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Obama Willing to Pursue Solo Syria Strikes, Aides SayBy MARK LANDLER, DAVID E. SANGER, THOM SHANKER and MARK MAZZETTI - NYT
Published: August 29, 2013
<snip>
WASHINGTON President Obama is prepared to move ahead with a limited military strike on Syria, administration officials said on Thursday, even with a rejection of such action by Britains Parliament, an increasingly restive Congress, and lacking an endorsement from the United Nations Security Council.
Although the officials cautioned that Mr. Obama had not made a final decision, all indications suggest that the strike could occur as soon as United Nations inspectors, who are investigating the Aug. 21 attack that killed hundreds of Syrians, leave the country. They are scheduled to depart Damascus, the capital, on Saturday.
The White House is to present its case for military action against Syria to Congressional leaders on Thursday night. Administration officials assert that the intelligence will show that forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad carried out the chemical weapons attack in the suburbs of Damascus.
The intelligence does not tie Mr. Assad directly to the attack, officials briefed on the presentation said, but the administration believes that it has enough evidence to carry out a limited strike that would deter the Syrian government from using these weapons again.
Mr. Obama, officials said, is basing his case for action both on...
<snip>
More: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/30/us/politics/obama-syria.html
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)KoKo
(84,711 posts)We Shall See....
Dark of the MOON...a good time for Attack.
With that "Red Line"....How could he not do it before he leaves for the G-8 this Sunday? How better to shove it in Russia's Face?
It's an American "Labor Holiday"...it would be too tempting to do it while American's Minds are Elsewhere for the last Weekend of Summer.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)His cabinet isn't made up of people who would urge unilateral military action, except maybe Power.
totodeinhere
(13,037 posts)DearAbby
(12,461 posts)causing great suffering, to be a bluff would be cruel. This is the guy who took a risk, doing what he deemed right for the country, ordering the Osama Bin Laden attack. Also recall the call regarding the pirates earlier in his term. I believe there is something that is compelling this man morally to do what he believes is right. I would just hope he would explain that clearly to the rest of us.
He needs to call congress back, show them what he has, then go to the UN and show them, Shame Russia and China, if this case is compelling enough. Then let congress vote. Have this be a joint venture. Lets actually use the constitution on this one.
polichick
(37,152 posts)Oh, wait...
spanone
(135,636 posts)VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)this guy is full of surprises...so we shall see. But I think he is going to stun some folks...
polichick
(37,152 posts)Link Speed
(650 posts)The only thing BO had to do with the OBL deal was to sort of give it the go-ahead. He didn't plan it and he didn't carry it out.
And he OK'd Kill on Sight in order to keep OBL out of a courtroom.
The details of the raid that were initially released were nothing but propaganda.
TwilightGardener
(46,416 posts)That's why he gets the big bucks. Had it gone wrong and our troops died, he would have accepted the blame.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)is enlightening about this.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)along with the call to take out those Somali pirates that kidnapped the ship capt call!
Hey Link....your ODS is showing!
Link Speed
(650 posts)I am a former SEAL (actually, UDT - before the SEAL tag came along). Giving the OK is far from the actual killing of a human being. BO did not find OBL, he did not scope the sit, he did not rope in or shoot the fucker. He simply authorized an op.
As a member of US Special Forces, I always despised the superiors who never put their balls on the chopping block.
And, what is ODS?
I am heading to a major Wine Event, but I will check your reply when I get back home.
Thanks, I am pretty new here and am not up on the acronyms (or whatever they are called).
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)He took the gamble on them knowing that. Jimmy Carter can explain it to ya better.
Link Speed
(650 posts)October Surprise is what fucked Carter.
Reagan/Bush fucked Carter with inside info from CIA.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)You cannot be serious... ODS is the only explanation.
Link Speed
(650 posts)How many members (or ex-members) of US Special Forces do you know?
I would bet on "none".
The only problem I have with BO is the DOJ stance on weed and this Syria bullshit.
Oh, yeah, and not prosecuting members of the previous admin. But I think we are seeing why they took that stance in today's light.
