Trump Risks World War for Tiny Syrian Intervention
By Thom Hartmann A...
Just a few days after striking the Assad regime in response to a chemical weapons attack, the Trump administration is now hinting at even greater involvement in Syria's bloody civil war.
Sean Spicer: "The sight of people being gassed and blown away by barrel bombs ensures that if we see this kind of action again, we hold open the possibility of future action"
And so the war drums beat again in Washington, DC.
But do we really know what we're getting into?
Based on what Sean Spicer said today, it looks like the Trump administration is serious about stepping up US involvement in Syria. They're not using the word, but this means "war" doesn't it?
Comments
#2
Am willing to let Trump try his plan for US jobs and infrastructure projects.
If he fails we boot him out and try another direction.
But his impulsive, stupid, and dangerous actions in Syria are alarming.
What happened to "work with the Russians and Syrians to defeat ISIS, and
then get out".
ct
#3
Defeating ISIS is to defund them. ISIS is being funded upon orders from the Israeli firsters n the U.S. government. Sure money is coming from Saudi Arabia but only to save their own hide from internal strife that wold otherwise be created by the Israeli firsters who want Syria and Iraq broken into small states that Israel can dominate. Israel also wants to annex parts of Syria for lebensraum. It's part of Richard Perle, et als Israel's "Clean Break" and the U.S. version "Project for a New American Century". ISIS will not be defeated until the discussion gets real by dealing with all the players and why they are players, not just some of the reasons.
#4
The whole thing with the gas bombing this week feels "off" to me. One or two days before the event, I was hearing all over NPR about gas attacks - which hadn't happened in years. I thought it was quite strange at the time. Then there WAS a gas attack with pix all over the media. I don't remember the last time we saw pix of people dying from an war attack. (Vietnam?) Then we had yet another version of "Shock and Awe" with the "Merchants of Death" making a lot of money on missiles. Today's broadcast highlighted our new Secretary of State, who seemed to have finally found his voice. Rex Tillerson informed us that perhaps the Russians will think again about trusting Assad after this week.
#5
The war profiteers goal is war with Iran! It worked, the Syrian air strike pissed off Iran.
Don't fall for the recent propaganda...Trump, Tillerson, and Putin are still in love and looking to cash in....after they get organized and agree on treason cover- up tactics, which is why Tillerson is there right now.
#6
It occurred to me today that the GOP has successfully pulled off a Coup D'etat and taken over our government with the help of the Koch Brothers and ALEC.
Then the Declaration of Independence came to mind.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us."
This excerp from the Declaration of Independence spells out many things that are eerily similar to what we are experiencing with the GOP in our Congress.
WE MUST RID OUR NATION OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FOR GOOD.
#7
I'd like to hear anyone who favors military intervention in Syria to tell us just what group we can align with that has a snowball's chance in hell of developing a stable government that works in the interests of the Syrian people. Otherwise any intervention is at best working under 'Pottery Barn' rules - you break it, you own it. And how did that work out in Iraq? Syria will make Iraq look like a walk in the park. We may think it's in our interests to intervene in Syria, our interests still being defined by the foreign policy establishment as the creation of an American hegemony in the Middle East, but Russia's border is a few hundred miles away, and they believe they have even more interests in the region. Sooner or later the arrogance of this country will start a nuclear conflagration.
#8
When George Stephanoplus asked Adam Schiff if Russia was complicit in the Syrian gas attack and Schiff said "absolutely." The very next question should have been…was Donald Trump complicit in the Syrian gas attacks?
Regarding Trump's jobs and infrastructure projects; if playing golf at Mar-a-Lago is the answer, then prosperity is right around the corner.
#9
Images of chemical weapons victims.
The images of the victims of chemical weapons, causes an emotional reaction in most people. The reaction for many might be partly due to the WMD propaganda ginned up during Bush-Cheney to intentionally get people to react emotionally, in order to sell the Iraq invasion. The reality is that the images are tame compared to the carnage caused by bombs, automatic weapons, collapsed buildings, etc.; it's just that those images can be very gruesome and thankfully they are seldom shown.
#10
POPE has the solution> "We shouldn't BREED like Rabbits"
Fact> Muslims average 8 kids per family as their Religion
does NOT allow for BIRTH Control> So every 3 generations
when 4th generation arrives WHO IS WORKING? NOT Newborns
nor Aged and when Retirees leave workplace there's only ONE
left to support ALL 4 generations and if its NO BIRTH Control
then DEATH Control ensues> Its called Civil War, just a matter of
numbers and it happens every 3 generations like CLOCKWORK
It occurs in the world wherever there's NO BIRTH Control, like in
Bosnia and Rwanda in mid-90s, and now middle east>
So the REAL Great Evil is Religious Doctrine that promotes BIRTHs
It defines Modern History since proof of Vitamin Deficiency in 1796
and discovery of Cowpox by 1798> Since then every 3 generations
DEATH Control has ensued> Years are 1860s, 1930s and NOW> duh
#11
Republicons learned nothing from Bush/Iraq. They are doomed to repeat that unlearned lesson :(
#12
With age comes privilege
!
