Syria Gas Attack- What Now?

A snippet of the behavior our Al Qaeda alined allies are perpetrating in Syria.
Thank god we are closing GITMO with all the inhumane treatment going on there! Now we can go to Syria and see the flowery meadows and rainbow skies, and rivers made of chocolate where the children dance and laugh and play with gumdrop smiles.

The meat of it starts at 2:50

 
Truth in humor from Jon Stewart. But the sad thing is this was from months ago and it shows a clip of Obama from August 2012. Keep drawing that line in the sand until you back yourself into a corner then bunt to Congress? What kind of leadership is that? No wonder the entire world is laughing and Britain wants no part of this.


obamasredline.jpg
 
Chopstick said:
Keep drawing that line in the sand until you back yourself into a corner then bunt to Congress? What kind of leadership is that? No wonder the entire world is laughing and Britain wants no part of this.
Click to expand...

"Bunting to Congress" is a pretty slick move for Obama to make right now, politically speaking. Buys him time to try to talk allies into at least openly supporting a strike and gives him a potential "out" if Congress does not agree to the use of force.
 
Chopstick said:
But the sad thing is this was from months ago and it shows a clip of Obama from August 2012. Keep drawing that line in the sand until you back yourself into a corner then bunt to Congress? What kind of leadership is that?
Click to expand...

talonlm said:
"Bunting to Congress" is a pretty slick move for Obama to make right now, politically speaking. Buys him time to try to talk allies into at least openly supporting a strike and gives him a potential "out" if Congress does not agree to the use of force.
Click to expand...

I was having this conversation today- this is one of the smartest political moves I have seen the President's administration make. While some may take Chop's view of it (which, I want to point out, is completely legit and a good point), I think it is more interesting to look at it from the other side of the coin.

How genius was this move? In essence, here is what President Obama did- he looked at the last 5 (or so) major military engagements where the CINC made the call to strike, and studied the aftermath. The brouhaha that ensued? "The President acted alone! The President waged unlawful war and should be impeached!"

So what did he do? He adapted to that political inevitability and cut the naysayers off at the knees.

Look what this bought him. At the end of his tenure, in year 7 and 8, he gets to point to this and only wins. If he is seen poorly for it, his battle cry is "Look! I got hammered on this very thing before, and I wanted to be the first President that was transparent, the first President that was humble enough to ask for help, to use the full force of our political system- and I am bashed for it." He then gets to rail on about how mean everyone was to his administration, how he was damned if he did, damned if he didn't.

And what if Congress decides to go in? What if, on the recommendation of Congress, we bomb the living shit out of Syria, and we put boots on the ground?

"Well, America- I didn't unilaterally do this! I asked for help from Congress! Congress represents us all. We chose to do this. I didn't agree with it- but I am not the King of America, I am the President, and I have to follow checks and balances..."

In my opinion, this move was absolutely genius. Win win win, all the way around, with literally zero downside.

Well, except for innocent people dying in Syria while a bunch of white, rich American men pretend to give a shit about some brown poor people. But hey, topic for another post.
 
If its so genius why did he wait well over a year to do it? Because he allowed himself to be backed into a corner. I think he looks weak and inept but that is my opinion.

ETA additional thought. I also think President Nobel Peace Prize is going to drag us into WWIII. I hope I am wrong.
 
Chopstick said:
If its so genius why did he wait well over a year to do it? Because he allowed himself to be backed into a corner. I think he looks weak and inept but that is my opinion.

ETA additional thought. I also think President Nobel Peace Prize is going to drag us into WWIII. I hope I am wrong.
Click to expand...
I hope you're wrong too- but I also think a true "WWIII" scenario isn't feasible in today's environment. I don't necessarily disagree with you on how he looks coming out of this- but I don't agree with you either.

He waited a year to do it because he could. Nothing forced his hand, until this literally slapped him in the face. Remember- say what you will, but the UN didn't come back and say "The regime used chemical warfare" a year ago. It was suspected, and rightly so (because I think they did). This time was different as far as damnable proof goes.
 
