Now that warfare is underway, I'd hope you would temper your comments so that we are a united front.......
Maybe when war is declared Constitutionally.
(https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/30697723_2134899203242258_2957196521956197145_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&oh=f303102f69f0efca672ca246a19bc3c0&oe=5B613096)
Agreed. OTOH....Though this action may not be wise, it is time to rally behind our military, and give them our support. Even if that means tempering our criticism of the CIC.
Agreed, @catfish, we support our troops.
And, no one asked me or is likely to, but I'm against this action. I'm praying this is as far as our involvement goes.
At least... it was a coordinated strike with the UK and France, not just the US.
Agreed, @catfish, we support our troops.
And, no one asked me or is likely to, but I'm against this action. I'm praying this is as far as our involvement goes.
Per Sky News, Reuters source in Damascus says scientific research facility targeted.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-explosions/reuters-witness-hears-large-blasts-in-syrias-damascus-idUSKBN1HL02I (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-explosions/reuters-witness-hears-large-blasts-in-syrias-damascus-idUSKBN1HL02I)
I am against it too, but vitriolic rhetoric is counterproductive right now. We are in an active war that might escalate more than we realize.
Syrian airspace at the moment. Getting ready for something? #Syria #SyriaStrikes #ChemicalAttack @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/tXoj7EZ774
— Linas Kojala (@LinasKojala) April 11, 2018
May God watch over our servicemen now and always.
:amen:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Syrian airspace at the moment. Getting ready for something? #Syria (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Syria?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw) #SyriaStrikes (https://twitter.com/hashtag/SyriaStrikes?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw) #ChemicalAttack (https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChemicalAttack?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw) @realDonaldTrump (https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc^tfw) pic.twitter.com/tXoj7EZ774 (https://t.co/tXoj7EZ774)</p>— Linas Kojala (@LinasKojala) April 11, 2018 (https://twitter.com/LinasKojala/status/984057731177943040?ref_src=twsrc^tfw)
Maybe when war is declared Constitutionally.So says Barbara Lee Communist. CA as well
:amen: too. Praying. @Slip18 @Cyber Liberty @everyone
So says Barbara Lee Communist. CA as well
OTOH Reagan attacked Libya without such formality
I am against it too, but vitriolic rhetoric is counterproductive right now. We are in an active war that might escalate more than we realize.Yeah I know I'll sleep well tonight knowing my bed is 5 miles from where nuclear weapons are stored. Here's praying we don't take out any Russian citizens by accident.
Yeah I know I'll sleep well tonight knowing my bed is 5 miles from where nuclear weapons are stored. Here's praying we don't take out any Russian citizens by accident.
I'm with you....I'm not for this.
Yeah I know I'll sleep well tonight knowing my bed is 5 miles from where nuclear weapons are stored. Here's praying we don't take out any Russian citizens by accident.
I'm with you....I'm not for this.
I would hope Putin is not thirsty enough for WW3 to fight it over Syria.
Probably not, but he’ll definitely use the fact that three big NATO countries were involved to stoke nationalist fervor.
This update at 9:00 pm from pentagon says it is over.
Tom Cotton:
Five years later, I'm glad we have a president who took my & Mike Pompeo's advice.
https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/984966457757970432
I wouldn't call the reception he got from TwitterWorld "warm and friendly."
This update at 9:00 pm from pentagon says it is over.
I wouldn't call the reception he got from TwitterWorld "warm and friendly."
If that's all there is, then good. (without Congress at least). What is concerning is the promise in the speech of 'sustained response until it is over' yet no mention of going to Congress.
Pentagon military said it is a one shot deal, not sustained.
Agreed. OTOH....Though this action may not be wise, it is time to rally behind our military, and give them our support. Even if that means tempering our criticism of the CIC.
Glenn Greenwald @ggreenwald
38 minutes ago
Predictably, America's foreign policy mavens are uniting to praise Trump. The most vivid reflection of the sickness of US political culture is how easy it is to get its elites to switch from "he's a maniacal monster with dementia" to "I'm behind our Leader": just bomb someone
Unclaimed Territory and Salon
In October 2005, he began his blog Unclaimed Territory focusing on the investigation pertaining to the Plame affair, the CIA leak grand jury investigation, the federal indictment of Scooter Libby and the NSA warrantless surveillance (2001–07) controversy. In April 2006, the blog received the 2005 Koufax Award for "Best New Blog".[9]
In February 2007, Greenwald became a contributing writer for the Salon website, and the new column and blog superseded Unclaimed Territory, although Salon prominently features hyperlinks to it in Greenwald's dedicated biographical section.[16][17]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Greenwald
Glenn Greenwald @ggreenwald
38 minutes ago
Predictably, America's foreign policy mavens are uniting to praise Trump. The most vivid reflection of the sickness of US political culture is how easy it is to get its elites to switch from "he's a maniacal monster with dementia" to "I'm behind our Leader": just bomb someone
So said Trump in 2013.
In case you didn't figure it out, for the past few days, with probably two exceptions, everything I said about this potential was just copying Trump's own words- just not attributing them until this thread when I posted screenshots.
Glen Greenwald, thanks so much, I want to know what he thinks.