#13
Does Trump remember that he killed children in Yemen in his raid for hard drives?
#14
I need to hear a position some rational leftie here expects the US to take in horrible situations like this? Someone please come forth with a plan that will satisfy the Democrat party progressive position.
Don't throw it back on Ronald Reagan. We are here now and what solution makes you happy. No what if's or finger pointing allowed. Reality starts at precisely this point in time.
I will state mine,
Pull entirely out of the EVERYWHERE in middle east and let them sort out this shit for themselves. They have been fighting with each other for 5000 years and will continue to do so for another 5000, or at least the seventeen years humanity has left on this planet according to glowball warming alarmists.
#15
Is Syria a means to an end? We've been seeing disturbing efforts in recent months to build support for war with Russia. Pushing for such a war defies logic, but we seem to be firmly in a post-logic era. Having already been drained out economically and militarily by our latest, longest war, the US will lose.
#16
Rationally, this crisis is so deep that it requires an international response -- not one directed by the US alone.
#17
More on chemical weapons victims
I just realized I didn't finish my thought in my previous post. People and our leaders react when chemical weapons are used; there should be no less of reaction to barrel bombs and all the other weapons that inflict carnage.
#18
Dianereynolds: "Reality starts at precisely this point in time."
...and here we are ...in full agreement!
This exact moment is the culmination of all of history, and whatever action this generation takes right now will determine all of humanity's future. Psychologically, both collectively and individually, time does not actually exist, only action; therefore, each moment is absolutely crucial. This never-ending movement of life is a pure state that continually dies and is continually reborn -- a deeper reality beyond thought and time, untouched by the corruption and pettiness of limited minds fractured by egocentricity and mired in conflict.
The rational and moral action is to quit fighting immediately and to pull our entire military out of every battlefield everywhere, and to lead the world by example rather than by force. Military action has accomplished nothing positive; indeed, by all accounts, it has only served to further inflame the Middle East through ever-spiraling, downward degrees of death and destruction, pushing the whole world closer to the brink. Virtually all sober geopolitical strategists and objective scholars of the Middle East agree that intelligent diplomacy and political influence, not mindless warfare, is the only viable solution.
Of course, it is also a hard, sad reality that both Russia and the United States have governments controlled behind the scenes by very aggressive and predatory fascistic oligarchs addicted to money and power, oil and war.
This is the precise moment for the downtrodden people of all nations to rise up just as aggressively on all fronts in non-violent revolution and peaceful resistance, and to throw off the yoke of this insidious tyranny! The future of the planet depends on the actions we take today.
#19
(@Dianereynolds - #14)
Thank you for your sincerity, Diane. I don't do labels. Speaking for myself, I question who has the power, and popular support to make any one thing happen. This is so complex. In a move toward generating healthy boundaries for this culture in crisis, I would invite/allow individual choice ... honor the right of any person to determine for him or herself what means most, and to devote their time and energy, accordingly.
That might help untangle this ball of yarn. At least, people who do not support these wars might have the option to serve elsewhere. Only, i think the lines are not that easily drawn. It looks like, no matter what you do, regardless of good intent, some people will protest and oppose, or exploit and abuse.
Is it possible, if Trump makes a 'show of power' that is sure to impress the petty despots of the world, he will gain their confidence and support ... and then, can influence their policies toward peace ...?
Would Trump view that as a heroic path?
I believe that is how he would like to be remembered.
Only, what kind of peace - for whom? That slick little smile on the President of Egypt's face during his visit to D.C. speaks volumes. Does Trump know that lies and deceptive games will only further static impotence in the cultural rot pot?
And if that is the swamp where life begins, it will persist ... the river of sh!t will flow on, heroes will be tested, martyrs will fall, and the precious few who rise to the surface will weave a new design for a new generation, and life will go on.
My one glimmer of hope comes from the myth of King Midas who finally realized he could not eat, or embrace the people he loved if everything he touched turned to gold.
Such a revelation in the heart of the global nation of staunch individualists and companion oligarchs could bring great rewards for one and all.
#20
k. allen:
The problem lies in the fact there is no correct answer to situations like this. Before oil they were a very nomadic people. Now that money is involved the corrective options are very limited. The entire area has become whack-a-mole. Put down one dictator/leader and two more pop up. I was hoping that fracking technology would calm things down a bit but so far that has not been the case.
#21
Tom, I'm sorry if this has already been covered. It is important for people to realize it took only 100 days for Putin to get Trump to bite the bait and bomb a sovereign nation, causing a legitimate dispute of the "sanctions regime" we have in place after Ukraine. IF an MO is needed, it is now dramatically obvious to any news analyst. Trump, Exxon stockholders, and Suck of State win, Putin and cronies in the oligarchy/kleptocracy WIN BIG in the arctic sea. Long Live Global Warming and fissile fuels! We lose! We need to wake prople up now that it has been made obvious.
