# Why is SOS John Kerry beating the war drum? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 1, 2013, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740 "2013-09-01T17:30:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/1 "2013-09-01T17:30:05Z")
Is he just reading from a script provided by his boss Obama? > **[Kerry: Tests Indicate Sarin Used In Syria](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/09/01/217855386/kerry-tests-indicate-sarin-used-in-syria)** > > "I can share with you today that blood and hair samples that have come to us through an appropriate chain of custody from east Damascus, from first responders, it has tested positive for signatures of sarin," Secretary of State John Kerry told CNN on... We have no proof of anything Kerry asserts. ---
**Author:** ![SHARKBITEATTACK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@SHARKBITEATTACK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SHARKBITEATTACK)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/2 "2013-09-01T17:32:26Z")
Not sure, but I noticed this too. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/3 "2013-09-01T17:38:37Z")
For the sake of clarity, how do you define proof? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/4 "2013-09-01T17:47:22Z")
Reported for forum change. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/5 "2013-09-01T17:54:18Z")
It provides a layer between the POTUS and the public. Bush did the same thing with Colin Powell, and presidents have done this for a long time, using the senior cabinet member to promulgate policy. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/6 "2013-09-01T17:56:35Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > For the sake of clarity, how do you define proof? Solid evidence of something. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/7 "2013-09-01T18:01:37Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Reported for forum change. Ah shucks **Czarcasm** , I was hoping that you would have something more cerebral to share. But you are correct. Put it in the right forum, then we can talk. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/8 "2013-09-01T18:03:38Z")
Cabinet members aren’t independent leader/shapers except within narrow boundaries. Any slightest thought that Kerry is doing other than exactly what he’s been instructed to is nonsense. So yes, he is reading the script Obama gave him. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/9 "2013-09-01T18:12:49Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > Solid evidence of something. You are doing the same thing as Kerry/Obama. What do you consider proof with this specific issue? ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/10 "2013-09-01T18:18:26Z")
Moved to Great Debates from GQ. **samclem** , moderator ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/11 "2013-09-01T18:22:53Z")
The Secretary of State works for the president. He serves at the pleasure of the president and his job is to execute the president’s will. Whose script would you _expect_ him to read? ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/12 "2013-09-01T18:25:41Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > You are doing the same thing as Kerry/Obama. > > What do you consider proof with this specific issue? Sorry **Duckster** , I thought it was obvious after reading the link. I would prefer that Kerry would be more specific on where the samples came from, and who did the independent tests. Kerry seems to be saying, just take my word on this. ---
**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 1, 2013, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/13 "2013-09-01T18:29:10Z")
If there’s proof, maybe we can share the details with the world community and catch on film the public reactions of guys like Putin and Ban Ki Moon and others, discuss, then act. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/14 "2013-09-01T18:59:22Z")
What does SOS mean?:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/15 "2013-09-01T19:00:41Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The Secretary of State works for the president. He serves at the pleasure of the president and his job is to execute the president’s will. Whose script would you _expect_ him to read? You are correct. But given John Kerry’s active protests against the war in Vietnam, I found it difficult to reconcile his beating of the war drum with regards to Syria. But, as you explained, he is just doing his job. ---
**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, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/16 "2013-09-01T19:01:24Z")
Is it just me, or does Kerry sound like he doesn’t believe what he is saying. Or maybe he’s just not a good speaker. I never felt he projected a lot of sincerity in the '04 campaign. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/17 "2013-09-01T19:07:43Z")
This whole business reminds me of the WMV ramp-up that turned out to be false. Wonder if this one is, too. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/18 "2013-09-01T19:15:01Z")
> [@Truman\_Burbank](#): > > What does SOS mean?:rolleyes: Secretary of State; shorter than SOSOTUS. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/19 "2013-09-01T19:21:21Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Is it just me, or does Kerry sound like he doesn’t believe what he is saying. I think Colin Powell stood up there and said a lot of things he didn’t believe, either. Good soldiers never… stop being good soldiers. That said, I think the US should be a part of an international effort to bring the troubles in Syria under control. I just don’t know how. I do see a very good place for the other Middle Eastern states, though… ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2013, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740/20 "2013-09-01T19:51:59Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Secretary of State; shorter than SOSOTUS. Well, I’m _hoping_ that was the OP’s intention… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-sos-john-kerry-beating-the-war-drum/667740.md?page=2)