Senate Hearing Thread

[polichick]

Who's watching this?

[deutsey]

1. Listening on radio n/t

[polichick]

5. Bob Menendez’s statement made it sound like striking was the only way...

to respond as civilized people. Disturbing imo.

[deutsey]

6. I felt he was really pouring on the rhetoric

with lots of emotional appeals.

[polichick]

8. Me too.

[Purveyor]

2. I'm watching on al Jazerra English and already I feel nauseous. eom

[Skidmore]

3. Watching with great interest.

Haven't decided where I come down on this and for a variety of reasons.

[fadedrose]

74. Some reasons:

You're tired of seeing wounded and unemployed veterans and don't want more created by "limited" military action?

You don't know who to believe?

You wonder why the UN, NATO and everybody else is standing there eating their popcorn wondering what's going to happen next hoping nobody asks for their help?

You're afraid of what might happen next?

So many other concerns, sequestration, obamacare, taxing the rich, lots of things could be affected and probably will be. Oops, forgot Snowden...

You are not alone, but I have to go with my usual against the way opinion because any other one makes me feel guilty .

[Skidmore]

83. All o the above and then some.

My gut tells me that this cannot go unaddressed. I go back to a time when I lived in a war zone and chemical weapons were used on part of the population. I go back to the tears of a 2 year old and a 5 year old in the middle of the night. Those were my children and I could not protect them in the moment. My fervent hope was that someone could step in and try to put an end to the fear that came with the night. Our esteemed Reagan helped deliver those missiles. Right now, I just want us to do something meaningful for the children hiding in the dark corners there. It is a very emotional trigger for me now. I really hate the cold-hearted and calloused sound of the those who are essentially saying "too bad and tough luck you live where you do." I understand the point that many have died and there are other ways to deal with this. I do not dispute that. I just am having real difficulty understanding how US indifference would make things better.

[fadedrose]

98. I apologize

I forgot to add empathy with the Syrians to the list of your doubts, and I have empathy with your very mixed feelings.

Find you way Skidmore. Most if not all of us can't tell you what's right cause nobody knows. Feelings are a bitch...

But I don't think indifference is a factor. It's caring too much one way or the other. Indifference is watching Judge Judy....

[SamKnause]

4. Watching

I am.

[SaltyBro]

7. Watching...

and puking!

[polichick]

10. It really is sickening - as if being civilized=bombing. Really crazy.

[Cleita]

9. Watching.

Already the straw men are being trotted out.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

11. Disgusting.

Absolutely nothing of substance in Menendez's speech.

[deutsey]

12. "only" Assad did this

Could you please provide something to back that assertion up, please?

[polichick]

15. How dare we question!

[polichick]

13. Kerry has lost it - how horrible of anyone to question their evidence!

[bunnies]

17. and MSNBC flashing vids of dead kids.

Unfuckingbelievable.

[polichick]

19. Sick - the drumbeat is getting louder.

[bunnies]

21. Oh but "we" are the ones without a conscience...

Us damn anti-war folks are just EVIL.

[polichick]

23. Their twisted manipulation works on people, especially when they wave the flag.

[bunnies]

31. Yep. I didnt not expect this BS from John Kerry, though.

Such a disappointment. Thanks for the insults, Secretary Kerry.

[bvar22]

90. PT Barnum radically underestimated the rate at which SUCKERS are born in America.

Awww, Come ON Folks!
Its ONLY just a little "limited" WAR.
Its just a few thousand dead Syrians, and ONLY for a little while.
The Republicans would take em ALL out.
The Great Compromiser only wants to meet them half way.

You "PURISTS" just have to ruin EVERYTHING with your inability to compromise. Disgusting!



/sarcasm

[tridim]

38. Not watching... Why was the evidence questioned?

Was there a specific reason?

[bunnies]

48. it wasnt.

He was just warning everyone not to do it because to do so would be absurd, ridiculous or some other such thing.

[tridim]

76. In that case, Kerry is EXACTLY right. It will be abused by idiots like Rand Paul.

Evidence is a fact, it's not debatable.

[bunnies]

80. Well, Boxer questioned it anyway.

I guess she doesnt take it as "fact".

[tridim]

81. Questioned what?

[bunnies]

82. the "evidence" that Assad used chemical weapons. nt

[SaltyBro]

14. How dare you question the "evidence"!

This is getting worse and worse.

[polichick]

16. lol - I posted the same thing at the same moment!

[KaryninMiami]

18. I am watching with a heavy heart.

I don't believe there is any way back now given the bi-partisan support for responding to the Syrian actions. There's no question about what happened- I just can't shake that there has to be another solution besides our teaching them a lesson which has enormously terrifying potential for reprucussions. What's really daunting for me is that it's John Kerry- a peace activist, now leading us into war.

This just feels wrong.

[polichick]

20. It does feel wrong - and Menendez saying that striking is required of...

"civilized" people was just surreal.

[Skidmore]

24. America has never been more "civilized" than any other nation on earth.

The notion that we are exceptional on any front in regard to human nature is a bipartisan myopia.