Josh Caplan †@joshdcaplan 17m17 minutes ago
BREAKING: Third wave of U.S.-led airstrikes hitting Qutaifah military base, north of Damascus - @arturaskerelis
Partisangirl 🇸🇾 †Verified account @Partisangirl 8m8 minutes ago
#Damascus lights turned off full blackout. To lower Us target visibility #Syria
As Social Media Advisor at GOPBR aka TBR,
Can we get a proclamation declaring April 13th ‘Soon Or Not So Soon At All’ Day?
Local Sources: the US airstrikes targeted Hezbollah headquarters in Quseir, countryside of Homs
https://syria.liveuamap.com/en/2018/14-april-local-sources-the-us-airstrikes-targeted-hezbollah
REPORTS THAT HEZBOLLAH HQS IN AL-QUSAYR HAS BEEN BY US TOMAHAWK MISSILES تØيا الثورة أنقذوا درعا @VivaRevolt
Syria has hardly been able to shoot down Israeli missiles, they probably didn't get many if any of these.
Sky News abruptly ends segment when former head of British Armed Forces questions Syria gas attack
April 13, 2018
By Kyle Olson
General Jonathan Shaw found out what happens when you don’t stick to the pro-war script.
The former commander of British Forces in Iraq was abruptly cut off and had his segment ended on Sky News when he questioned why Syrian leader Assad would launch a gas attack on his own people.
Read more at: http://www.theamericanmirror.com/sky-news-abruptly-ends-segment-when-former-head-of-british-armed-forces-questions-syria-gas-attack/ (http://www.theamericanmirror.com/sky-news-abruptly-ends-segment-when-former-head-of-british-armed-forces-questions-syria-gas-attack/)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DatW9ixXkAAm1b5.jpg)
That's from Iraq, 2003 - Shock and Awe.
Well, you certainly know your wars ... at least better than the media.
Thanks... I've removed it.
Russia's U.S. ambassador warns of consequences for Syria strikes
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russia's ambassador to the United States on Friday warned that there would be consequences for the U.S.-led military strikes on Syria, adding that it was not acceptable to insult Russia's president.
"A pre-designed scenario is being implemented," Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov said on Twitter. "Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences."
https://twitter.com/RusEmbUSA/status/984980480234868736
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DatgjyDVwAAN8tY.jpg)
Russia's U.S. ambassador warns of consequences for Syria strikes
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Russia's ambassador to the United States on Friday warned that there would be consequences for the U.S.-led military strikes on Syria, adding that it was not acceptable to insult Russia's president.
"A pre-designed scenario is being implemented," Russian Ambassador Anatoly Antonov said on Twitter. "Again, we are being threatened. We warned that such actions will not be left without consequences."
https://www.yahoo.com/news/russias-u-ambassador-warns-consequences-syria-strikes-025729892.html (https://www.yahoo.com/news/russias-u-ambassador-warns-consequences-syria-strikes-025729892.html)
I'm going to take a wild guess the response will be cyberattacks. That's the only thing they could do against the three participants at once.
I'm going to take a wild guess the response will be cyberattacks. That's the only thing they could do against the three participants at once.
I'm going to take a wild guess the response will be cyberattacks. That's the only thing they could do against the three participants at once.
Making any comparison to Hitler makes him an idiot.
I really doubt they want to start a cyber war of any significance. They're on the short end of the technology stick to try it.
I noticed. As Social Media Advisor at GOPBR aka TBR, I noticed you are obsessed with your anti-Trump "gotcha" game & pursuits.
2018-2013=5 years.
BTW Nan Pelosi joined Barbara Lee; your policy-mates
I am not sure about all of this.Good points, all.
Yes, Syria has a bad guy, Assad. The news shows us pictures of gassed children, and we hate that, so we have to do something.
I guess gas gets us more upset than shooting or burning villages.
It must, because for the past decade or so, all over Africa, kids have been forced into service, to go into village after village and burn them down, but, at least it wasn't gas.
We are , once again, picking winners and losers on the world stage.
Syria, yes. Africa, no.
Why? Who benefits?
Who takes Assad's place?
ISIS?
Many Syrian christians say that Assad protects them.
Can you honestly say that Iraq and Afghanistan are much different that before we entered into those conflicts? Saddam Hussein was once "our guy".
Is Libya without Khaddafi better. Would Benghazi come up if Khaddafi was still there?
Reagan reined him in an he became a stabilizing influence and trading partner, in what became a fairly secular country. Not any more.
Arab spring in Egypt, Mubarak replaced, and Coptic christians are killed. Would they have been before?
As bad as the reality is, the alternative may be worse.
Be careful what you wish for.....
Good points, all.
How do you destroy chemical weapons stocks without liberating the very agents you didn't want used?
I missed the comparison. Can you explain please?
Tom Cotton:
Five years later, I'm glad we have a president who took my & Mike Pompeo's advice.
https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/984966457757970432 (https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/984966457757970432)
@AbaraXas
Now that warfare is underway, I'd hope you would temper your comments so that we are a united front.......
I might be more supportive if I didn't have the nagging feeling that this invasion is a distraction from the Mueller investigation.
Prayers for our fighting men and women and the innocent children who are in harm's way.
I am very pleased France and Great Britain are joining us in this action.
Agreed, @catfish, we support our troops.
