# I pit any action against Syria **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 28, 2013, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413 "2013-08-28T16:32:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/61 "2013-09-01T15:55:37Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Meanwhile, it is indeed frustrating to see that, if so many people here supposedly are against military intervention, how come no one, no one at all, is out on the street yelling about it? It’s like the whole country has gone catatonic. If you are against the attack, and you are not out on the streets yelling about it, then I suspect you know why. As for the OP, doesn’t he understand that we must violate international law in order to make sure other countries do not violate international law? _Duh-uh!!!_ ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/62 "2013-09-01T16:36:53Z")
> [@Bozuit](#): > > According to the article you posted, 55% want Assad to remain in power. That doesn’t necessarily mean 45% want him to go, but it certainly doesn’t refute the notion that a large part of Syria is against Assad. It is, perhaps, good reason to not support the rebels, but even if 99.9% supported him and he gassed the 0.1%, the use of chemical weapons itself is worth at least addressing, and certainly distinguishes him from the Saddam Hussein of 2003. I’d also question how accurate a poll of a nation undergoing a civil war is going to be. I’m reminded of a pew poll(at least I think it was a pew poll) of Pakistan years ago which showed nearly 90% of all Pakistanis supported Musharraf. I remember some being shocked, I simply asked if you were a Pakistani and someone called you up on the phone and asked you your opinion of Musharraf would you give an honest answer or the answer you’d want to give if Pakistani intelligence was listening in or if it was a sting operation. Adjust the comment for Syria and I think we know what it would be. Beyond that if the rebels really had as little support as they supposedly do, then they’d have been crushed long ago. Red also seems to be changing his tune. Not that long ago he was claiming that 75% of all Syrians backs Assad and only about 15% supported the rebels. ---
**Author:** ![FluffyBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecb155/32.png) [@FluffyBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FluffyBob)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/63 "2013-09-01T19:27:00Z")
> [@Laudenum](#): > > I disagree. > > The prime directive is a bullshit policy. I have mixed feelings about the ‘prime directive’ myself; we probably all do. Few people want to sit by and watch a tragedy unfold. **It does not follow however that there is actually something constructive you can do.** What are you possibly going to achieve? The last few wars the US has entered into achieved nothing but misery, more civil unrest and more violence, with you guys coming out hated by everybody. Throwing some bombs at someone else’s country because you feel like you should do _somethiing_ is an asshole’s solution. If you or Obama or anyone else down there have a real plan to go stop the violence then lets frickin’ hear it. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/64 "2013-09-01T22:20:22Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > You truly are an utter idiot. And an asshole. Did I mention you’re a moron? > > The only thing worse than the stereotypical ‘Ugly American’ are Eurosnobs like you. From this idiot’s profile: [**My hobby is “Pissing-off” others. I flunked “plays well with others” in kindergarten.**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) I assure you that’s not the only thing you flunked. Go troll your Mother, dispshit. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/65 "2013-09-02T15:12:38Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > Go troll your Mother, dispshit. I already did, and she enjoyed it. Oh, wait, that was _your_ mother. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/66 "2013-09-02T18:22:13Z")
[**Nothing Says “We Care” Like A Tomahawk Missile Strike**](http://s3.amazonaws.com/dk-production/images/46782/large/TMW2013-09-04color.png) BTW, necrophilia is a pretty nasty kink – my Mom died five years ago. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2013, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/67 "2013-09-02T20:05:55Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > Obama wouldn’t be in this mess if he’d kept his mouth shut about “red lines”. Would you mind pointing me to Obama’s earlier statement on this issue? I searched but could not find it. I would have thought that as a lawyer and politician he would leave himself some wiggle room. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/68 "2013-09-03T01:51:14Z")
> [@RedFury](#): > > From this idiot’s profile: [**My hobby is “Pissing-off” others. I flunked “plays well with others” in kindergarten.**](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/member.php) BTW, some Fundy Christian linked to that very same thing in my profile a few months ago, thinking he’d made a point after I’d pwned him. He’s banned now. I don’t think it made the point he thought it would. You have the same problem, shit-head. It doesn’t make the point you think you’re making. It just makes you look the fool. > [@RedFury](#): > > BTW, necrophilia is a pretty nasty kink – my Mom died five years ago. When they moan even after they’re dead, either they _really_ enjoyed it, or they are a zombie. I think your mom was in the first category. She didn’t try to eat my brain. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/69 "2013-09-03T02:13:28Z")
