Phantasm

phan·tasm [fan-taz-uhm]–noun
1. an apparition or specter. 
2. a creation of the imagination or fancy; fantasy. 
3. a mental image or representation of a real object. 
4. an illusory likeness of something.

Arlen Specter has decided to join the gaggle of US Senators parading themselves over to Syria to pump up the Assad regime with faux prestige.

DAMASCUS (AFP) - The fourth US senator to visit Syria this month arrived in Damascus, where he was expected to hold meetings with senior officials.

A US embassy official confirmed Arlen Specter's arrival, but she could not say how long the Republican from Pennsylvania — who chairs the senate judiciary committee — would be staying.

Former presidential hopeful John Kerry and fellow senator Christopher Dodd, both members of the foreign relations committee, were in Damascus last week where they met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

I frankly don't care what party the individuals doing this are from. It is not the role of the US Senate to engage in foreign policy in this manner. Period. It is certainly contrary to the interests of the US to fawn over thugs who are helping conduct war against fellow citizens. Specter is engaging in an exercise of number 2. of the definition if he thinks kissing up to Assad will a) help the situation or b) increase his standing.

Quite the contrary. On both counts.