I am serious, and I think you may have a lack of real-world knowledge.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)they write books and movies! I think it is YOU with a real world problem....
and in case you havent heard...!!PBO!! told the DOJ to stand down on weed. Is that lack of knowledge a symptom of your "real-world" problem?
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)legacy...
Dragonfli
(10,622 posts)Commando and warhawk you are.
I know I respect the bravery and experience you possess as an elite member of the 101st Chiarborne Division.
Go screaming chicken-hawks!!
Sometimes the wimpy seal types are too deranged as you pointed out to recognize how much bravery it takes to sit in a chair and posture with the lives of their service brothers (that are rightfully considered nothing more than tools to make the civilian commander look tough).
Their derangement syndrome makes it impossible for them to see how brave and knowledgeable you are as well, after all, anyone can join the military and become one of the very few good enough to even qualify for SEAL training, how many can cheer on military action and get hard from the comfort of an office chair far away from the smell of blood you crave?
You are right, what does he know? he is just a tool to be used by superior hawks, obviously deranged if he does not take your sagely advice on war and military action, just who the fuck does he think he is anyway?
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)Obama Derangement Syndrome
LittleBlue
(10,362 posts)I mean, the balls it took to "yes" to kill the world's most hated man.
He risked his political future on that one.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)you know...the first Black one too! He put that on the line....betting they would. So dont give me your ODS either.
LittleBlue
(10,362 posts)It was such a massive call, on par with getting out of bed in the morning.
Only a giant amongst men could have pulled that one off.
Link Speed
(650 posts)We would not have heard a word if the entire Team had been snuffed.
But we did hear about OBL hiding behind women, etc.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)out as you put it? Is that really what you are suggesting here? Cause if that is the case...you really DO have ODS and I think you will be my very first DU ignore...you are sick. Check yourself.....you just disrespected the office...
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)Yeah....that kind of getting out of bed day!
Mojorabbit
(16,020 posts)than the lives of the men he sent into danger to get OBL?
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)President...is you are going down in history...just is...
But if he failed....he soiled that and perhaps set back that progress another 50 yrs. You think that has no value?
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)he woulda been fighting for Civil Rights...
You don't think he should ever consider THAT legacy?
I am a female...and when Hillary becomes President....she has to carry that load too...Less than 100 years ago...women couldn't even vote.
I WANT her to take that very seriously!
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)Mojorabbit
(16,020 posts)I always try to do what is right and I have more times than I can count put myself way out on a limb to do that regardless of the consequences. I have not regretted it ever.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)Mojorabbit
(16,020 posts)I am a wildlife rehabilitator and advocate. I put my license on the line multiple times advocating for my patients when it was the right thing to do. I did not evaluate first how it would affect my career. I did the right thing. It is how I am wired.
I advocate for wildlife and habitat now and in the same way.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)my grandmother was born one month before women had the right to vote....she was born into a world where she was a second class citizen. I understand the importance of the first woman President and the legacy and how that effects ALL women from that day forward....the same is for African Americans now....like Oprah said...she felt like she could finally set down her suitcase. So for shame you cannot understand that....
Mojorabbit
(16,020 posts)of the cost to myself. This discussion is ridiculous on your part in that you have no idea what The President was thinking about. You are projecting what you think he considered in making the decision. I like to think he did the right thing without considering his legacy first. You make him out to be a man of little character with your version of his decision making. You can take your shaming somewhere else.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)its about the legacy and burden of being the first African American President and all that means to all generations of African Americans going forward. His legacy is very important. As will be the first female President...After this ceremonies of this past weekend and Yesterday how you cannot see that is beyond me!
Mojorabbit
(16,020 posts)as I have nothing further to say to you. I also expect the first female president to do the right thing because hopefully she will have morals and character and will do so without having to check that it will affect her legacy first. Good grief! It is called character. It is called being a person of integrity.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)and also....I will answer if I want to...you are not going to control my conversation....
I said...he bet his legacy...which is a pretty big deal under the circumstances. So go back where you came from....your ODS is duly noted
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)100 yrs from now...no one will be even thinking about LittleBlue....
but they will STILL be TALKING about President Barack Obama....he was betting with WHAT they would be talking about him!
