U.S. shoots 50-60 Tomahawk Missiles at Assad's Airforce

[leibowde84]

I don't quite trust what they say since they've lied before, like with Libya. Regardless, this isn't some humanitarian thing at the end of the day.

Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. We will have to wait and see what Trump follows this up with. And, whether he responds to Russia lying about the whole thing.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I've gotta say, I'm happy with Trump for this. I'm glad we attacked and I'm glad we acted quickly.

But, Russian military was most likely there, so this could erupt into a bigger conflict.

What are your thoughts?

This is about posturing and messaging, not about helping anybody or improving anything - which it is unlikely to do.

 

[columbus]

Fair enough. So, you don't trust anyone, huh?

Not any of the players in a 5 way war in Syria.
Which of these do you trust:
Russia
Assad
Trump
The Free Syria Army
ISIS
The media reporting on the nightmare?
Tom

 

[Jeremiahcp]

Not any of the players in a 5 way war in Syria.
Which of these do you trust:
Russia
Assad
Trump
The Free Syria Army
ISIS
The media reporting on the nightmare?
Tom

Ya I would not trust that Tom guy either.

 

[leibowde84]

Not any of the players in a 5 way war in Syria.
Which of these do you trust:
Russia
Assad
Trump
The Free Syria Army
ISIS
The media reporting on the nightmare?
Tom

It seems absurd, but because of the immense dishonesty coming from all the rest of these groups, I actually trust the mainstream media most of all. Trump is a blatant liar. Assad, Russia, and ISIS are all pretty evil/sociopathic. I don't really hear anything from the Free Syria Army that I trust. But, although the media has to be checked up on, lately they seem to be at least trying to hold Trump accountable for what he claims.

 

[suncowiam]

The problem with this is that continued involvement in the Middle East is beginning to have dire consequences for the West--especially Europe--where civilians that have absolutely nothing to do with the bombings or military involvements (and may even be opposed to them) are being killed.
Such a thing may work in a video game, but when you have the lives of your own citizens to consider, it is not a very easy choice to go in and be the hero and have your people suffer the consequences later, or do nothing and keep your own people safe.
When ISIS is completely gone, the areas they captured will descend into civil war, if not along with the entire state of Iraq. The void left by Saddam was filled by someone far worse, and we have no reason to assume the void that will be left by ISIS will be filled by anyone better.

Let's turn a blind eye to the world because we live our comfy lives within our borders and imaginary lines.

I never compared it to a video game so let's not go down that road.

If America believes so much in Democracy then it should fight for it not just for itself but for others.

Isn't that hypocritical that one just demands democracy and freedom for oneself but then gives a rats *** for others?

 

[leibowde84]

Let's turn a blind eye to the world because we live our comfy lives within our borders and imaginary lines.

I never compared it to a video game so let's not go down that road.

If America believes so much in Democracy then it should fight for it not just for itself but for others.

Isn't that hypocritical that one just demands democracy and freedom for oneself but then gives a rats *** for others?

I agree, but it seems like in the Middle East, whenever we take out a dictator, we make the situation worse. What can we do short of taking over the country and setting up our own government. Obviously we can't let Islamic Extremism take over or allow theocracies be put in place that don't want to take part in the global economy.

 

[suncowiam]

I agree, but it seems like in the Middle East, whenever we take out a dictator, we make the situation worse. What can we do short of taking over the country and setting up our own government. Obviously we can't let Islamic Extremism take over or allow theocracies be put in place that don't want to take part in the global economy.

Well, then we keep at it or find a better solution.

I can say turning a blind eye is probably not the right solution.

 

[leibowde84]

Well, then we keep at it or find a better solution.

I can say turning a blind eye is probably not the right solution.

I agree with that. We can't just ignore the use of chemical weapons aimed at civilian populations. But, going to war with Assad and Russia might end in more death.

 

[Theweirdtophat]

Has it every occurred that we deliberately make worse things over there, so that they will be antagonistic and gives us an excuse to start a war? Are willing to start a war every single time some country does something wrong? We would be at war constantly, which is exactly what the elite want. No one asks why the war on terror is not over yet? No one asks if this was perhaps a set up to get countries against each other? Pretty easy to start a false flag especially nowadays. Just do something bad and make it look like the other person did it.

 

[suncowiam]

I agree with that. We can't just ignore the use of chemical weapons aimed at civilian populations. But, going to war with Assad and Russia might end in more death.

Why is Russia backing Assad? Anything to do with Putin's beliefs in dictatorships?

Some of this is speculation but IMO, Putin is not good for the world given his track record.