And, no one asked me or is likely to, but I'm against this action. I'm praying this is as far as our involvement goes.
Yes, there is that.
Meaning.... chemical weapons lab (thanks, Israeli Intel!) destroyed. Let's hope no civilians were killed in the strike.
I do not think Russia and Iran are going to take this one sitting down if their rhetoric in the last few weeks has any worth among those they preach to. What confirmation do we have that it was indeed Assad that gassed these people and not ISIS or other Caliphate wannabes?
Why would Trump want to grant Obama's biggest wish in toppling Assad?
It will be interesting to see if a debtor nation such as ours that has deficit spent itself into trillions in debt, with open boarders and having ignited a trade war with China can maintain an response status as world policeman.
I would hope Putin is not thirsty enough for WW3 to fight it over Syria.
I usually don't fully believe the military at times like this, but I think you're right. This is it.
I noticed. As Social Media Advisor at GOPBR aka TBR, I noticed you are obsessed with your anti-Trump "gotcha" game & pursuits.
2018-2013=5 years.
BTW Nan Pelosi joined Barbara Lee; your policy-mates
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iPPDi6ZMwpY/Udt46bbFG7I/AAAAAAAAUYc/iwB7yhPKK7I/s1600/barney-fife.jpg)
Social Media Advisor at GOPBR
Uh ohhh....were all skeered now!!!!!!!!!!
9999hair out0000
He means @AbaraXas .....note his avatar. How long you been here? :laugh:
Which means..... you hope civilians were killed?????
(not surprised)
It means nothing of the sort.
It means "shit happens".
Well, it’s not like Trump just said one or two things about it. He has an extensive history, saying staying out of it completely was a big priority for him.
This is quite a list and it mentions some of the implications that are still true today.
http://dailycaller.com/2018/04/13/trump-list-not-involve-in-syria/ (http://dailycaller.com/2018/04/13/trump-list-not-involve-in-syria/)
I don't spend my time 24/7 trying to prop up an incompetent leader 33,000 + times. So no I might not know the inside jokes
Amen!
And don't think this attack isn't also for the benefit of certain people in Teheran. Make them think TWICE!
Agree ... and I think one of the unstated benefits of this attack is destroying the chemical stockpile before Iran turns it on Israel.
I pray the good guys were successful in this!
Yes, but facts can change. And when they do, responsible leaders adapt and change their response to the new circumstances.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, US, UK and French forces struck Bashar Assad's regime in Syria. We'll see what, if anything, comes of that.link (https://www.steynonline.com/8586/the-nation-as-insoluble-problem)
One notes that Germany did not participate in the attacks - which is odd, considering that the most significant event in German life this last half-decade has been the arrival of millions of young, male so-called "Syrian" so-called "refugees" fleeing the chaos of "their" benighted land, and inflicting a whole lot on their Teuton hosts. On the other hand, unless I've missed a walk-back, Mutti Merkel's official position remains the more "refugees" the better. So presumably she won't be satisfied till everyone flees everywhere and settles in Germany.
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
50 minutes ago
A perfectly executed strike last night. Thank you to France and the United Kingdom for their wisdom and the power of their fine Military. Could not have had a better result. Mission Accomplished!
Except the situation was exactly the same when he took office. Assad was still in power, Iran and Russia were still present, and certain factions in the rebel opposition still have agendas separate from our interests. The only fact that had changed was it was now his call to make from behind the resolute desk, instead of the armchair.
Interesting connection to Pompeo's op-ed calling Congress to support Obama re Syria: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-gop-should-support-obama-on-syria/2013/09/03/e0bc23be-14aa-11e3-880b-7503237cc69d_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.28f4429d6cd5 (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-gop-should-support-obama-on-syria/2013/09/03/e0bc23be-14aa-11e3-880b-7503237cc69d_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.28f4429d6cd5)
By Jake Miller CBS News August 30, 2013, 11:41 AM
George W. Bush "not a fan" of Syrian President Bashar al Assad
Former President George W. Bush said Friday that he is "not a fan" of Syrian President Bashar al Assad, but he refused to be "roped in" to the debate over whether the U.S. should launch a military strike on Syria.
Bush, whose controversial push for war in Iraq and Afghanistan has been cited by some as a cautionary lesson as the U.S. mulls military engagement in Syria, told Fox News, "The president's got a tough choice to make, and if he decides to use our military, he'll have the greatest military ever backing him up."
Asked to reflect on his own dealings with Assad during his tenure in office, Bush said he's "not a fan" of the Syrian dictator: "He's an ally of Iran and he's made mischief."
More: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/george-w-bush-not-a-fan-of-syrian-president-bashar-al-assad/ (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/george-w-bush-not-a-fan-of-syrian-president-bashar-al-assad/)
I doubt this strike will result in protracted actions by the United States, and I believe President Trump will extricate our involvement in that region as he promised.
The United States has also rebuilt our friendships across the Middle East. We have asked our partners to take greater responsibility for securing their home region, including contributing large amounts of money for the resources, equipment and all of the anti-ISIS efforts. Increased engagement from our friends, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt and others can ensure that Iran does not profit from the eradication of ISIS.
