Syria Disintegrating: Part 2

[Valmy]

Uhm, remind me, how long were the Brits/French fighting the Germans/Italians before the Americans joined?

Yeah that was weird.  The Euros should really be grateful to the Germans for declaring war on us more than anything else.

Though, you have to admit, that lend lease thing was pretty nice.

[CountDeMoney]

Personally, I think it's completely adorable that the critics of the Libyan action are bleating about Obama not doing anything hardcore about Syria.

Like who?

Romney yesterday:

After nearly a year and a half of slaughter, it is far past time for the United States to begin to lead and put an end to the Assad regime," Romney said in a written statement. "President Obama can no longer ignore calls from congressional leaders in both parties to take more assertive steps."

McCain yesterday:

McCain went for the jugular, "This is a shameful episode in American history...This administration has a feckless foreign policy, which abandons American leadership." He finished with one more blow: "The only conclusion you can draw is that this president wants to kick the can down the road."

And of course, plenty of your favorite conservative columnists.

[derspiess]

In any case, if (when) Assad falls, Syria will get Taliban-grade islamism. So I don't understand the US arming the rebels.

While I'm not quite sure it would be Taliban-level, I agree that it will in many ways be worse than the Assad regime.  The devil you know, and all that.

[Barrister]

In any case, if (when) Assad falls, Syria will get Taliban-grade islamism. So I don't understand the US arming the rebels.

While I'm not quite sure it would be Taliban-level, I agree that it will in many ways be worse than the Assad regime.  The devil you know, and all that.

I could understand that reasoning with Mubarak. 'he might be a son-of-a-bitch, but he's our son-of-a-bitch' and all that.  But Assad?  He's pretty consistently opposed to everything the US and West has ever done.

[derspiess]

Personally, I think it's completely adorable that the critics of the Libyan action are bleating about Obama not doing anything hardcore about Syria.

Like who?

Romney yesterday:

After nearly a year and a half of slaughter, it is far past time for the United States to begin to lead and put an end to the Assad regime," Romney said in a written statement. "President Obama can no longer ignore calls from congressional leaders in both parties to take more assertive steps."

McCain yesterday:

McCain went for the jugular, "This is a shameful episode in American history...This administration has a feckless foreign policy, which abandons American leadership." He finished with one more blow: "The only conclusion you can draw is that this president wants to kick the can down the road."

And of course, plenty of your favorite conservative columnists.

Both Romney and McCain were pro-intervention in Libya, ya goof.

[Valmy]

Who would have thought NOT getting involved in the never ending squables in the Middle East would be considered "feckless".  I don't think McCain is serious but if he is thank Hod he was not elected President.  He would have our boys dying in pointless M-E squables right and left and getting manipulated by various d-bags into doing their fighting for them. 

[Valmy]

I could understand that reasoning with Mubarak. 'he might be a son-of-a-bitch, but he's our son-of-a-bitch' and all that.  But Assad?  He's pretty consistently opposed to everything the US and West has ever done.

Yeah and even if he wins he will be vastly weakened and completely isolated.  Frankly I do not know what Assad thinks the outcome of this is going to be.  It cannot be good for him in any case.

[derspiess]

I could understand that reasoning with Mubarak. 'he might be a son-of-a-bitch, but he's our son-of-a-bitch' and all that.  But Assad?  He's pretty consistently opposed to everything the US and West has ever done.

Yeah, he's an ass.  And if we could magically replace him with a pro-western government (or at least a non-anti-western government) I'd be all for his removal.  But on balance I don't think he's any worse than what is in store if the rebels win. 

[derspiess]

Frankly I do not know what Assad thinks the outcome of this is going to be.  It cannot be good for him in any case.

He doesn't want to be the one to have let the family business go under.

[CountDeMoney]

In any case, if (when) Assad falls, Syria will get Taliban-grade islamism. So I don't understand the US arming the rebels.

While I'm not quite sure it would be Taliban-level, I agree that it will in many ways be worse than the Assad regime.  The devil you know, and all that.

Just don't de-Baathify everybody in the Syrian fucking government and military, like that imbecile Bremer did.

Pick a general that can stabilize things, and go with him.  That's how we should've done it in Iraq; once we broke the damned thing, there were plenty of Iraqi generals with troops in the barracks ready to go.

[CountDeMoney]

Both Romney and McCain were pro-intervention in Libya, ya goof.

They were incredibly critical of the President's pacing, and you know that.

And let's not forget the Teabaggers' screaming about "leading from behind" with NATO.

[derspiess]

Just don't de-Baathify everybody in the Syrian fucking government and military, like that imbecile Bremer did.

Pick a general that can stabilize things, and go with him.  That's how we should've done it in Iraq; once we broke the damned thing, there were plenty of Iraqi generals with troops in the barracks ready to go.

I agree, but you know that's not how it will happen.  We have to extend to them TEH BLESSSINGS OF DEMOCRACEH.

[Admiral Yi]

They were incredibly critical of the President's pacing, and you know that.

And let's not forget the Teabaggers' screaming about "leading from behind" with NATO.

wut?

[CountDeMoney]

wut?

Meh, you don't even finish watching movies.

[Admiral Yi]

Meh, you don't even finish watching movies.

RAGESULK ACORN