Syria sarin row - an inconvenient outburst

[muriel_volestrangler]

Interesting commentary from BBC Newsnight's diplomatic and defence editor:

Statements by UN investigator Carla del Ponte that she had, "strong, concrete suspicions, but not yet incontrovertible proof" that Syrian rebels may have used the nerve gas sarin have produced some interesting responses.

They are reminiscent of some earlier conflicts where those who sought engagement on one side or the other wanted to portray the protagonists in simple good-versus-evil terms.
...
Some experts find it odd that the Syrian government would take the risk of triggering US intervention with such small scale, piecemeal use of these weapons.
...
Some have even suggested that the gasses came from plastic containers left on the ground - a method of delivery that might suggest some opposition group was responsible.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-22456106

[bemildred]

1. Maybe they were playing with aluminum foil and drain cleaner.

Like that girl that got expelled for that.

[ellenfl]

2. i've been thinking that the outrage died down when it was found that the rebels used the gas,

not assad. kinda looks bad for the 'good guys', aka 'our side'.

[geek tragedy]

3. "strong, concrete suspicions"

I don't have an opinion either way on this--there's no shortage of people willing to use such weapons and try to frame the other side.

[yurbud]

4. the crucial question: so the fuck what?

How is that a threat to us?

How is that worse than us using white phosphorous and depleted uranium on Iraqis and Afghans?

They are getting lazier with this stupid WMD shit all the time.