America does not seek an indefinite presence in Syria under no circumstances. As other nations step up their contributions, we look forward to the day when we can bring our warriors home. And great warriors they are.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2018/04/13/full-transcript-of-trumps-address-on-syria-airstrikes/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.26a9b286e209 (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2018/04/13/full-transcript-of-trumps-address-on-syria-airstrikes/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.26a9b286e209)
Bush vetoes Syria war plan
Julian Borger in Washington, Michael White, Ewen MacAskill in Kuwait City and Nicholas Watt
Tue 15 Apr 2003 03.30 EDT
First published on Tue 15 Apr 2003 03.30 EDT
The White House has privately ruled out suggestions that the US should go to war against Syria following its military success in Iraq, and has blocked preliminary planning for such a campaign in the Pentagon, the Guardian learned yesterday.
In the past few weeks, the US defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, ordered contingency plans for a war on Syria to be reviewed following the fall of Baghdad.
Meanwhile, his undersecretary for policy, Doug Feith, and William Luti, the head of the Pentagon's office of special plans, were asked to put together a briefing paper on the case for war against Syria, outlining its role in supplying weapons to Saddam Hussein, its links with Middle East terrorist groups and its allegedly advanced chemical weapons programme. Mr Feith and Mr Luti were both instrumental in persuading the White House to go to war in Iraq.
Read more at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/apr/15/syria.usa (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/apr/15/syria.usa)
US Judge Rules Assad Helped Al-Qaeda Kill Americans
Home > World > Iran > US Judge Rules Assad Helped Al-Qaeda Kill Americans
By Ryan Mauro Monday, May 8, 2017
A district court judge ruled the Syrian regime — and specifically its ruler, President Bashar al-Assad — are liable for the murders of three Americans by al-Qaeda because of the regime’s massive support for the terrorist group’s branch in Iraq.
In addition to those three Americans, tens of thousands of U.S. soldiers, Iraqis and others have been killed or injured due to Assad’s sponsorship of al-Qaeda and other jihadists.
The lawsuit was filed by the families of Laurence Michael Foley, a U.S. diplomat in Jordan assassinated by al-Qaeda in 2002; Staff Sgt. Keith Matthew Maupin, killed in Iraq in 2004 and Pvt. Kristian Menchacha, who was killed in Iraq in 2006.
Read more at: https://clarionproject.org/us-judge-rules-assad-helped-al-qaeda-kill-americans/
Sounds like this was a very targeted attack focused on facilities that develop and store chemical weapons that dealt a "severe blow" against Syria. No US (or other allied) casualties. Great job by the President and our military!!
Syria air strikes: UK confident of successful mission, says PM
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-43763605 (http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-43763605)
Sounds like this was a very targeted attack focused on facilities that develop and store chemical weapons that dealt a "severe blow" against Syria. No US (or other allied) casualties. Great job by the President and our military!!
Given the numerous warnings that Trump and other Western power gave to Syria and Russia, it is like they wanted to be seen as doing something but they didn't want to actually hurt anybody. If this had been a real, serious strike, we would have never heard a single word about it until it was over.
Sounds like this was a very targeted attack focused on facilities that develop and store chemical weapons that dealt a "severe blow" against Syria. No US (or other allied) casualties. Great job by the President and our military!!
and no response from the Russians.
Exactly....Syria/Russia had almost a week to move anything of importance. We may have just bombed an empty building..time will tell.
Like @240B said..if you wanted to make any kind of *statement* that would hurt Assad, the bombing should have happened almost immediately after the gas attack..just my 2cents
Syria air strikes: UK confident of successful mission, says PM
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-43763605 (http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-43763605)
Well hey.... at least this time we didn't give them three months to clean up the sites, like we gave Saddam. Only a week? That's making them hustle!
Operation Desert Stormy is over already? That was fast.
Primary goal, I'm sure, was to give Putin time to get his naval vessels and troops/advisors to safety.
You can be sure that they had 24/7 orbital cameras on Syria to make sure they could track movements of chemical weapons, etc..
Primary goal, I'm sure, was to give Putin time to get his naval vessels and troops/advisors to safety.
Why would any Russian personnel be in or near the facilities hit in the strike?
So....another Kabuki show?
Figures.
We've been bombing terrorists in Syria since Obama's 2nd term. Why are some whining about it now?
Why would any Russian personnel be in or near the facilities hit in the strike?
Who is whining, @TomSea? I do see some, myself included, questioning the wisdom of getting further involved in a middle eastern civil war.
'Advisor' capacity?
But they sure did rapidly get all their ships out of the port/harbors.
We've been bombing terrorists in Syria since Obama's 2nd term. Why are some whining about it now?
They went after the chemical weapons facilities. They weren't going there to start WWIII.
How much you wanna bet Assad won't dare pull any stunt like this again. Kabuki show........ **nononono*
We've been bombing terrorists in Syria since Obama's 2nd term. Why are some whining about it now?
Who is whining, @TomSea? I do see some, myself included, questioning the wisdom of getting further involved in a middle eastern civil war.
Awww....maybe they're ticked off that this POTUS means business?
http://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,312132.0.html (http://www.gopbriefingroom.com/index.php/topic,312132.0.html)
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/trumps-missile-attacks-on-syria-are-illegal (https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/trumps-missile-attacks-on-syria-are-illegal)
As a number of voices out there. You shouldn't think people are always talking about you.
