U.S. to Provide Military Assistance to Syrian Rebels

Gah! I hate this.

Anyway, has anyone seen an estimate of the costs involved? Is this being done under the authority of the AUMF, or is this under that enter-a-war-and-ask-congress-for-permission-later act?

Where’s the Tea Party when you need them to insist upon cuts elsewhere before funding this boondoggle? [hijack]It really irks me that the president can go blithely in to a foreign conflict, but NY and NJ have to show up on bended knee to get bailed out after a natural disaster.[/hijack]

Is there a chance that Russia joins in to help prop up the Assad side? They are pretty good buddies, right?

What a disaster.

This would be a great scenario for a book/RPG about the leadup to WWIII. Russia arming the Syrian government…US arming/aiding the rebels.

Anyone wanna play “Twilight:2013”*

  • has nothing to do with vampires

Did we already forget all of this started right after the anouncement of a great trade-route for Iran, through Syria?

What a coincedence..

Russia has been sending arms to Assad all along.

Taking sides in a Shi’a/Sunni Civil War and arming the side that has all the Al-Q types flocking to it?

What could go wrong?

This time it’s Russia’s turn to play the cheese-eating surender monkey: err, what chemical weapons?

Paging Colin Powell

I no longer believe a word any western leader or intelligence agency says. Maybe one side is using them, maybe both, maybe neither. Who knows? All I do know is these people lie to get support for actions for real ends other than the stated ones. I don’t believe the USA, the UK or anyone else gives a shit about the people in Syria.

To be fair - I don’t either. It’s a Civil War and I don’t care what set of murdering jackasses win.

Agreed.

All’s I know is the US is gonna take shit if it intervenes or if it doesn’t.

I don’t think Obama figures in their dreams ever.

:dubious: You are implying that such an American plan was in place before the war started and had something to do with it starting. Do you really believe that?

Sorry; carried away in my mini-rant. The man is a war-monger, and I have grandsons of military age. It angers me that we are once again sticking our beak in where it doesn’t belong. Where’s the UN in all this? Why are we fighting yet another proxy war with Russia/China? Why can’t we learn from the past that this is just another boon for the military contractors and more death for more people? We never seem to learn that when we depose one despot, the radical loonies take over and hate us more fiercely than the previous thug.

Because, as we all know, the CIA never foments unrest in nations to further the “interests” of the USA.

All I ask is if they are successful after our assistance they become long-time allies and advocates for our country in the region. Is that unrealistic?

Yup, that’s unrealistic. Not going to happen.

Hey, do you know what sound a plane patrolling a no-fly zone makes?

The Washington Post has this to say:

Notice too that at least some elements of our government seem to have no issue with the disclosure of classified and covert information when it suits their interest.

Say what: a signed presidential … finding?

And a “signed presidential finding” “avoids legal restraints” regarding arming folks attacking that nations government.

‘signed presidential findings’ - who knew!

If we must get involved we have to make a commitment to one side so that a decision is made and those poor people can get started rebuilding their country. Have we made the decision that we will not allow the rebel to lose? Are we going to give them just enough weapons to keep the conflict going? The worst possible situation is for two sides to pour arms into the conflict so that it stays balanced. Only the arms dealers, and maybe the CIA, win that war.

The irony that breaks my heart is the thousands of Iraqis who fled to Syria to escape the unrest in Iraq will now flee…where? Back to Iraq?