 

[Nakosis]

Well, the information on the Syrian attacks came from the mainstream media, which doesn't have the highest regard for Trump. And, there is a 0% chance that the rebels could have dropped the bombs. So, Assad/Russia are the only ones left. Unless I'm misunderstanding what you are getting at.

What I think I've heard is that Russian admits to the attack happening, just not the use of a chemical agent. They claim a chemical store house was hit. I just wish we had more evidence of what occurred before the US decided to take action. It was an emotional response.

Russian is saying this was a victory for the terrorists by misleading the main stream media and getting the US to respond.

 

[leibowde84]

Has it every occurred that we deliberately make worse things over there, so that they will be antagonistic and gives us an excuse to start a war? Are willing to start a war every single time some country does something wrong? We would be at war constantly, which is exactly what the elite want. No one asks why the war on terror is not over yet? No one asks if this was perhaps a set up to get countries against each other? Pretty easy to start a false flag especially nowadays. Just do something bad and make it look like the other person did it.

Interesting conspiracy theory, but I would need a lot more than circumstantial evidence to believe anything like that. Got anything verifiable?

 

[columbus]

Isn't that hypocritical that one just demands democracy and freedom for oneself but then gives a rats *** for others?

I understand what you're saying, and agree in a sense.
But reality intrudes. Look at the history. From Iraq to the Arab Spring (say Egypt) democracy doesn't seem to work well in the Muslim world generally. Especially when someone "democratizes" them.
This was one of the things that I learned from the Muslims I sought out to learn about Islamic culture. Democracy doesn't fit well with the Muslim culture of tribalism.
Tom

 

[leibowde84]

What I think I've heard is that Russian admits to the attack happening, just not the use of a chemical agent. They claim a chemical store house was hit. I just wish we had more evidence of what occurred before the US decided to take action. It was an emotional response.

Russian is saying this was a victory for the terrorists by misleading the main stream media and getting the US to respond.

If there is one thing I know for sure it's that every single word that comes out of Putin's mouth is not true. He is not to be trusted ... or even listened to.

 

[Theweirdtophat]

I think it could not be clearer that Assad was responsible. They traced the planes that dropped the chemical weapons back to Assad's base. That is the base that was attacked.

Unless it was planted there. Or that other parties were involved.

There's no advantage for Assad to randomly kill citizens. This seems more likely to make him responsible in order to get two countries against each other.

 

[leibowde84]

Unless it was planted there. Or that other parties were involved.

There's no advantage for Assad to randomly kill citizens. This seems more likely to make him responsible in order to get two countries against each other.

He's done this exact thing before, against his own interest. He's a dictator rapidly losing control. They usually do stupid things when that happens. Not unreasonable at all to point the finger at a guy who's done it before.

 

[Theweirdtophat]

Interesting conspiracy theory, but I would need a lot more than circumstantial evidence to believe anything like that. Got anything verifiable?

Looking things deeper and realizing that false flags have happened is not a theory.

I don't see you backing up your claims. I'm putting two and two together and following the money

Ask me why would Assad randomly kill citizens. Where does he get the advantage from that?

We've been over in the middle east doing many things that were actually documented. Things that were quite illegal and that the US was responsible for.

I'm not going to pretend I know everything there is to know over there. I'm just smart enough to know that someone is manipulating this entire event. And with today's technology, it's pretty easy to do that.

It's all to get us and Russia against each other among others. Who would do that? The elitists and the elite that are behind them? Why? Because they are dividing and conquering. Why do that? Because it's easier to rule everything when everything is weakened and divided, so that you can take over and build things your way. This isn't a theory, it's common sense.

 

[Akivah]

I've gotta say, I'm happy with Trump for this. I'm glad we attacked and I'm glad we acted quickly.

What are your thoughts?

I didn't think Trump had it in him. My opinion of him is steadily rising.

 

[Mindmaster]

I can't make a definite judgment yet as to whether the strike was hasty, primarily because history shows that the United States' military intervention has harmed other countries more than it has benefited them.

Parenthetically, this strike shows me that the discernment of many of the Republicans who touted Trump as a "non-interventionist" candidate is most suitable for flushing down the drain.

Well, most pro-Trump did believe in the non-interventionism but you have to realize this is completely unrealistic -- the USA already has it's hands in everything, so it's worse to leave things be than to intervene in most cases. It's really anyone's guess whether the Middle East is better off with or without us, as many countries shaped up because they became our allies and certain things won't fly. Chemical weapons are pretty much off limits for any use, and anyone doing so should expect retaliation from the international community on all levels. It's one thing to be shot (you actually have a good chance to recover), it's another to be hit with nerve gas or biological agents.