@Sanguine
If it's true that we gave them a week's notice to get their ducks in a row (ie Kabuki show).... then I would bet that Assad will pull another stunt, and another. What, exactly, is really stopping him? :shrug:
The only thing that would stop him is for us to go in and destroy those chemical labs and chemicals without prior notice or warning. Right?
'Advisor' capacity?
But they sure did rapidly get all their ships out of the port/harbors.
They went after the chemical weapons facilities. They weren't going there to start WWIII.
How much you wanna bet Assad won't dare pull any stunt like this again. Kabuki show........ **nononono*
.....and how does that make you feel? {{{pen in hand with writing pad}}} :laugh:
69 missiles last time, this time? What? 103 or something... so almost double...
But... wouldn't "meaning business" have been going in immediately and destroying the chemical labs? Just sayin/askin....
Yes and double the defense expenditures for not much more in results. But, hey....he's got $700B to burn, some if it discretionary. This is exactly the kind of thing Eisenhower warned about almost six decades ago.
Who in the hell said he wants to "topple Assad"? YOU??
You look like Chicken Little, running around here.
But... wouldn't "meaning business" have been going in immediately and destroying the chemical labs? Just sayin/askin....
Maybe, just maybe, "going in immediately" would not have allowed for a coalition to strike in a coordinated attack.
Were they all US missiles this time @edpc ?
Who in the hell said he wants to "topple Assad"? YOU??
You look like Chicken Little, running around here. :whistle:
You know people laugh at people like you who appoint themselves "honorary hall monitors"
You are so full of sh__.
If 100 were launched, I’ll bet 85-90 were US ordnance. ....
And what makes you believe they didn't destroy said labs last night?
Whether or not they were moved...isn't only on President Trump.
If he would have acted immediately, people would be screaming he didn't form any coalition. :shrug:
Maybe, just maybe, "going in immediately" would not have allowed for a coalition to strike in a coordinated attack.
And what makes you believe they didn't destroy said labs last night?
Whether or not they were moved...isn't only on President Trump.
If he would have acted immediately, people would be screaming he didn't form any coalition. :shrug:
This is the usual proxy thing we have vs Russia, and their job is considerably easier. We're trying to settle the place down, and they're trying to destabilize it. That's far easier to do in an inherently unstable region.
What makes me think they probably didn't destroy the labs is past history. When giving the enemy enough time and warning and heads up .... the strike will not be effective. You don't give the enemy a heads up that allows them to move or relocate those weapons. Not if you're serious about combating the threat.
I realize that Trump is in a damned if he does, damned if he doesn't scenario. I'm not questioning this action to ding Trump. I'm questioning the action for ANY leader. It makes no sense to me. If it takes a friggin week to get a "coalition" together for the action, perhaps it's not an action worth taking.
.
I was playing psychiatrist.
I'm not for "toppling" anybody. Not our job. I don't like Russia propping people up, either. It creates and emboldens tyrants, who in turn attack others until they eventually end up on our shores, knocking buildings full of innocent Americans ever.
This is the usual proxy thing we have vs Russia, and their job is considerably easier. We're trying to settle the place down, and they're trying to destabilize it. That's far easier to do in an inherently unstable region.
Syria was not unstable until Obama tried to do his Arab Spring thing there via toppling all the secular dictators in the Middle East and replacing them with Islamists. The Assad opposition Obama spearheaded eventually became part of ISIS. Not to mention they were supplied with heavy weaponry out of the Benghazi consulate if reports are true.
So you're guessing.
Cool. :cool:
Maybe we need a box of crayons to explain it to them? :laugh:
Syria Air Strikes Get Mixed Reaction From Hollywood & Media (http://deadline.com/2018/04/reactions-mixed-to-president-donald-trumps-syria-attacks-1202364289/)
Good. Add that to your list of failures.
Nope.....IMO, Putin saw the results in Libya with Obama and he's determined not to create bedlam in Syria.
Russian needs a somewhat stable Syria if they plan on having serious influence in the region in the future.
Now see.... it's crap snark like that.... that breeds yet more animosity on the forum.
Heckuva job, DC!
Snark??
Why don't you share that thought with the likes of @catfish1957 ?
I'm addressing you here. It's a bit juvenile for you to point to (blame) someone else, dontcha think.
I'm guilty of finding myself always under verbal assault by more than one person at a time...so EXCUUUUUUUUSE ME please for being defensive. :patriot:
Probably true for Syria, but not anywhere else. For one thing, they get to partner with Iran, and that's all good as far as Russia is concerned. I think they want Iran even more than Syria.
I think we can agree the "Arab Spring" was probably the worst thing Obama and Hillary ever did, in terms of f foreign policy. We new it at the time, too, but nobody would listen to us. What a senseless waste of human life.
Lol! Now... the victim card. Soooooo predictable.
But by all means.... do carry on.
This is what we are stuck dealing with now over there. We have no accurate way of knowing whether Assad's regime actually gassed his own people near Damascus or not. Secular dictators are always all about themselves and the their own preservation. Why Assad would be stupid enough to gas civvies right when Trump was going to make an exit out of there - doesn't make logical sense. Islamists like ISIS have no qualms about killing their own women and children to try and pin the blame on their enemies.
