Puppet War in Syria

[AquaMan]

Guido was right. We should have punished the leader quickly and without warning so the cult of anti couldn't get traction. All they would be left to do is complain that a Dem did the same thing, the same way their predecessors did. I have not been a supporter of an imperial presidency. I may have to change that view. By the time an issue has to go before a partisan, poorly informed, paid for Congress and the anti's get geared up...its too late to do anything meaningful.

[Gaspar]

"Truth never damages a cause that is just."


― Mahatma Gandhi

[AquaMan]

Yes you should strive for truth. It is a worthy effort you've spent little time on. Justice is a good one too.

[Gaspar]

Guido was right. We should have punished the leader quickly and without warning so the cult of anti couldn't get traction. All they would be left to do is complain that a Dem did the same thing, the same way their predecessors did. I have not been a supporter of an imperial presidency. I may have to change that view. By the time an issue has to go before a partisan, poorly informed, paid for Congress and the anti's get geared up...its too late to do anything meaningful.

Buck up.  Obama may get his war anyway.  He's not completly ruled out taking action without Congress.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2414017/Obama-plans-address-Americans-Tuesday-hes-set-lose-big-House-vote-White-House-aide-hints-wont-strike-Syria-Congress.html

[AquaMan]

He doesn't want a war. That's what I mean by truth and spin. And your pics are at the very least beneath the dignity of someone with your brains and professional background. It diminishes you.

If Obama wanted a war, he seems to me the kind of guy who would already have acted.

[Conan71]

He doesn't want a war. That's what I mean by truth and spin. And your pics are at the very least beneath the dignity of someone with your brains and professional background. It diminishes you.

If Obama wanted a war, he seems to me the kind of guy who would already have acted.

For a President who doesn't want a war, he's sure working hard at picking one right now.

[AquaMan]

For a President who doesn't want a war, he's sure working hard at picking one right now.

I work with people who are genuinely unhappy, profoundly uneducated and seriously hostile even to their own friends and family. They hate unions, bosses, those who make money and those who suffer poverty. Anything you say, can and will be used against you! I suppose they also have that sentiment of others looking to pick a fight with them from those around them. I can identify with Obama's predicament. So many people are hopeful for his failure in all things.

He could step back and just be a second term l'aissez faire pres, like so many have done before him. He could concentrate on sending out positive press releases like the one today that showed the ACA is not as expensive as thought and is working for those states who embrace it. He could generate numbers to focus on economic improvements over 2008. But no, he seems to think he has a job worth doing in spite of those groups.

He's not playing the political game very well.

[Gaspar]

He doesn't want a war. That's what I mean by truth and spin. And your pics are at the very least beneath the dignity of someone with your brains and professional background. It diminishes you.

If Obama wanted a war, he seems to me the kind of guy who would already have acted.

What does he want then?  What are his goals?

Sure, he has articulated that he wants to "send a message," but to do so, would require some achievement or positive outcome beyond the fireworks.  There would need to be some plan.  Regime change?  Nope.  Elimination of chemical weaponry?  Nope.  The only thing he has failed to articulate is the actual goal (beyond some twisted form of destructive communication).

As he has proven in the past with all of his policies, he remains blind to the unintended consequences of his actions (and inaction in many cases).  At this point, no matter what action he takes, the US has damaged relations with allies and invigorated our enemies.

The concept of leadership escapes him because he has always been able to accomplish his goals through speeches alone. His own words consistently betray him and it seems that has now culminated in a choice between domestic and international humiliation or unilateral war.  Neither of which are particularly attractive to him, but that's the choice he has.

[Gaspar]

Here is how things look as of 17 minutes ago.  Things are changing quickly and not in the President's favor.

[Gaspar]

A fourth Russian destroyer is now positioning itself across from our fleet.

[Gaspar]

Good read on what's happening in Congress.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/09/06/alliance-of-tea-party-libertarians-and-anti-war-dems-looks-like-the-real-thing/

We are seeing some wonderful unity.

[Conan71]

Good read on what's happening in Congress.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/09/06/alliance-of-tea-party-libertarians-and-anti-war-dems-looks-like-the-real-thing/

We are seeing some wonderful unity.

What's that? Finally after five and a half years President Obama is uniting someone?

[Gaspar]

What's that? Finally after five and a half years President Obama is uniting someone?

There is always Hope for Change.

[Conan71]

There is always Hope for Change.

Hope in one hand...

...and I hope you've got a big roll of toilet paper.

[nathanm]

For a President who doesn't want a war, he's sure working hard at picking one right now.

If he was working that hard for it, we would have seen some response to the at least three prior times chemical weapons were used in Syria.