[polichick]

28. I'm with you on that! It's amazing how far such propaganda has gotten politicians.

[Bluenorthwest]

29. Kerry was a big Iraq War supporter as well, he's no peace activist.

He did the whole 'WMD, yellow cake, Saddam is a threat to us' tap dance. Oddly he did not mention Saddam's use of gas as the ultimate reason to at, it was all about him and his stockpiles and factories for WMD.

[SamKnause]

22. The drums are getting louder

F-U Kerry.

This ass hat is trying to shame us into siding with him.

He is insulting everyone who disagrees with him.

F him !!!!!!

[polichick]

25. I've met him and liked him, but this guy does seem like a total tool...

and yes, he's trying to shame and insult people. Creepy.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

35. If Kerry is an ass hat then so is the president since Kerry speaks with his blessing

That's jusr a fact.

[SamKnause]

37. Reply

You'll get no argument from me.

I am sick of all the warmongering ass hats.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

39. I respect your opinion

I just have a fetish for truthiness...

[SamKnause]

45. Reply 2

I respect your opinion as well.

If the thread was about President Obama I would have mentioned him, but I think the thread is about those who are testifying.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

44. In this case, Obama IS as asshat.

Pelosi, Obama, Kerry -- all of them out there pushing the BULLSHIT "national security" LIE.

[alsame]

26. It's sickening. nt

[SamKnause]

27. Drum beats getting faster and louder

Will Kerry come up with his own little diddy like McCain did for Iran ????

[polichick]

30. "We share a common humanity and a common decency."

Who does he think he's kidding?!

[polichick]

32. That woman represents the people more than any of the speakers.

[KaryninMiami]

33. Bless you Media Benjamin and Code Pink

It was quick but she got her point across.

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

40. The man sitting next to her

was the protestor i posted about just before the hearing started.

It looked like he was being removed but there he is.

[deutsey]

34. A crock o' shit now

That was MAD magazine's title of their parody of "Apocolypse Now".

It applies here too, I'm afraid.

[SamKnause]

36. Drums

The Congress will represent the will of the American people, seriously ??????????????

What a cruel fucking joke.

[SaltyBro]

41. It is sounding more and more that regime change is on the table

[Hell Hath No Fury]

42. I do not have the stomach.

[SamKnause]

43. Drumming for war

This is a sickening display.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

46. Bombing Syria will make us "more secure".

What a fucking clown show.

[Waiting For Everyman]

47. Watching.

Kerry's younger self would not be happy with him today. It's really sad to see what he has come to.

[polichick]

51. Power corrupts.

[coluccim]

91. Don't worry.

He will be against this war after he was for it.

[polichick]

49. The word that comes to mind is HUBRIS.

[alsame]

50. This is just a dog and pony

show for public consumption. The attack is a done deal.

[BelgianMadCow]

101. Rand Paul just said it's constitutional theater, unless the vote binds the president

I have to agree.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

52. "There will not be American boots on the ground......."

"......in regards to the civil war......"



That sure leaves the door wide open doesn't it?

[SaltyBro]

53. Barbara Boxer now up

Hopefully she does the right thing.

[polichick]

54. She's using the talking points...

Images of children, Iran, Israel, our word...

[SaltyBro]

58. America's credibility and morality is on the line!

[polichick]

61. Yeah - she even pulled "longstanding international norm" out.

[HardTimes99]

62. Sigh-Withdrew my support from DiFi in 2012. Guess I'll have to start examining Boxer

a lot more critically too. (I left a vmail at her DC office number today firmly opposing Syrian intervention, not that she gives one whit what peons like me think.)

[Hell Hath No Fury]

63. Wow, she was one of the last --

Democratic candidates I've actively supported and voted for here in CA.

To say I am disappointed is an understatement.

My level of disgust with the Democratic Party is really topping out right now.

[polichick]

64. This event may be the thing that finally wakes up Dem voters.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

69. I certainly hope so.

If this isn't proof positive that the Democratic Party has utterly lost it's way, then I do not know what is. I am being lied into a war -- I didn't appreciate it when Bush did it and I will be DAMNED if I stand for it from Democrats.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

55. Nope.

She's all for it.

"terrorists could get the chemical weapons and use them"

Christ.

[Dawson Leery]

60. The only terrorists are in the rebel groups.

If the rebels come to power AQ will then have chemical weapons, if not already.

[deutsey]

56. Not sounding like it.

No surprise there, imo.

[alcibiades_mystery]

57. Boxer's sounding like a strong YEA vote on the AUMF

[polichick]

59. "Longstanding international norms" - what about the international norm of...

joining with other countries, of not acting like a cowboy or God?

[fadedrose]

65. I yam

Just enjoyed Boxer's questioning of Kerry...

