General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLucky or brilliant
If we are succesfull at removing the largest stock pile of chemical weapons in the world out of a country that is filled with terrorists, fanaticals and war mongers, that would be a really good thing. Wouldn't it? Could we at least agree upon that?
I think people sometimes can't see the forest because of the trees.
badtoworse
(5,957 posts)I'm at a loss to understand why Putin would bail Obama out of the mess he got himself into.
IsItJustMe
(7,012 posts)because if we didn't, nothing constructive would ever get done
badtoworse
(5,957 posts)wandy
(3,539 posts)Russia may be protecting their own interests.
Try thinking of it this way......
Would you want a wacko like Assad as an alley?
It is possible that Mr. Putin doesn't want him either.
Union Scribe
(7,099 posts)IsItJustMe
(7,012 posts)This may very well be helpful to Assad also. These rebels take over different parts of the country at random. These weapons could easily fall into their hands, if they have not already.
That means they could be used against Assad and his forces. This could be a way for Assad to clean up his ungodly mess and use international forces to do it.
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)of destroying it for several more years, but at this point we own the largest stockpile of chemical weapons on Earth.
Union Scribe
(7,099 posts)And more than missiles could have done. If it works it will be a vital step in seeking regional peace.
IsItJustMe
(7,012 posts)weapons out of the hands of some very dangerous people who would use them in a heart beat.
Syria is extremely unstable and could very easily become, if not to some extent already, a failed state with no controls.
That would be really bad.
Marr
(20,317 posts)I also think that any continued push for military action will be an admission that this was never about chemical weapons. And I hope Obama's biggest supporters will recognize that obvious fact as well, should such a push occur.
I sincerely hope that doesn't happen, and Obama's biggest fans (who were, oddly, quite on board with military strikes just a matter of hours ago) can enjoy their victory laps and shout that this was the plan all along and that Obama never really wanted the war they were so anxiously selling. Fine. If it makes them happy to see it that way, it won't bother me in the slightest-- apart from maybe a little twinge in my logic gland.
bigwillq
(72,790 posts)If he said "Strike", they support a strike. If he said, we're going to come up with a compromise, they're for a compromise.
I am just happy I am an independent thinker!
IsItJustMe
(7,012 posts)I believe there is some truth in the phrase that people make their own luck and that the truth probably rests somewhere in between.
Being lucky and having some brilliance about you don't have to be mutually exclusive.
bigwillq
(72,790 posts)I am pleased that it seems like we're going to avoid a military strike, for now.
That's a good thing.
LaydeeBug
(10,291 posts)or foreign pressure or tiddly winks, not going to war is better than going to war.
I don't care if he orchestrated it, acquiesced to it, or just played the hand he was dealt, he did it BEAUTIFULLY. (I think it was the latter of the list, but I don't care, because, again, less war is better than more war.
IsItJustMe
(7,012 posts)Some people (i.e. GWB) get so wrapped up in their own ego that they are incapable of doing this. Not a good thing when this happens. Especially when you are the POTUS.
Proud Public Servant
(2,097 posts)or a whip count. It would be interesting to know what the White House would have made of Putin's offer had American sentiment been running 4-to-1 in favor of bombing Syria, instead of 4-to-1 against.
IsItJustMe
(7,012 posts)tells us at some point in the future.
But I do believe that political concerns are not the only concern for Obama. This is an extremely complicated situation, this war and peace business.
All sorts of things can go sideways and the ramifications are of an endless variety.
He has and had a lot on his plate. I really hope that his works out regardless, for everyone's interests.