President Obama should listen to US and UK public: don't strike Syria

[damnedifIknow]

Anti war protesters carry the Syrian flag as they stand near the US Armed Forces Recruiting Center in New York.

Obama has less legitimacy and popular support for the proposed bombing than almost any US military action in recent history:

"President Obama's proposed "humanitarian" bombing of Syria, which seemed like a done deal just a few days ago, is now running into serious trouble both at home and abroad. This is a great thing for those who care about human life, and increases the chances that Washington and its allies may eventually be forced to support a negotiated solution to Syria's bloody civil war.

In a major blow to both Prime Minister David Cameron and President Obama, the UK parliament voted on Thursday to reject a military attack on Syria, and Cameron pledged to respect their decision.

Now we can see why the Obama administration has been in such a hurry to lob cruise missiles at Syria, that it didn't want to wait even a couple of days for the UN inspectors to do their job. No one had put forth any military or security reason for the rush to attack; no one claimed that speed was essential or even relevant to saving any lives. Rather, it now seems, the urge to shoot first and ask questions later was driven by the need to carry out this illegal attack before the public, and their representatives in national and international bodies, could weigh in."

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/30/obama-opposition-mounting-syria-strike