_ **Gahhhh… turn it OFF, It’s fucking METALLICA** _ Let me guess, **RedFury** , your IRL name is ‘I’m Lars, from Metallica…’ No, wait, you’re from Spain, no… wait… You’re from some _other_ idiot location we should care about. We really don’t care about you, or where you’re from. All we care about is that you are an idiot. And you advertise that fact. Repeatedly. Go fuck your beloved Europe. I’ll spend my time fucking your mother’s dead corpse. And listen to her moan in pleasure when I do… ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/70 "2013-09-03T02:33:48Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > And listen to her moan in pleasure when I do… Allright, allright. If it is going to lead to zombie fucking, I am definitely against intervening in Syria. ---
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/71 "2013-09-03T03:03:42Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > Allright, allright. If it is going to lead to zombie fucking, I am definitely against intervening in Syria. What did the zombie say to the hooker? Thanks, keep the tip. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/72 "2013-09-03T03:31:28Z")
> [@kidchameleon](#): > > I, too, wait for the day when America will finally export food and technology. We’ve been exporting food & technology to solve crises since the 1940s. Problem is, we’ve been using American servicemen to deliver the goods and, well, they tend to shoot the people who come at them for the food & tech ---
**Author:** ![moejoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@moejoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moejoe)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/73 "2013-09-03T03:41:45Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I think the world is suffering from War Fatigue right now - my gut reaction to even thinking about another Afghanistan/Iraq is, “Oh, God, _another_ one? We’re not even finished cleaning up all the mess from the last wars and the economic meltdown and all the other shit that’s going on in the world!” Maybe it’s fatigue for some, but for me it’s more a sense of learned helplessness. There doesn’t seem to be anything the average citizen can actually _do_ to change the course of politics in America today. I mean, I tried voting for the good guys and that didn’t seem to help a bit. I get the sense now that politicians don’t give a shit what the American people want, even if we were out protesting in the streets it wouldn’t matter. I remember once speaking to a woman who was involved in the Berkeley protests in the 60s. She feels that those protests stopped the Vietnam war and a lot of people agree. What was different then? Were politicians purchased by corporations the way they are now? Did they actually count votes back then? Did The People have more of a voice in the past than they do now? It sure feels that way. Considering where we are as a country right now, trillions spent on two fruitless wars already, middle class melted into a grease puddle, no established plan for pulling it together - no new war is the obvious choice, right? So whatever the real reason for even considering it is the reason that we’ll probably do it even though it makes no sense. Some people profit from war and those people run the country. Protesting in the streets is no longer an effective tool for change. A righteous press is no longer an effective tool for change, even fierce ranting on the internet has lost its power. There are no effective tools these days. May as well just stay home and eat that bag of cheetos. ---
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/74 "2013-09-03T04:04:04Z")
> [@moejoe](#): > > What was different then? I think that’s easy. People who had jobs had something called ‘free time’ and most people who wanted to work could find it and get by and at least feed themselves w/o needing foodstamps/welfare or whatever was available at the time. Before I left the work force I found out that most companies consider a 40 hour week, 40 working hours and you take lunch, if you take it all, on your own time. And btw, be grateful if you’re only in the office for 40 hours. With termination at will laws for white collar workers, H1B visas for tech and other high demand specialties, plus, at least until very recently, high unemployment, you were and still mostly are at the mercy of employers. So if you don’t do your shuckin’ and jivin’ for the man and do it with spring in your step and a smile on your face, you’re toast you candy ass little bitch (not you of course 🙂 ). As a result, people just don’t have the time or inclination to go out and protest. You can hardly blame them. ---
**Author:** ![Werekoala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7993a0/32.png) [@Werekoala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Werekoala)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/75 "2013-09-03T04:35:47Z")
> [@moejoe](#): > > May as well just stay home and eat that bag of cheetos. Yes, but what kind? Old-fashioned Cheetos? Puffs? Flamin’ Hots? Shapes? Corn Puffs? CRACKERS AND CHEESE? My god man, too many choices! ---
**Author:** ![Werekoala](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7993a0/32.png) [@Werekoala](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Werekoala)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/76 "2013-09-03T04:43:14Z")
I revise and extend my remarks: CHEETOS® Crunchy Cheddar Jalapeno Flavored Snacks CHEETOS® Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks CHEETOS® Crunchy FLAMIN’ HOT® Cheese Flavored Snacks CHEETOS® Crunchy FLAMIN’ HOT® Limon Cheese Flavored Snacks CHEETOS® Crunchy Salsa Con Queso Cheese Flavored Snacks CHEETOS® Crunchy XXTRA FLAMIN’ HOT® Cheese Flavored Snacks CHEETOS® Mix-Ups Cheezy Salsa Flavored Snack Mix CHEETOS® Mix-Ups Xtra Cheezy Flavored Snack Mix CHEETOS® Puffed Corn Simply White Cheddar Flavored Corn Snacks CHEETOS® Puffs Cheese Flavored Snacks CHEETOS® Puffs FLAMIN’ HOT® Cheese Flavored Snacks CHEETOS® Puffs Simply White Cheddar Cheese Flavored Snacks BAKED! CHEETOS® Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks BAKED! CHEETOS® Crunchy FLAMIN’ HOT® Cheese Flavored Snacks CHEETOS® FANTASTIX!® Chili Cheese Flavored Baked Corn & Potato Snacks CHEETOS® FANTASTIX!® FLAMIN’ HOT® Flavored Baked Corn & Potato Snacks CHEETOS® Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks - 6 Count Singles CHEETOS® Crunchy Cheese Flavored Snacks - 12 Count Singles CHEETOS® Crunchy FLAMIN’ HOT® Cheese Flavored Snacks - 12 Count Singles ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/77 "2013-09-03T05:30:58Z")