LittleBlue
(10,362 posts)Brilliant meltdown.
Keep replying
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)but you can pretend that you "did some damage" if it makes your little heart feel better....I don't mind at all.
Dragonfli
(10,622 posts)Never mind, it appears to want to entertain us without requiring much response. Comedy meltdown is comedic.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)get how ballsy that is now?
n2doc
(47,953 posts)Obama seems like a different person now, after 2012. He has done the same thing with Snowden, sounding belligerent, threatening countries without any real chance of getting his way, and letting his administration run a bunch of actions that he doesn't seem really in control of. That's why I have lost faith in him. If he had quietly worked out a plan and implemented it, like with Bin Laden, then maybe this would work.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)and he knew if they failed....it was his burden to bare....It would negatively impact his entire legacy. So don't give me that shit either...more ODS
David__77
(23,220 posts)That's all I'm saying. Making the wrong move here will undo the good.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)I haven't heard about any summit have you? I think you underestimate that man to your own peril.
David__77
(23,220 posts)His spokespersons and SOS have been speaking crazy talk like warmaniacs.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)that's incoherent...
We do not know what he has planned....he hasn't said yet.
David__77
(23,220 posts)Two-day strikes against military and security infrastructure. It's all over the place.
By your definition, we should all twiddle our thumbs and wait for the worst... or, to be fair, the best. NO - we must demand the best.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)but then I am more of a glass half full gal....and I dont have ODS
morningfog
(18,115 posts)Mojorabbit
(16,020 posts)I really want to give that faith and not have it destroyed but that is not the real world.
n2doc
(47,953 posts)In the end, nothing will happen, although the most outrageous plans will be floated in the meantime by anonymous sources. And the cheerleaders will return with their "He never did anything of the sort" chants.
I just don't see him going it alone, like W, on this. Even Britain isn't going to go along. Congress won't go along because the repubs will never want to give Obama anything he wants. Not unless something worse happens over there.
adirondacker
(2,921 posts)from the article...
"But administration officials made clear that the eroding support would not deter Mr. Obama in deciding to go ahead with a strike. Pentagon officials said that the Navy had now moved a fifth destroyer into the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Each ship carries dozens of Tomahawk cruise missiles that would probably be the centerpiece of any attack on Syria.
Even before the parliamentary vote, White House officials said, Mr. Obama decided there was no way he could overcome objections by Russia, Syrias longtime backer, to any resolution in the Security Council.
Although administration officials cautioned that Mr. Obama had not made a final decision, all indications suggest that a strike could occur soon after United Nations investigators charged with scrutinizing the Aug. 21 attack leave the country. They are scheduled to depart Damascus on Saturday."
He sounds pretty determined to get involved. Hopefully I'm wrong.
Xipe Totec
(43,872 posts)defacto7
(13,485 posts)FYI, I am against military intervention.
(tin hat)
OB doesn't simply shoot the missiles at usual targets. The target is specifically Assad's brother who is the one probably responsible for the chemical attack. Assad's brother is the one who actually calls the shots in that country as the supreme military commander and does not follow orders from anyone. He's a loose gun and Assad the ruler hates him. So the US takes out the brother and his cronies then Assad the ruler makes a deal with the west to remain in power with revisions in their "constitution" or whatever it is to allow some form of democracy. There are other enemies in Syria that Assad will have to deal with but now he will have the backing of the west.
(/tin hat)
Just a thought. I still want no part of it.
Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)we don't need to waste all this arsenal
polichick
(37,152 posts)and, since he's not head of state, it could work. Better than killing innocents.
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)Big Oil says, "Go in" and being the obedient servant that he is, we'll go in. Most likely within 10 days and with no consultation with Congress.
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)Dragonfli
(10,622 posts)for the appropriate photo OP.
The rumor is it will make Tweety tingle like never before (there may even be visible stains this time, Bush never got visible stains)!
adirondacker
(2,921 posts)A lot of angst for the President.
L0oniX
(31,493 posts)treestar
(82,383 posts)If it happens again? Obama's fault, right?