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.