> [@moejoe](#): > > Maybe it’s fatigue for some, but for me it’s more a sense of learned helplessness. There doesn’t seem to be anything the average citizen can actually _do_ to change the course of politics in America today. I mean, I tried voting for the good guys and that didn’t seem to help a bit. > > I get the sense now that politicians don’t give a shit what the American people want, even if we were out protesting in the streets it wouldn’t matter. I remember once speaking to a woman who was involved in the Berkeley protests in the 60s. She feels that those protests stopped the Vietnam war and a lot of people agree. What was different then? Were politicians purchased by corporations the way they are now? Did they actually count votes back then? Did The People have more of a voice in the past than they do now? It sure feels that way. > > Considering where we are as a country right now, trillions spent on two fruitless wars already, middle class melted into a grease puddle, no established plan for pulling it together - no new war is the obvious choice, right? So whatever the real reason for even considering it is the reason that we’ll probably do it even though it makes no sense. Some people profit from war and those people run the country. > > Protesting in the streets is no longer an effective tool for change. A righteous press is no longer an effective tool for change, even fierce ranting on the internet has lost its power. There are no effective tools these days. > > May as well just stay home and eat that bag of cheetos. I wish I could argue with you, but I think you’re right. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/78 "2013-09-03T12:47:02Z")
> [@moejoe](#): > > What was different then? If you note the Cheetos posts a few above, it’s just too many choices. Too many different competing interests. Focus on one thing, sure it could get done, but some folks want to concentrate on abortion issues, others jobs, wars, taxes, gay rights, environment, and on and on. ---
**Author:** ![tagos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@tagos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tagos)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/79 "2013-09-03T14:34:30Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I wish I could argue with you, but I think you’re right. ☹ Yep. We basically don’t live in democracies, we live in systems where we can elect Tweedledum or Tweedledee. Apart from a little culture stuff at the edges they are constrained by outside factors such as the workings of the economy presented as facts of nature outside political or social control. When in fact the workings of the market, both globally and locally could be subject to political control. It’s not like the whole globalism project wasn’t implemented by a whole raft of treaties and trade agreements. And the social democratic welfare option was destroyed by creating financial instruments of mass destruction out of dodgy mortgages, which politics could have dealt with if our politicians were more than ‘useful idiots’. I’m old and cynical but now believe the regimes we live under are illegitimate pseudo-democracies that have no call on our loyalty and support. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2013, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413/80 "2013-09-03T15:15:45Z")
> [@moejoe](#): > > Maybe it’s fatigue for some, but for me it’s more a sense of learned helplessness. There doesn’t seem to be anything the average citizen can actually _do_ to change the course of politics in America today. I mean, I tried voting for the good guys and that didn’t seem to help a bit. > > I get the sense now that politicians don’t give a shit what the American people want, even if we were out protesting in the streets it wouldn’t matter. I remember once speaking to a woman who was involved in the Berkeley protests in the 60s. She feels that those protests stopped the Vietnam war and a lot of people agree. What was different then? Were politicians purchased by corporations the way they are now? Did they actually count votes back then? Did The People have more of a voice in the past than they do now? It sure feels that way. > > Considering where we are as a country right now, trillions spent on two fruitless wars already, middle class melted into a grease puddle, no established plan for pulling it together - no new war is the obvious choice, right? So whatever the real reason for even considering it is the reason that we’ll probably do it even though it makes no sense. Some people profit from war and those people run the country. > > Protesting in the streets is no longer an effective tool for change. A righteous press is no longer an effective tool for change, even fierce ranting on the internet has lost its power. There are no effective tools these days. > > May as well just stay home and eat that bag of cheetos. Agreed. This is why it kind of pisses me off when people say “vote”. I have no hope that my vote will accomplish anything. None. Zilch. Zero. Nada. No one fucking listens. I know I am helpless. I thought I voted for the president that wouldn’t go to war. I am pretty sure McCain would have found someone to wage a war on by now. But government is in bed with big business, more than ever, and the 99% are well and truly fucked. Only money counts. Nothing else counts, not morals, not ethics, not what the people want. Nothing but money. _No one cares._. And I am not that old and cynical, but about this, I am about 900 years old. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-any-action-against-syria/667413.md?page=5)