#22
Making Trump president was the final step in making the U.S. a third world nation. Thinking that he is any different than Assad or Putin is pure insanity.
#23
A few out of control individuals, deluded by their own money and power have brought us to where we are. Our Democracy has failed to stop the likes of the Kochs, and Murdoch, and for that we are all going to pay a very heavy price.
It's unfortunate that foxmerized righties still don't understand how they've been manipulated by the billionaires. That ignorance spills over in the form of economic and social pain for all of us.
#24
We lefties need to figure out how to end the wars and cope with the terrorists Bush and Cheney created???? Bernie had the answer, progressives always do....vote no on preemptive for profit war. Try voting for the Democrats next time Diane.
#25
"Defies logic"? Here is the logic: putin gets Donald elected promising ________. Donald shoots missles at sovereign nation, thus negating our position with the UN regarding the sanctions we now have on Russia and "poof"... all debts forgiven, Putin's cronies and exxon all get to share the trillion in oil in the now ice-uncovered arctic. They win. We lose. Where is the confusion over the logic? I know this statement seems like i'm coming down on you but just making a point related to your question of logic/motive that Needs to be heard by all. There is a motive. Now let's put him in Gitmo
#26
So the only answer I get to my question is a non answer from an individual that obviously couldn't comprehend the rules and his/her only answer was to vote democrat party and everything will be fine.
Sorry 2950-10K, we had 8 years of democrat party in the White House and all we got was a further destabilization of the entire Mid East.
#27
Nice try Diane...turn off your fozaganda and seek the truth....your question was shallow to begin with. Lack of the ability to comprehend seems to be epidemic with you righties... voting against your own best interests would be fine with me if it didn't impact mine too.
#28
I saw that Ivanca's reaction to the videos of gas victims my have inflenced Trump. So, lets send her all kinds of photos of attrocities and disasters to get her support. How 'bout some videos of other Syrian victims shredded by conventional bombs - including ones we dropped!?
#29
As one of the great liberal presidents of post WWII pointed out it is all about the Military Industrial Complex. Or as they say in the not-so-great Federal District Of Wall Street: "It's all about the money boys and girls!" Neither Iraq or Afghanistan are generating enough profits! We need a brand new and bigger war dropping lots of bombs and putting more bullets to the pound into the "collateral causalities of war" than ought to be allowed by international law (0). It is all hype to justify making these Wall Street "money junkies" and other perverse fetish fiends their tons of flesh lots and lots of money upon the death of innocents and destruction of nations in response to the only aphrodisiac stamped into our genetic code: the lust for wealth and power!
I received a Presidential Invitation to join in the "fun in the sun" of war in Southeast Asia. It was then known as a duty of each and every male citizen to serve in the military when "asked" - those of us who went did so because we had no other recourse. The vast majority of our fellow males at the time were able to get some sort of deferment that allowed them to literally dodge the bullets and throw the weight they should have been carrying onto the backs of those of us who went (Trump, G W Bush, Cheney, Bill Clinton are the worst offenders among them all). To say that conscription is unfair is an understatement predicated upon the fact that war is insane and totally indiscriminate who it kills, maims and/or totally obliterates. To say that I am still outraged some 47 years after my taste of war is accurate. I will be outraged until the day that I die. You see I am a 100% disabled service connected veteran. That means that the medical problems I am fighting today and will probably die from are all the direct and proximate result, according to the federal government, of my time in Vietnam. In a sense for me and others like me our time as soldiers in a war has never ended and we are still serving against our will.
The most distressing part is I look about and now see that service to our corrupt American Empire is no longer put forth as a duty. The Madison Avenue types have now framed it as a privilege to volunteer to be a henchman for The Henchman Of The American Empire. The people who actually get their hands bloody while Wall Street types kept their manicured hands clean in finger bowls of gin and vermouth. Got a lousy economy locally? Dumbed down high school was the last stop on the Train Of Functionally Literate Public Education? The American Empire has just the job for you: Soldier, Sailor, Or Airperson! Military Occupational Specialty: Cannon Fodder. Job Description: soften up enemy combatants and civilians (especially women, babies, other children and old men) before we throw our real military might at them: killer technology controlled from off of the battlefield.
Follow the orders: they run from Wall Street to a Trump White House in a luxury tower or estate and back to Wall Street where the CEO Of the Empire's rubber stamp of approval "magically" turn into profits for Robber Barons and their minions. (Never mind the blood, guts and Death stuff, never mind! Do not think of that stuff. It is bad for you ... err us.) Remember: "It takes War to Build A Glorious Homeland." George W. Smith*, 43rd CEO Of The Empire.
*Name changed by Department Of Homeland Security to protect the guilty. T--mp = Donald J. Stamp.
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