Was anyone also troubled by the assurance he gave Americans that...

[cigsandcoffee]

...we could kick the living shit out of Syria, and they couldn't do a damn thing about it? He said it more elegantly, of course, but the message was clear.

[VanillaRhapsody]

1. to the guy that just gassed children in their beds?

I think that was well earned.

[eridani]

12. The country that refuses to honor international bans on cluster bombs and depleted uranium--

--has no standing to "punish" or even criticize another country for using weapons that in fact have killed far fewer people.

[VanillaRhapsody]

16. Apparently we do...

Yeah we had slaves and small pox blankets too...why didn't you mention those? Is your country clean of sin?

[eridani]

18. The US is my country, and I do NOT want it to continue to be an imperial power

The expense alone is destroying us--Detroit even stopped issuing fucking death certificates because they ran out of paper and couldn't afford to buy more.

Imperialism is never about making the world a better place--it is only about piling up more and more power. The policy of doing whatever to whomever, whenever we want, is morally disgusting, and has resulted in millions of deaths, not the mere thousands as in Syria.

[VanillaRhapsody]

19. Let the country without sin cast the first stone?

OH and the "fucking death certificates" was a temporary situation...

The city of Detroit was temporarily unable to issue death certificates in July because it had run out of the special embossed paper on which the certificates are printed -- and it didn't have any money left to buy more.

Yes I suppose by this analogy...Germany should NEVER have a thing to say about WMD's huh?

[dionysus]

20. by that note, russia has gulags so they can't say or do anything either.

[eridani]

21. The world's only current superpower is its biggest perpetrator of mass murder

For your information, Germany is not proposing military assault to "punish" other countries for WMDs, and hasn't started a war since 1939.

[VanillaRhapsody]

22. For your information...

"should" they ever?

[eridani]

24. No n/t

[VanillaRhapsody]

25. So by that analogy....when Germany was gassing Jews

We should have just stayed the hell out of it huh? Isolationist....

[eridani]

33. We did not enter WW II in order to stop Germany from gassing the Jews

We entered because they declared war on us. We have slaughtered many times the number of people that small fry like Assad have slaughtered. The MIC mass murderers can always be counted on to call attention to mass murder if they can kill even more.

[VanillaRhapsody]

34. That pretty much makes no sense in context to what I said...

isolationist or not?

[eridani]

37. No. Equating participating in world affairs with military bullying is just bullshit n/t

[VanillaRhapsody]

38. and I think believing there are many countries in this world without blood on their hands is

bullshit..

But pardon me for interrupting you getting your hatred on...please continue...

[eridani]

39. The country that has the most blood on its hands since 1945--

--(at least in the area of military action) would be the US. For all their bad intentions, other countries just don't have 800+ military bases all around the world.

[VanillaRhapsody]

40. hatred...I was right.

and I don't talk to people who hate my country....

[eridani]

41. It isn't my fault that the US turned into an empire

The Founding Fathers certainly did not intend that. Imperialism is evil, no matter who does it. And no, we aren't the only ones.

[VanillaRhapsody]

23. Oh and there is this...

But although humanitarian aid and the desire for a political solution remain at the forefront of German policies, military support has not been completely excluded.

If there is a military strike, Germany would "certainly not be among the first to take part," said Bank. "Indirectly, however, there are ways to participate."

In the Turkish-Syrian border region, Germany has stationed some of its Patriot missiles. They would come into play should Syria attack Turkey from the southeast. The German navy has a number of ships in the Mediterranean, which could help with reconnaissance in the event of a Syrian intervention. And, similar to the France-led intervention in Mali launched in January, fighter jets and bombers belonging to the allies could find support from German refueling airplanes.

http://www.dw.de/germany-proceeds-with-caution-in-syria-policy/a-17050654

[AnotherMcIntosh]

32. The small pox blankets were not ours, but were gifts from the British Lord Amherst.

We ultimately beat the British. You should know that. It was in the news.

[VanillaRhapsody]

35. You do know that I can prove that wrong right?

We committed genocide against the Native Americans into the 1970's when we were routinely sterilizing women against their will. But whatever gets you through the night. I am guessing you also do not know why it was called the Trail of Tears either...

[1awake]

2. Besides that it's completely true, no I guess I don't.

Mind you, I am against the US doing anything outside of diplomacy or via the UN. But as far as that statement, its true.

[JaneyVee]

3. He's telling the truth.

[cigsandcoffee]

17. The military part is the truth, if tasteless, but he shrugged off terrorism.

"Any other retaliation they might seek is in line with threats that we face every day."


So our bombs may inspire more terrorists, but hell, we face that anyway. NBD

Either way, I just didn't like it - it sounded bullying and a little bit chickenhawkish. Obama is better than this.

[SammyWinstonJack]

29. "Obama is better than this." Maybe not.

[snappyturtle]

4. I thought it was out of place especially when he's supposedly

more interested in a diplomatic solution. It's American exceptionalism
and arrogance all rolled into one. THe world was listening tonight...
it's well aware of the destruction and death we can cause....nothing
to boast about....it's threatening to hear.

[FarPoint]

11. He was setting boundaries.

Clear, concise boundaries.

[Th1onein]

5. Yes, that disturbs me. We have become bullies. And torturers.

I am so sick of warmongering.

[joshcryer]

6. Well, your tax money paid for that ability.

Best he let you know how well it was spent?

[Lil Missy]

7. not at all troubled by that.

[truedelphi]

8. Well, remember that the country is Dead Broke, so if it comes down to war, Obama will

need our help.

I hear KickStart is going to put forth some help for the war effort:

[jsr]

30. It is a noble project

I wish they'd throw in a free mug or T-shirt.

[Journeyman]

9. That was what we were recently told about Iraq & Afghanistan, and Korea & Vietnam in my youth . . .

Last edited Wed Sep 11, 2013, 03:44 AM - Edit history (1)

the same foolishness fed to simple souls before they met on the Marne, and to eager enlistees prior to Shiloh.

"I'm far too old to lie to myself and call it anything but dishonor to the men who will actually pay the tab."

[Pretzel_Warrior]

10. well, we could with one defense contractor tied behind our backs.

[Savannahmann]

42. Unless Russia gets directly involved.

In which case, we would win, but it wouldn't be much of an ass kicking, more like TKO in the eleventh round.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

43. There is approximately a 0.001% chance of that happening.

[Savannahmann]

44. Really?

Why do you say that? From a strategic point of view, they can't afford not to. But you say no, so I'm assuming you have some thoughtful insights into the matter. Something other than they wouldn't dare right?

[rucky]

13. The intended audience for that speech was one person:

Assad

We're still playing crazy, but we're willing to give him this one last chance.

That's the way I read it.

[reformist2]

15. This was for domestic consumption as well - Obama has to play all sides right now

[reformist2]

14. He needs to throw the warmongers a bone, give them false hope.

[kenny blankenship]

26. There's a segment of the population that gets wood at the idea

of bullying foreign people who can't fight back - especially if they can't fight back. President Obama wants to be President of ALL the people you know, and he needs support from this particular group to help him do what he intends to do to Syria.

[peace13]

27. Is it a bit like...bring it on?

Hmmmmm.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

28. "Bring it on!" "Smoke 'em out!" Without the cowboy boots and smirk.

[Myrina]

31. Yep, same swagger, but in better English.

n/t

[Sunlei]

36. funny Putin enjoyed American Freedom of Speech but his own people are forbidden!