Chopstick said:
If its so genius why did he wait well over a year to do it? Because he allowed himself to be backed into a corner. I think he looks weak and inept but that is my opinion.

ETA additional thought. I also think President Nobel Peace Prize is going to drag us into WWIII. I hope I am wrong.
Click to expand...

He waited this long because this is the right time (politically) to "bunt". He needs time for breathing space--even the UK is hesitating on this--and he needs an "out," which would be provided should Congress not approve the vote. Should Congress approve it, Obama has Congress to blame when everything wrong and him leadership to point to should all of us be wrong and some miracle occurs and everything works out okay. It's a brilliant move.
 
amlove21 said:
I hope you're wrong too- but I also think a true "WWIII" scenario isn't feasible in today's environment. I don't necessarily disagree with you on how he looks coming out of this- but I don't agree with you either.

He waited a year to do it because he could. Nothing forced his hand, until this literally slapped him in the face. Remember- say what you will, but the UN didn't come back and say "The regime used chemical warfare" a year ago. It was suspected, and rightly so (because I think they did). This time was different as far as damnable proof goes.
Click to expand...

FWIW, plenty of others agree including Michael Reagan.

ReaganonPotus.jpg
 
I wonder how may more innocent Syrians are going to die from Obama's brilliant political genius? And how many more Americans?
 
As long as the answer to the second question is "zero," I don't care too much about the answer to the first.
 
Marauder06 said:
As long as the answer to the second question is "zero," I don't care too much about the answer to the first.
Click to expand...
I wish I could agree more with this, and I think this very sentiment has to make it's way to capitol hill. We have to start putting the lives of American men and women first when we make a choice on something that does not directly affect the United States or it's interests. We have to.
 
Chopstick said:
I wonder how may more innocent Syrians are going to die from Obama's brilliant political genius? And how many more Americans?
Click to expand...
Chop, I know what you mean, but I want to put you to task here. Let's say that in this - civil war, sectarian violence, righteous Arab Spring runoff, whatever- thing, more innocent Syrians do die, because we all know that is a reality. Do you feel the United States is obligated to intervene militarily? If yes, how so? If the first two questions are satisfied, how important is it, meaning- do we go in alone? At the behest of the UN? In the face of Russia, Iran, others?

The base of the argument is this- unfortunately, we are talking about human life. And you know what? That sucks. But does it suck enough, on a global scale, to risk the lives of our sons, brothers, mothers, sisters, fathers, friends? Again? I say this from the ground level, from the operational optic. No, I am not. I will employ and deploy my teams because that what we do. But if I was king for a day? If I got to make one decision? Humanitarian aid. Lots of it. Support the UN. Sanction the living shit out of Syria and the countries that align themselves with those that would kill innocent civilians. Medical care. But that't it.

Have we learned nothing of civil war in mesopotamia and American military intervention?
 
And what if Congress decides to go in? What if, on the recommendation of Congress, we bomb the living shit out of Syria, and we put boots on the ground?

"Well, America- I didn't unilaterally do this! I asked for help from Congress! Congress represents us all. We chose to do this. I didn't agree with it- but I am not the King of America, I am the President, and I have to follow checks and balances..."
Click to expand...

Didn't work out too hot for GWB when we invaded Iraq. He went to congress AND had broad international support but still got hammered for war mongering.
 

Similar threads

R.Caerbannog
Economic shifts in Central America and China
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
R.Caerbannog
R.Caerbannog
Marauder06
"Yesterday Was Veterans Day. Today, Call Your Battle Buddy."
Replies
0
Views
56
Marauder06
Marauder06
C
SEAL Officer
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
Azrael-x1-
Azrael-x1-
R.Caerbannog
The UN, Migration, and Demographics
2 3 4
Replies
60
Views
3K
Topkick
Topkick
Marauder06
Reflections on the War in Iraq
2 3 4
Replies
76
Views
4K
Teufel
Teufel
Back
Top