingly and it looks like capitulation to the self-serving policies of the American administration. The defiant public posturing does no fool anybody. Waiting in the wings are Syrian dissidents, courageous men who have dared to speak truth to power regardless of the consequences. Most of these honorable men and loyal citizens, despite their mistreatment, have expressed a willingness to transform from within rather than destroy and rebuild. Take them up on their offer before it is too late.

(Photo by AK: Nile at Luxor)