I would have given Russia carte blanch to operate in Syria and deal with ISIS themselves in order to preserve Assad as their ally, informing them that if they cannot contain ISIS there that we will be back. We have no real strategic reason to be involved with Syria.
Of course they do.....they need seaports to the South. And don't forget the oil........ :laugh:
Were you portraying the "victim" when you cried that I was giving YOU snark? (when it wasn't directed at you personally) :whistle:
If Syria uses toxic gas again, U.S. 'locked and loaded': U.N. envoy Haley
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States is "locked and loaded" to strike again if Syria's President Bashar al-Assad's government again uses chemical weapons, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told the Security Council on Saturday.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/syria-uses-toxic-gas-again-u-locked-loaded-154003633.html?.tsrc=bell-brknews (https://www.yahoo.com/news/syria-uses-toxic-gas-again-u-locked-loaded-154003633.html?.tsrc=bell-brknews)
I didn't take it personally. I never do. I was just remarking re: how/why the forum usually devolves into a smelly food-fight when you're around. :tongue2: :smokin: :nono:
If Syria uses toxic gas again, U.S. 'locked and loaded': U.N. envoy Haley
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United States is "locked and loaded" to strike again if Syria's President Bashar al-Assad's government again uses chemical weapons, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told the Security Council on Saturday.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/syria-uses-toxic-gas-again-u-locked-loaded-154003633.html?.tsrc=bell-brknews (https://www.yahoo.com/news/syria-uses-toxic-gas-again-u-locked-loaded-154003633.html?.tsrc=bell-brknews)
I'm guilty of finding myself always under verbal assault by more than one person at a time...so EXCUUUUUUUUSE ME please for being defensive. :patriot:
I didn't take it personally. I never do. I was just remarking re: how/why the forum usually devolves into a smelly food-fight when you're around. :tongue2: :smokin: :nono:
Yeah....if the likes of me and @Right_in_Virginia weren't around, this place would be SOOOOO much more interesting. *****rollingeyes*****
Everybody gets defensive with the level of snark I've seen being tossed around here like manhole covers. I don't hold that against anybody today, especially my old friends (like you). Carry on, friend, I've known you for too long! :beer:
Oh...so... now you're implying that we are boring???? Harumph! 22222frying pan
So...you admit that you were compelled to remark, thereby starting shit?
Thanks for playing. :laugh:
Except that.... Russia is our real enemy there, and cannot be trusted.... proven over and over again. Hell, it was Russia that assisted Saddam in moving their WMDs out of Iraq to Syria in the first damned place. But... that's a whole nuther can of worms thread....lol.
Thanks buddy.....had more patience 10 years ago. Not anymore. :shrug:
I didn't say anything about 'trusting Russia'. However, Assad is their puppet - and preserving him means they have to help him put down ISIS, which is the only reason we have need to be there.
On top of the fact that we are BROKE, in debt to the tune of trillions and the world is beginning to move away from the US dollar as a reserve currency. Petrol dollars in Yuan is beginning to make big moves. We run the risk of collapsing like the Soviets did in terms of being able to maintain a projection of power. Not to mention that critical hardware technologies that power our defense systems and the smartphone technologies we are dependent upon all come from a nation that just said they were willing to join up with Russia to thwart us.
I would have given Russia carte blanch to operate in Syria and deal with ISIS themselves ...
Ten years ago the country wasn't severely damaged by a rogue Muslim President. I think a lot of patience has been worn thin.
Except that.... Russia is our real enemy there, and cannot be trusted.... proven over and over again. Hell, it was Russia that assisted Saddam in moving their WMDs out of Iraq to Syria in the first damned place. But... that's a whole nuther can of worms thread....lol.
Thanks buddy.....had more patience 10 years ago. Not anymore. :shrug:
Well... then.... giving Russia "carte blanche" in Syria wouldn't be a good idea. Right?
We have already given Russia too much wiggle room in the Middle East. They (along with Iran) are the unstablizing force, IMO. Sure, we can't exactly stop them without a full-on (probably nuclear) war. But acting as if they were actually doing something positive in the region is foolhardy and wrong.... and more of the same stupidity. Just sayin....
Thanks buddy.....had more patience 10 years ago. Not anymore. :shrug:
Planes, some at least, flew out from the shared base in Qatar.
Did you lose patience because of a malpractice suit?
This conclusion is based on descriptions of the attack in multiple media sources, the reported symptoms experienced by victims, videos and images showing two assessed barrel bombs from the attack, and reliable information indicating coordination between Syrian military officials before the attack.
The feds are relying on MSM reports? WTF type of garbage is that?
The feds are relying on MSM reports? WTF type of garbage is that?
Kyle Orton
â€Verified account @KyleWOrton
Kyle Orton Retweeted Billy Bragg
Asad spent a decade assisting ISIS in Iraq, deliberately bolstered jihadists in the Syrian insurgency while murdering peaceful protesters, and let ISIS build its caliphate to force a binary choice -- the dictator or terrorists.
But sure, damaging Asad's CWMD is helping ISIS.
Kyle Orton
â€Verified account @KyleWOrton
Kyle Orton Retweeted Anne-Marie Slaughter
Who defines this "international law"? The U.N. Security Council, a political body where two predatory dictatorships have vetoes? A group of judges in the Hague who have been hit with a sunburst of enlightenment denied to the rest of humanity?
