Why the "the classified info must be compelling enough" argument falls flat on its face

[LibAsHell]

Let's grant the absolute best case scenario for the classified info that some DU'ers think must be profound enough to make the military option the best one, or "the last resort" as someone put it last night.

Let's assume that it proves, without a doubt, that Assad used the chemical weapons. Hell, let's take one step further and say it proves he is planning to use them again.

Even in this scenario, military intervention is not warranted. If there's evidence that he'll use them again, expose him to the international community and pressure Syria's buddies like Russia to engage them politically.

Unless that classified information shows blueprints, signed by Assad, outlining a chemical attack against the U.S., or is a fucking crystal ball that says if we don't attack, it'll start a chain of events that will lead to the destruction of the entire world, we should NOT be using any military strikes, no matter how "surgical" John Kerry says they'll be.

If that classified info is anything short of that, which it is, then the military option is still wrong. It's just that simple.

[polly7]

1. It's just as disingenuous as was Powell's presentation to the UN.

Which Syrian Chemical Attack Account Is More Credible?
By Jim Naureckas

Source: FAIRWednesday, September 04, 2013

http://www.zcommunications.org/which-syrian-chemical-attack-account-is-more-credible-by-jim-naureckas.html


Either PROVE IT, or stop expecting people to be stupid enough to believe this is anything but just another fantastic opportunity to have one more nation ticked off the PNAC hit-list.

[questionseverything]

5. from pollys link

Kerry did offer an explanation for why the report was so cursory: "In order to protect sources and methods, some of what we know will only be released to members of Congress, the representatives of the American people. That means that some things we do know, we can't talk about publicly." It is not clear, however, why intelligence methods that produced visual and audible evidence that could be shared with the public 10 years ago cannot be similarly utilized today. It does point to why the $52 billion the United States spends on surveillance annually, according to NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden (Washington Post, 8/29/13), provides relatively little information that's of value to American democracy: The collection of information is considered so much more valuable than the information collected that it rarely if ever can be used to inform a public debate. Instead, as we discuss the dreadful question of whether to launch a military attack on another country, we are offered an undemocratic "trust us" from the most secretive parts of our government–an offer that history warns us to be extremely wary of

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more secrets,more "trust us"

[Celefin]

2. Actual PROOF would force Russia and China to drop Assad in order to save face

Then Assad would be toast very quickly. Missile strikes will achieve the exact opposite.

Putin is already wavering... now show that damn proof or drop the whole show before it blows up in your face, to use a famous quote.

[LibAsHell]

4. Exactly

Of course, we all know the classified info is not ironclad proof of anything. If it was, it would have been laid out, very clearly, for everyone to see. Why wouldn't it? It would make Kerry and Obama's lives hell of a lot easier, and convince more of our allies to support us, including the Brits.

People are mistaking this weak-ass case for military action as simply being a lack of them having access to this magic, classified info, when, in actuality, it's simply a weak-ass case.

[reformist2]

7. One would hope. If they don't, we've clearly got way bigger problems than Assad...

[2naSalit]

3. What it really is

probably states to all who attend: "If you don't (approve) let us take military action, there will be a coup d'tat here and we'll see to it that your families will all suffer. We have all of you monitored including in your bathrooms and can have you replaced with our sock puppets if you don't play along." signed the MIC/Banksters/Corporate Overlords.

And that's why it's classified...