News of the day

stonebeard wrote: I don't know about you guys but I would much rather bomb the sh*t out of Syria than raise the federal minimum wage. Gee golly I sure do love how my tax money goes to blow up a palace in Syria rather than actually help my f**king country.

Got to earn that Nobel Peace Prize. I agree with the above poster.....dropping bombs will not help a single person.

Finnforest wrote: I listen to both the left wing and rightie talk shows in the car....the last several days it has been the guy on the leftie station saying we need to bomb them.  He was really getting irate at some of his callers, saying you are NOT a true progressive if you stand by and let people be gassed without reacting with force.  He said this is exactly the time and place for military action and just general chided his fellow liberals who were against this.      It was strange because i'm used to the opposite.  Usually the leftie station wants no military involvement and the right wingers are the hawks.  This time both sides  have their mixed  feelings.    I oppose it because I don't think doing it will help a single person.

I think that in theory the difference is that an attack on Syria would be for "humanitarian" purposes in response to the gassing, versus for the "Corporate" purposes for the attack on Iraq, because Saddam wouldn't let our oil companies have access to their oil.  

I am pretty certain that I did see John McCain siding with the President that something had to be done and that we can't let the gassing continue. 

Sadly, the whole thing is a clusterf**k damned if you do damned if you don't situation.  I think that it should really fall upon Russia or China to fix this mess as it is their ally.  I don't really understand why they would allow this to go on under their noses.  Maybe sanctions need to be placed on them in order to get them to get their buddy in line.

Finnforest wrote: Just heard Kerry speak.  Sure sounds like we're going to strike.  He said this is one of those moments history will judge inaction harshly.    I've got a bad feeling about this, esp if Israel gets drawn into it.  Certainly didn't expect something like this from Obama.

rushfan4 wrote: Finnforest wrote: I listen to both the left wing and rightie talk shows in the car....the last several days it has been the guy on the leftie station saying we need to bomb them.  He was really getting irate at some of his callers, saying you are NOT a true progressive if you stand by and let people be gassed without reacting with force.  He said this is exactly the time and place for military action and just general chided his fellow liberals who were against this.      It was strange because i'm used to the opposite.  Usually the leftie station wants no military involvement and the right wingers are the hawks.  This time both sides  have their mixed  feelings.    I oppose it because I don't think doing it will help a single person. I think that in theory the difference is that an attack on Syria would be for "humanitarian" purposes in response to the gassing, versus for the "Corporate" purposes for the attack on Iraq, because Saddam wouldn't let our oil companies have access to their oil.   I am pretty certain that I did see John McCain siding with the President that something had to be done and that we can't let the gassing continue.  Sadly, the whole thing is a clusterf**k damned if you do damned if you don't situation.  I think that it should really fall upon Russia or China to fix this mess as it is their ally.  I don't really understand why they would allow this to go on under their noses.  Maybe sanctions need to be placed on them in order to get them to get their buddy in line.

Edited by JJLehto - August 30 2013 at 13:09

“The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation...As Commander-in-Chief, the President does have a duty to protect and defend the United States. In instances of self-defense, the President would be within his constitutional authority to act before advising Congress or seeking its consent. History has shown us time and again, however, that military action is most successful when it is authorized and supported by the Legislative branch. It is always preferable to have the informed consent of Congress prior to any military action."

- Barack Obama, 2007

Finnforest wrote: Certainly didn't expect something like this from Obama.

Not from Presidential Candidate Obama. But from actual President Obama? You sure should have. He's one of the most hawkish and two-faced Democrat president's we've ever had.

Throw your ideals out the door once you get the big office.

If America could take time out from watching Miley Cyrus twerk they would realize the country has become the world's great punisher. Seems the only ones immune from punishment are politicians and movie stars. Very telling no other country besides France wants anything to do with punishing Syria. Listen to the American people for a change and let someone else take Syria to the woodshed.

At this point, President Obama has done nothing more but rattle the sabres, although I don't doubt that if his military advisers advise him to send missiles to Syria this will be done.  Our do-nothing Congress is currently on vacation from their rigorous schedule of doing nothing.  I must admit that I would be really curious to see how the vote split would go if Congress did vote.  Would the war hawk Republicans actually support the president while the bleeding heart liberals opposed him?  Would the "humanitarian" aspect of an attack change the normal outlooks of these sects?  Do we back down because the Russians and Iranians rattled their sabres?  We wouldn't want to appear weak would we?  Brings to mind the Cuban missile crisis. 

timothy leary wrote: If America could take time out from watching Miley Cyrus twerk they would realize the country has become the world's great punisher. Seems the only ones immune from punishment are politicians and movie stars. Very telling no other country besides France wants anything to do with punishing Syria. Listen to the American people for a change and let someone else take Syria to the woodshed.

We could also send Miley Cyrus to Syria. Cheaper, cheaper weapon, same results, an actual gain for American taxpayers.