Obama to seek congressional approval on Syria
 

That's a step in the right direction! Also, need to wait for the report from the Inspectors who have been into Syria. Personally, I am against getting involved in this conflict ................. I believe it to be a no win situation.

I'm not so sure we should be waiting 9 days to have this debate. Congress should be ordered immediately to discuss this situation. It should have taken place immediately many days ago. This will give 9 days to Syria to hide weapons, etc... Anything can happen in 9 days and by delaying something so urgent, how does the world perceive our leadership now?

I think the President has boxed himself in a corner on this one.

Go move by the demo's with many seats up for grabs next year make them stick their foot in there mouths with their votes so there will be no Monday morning Quarterbacking like the last two wars. IMO I don't think he can get the votes? As far as my opinion I don't think we need to be the world police anymore. IMO we need to get out of NATO, UN, Quit giving billions in foreign Aid till we can balance budget, Bring 90 % of all troops stationed overseas till we can Balance budget. Cease all wars till we have money to pay for them.. IMO time for someone in the region to step up to the plate. Course no batter's in that region give rats@zz what goes on in other countries but us. . By the way I am not repub or demo's. I think parties get in the road of will of the people due to party line voting:boom:. I am sure this will be zapped

Congress can order itself into session at any time. There are some rumblings that the Senate will do just that, but no word from Speaker Boehner.

Pathetic - why wouldn't they just bring themselves back early.

The powers in place as well as the rebels are not friends of ours. Stay out of it. Let them settle their own crap. Enough already.

If we do NOTHING aren't we sending a signal to Syria, Iran, No Korea they are accountable to NO ONE?? Beware your enemies who no longer FEAR you and your allies who no longer support you.

This dilly dallying around is exactly what went on in Iraq. While the UN inspectors were waiting....and waiting.....and waiting some more to come in thru the front door with Saddam's permission and red carpet, the WMD were going out the back door. DUH!!!!!!

Who gives their enemy so much notice of what, when, where, how long, how intense, etc.????

Or are the politicians purposely waiting 9 days, so the chemical weaponry in Syria CAN be moved, hauled out and hidden, so they can then say, "We're not going to attack because there were no WMD." The stink still rises from the hindsight claims of "no WMD in Iraq", so my bet is the politicians here are gambling on a chance to say there are none.....give themselves an out. It's all a game to these pols.

Obama may have been advised that more complex and intensive military intervention is needed than initially was apparent, requiring congressional approval to engage at that level.

Does anyone know exactly what congress will be asked to vote on ?

Why are you so for our intervention?

Z

whether or not to give them a warning- sort of a pinprick type move

https://www.facebook.com/the.children.of.syria

Click a few videos...

If that is what they will vote on....well, lets just say....the President said he does not need this authorization.....how specific will the resolution be...how can you vote for something so nebulous ? Is this simply to play more politics ?

To me this just seems to be wrong. We have NO business in another country's political unrest. Would anyone come to our aide if the North went against the South again? Hell no. We need to get a grip. We are hated and we need to stop being "big brother". Seems like we're setting up for another Vietnam.

Lets try to understand the problem. Obama drew a line in the sand and said chemical weapons would result in harsh consequences. Probably a mistake, but he said it and that is now behind us. Ashad used chemical weapons to kill his own people, including women and children. Do we want to accept that? I agree this is a no win conflict, but should we act or not? Obama now wants a get out of jail card. He saw what happened in the UK Parliament. So the British PM is off the hook. Maybe he wants the same out.

Now the problem. Syria is watching to see if we act. If we don't, they will continue until they murder thousands. Iran is watching and seeing if our "red line in the sand" is real so they can do what they want with regard to nuclear weapons. Israel is watching to see if we act so they know what to do about Iran. If we do anything it is a losers game. If we do nothing, how do you think Israel will act to take out Iran's nuclear capability? Think they will react the same way if we don't act against Syria? I believe they will think our "we got your back" policy is worthless and decide they need to eliminate the Iran threat now. Don't think North Korea is not watching either. Syria is not the real problem. It's all the other countries who are taking our measure and making decisions that have a much more significant impact on the future.

