Here's an idea: send gas masks to Syria instead of bombs.

[grahamhgreen]

One for every man woman and child.

Hopefully the Saudi's would pay for that, too

EDIT: In addition, we could also send atropine and pralidoxime, known antidotes.

[notadmblnd]

1. Sounds like a reasonable solution to me

But gas masks don't cost as much as bombs, so the MIC wouldn't make much $$$$ for them.

[JEB]

2. How would that drive up the price of oil?

Or be a slap at Putin, or Iran? Would AIPAC approve? Where's the profit?

[KT2000]

3. hazmat suits

dermal, inhalant, and ingestion are the methods of contamination for sarin.

[bluestate10]

4. Explain how the right people will get them. Who will deliver the masks? Would we need boot

on the ground to deliver the masks? You are suggesting delivering masks in a war zone. Please explain how you envision masks being delivered to every man, woman and child when an entire country is a war zone. The poster proposing Hazmat suits can supply answers. Your idea sounds nice, but all ideas must be executed to be practical.

[grahamhgreen]

6. Everyone gets them - no one should die from gas on either side. Airdrop, along with some food.

[bluestate10]

9. You didn't answer my questions. There are practical obstacles involved with first

getting protective equipment into a war zone, getting the protective equipment to the right people and also insuring those people know how to properly use the protective equipment. Explain how any of those obstacles will be overcome without USA boots on the ground.

[Duckhunter935]

12. how about maintaining and

proper use? Who teaches them? what about warning and monitoring? You only have a few seconds to react and correctly don a mask?

[notadmblnd]

23. Maybe look to Israel's process as a blueprint?

They seem to be able to equip and train their citizens in the use of gas masks. I know it's the middle east but I'm sure they have schools, hospitals, post offices and televisions too. I'm also certain they are smart people, capable of learning a process.

[Duckhunter935]

30. yes a country

that is not in the middle of a civil war. I am not really sure most of those places you mentioned are even operational.

[grahamhgreen]

26. Instruction are on the box:

As far as gas mask, you put it on your face... Ever seen a kid with a diving mask at a swimming pool? Like that.

What did I do, upset the whole think tank, LOL

Obviously none of these problems are insurmountable or as problematic as a missile attack!

[Duckhunter935]

29. Masks must be fitted

to work properly. Any air leak and you will die. A little more important than a diving mask.

[grahamhgreen]

35. Yeah, you must attach firmly.... And cut the beard, LOL

[Duckhunter935]

14. and when a plane gets shot down

for violating a countries airspace without permission? cargo planes, helicopters, large slow moving targets.

[grahamhgreen]

27. You lot will love this answer....

US planes shot down on an actual humanitarian mission? Now there's an argument you can take to the UN!

[bluestate10]

16. Airdrop. So you are proposing exposing US Air Force personnel to Syrian air defense.

So, lets examine your idea.

Say there is an airdrop. Airdrops have to be done from certain altitudes, too low or too high defeats the effort. Any plane that does airdrop will perform the drop within range of Syrian missiles and Syrian fighter jets. Who will protect the planes that are performing the drop, those planes have no defense capability, they are transport planes?

Assuming protective equipment and food is safely airdropped and no USA military is killed or captured, how can you say for certainty that the intended people get the equipment and food?

Assuming the protective equipment get to the right people, who on the ground allocate the equipment? Who manages the fitting of the equipment? How would we know that we covered every man, woman and child regardless of the face size?

[Niceguy1]

22. and air dropping food is a bad idea

Our airdrops and other food donations have been poisioned in the past.

[grahamhgreen]

28. None of these issues are insurmountable, in my view....

More later when I get off my phone

[Duckhunter935]

32. you volunteer

to be on that slow and low plane that makes a perfect target or you just want somebody's child to be?

[grahamhgreen]

36. Yes. Gladly.

Last edited Mon Sep 9, 2013, 01:37 AM - Edit history (1)

In fact, I'll put together the whole team

Where do I submit my no-bid cost plus contract??? J\K

[Duckhunter935]

31. don not bother with facts

must do something now even if it is plain stupid.

[Niceguy1]

8. and who will fit them

And train them how to use them?

[Duckhunter935]

13. things seem great

until you start looking at the details of the plan.

I know details do not matter, we must just do something.

[KharmaTrain]

15. It Also Sends Quite A Message...

...such as "go ahead and gas away"...it's all cool, here's a few masks...have at it! Seems that's what the "civilized" world wants to happen here anyway...

[grahamhgreen]

38. At least gas masks won't lead to WWIII, like a missile attack

[DirkGently]

17. It's not like those details are all worked for a missile attack.

Not sure why an alternative that is already less costly and less kill-y has to prove all the logistics when we're being asked to sign off on a military bombardment with zero explanation as to how that would save anyone from anything.

[bluestate10]

21. True. But, even if it is ineffective, a missile attack doesn't have all the open ended

questions as the OP's idea bring into play. If the USA is going to protect Syrian defenders, it will need boots on the ground and lots of them.

[sharp_stick]

5. Sure that'll work n/t

[Bjorn Against]

7. That is a great idea that I would fully get behind

I certainly think we do need to do everything we can to protect the Syrian people from chemical attacks, but bombing will not accomplish such a goal so I am strongly opposed to military action. I would fully get behind mass shipments of gas masks to Syria, refugee camps, diplomatic efforts, efforts to cut off weapons going into Syria, and certain types of economic sanctions. I will strongly oppose any bombing of Syria, but am supportive of suggestions such as yours which help people rather than harm them.

[Generic Other]

10. Israelis have them don't they?

Horrible fact of life in the ME. Anyway, it's a better idea than bombing them to save them.

[bluestate10]

19. The Israelis have people on the ground fitting masks and training people on their use.

Plus, Israel is not a war zone.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

11. But..but..throwing kerosene on the fire is cheaper and..more manly.

What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy? Gandhi

[DirkGently]

18. Someone suggested atropine instead.

Or whatever is currently used to combat chemical attacks. We likely have the stuff stockpiled.

[bluestate10]

20. Who will show every man, woman and child how to properly inject the antidote?

Why wouldn't Syria then target anyone that knows how to properly inject the antidote?

[DirkGently]

24. What? How would "Syria target anyone that knows how to properly

inject the antidote?

Again, you seem to be raising the bar for non-violent solutions far higher than anything set for the proposed violent approach.

I rather think the higher burden is on those who allege we can stop chemical attacks by launching missiles at things.

[grahamhgreen]

25. Here's the instructions, 4 steps:

http://imgur.com/UySqoX3

[pa28]

33. Hey, if the Saudi's are picking up the bill why not?

If they are willing to cover an entire invasion to "help" the Syrians they'll easily be able to provide gas masks and
Atropine right?

Our approach should be to "first do no harm" so in keeping with that philosophy your idea makes much more sense than drones and cruise missile strikes.

Sending every person in Damascus a free kitten makes more sense in fact.

[Th1onein]

34. GREAT IDEA!

Thanks for posting this.

[joshcryer]

37. Won't work, masks are useless without alarms.

Chemical alarms are expensive and sophisticated and you'd need a network of them so civilians could be alerted. Then, they'd legitimate military targets, since they would warn the rebels, too. This is why chemical weapons are morally atrocious. They can only be used against civilians effectively. Armies have the equipment already to avoid being harmed by them.

[grahamhgreen]

39. Canaries. Or just put them on when you hear rockets.

[joshcryer]

40. You'd be wearing them all day long.

Rockets are going off continually. Bombardment has basically been non-stop for years. Hell, it's why it worked. People just learn to live with it and sleep through the bombings.