I wasn't paying any attention to the news for a few days. So it was shocking to learn of President Dubya/Obama/Hilary/theDonald's attack on Syria. But why was I surprised?
Donald Trump doesn't have the patience for walking important legislation through Congress. He is no deal-making, arm-twisting, cajoling political leader. Who cares whether Americans can afford health care, college, or $60,000 pickup trucks. He is simply an egotistical, knee-jerking, publicity hound, who is going to enjoy military bluster around the globe.
That's why I wouldn't vote for him (or the other candidate.)
I have a lot of catching up to do with reading editorials. So far, they look pretty good. But then again, they are missing the point. It doesn't matter about the Why or the Who Did It. It only matters that a large fraction of the American public likes having a militaristic strong man in the White House.
They ain't got no interest in nambie pambie doubts and complaints such as:
1. What legal right did Trump have?
2. Has Syria attacked the USA?
3. What vital American interest is at stake?
4. What reason would Assad have to play with chemical weapons, when he is winning the war anyway?
5. If president Obama/Trump did succeed in deposing Assad, who would replace him, and why would he be any better?
6. What the hell is the USA doing in Syria anyway?
But jingoes don't care about that. They want to stick out their chests and walk with an extra bounce in their steps because they feel strong. Their country is strong. They wanted a president who said he'd make America great again, and -- according to the jingoes -- the president has. No arguments matter.
Donald Trump doesn't have the patience for walking important legislation through Congress. He is no deal-making, arm-twisting, cajoling political leader. Who cares whether Americans can afford health care, college, or $60,000 pickup trucks. He is simply an egotistical, knee-jerking, publicity hound, who is going to enjoy military bluster around the globe.
That's why I wouldn't vote for him (or the other candidate.)
I have a lot of catching up to do with reading editorials. So far, they look pretty good. But then again, they are missing the point. It doesn't matter about the Why or the Who Did It. It only matters that a large fraction of the American public likes having a militaristic strong man in the White House.
They ain't got no interest in nambie pambie doubts and complaints such as:
1. What legal right did Trump have?
2. Has Syria attacked the USA?
3. What vital American interest is at stake?
4. What reason would Assad have to play with chemical weapons, when he is winning the war anyway?
5. If president Obama/Trump did succeed in deposing Assad, who would replace him, and why would he be any better?
6. What the hell is the USA doing in Syria anyway?
But jingoes don't care about that. They want to stick out their chests and walk with an extra bounce in their steps because they feel strong. Their country is strong. They wanted a president who said he'd make America great again, and -- according to the jingoes -- the president has. No arguments matter.
Comments
Chris
Very complicated issues. Your 6 questions which you are using as the moral gauge are not the only questions one can ask. The simple question I would ask you is if you saw your neighbor beating his dog to death, would you just walk away and say "it's not my dog" or would you intervene, knowing that legally a dog is simply considered a possession and you can be held legally accountable for any direct action you might take against the owner?
It's hard to define moral ground and I guess it's up to each one of us individually to figure that out for ourselves.
But, for me personally, I think the action was long overdue. I would hope that in this day and age we can expect, even demand, that our world leaders not go about killing their own people.
George
Chris
I support this particular action because it was limited to the airbase which supposedly sent off the planes which delivered the gas. We could do this from a nearby ship so never set foot on the ground nor sent planes above which could be shot down. Recent conversation about deposing Assad are unfortunate, IMHO. We do this all the time.....not knowing when to stop. We smell a little success and we think there's more if we continue along the same lines.
So, to answer your question.....we don't intervene in the other situations because it has nothing to do with us.
This war between Christians and Muslims has gone on since the beginning of Islam. As we strive for peace, which I think you and I both want and many others as well, it is a careful balance between being peaceful ourselves but also holding our ground. I don't think a 100% pacifist stance works against people who are very happy to kill us.
George