Syria Gas Attack- What Now?

[Dame]

You have to read the Reuters article. There is no smoking gun to Assad himself but there is strong evidence that the government did launch the attacks.


Do you need a wire tap of Assad saying "fire" to hold him responsible?

That's just face saving IMHO. We can't admit we were completely wrong but we have to back out somehow. Just my $.02.

 

[Rapid]

Assad himself would never allow this because he's not that fucking stupid. In fact, I doubt many of his commanders are either.

Those that are on his side, that is. We know plenty of them have defected already. Though, why simply defect when you could (first) use your position to give orders that are practically suicidal for the regime?

In the Muslim mind, 1,500 casualties is a small price to pay, in the long term, if it manages to get the West to intervene and change the tide of the conflict.

 

[AWP]

Wait....if Assad doesn't order the strike, but it happened anyway, how is that not a rogue operation? Anyway, if a loyal official allowed it to happen, then Assad is responsible and just as guilty, right?

Let's say for the sake of argument that someone in Assad's gov't allowed guns to illegally cross the border ....

 

[x SF med]

We should write a very sternly worded letter to them.

NO NO NO... stern letters are the purview of the UN.... y'know that waste of over 18 acres of prime real estate in NYC that doesn't pay any friggin rent... at least that I can find online....

from the UN website...

Welcome to the United Nations! The Headquarters of the World Organization is located on an 18-acre site on the East side of Manhattan. It is an international zone belonging to all Member States. The United Nations has its own security force, fire department and postal administration. Visitors from all over the world often like to send postcards back home with United Nations stamps - these stamps can only be mailed from the United Nations.
The Headquarters consist of four main buildings: the General Assembly building, the Conference Building, the 39-floor Secretariat building, and the Dag Hammarskjold Library, which was added in 1961. The complex was designed by an international team of 11 architects, led by Wallace K. Harrison from the United States.

 

[pardus]

NO NO NO... stern letters are the purview of the UN.... y'know that waste of over 18 acres of prime real estate in NYC that doesn't pay any friggin rent... at least that I can find online....

from the UN website...

Oh I thought this administration had merged us with the UN, my bad.
I'm going to print some business cards as their landlord and start charging them rent.

 

[pardus]

You have to read the Reuters article. There is no smoking gun to Assad himself but there is strong evidence that the government did launch the attacks.


Do you need a wire tap of Assad saying "fire" to hold him responsible?

I read it and some of that "strong" evidence is shaky, social media and youtube videos? I havent seen any evidence of ANY chemical agent being found yet.

So Obama should be held accountable for collateral damage deaths? What about the beheadings the rebels are doing in Syria, are we holding the rebel leader to the same standards? I don't think so.

 

[Soldado]

Yep; and they did a pretty good job there too I think, all things considered.

But we've got to also realize that a large part of French success in Mali was and is directly due to... the American support it received. This would likely be the case in a French-led incursion into Syria as well.

France could not have done Mali without our help, same goes for Libya.
I agree, let France be the lead in Syria.

What the ...? America did what?

I think even Spain has done more than the US.

 

[pardus]

I think even Spain has done more than the US.

Please back that up with proof/evidence.

 

[Marauder06]

What the ...? America did what?

I think even Spain has done more than the US.

Spain has done more for whom, where? Did you even follow the links I posted? They spell things out pretty clearly.

 

[DA SWO]

What the ...? America did what?

I think even Spain has done more than the US.

Please back that up with proof/evidence.

Where do you think the tanker support is coming from? Spain? ROTFLMAO!
Electronic Intel, Log support, PGM Resupply? Spain? Seriously?

You really need to bring us some proof, and the Spanish version of the National Enquirer doesn't count.

 

[Marauder06]

http://elpais.com/elpais/2013/01/18/inenglish/1358511737_967612.html

France upset at Spain for dragging its heels in Mali operation

As opposed to other European allies, who automatically said they would furnish France with whatever help it needed, Spain, according to diplomats, was considerably less forthcoming. Its offer to provide a single transport plane matched the aid Denmark - a nation with a population nine times smaller than Spain - has contributed to the military operation.

Mmm. Impressive level of support from Spain. Good thing France has them on their side, that one transport plane has made all the difference.

 

[Marine0311]

After hearing Sec Kerry's remarks I am still against any action.

 

[Marauder06]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324539404578338590169579504.html
The U.S. is markedly widening its role in the stepped up French-led military campaign against extremists in Mali, providing sensitive intelligence that pinpoints militant targets for attack, U.S. and allied officials disclosed.
The Obama administration has agreed to provide air tankers to refuel French warplanes targeting rebels in Mali, sharply expanding the level of U.S. involvement in the campaign. WSJ


http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/26/world/africa/mali-unrest
So far, the U.S. Air Force has flown at least seven C-17 cargo missions into Mali, carrying 200 passengers, mainly French troops, and 168 tons of equipment, according to Maj. Robert Firman, a Pentagon spokesman.

 

[Chopstick]

The mindset of the President gives me pause.

Previously his statement that the military fights on "his" behalf drove me crazy. See video.

Now we have the President referring to the military as "his" military.


http://twitchy.com/2013/08/30/whose-army-president-obama-riles-with-reference-to-my-military/

"Now, I have not made a final decision about various actions that might be taken to help enforce that norm," he said. "But as I've already said, I have had MY MILITARY and our team look at a wide range of options."

 

[AWP]

As the Commander-in-Chief he's technically or even legally right....but it shows a horrible lack of class, grace, and humility. I can't think that he misspoke either when it is "my" military and "our" team...instead of both being ours.

 

[Chopstick]

In my opinion, he comes off sounding like a king or a dictator, not the guy that supposedly took the oath to " faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

 

[Marauder06]

As the Commander-in-Chief he's technically or even legally right....but it shows a horrible lack of class, grace, and humility. I can't think that he misspoke either when it is "my" military and "our" team...instead of both being ours.

It's true he's the Commander in Chief, but it's the People's military, not any one individual's. That's why the officers of the military swear an oath to the Constitution, and pointedly not to any individual or office.

 

[pardus]

 

[Soldado]

Please back that up with proof/evidence.

104 of these:

33 of these:

LAV's deployed in situ:
http://www.defensa.gob.es/Galerias/...oteca/imagen/2013/04/DGC-130424-mali-03-G.jpg

A pair more of these:

1 Hercules and 1 C-295 for troops and material.

More info:

http://www.defensa.gob.es/areasTematicas/misiones/enCurso/misiones/eutm-mali.html

http://loquetengaqueser.blogspot.com.es/2013/06/incremento-del-numero-de-efectivos.html

 

[pardus]

104 of these:


33 of these:


LAV's deployed in situ:
http://www.defensa.gob.es/Galerias/...oteca/imagen/2013/04/DGC-130424-mali-03-G.jpg

A pair more of these:

1 Hercules and 1 C-295 for troops and material.

More info:

http://www.defensa.gob.es/areasTematicas/misiones/enCurso/misiones/eutm-mali.html

http://loquetengaqueser.blogspot.com.es/2013/06/incremento-del-numero-de-efectivos.html

Not exactly a major contribution (not to say it's not important), and considering the support the USA gave I think your previous comment is unfounded.