Yes, but facts can change. And when they do, responsible leaders adapt and change their response to the new circumstances.
What "facts" changed?
Not much of anything has changed in Syria since Obama wanted to bomb them. It was even for the same claimed reason.
You want it both ways. It won't play.
I'm addressing you here. It's a bit juvenile for you to point to (blame) someone else, dontcha think.
Iran flies a weaponized drone into Israel, WMDs could cause mass casualties.
Also, Trump probably thought the Russians were earnestly fighting ISIS, that's a lot of people's impressions and many people say that is a false impression. He probably thought he could actually work with them to fight terrorism.
Lol! Psst! They're on the same side....so.....
So in other words, nothing in Syria changed since Obama wanted to bomb them and Trump demanded he not bomb them for the same reason he's bombing them now.
You’re missing the point of this report. Chlorine is some really dangerous shit. Next time, we will have a JDAM for every swimming pool in Syria, if they dare bomb civilians and not observe the 45 minutes after eating rule.
In other words, Trump wanted to work with the Russians against terrorism in Syria. Go ahead and believe nothing has changed in that as well.
Lindsay Graham's statement:
Nothing has. The Russians lied providing cover for Assad, their ally. Anyone with a brain knew that. I don't recall Trump tweeting "give peace a chance"... He simply said it wasn't our problem and to butt out... The facts didn't change, only the guy looking for votes did.
We're already in Syria. Does one not want us to fight terrorists? Trump said he was all for fighting terrorists. You just think you score on some linguistic point. We are already there, period.
Is a surgical strike going into Syria? I don't know, we are already there.
"anyone with a brain knew that", I'm not so sure the Breitbart/Infowars/SteveBannon people knew that. So, just an insult at others, I think many thought so.
Yeah, but... supposedly, there was sarin gas used too. However, the use of 'both' at the same time has never been done. So who to believe....?
Polish president voices support for allied strikes on Syria
Grzegorz Siwicki 14.04.2018 19:55
Poland’s president on Saturday expressed his country’s support over punitive air strikes on Syria by combined US, UK and French forces.
Andrzej Duda said the overnight strikes “were needed†and added that “decent nations cannot allow innocent people to be killed with chemical weapons.â€
"We are a member of the coalition, a member of the North Atlantic Alliance, and, of course, we back and support the actions of our allies,†Duda said.
He added that Poland had been kept informed and consulted ahead of the strikes.
Read more at: http://thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/358862,Polish-president-voices-support-for-allied-strikes-on-Syria (http://thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/358862,Polish-president-voices-support-for-allied-strikes-on-Syria)
UN rejects Russian attempt to condemn US aggression in Syria
ABC News
The U.N. Security Council rejected a Russian resolution calling for condemnation of the "aggression" by the United States and its allies against Syria on Saturday.
The vote reflected support for the airstrikes on Syrian chemical sites but it also demonstrated again the paralysis of the U.N.'s most powerful body in dealing with the Syria conflict.
Russia's demand for condemnation and an immediate halt to "aggression" and "any further use of force" by the U.S., Britain and France got support from only two other countries on the 15-member council — China and Bolivia.
Read more at: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/rejects-russian-attempt-condemn-us-aggression-syria-54471186 (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/rejects-russian-attempt-condemn-us-aggression-syria-54471186)
How the U.S. and Allies Attacked Syria
@ToluseO More stories by Toluse Olorunnipa
...
As images of sick or dying children flooded global media all week, the U.S. guided-missile destroyer USS Winston Churchill was en route to the Mediterranean to join a flotilla of allied warships, including another U.S. destroyer, the USS Donald Cook.
It was a ruse.
While both vessels carry as many as 90 Tomahawk missiles -- the main weapon used in the Friday evening strike on Syria -- neither ship in the end fired a shot. Instead, according to a person familiar with White House war planning, they were part of a plan to distract Russia and its Syrian ally from an assault Assad’s government could do little to defend itself against.
Read more at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-14/warship-ruse-and-new-stealth-missiles-how-they-attacked-syria (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-04-14/warship-ruse-and-new-stealth-missiles-how-they-attacked-syria)
Did you lose patience because of a malpractice suit?****drummer
****drummer
I'm here every Friday and Saturday. Don't forget to tip your waitress on your way out.Now I'm confused, from anyone else I would have no problem with that statement, but from you...............(http://i65.tinypic.com/zsqkg.jpg)
So, what do you think @LauraTXNM, should we have done this or not?
I'm not going to get into insulting dishonest arguments, one could easily say "Anyone with half a brain can see things have changed in Trump's perception of the situation", that Assad is gassing people, that Russia/the regime haven't been fighting ISIS that much. This same discussion has happened in this forum. If one feels the need to insult, you aren't winning your discussion and I would hope it can be discussion and not argument.
"In other words nothing has changed"... I'm sure one can talk to a wall somewhere.
@Sanguine Yes, I think we need to have a fast directed response to any use of chemical weapons as a deterrent. I agree with Pompeo, that Congress should have authorized an Obama strike -- even better, he shouldn't have waited for their approval. Same thing here, Trump needed to act. I wish it could have been done even faster. (**So I guess Im not an official NeverTrumper now.**)
What do you think? Was this a mistake?