[Catherina]

66. Watching. Just turned it on. n/t

[HardTimes99]

67. Do we really need to watch it? Life imitates art:

[JeffHead]

68. Looks to me this hearing is pure political theater.

The AUMF is going to pass this committee like shit through a goose. Our only hope to stop this is the House. imo

[deutsey]

70. Yeah...one big song and dance n/t

[Catherina]

71. Whoevever that was shouting about White Phosphorus, spoke for me. Thank you

"Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men."
Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963

[polichick]

72. Great quote!

[Catherina]

75. It seemed perfect for this charade. Thanks for the thread n/t

[polichick]

79. My pleasure - who wants to watch this horror alone! :)

[Catherina]

73. I would like Kerry to name even 1 single ally we'll lose if we don't intervene in Syria. Just 1 n/t

[Catherina]

77. Pic: Protesters from Code Pink interrupt Senate hearing again holding signs refusing war on Syria

[cali]

78. Sickening political theater

pukeworthy propaganda soundbites.

[Catherina]

86. It truly is. Not 3 words of truth so far.

Just theater. When asked if Hezbollah already has Chemical weapons already, Kerry preferred to reply in a classified session rather than now. WTF. They're just blowing smoke.

[snappyturtle]

84. Oh I've only listened fora few minutes and I'm ready to

puke. I think the decision has been made regardless of the outcome
of this hearing or Congressional vote. Propagandaat its best....and
some here worry about Russian propaganda forwarded on RT! LOL!

[Catherina]

85. McCain playing poker on his iPhone during the hearing

McCain playing poker on his iPhone

As the hearing continues, our ace photographer Melina Mara reports she spotted Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) “passing the time by playing poker on his iPhone during the hearing.”

We eagerly await the photographic proof, but generally trust Melina’s sharp eye.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics-live/the-senates-syria-hearing-live-updates/?id=ed01ca14-222b-4a23-b12c-c0b0d9d4fe0a

Wow.

[bullwinkle428]

89. Wouldn't "Angry Birds" have been more appropriate for him?

[Catherina]

109. Maybe it makes more noise? Pic here. What the hay, it's only war and human lives

Senator John McCain plays poker on his IPhone during a U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing where Secretary of State JohnKerry, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey testify concerning the use of force in Syria, on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, Tuesday, September 3, 2013. (Photo by Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics-live/the-senates-syria-hearing-live-updates/?id=ed01ca14-222b-4a23-b12c-c0b0d9d4fe0a

[SummerSnow]

111. Photo courtesy of the NSA

Thought he was playing ' get off my lawn' too.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

87. Every time an actual important question is asked.......

The response is "we'll be happy to talk about that in a classified meeting". Treat us like adults! This is asinine!

[Catherina]

88. Kerry's performance is as fuckingawful as his botox job n/t

[polichick]

92. Bomb bomb bomb McCain up now.

[Catherina]

93. What happened to his poker game?

More dumb theater. There's never enough blood for McCain.

[Catherina]

94. Congress only gets "riveted" by pictures of dead kids in Syria not Afghanistan Pakistan Yemen Gaza

Greg Mitchell ‏@GregMitch 8m

Apparently our congressional reps only get "riveted" by pictures of dead kids in Syria not in, say, Afghanistan or Pakistan or Gaza.

[alsame]

112. +1

[BelgianMadCow]

95. Rep Udall up - finally some sanity

"what message would we send"
to the international community...

[BelgianMadCow]

96. to Kerry: "I've watched your live tv...*hesitates*...performances"

bingo

[BelgianMadCow]

97. Kerry trying to sound multilateral

but Udall is piercing though that (what with going it more or less solo).
Kerry is basically sayinf f*** the UN.

[BelgianMadCow]

99. On the question: what when Congress says no - Kerry says we're not contemplating that

and Kerry explicitly does NOT say Obama will respect Congress like Cameron appears to be doing.
*sigh*

[BelgianMadCow]

100. Sen. Murphy (D) ask whether a new vote would be necessary for responses to Assad's responses

and Kerry waffles away. A critical question though.
Before it also became clear that the executive interprets the vote as "against CW" and followups are authorized if need be.
So, as long as any remain of the pretty big stockpile, you're at war?

[Catherina]

102. Rand Paul dares Kerry to say that he will abide by Congress' vote. He won't do it.

Says that they get calls by the thousands, meet with thousands face to face and not one person supports this.

[Catherina]

103. Kerry's answer: Israel vs Iran and Hezbollah... n/t

[BelgianMadCow]

105. well, not one person comes up to tell him they support it

a difference there. But yeah that dare was good. How can you be a member of congress and be given ONLY the chance to rubberstamp or be ignored? Incredible.

[Catherina]

106. Correct, thanks. I find it incredible too. As if congressional approval is a throwaway formality n/t

[chelsea0011]

104. Rand Paul's head explodes as he realizes that every action has an either/or outcome.

[BelgianMadCow]

107. Sen Markey (D) up

speaking of the law of unintended consequences.
"Many people want us drawn into the civil war. But the AMERICAN PEOPLE don't want to be drawn in".

Me thinks some of you are placing phonecalls etc. Has there been noteworthy protest, so far?

[BelgianMadCow]

108. he's also referring the UN team's findings and asks when will results be in

how quaint.

[BelgianMadCow]

110. Markey asks "does this (potential) authorization allow for military intervention outside Syria". NO

was the clear answer. Well that's at least something positive to take away from the hearing. Of course, once unintended consequences come into play and presidents claim sole authority, all bets are off, but nonetheless, good to hear.