It's amateur hour in Washington and Obama has painted himself into a corner where what ever he does is wrong. He is hoping by putting Congress in the middle there will be someone else to blame for the failed outcome. And any decision is actually a failure. So this is a true lose lose.

We should never have gotten to where we are, but unfortunately we are there. There is no good answer.

first of all note the contrast in for lack of a better term "style" between the UK and the USA.
In the UK they convened an emergency session of parliament to discuss the matter.
In the USA a week later we decide to wait until congress finishes it's vacation.
Now just how urgent a signal is that? It isn't? It is down right pitiful especially in the face of all the tough talk from Kerry. And WH spokesmen saying we Americans don't stand for that kind of slaughtering so you better watch out. Then announcing our guys are standing at the ready to push the button on pre selected targets. And then the notification....never mind let's wait until the holiday is over in another 9 days and the we will debate it. And we all know the debate will go on for weeks.

We as a nation deserve what we are getting internationally. Our allies are no longer so anxious to support us. Our enemies know they can walk all over us ala Bengazi, Syria, Iran, NKorea, Iraq, Afghanistan, et al.

We have in fact devolved into a paper tiger and the pupeteers growl scares no one.

Lastly wanna make a bet....when the folks do get back from vacation there will be the negotiation to extend the deadline on the budget once again....in trade for vote support.

That terrible smell is P_O_L_I_T_I_C_S at it's worst/best.

Shameful and disgusting display of indifference.

btk

We don't belong there period..These folks have been killing each other for thousands of years and we ARE NOT the great deciders as to who is right or wrong..As a Vietnam vet I say stay the hell out and stop using our younger generation as cannon fodder in these backwards countries. It's time to circle the wagons and take care of this country and stop trying to dictate to the rest of the world with our bullying tactics. I highly doubt that our political "leaders" will be sacrificing their children on this next little adventure.

Expert: Video proves Syria's chemical weapons use - YouTube

Not saying this really happened...as a former child abuse professional, I respect the expert's testimony that a 5 year old could not be coached to..."

Only one to gain from any attack will be Raytheon. I wonder How the stock performed last couple of weeks. Hmmmmmm.....

AMEN! :BigApplause:

I don't need to see the videos. I read the newspaper. I know what is going on over there.

Does this mean that you also want to back into Iraq to fix the problem with all of the women and children they are killing there?

We have the Syrian government on one side and the rebels supported by Al Qaeda on the other side. We should not support either side.

These people live to kill each other. A few bombs by us are not going to change that. It might give Iran and North Korea a reason to "help" Syria retaliate.

Z

Status of world participation in the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons:

http://www.opcw.org/index.php?eID=da...sh&docID=13069

does anyone really believe that the potus wants to take any kind of military action in this issue? he realizes he shot his mouth off and put his back to the wall; and a congressional thumbs down gets him off the hook. this delay of waiting for congress to return from vacation is all the delay he needs to a] come up with another crisis or scandal on which to refocus the general public and b] campaign with members of the senate and congress to vote no when they return to vote.

this is a humanitarian issue - not a threat to the u.s. of a. let the potus rally the u.n. to take over and address refugee issues for the syrians in another country.

I just hope the Syrians don't force our hand by unleashing another salvo of gas filled missiles before Congress has concluded their deliberations.

Obama critics are having a field day with this issue. It's a no win situation for President Obama and the U.S. My opinion is that we need to stay out of Syria period. We should stay out of the civil wars that take place in that part of the world. There is no way we can "win"----just get some more of our young men and women killed or wounded. Not to mention the Billions spent for a lost cause. Back Israel,but other than doing that, stay out of the mess. Our resources can best be spent protecting the homeland.

Boy, our moderator must be on vacation! Oh well, while the cats away -- how would we like it if another country bombed us for aborting too many babies? A child is a child!

Not really.

It is and has been a civil discusion about a current event that has potential to affect all our lives. Opinions expressed and respected...JUST LIKE ANY OTHER THREAD.

Enough with the political bogey man stuff.

btk

It was suggested that we back Israel and stay out of the middle east. I visited Israel in 1992 and was struck by how quickly we travelled from one end to the other.
In terms of area, Florida could hold the nation four times over.
Click the map to enlarge.

