NPR reported THREE DAYS AGO that the rebels may have controlled the chem weapons

[BlueStreak]

This predated the WND reporting by more than a day. So everybody should stop freaking out about the WND article. Here is the earlier NPR report.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/08/27/216172145/is-it-possible-the-syrian-rebels-not-assad-used-chemical-weapons

Some important points / arguments from that article:

1) It doesn't make any sense for Assad to have done this.

2) The chemicals went off in an area controlled by the rebels.

3) Kerry is equivocating on everything he says about this.

And in the subsequent 3 days, nothing new has emerged to contradict these points.

[fascisthunter]

1. they just 'may' have

next

[HooptieWagon]

2. The neocons and MIC are determined to get us in another decade-long quagmire.

Why let pesky facts get in the way?
<sigh>

[uponit7771]

3. +1

[snagglepuss]

4. Given Jihadist views on martyrdom, I think this is a possibility.

[BlueStreak]

5. It probably depends on how accurate the reporting is about locations

Some reports are that there were about a dozen different exposure areas, all within a rocket's range from government-held territory, and all occurring in rebel strongholds or disputed areas. If that is accurate -- and that is a big "if" -- that certainly points toward the government forces, but not necessarily Assad himself. It seems to be a very chaotic situation, and there may not be an ironclad chain of command in place.

[AverageJoe90]

6. Key word being *may* have. MAY.

Is it possible that one of the Islamist factions of the rebel movement might have been the perp? Yes. But do we know? No, and in fact, it's important to remember that the Assad regime has been *caught* using chem. weapons in other incidents.

[sabrina 1]

7. Before this story even reached the MSM nearly all reports on the Social Media

were claiming the 'rebels' were responsible. As soon as the US Media got the story, all of a sudden they 'knew' who did it! It was amazing, as Cameron had to admit, the only proof they have is 'judgement' from 'watching videos' etc.

[cali]

8. Juan Cole thinks it's a crackpot theory that Ghouta was done by the rebels

and explains why on his blog.