Exclusive: CIA Files Prove America Helped Saddam as He Gassed Iran
By Shane Harris and Matthew M. Aid
...
In 1988, during the waning days of Iraq’s war with Iran, the United States learned through satellite imagery that Iran was about to gain a major strategic advantage by exploiting a hole in Iraqi defenses. U.S. intelligence officials conveyed the location of the Iranian troops to Iraq, fully aware that Hussein’s military would attack with chemical weapons, including sarin, a lethal nerve agent.
The intelligence included imagery and maps about Iranian troop movements, as well as the locations of Iranian logistics facilities and details about Iranian air defenses. The Iraqis used mustard gas and sarin prior to four major offensives in early 1988 that relied on U.S. satellite imagery, maps, and other intelligence. These attacks helped to tilt the war in Iraq’s favor and bring Iran to the negotiating table, and they ensured that the Reagan administration’s long-standing policy of securing an Iraqi victory would succeed. But they were also the last in a series of chemical strikes stretching back several years that the Reagan administration knew about and didn’t disclose.
U.S. officials have long denied acquiescing to Iraqi chemical attacks, insisting that Hussein’s government never announced he was going to use the weapons. But retired Air Force Col. Rick Francona, who was a military attaché in Baghdad during the 1988 strikes, paints a different picture
Read more at: http://foreignpolicy.com/2013/08/26/exclusive-cia-files-prove-america-helped-saddam-as-he-gassed-iran/ (http://foreignpolicy.com/2013/08/26/exclusive-cia-files-prove-america-helped-saddam-as-he-gassed-iran/)
Saw this, I hate stories like this which we "possibly" might have done back in the 1980s, though this article is from 2013, the history pertains to today as well:
Foreign Policy Mag (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_Policy)
So, this was revealed through declassified CIA documents, like those that are being released about JFK, seems nothing has come of those. Disturbing, even if one wants to make Iran to be a monster. The whole story could be more complicated.
Which, has been my "be careful what you wish for" point all along.
Iran overthrew the Shah.
Iran Iraq war happens, and we want Iraq to defeat Iran.
Iraq launches chemical weapons against Iran.
Chemical weapons supplied by who? ( take a wild guess).
Iraq gasses its own people. (Wasn't supposed to happen).
USA attacks Iraq.
USA does it again after 9/11, claiming Iraq has Chemical weapons (Gee, I wonder where they came from?).
Inspectors search Iraq for chemical weapons.
Inspectors cannot find them.
Reports are, they were moved the Syria.
USA has been launching attacks against Syria, since the Obama administration, and are continuing it today.
I think to be fair, perhaps Iran also ended up using chemical weapons;
But honestly, who knows? Just because it is on some webpage but from the little I have read, it appears they did not start doing it until Saddam was using them a few times. Something to research.
https://www.iranwatch.org/our-publications/weapon-program-background-report/history-irans-chemical-weapon-related-efforts (https://www.iranwatch.org/our-publications/weapon-program-background-report/history-irans-chemical-weapon-related-efforts)
It shows one what a mess we are dealing with.
(http://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/30739160_1691540544258719_2977864914265017460_n.jpg?_nc_cat=0&_nc_eui2=v1%3AAeHBJpTSZaY4qDHhOpWpZhWRVgyZ4CynBe2o413K4ER-F4xlKXe6G4bN6-nVjjmskRN3DyE3juinx9wsaKvOyBk_HzhUZBAtZ620u_P6UBsiSw&oh=cedd094a66bfc11adf700154e120271d&oe=5B29F601)
Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!†You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!
3:57 AM - 11 Apr 2018
This was a stunning display of military might and planning. If the government is to be believed, the destruction of those weapons facilities will save a lot of lives. The announcement likely delayed construction in other facilities because Assad couldn't know what was being hit or when. I am assuming that Team America has its facts correct. If so, it is a testament to the quality of the team President Trump has and picked. I think it is possible President Hillary could have chosen the same path and be greeted with support from the GOPe, but I don't think she could have chosen a better Military/Foreign Policy team.
Politically it looks like this was magnificent on President Trumps part.
It would be hard to prove "collusion" with Russia to the average voter after reading that tweet, even though President Trump is essentially warning Putin to get his stuff out. President Trump got a lot of political gain out of the chemical attacks and response.
My personal thoughts are that this was an effective, measured, swift, and justifiable response. I don't know how it could have gone better. Mission Accomplished.
Feeling a little sarcastic this morning?Not at all. I approve of the strikes and I think President Trump improved his standing with more voters than he lost from the anti-globalist wing of the party.
Ankit Panda
â€Verified account @nktpnd
5h5 hours ago
Ankit Panda Retweeted Ankit Panda
#Syria fired 40 interceptors against the 105 US/UK/France guided missiles during Saturday's strikes. 38 of those interceptors were launched *after* all of the coalition's missiles had struck their targets.
- AEJ خليل
†@anteebah_alSham
8h8 hours ago
#BREAKING
SU-22 warplane from #Dhumaiyr airbase carried out airstrikes with missiles filed with Toxic Gas Chemicals targeting #Petra area at 6:52pm, unknown casualties among civilians.
Eastern #Qalamoun cs #Syria April 18
https://twitter.com/anteebah_alSham