What you just posted is very reasonable and logical to me.

Obama is between a rock and a hard place on this one. If he does not act and Syria gasses again his head is on the chopping block. If he does act and Syria retaliates by gassing again his head in the block. It's a tuff place for this president who has endured so much at home to be placed in. He is in a tuff spot on this one. You could not pay me enough to have his job.

What I do find funny, however, is the country who took all the crap during the last administration, France, is with us this time. I guess the congress can rename the American fries back to their real name, French Fries. Oh how I long for the days when the congress could actually agree on something like changing the name of starchy potato sticks.

Syrian defector: Assad using chemical weapons - Israel News, Ynetnews
This article is from Feb. 2012 regarding Syrian defector who says chemical warfare was done under supervision by Russia and Iran.

Well stated.

When I see any sign that these middle eastern countries are prepared to reject Al Qaeda themselves without help from the rest of the world, then I would agree with us helping. Until that time I say NO to getting involved in any more of these tribal wars.

Show me that you want to move out of the dark ages and into the 21st century and live like civilized human beings, allow the woman that want to - to not live in purdah, allow their female children to be educated (if they so wish) and treat their women with dignity instead of beasts of burden, then I would agree to us helping them in any way we can.

I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that the only way to have peace in the middle east is for these people to live under a dictator. Every country where we have taken out the dictator has fallen into chaos.

I have never felt this way before, but the loss of life and limb from the Iraq debacle has changed my opinion on many things.

amen
 

And to add to this, can anyone think of any country that we have "liberated" that has remained a democracy or that has even embraced our views on freedom. It seems to me that these dictators appreciate us much more than the "freely elected" leaders that are subsequently installed do. From Cuba on, it is time for us to learn the hard lesson, we are not the "great deciders" and we need to start taking care of our own. Stop pandering to the Corporate Political War Machines in this country. They never met a war they didn't love. And as Ike put it," Beware of the Military Industrial Complex".

I am guessing that Syria is not celebrating the Jewish holiday and will have time to move or hide what ever - congress will not convene due to Jewish holidays - waiting for results of votes - who voted for what and who did not vote or voted against ---- does not matter --- Monday morning quarter backs - will be on the talk shows

This situation has been ongoing for years. Well over 100,000 people killed and gas was used before, yet we have ignored for all those years. We DID know about it.

I will be curious how those anti war, anti military folks will vote, but FIRST what exactly will they be voting on ?

You hit the nail on the head . He made a statement about the red line and knew it was not true . He was trying to talk tough on foreign policy. He does have the power for the strike but didnt take it because he wanted the Congress and the American people to be part of it !!! are you kidding!!
The President does not want to strike (and I agree with that --we do not belong there )


He didnt wait for anyone when he decided to not enforce laws concerning illegals he does not listen to Congress or the American people when we ask for answers about Bengazi, IRS or fast and furious.

He sees this decision as putting himself in a winning situtation --If no strike is voted by Congress he can say he wanted to but they got in the way again --if they vote to strike and it goes wrong --Congress agreed --If it works out well --"I did it"

This President will go down in history with famos phrases of other before him : We have nothing to fear but fear itself ,Ask not what you country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country .

His will be : You can keep your Doctor and you rates will go down.

In case anyone is monitoring our internet posts ,,This is my humble opinion --I still think that is legal....:rant-rave:

If he is in between a rock and a hard place it's because he made the statement a year ago about crossing the RED LINE and then NOT following through on it. You cannot pretend your going to do something and then do NOTHING. Mixed signals to our allies and enemies is a huge mistake. As is taking 9-10 days to get Congress together while you leave for a tee time. I don't find funny the fact that none of our allies will stand by us. They are just as confused as everyone else. We are in desperate need of a leader in foreign affairs. This whole situation is critical and NOT calling Congress for an emergency meeting is another mistake that may be very costly.

Both houses of congress have the ability to call themselves into an emergency session. Some rumblings that the senate may do just that, but nothing from Speaker Boehner.

There is only one way to change leaders in foreign affairs, but that train has left the station.