A Modest Proposal to Bomb Both Sides in Syria

The Nation ^ | September 5, 2013 | Jon Wiener

[SunkenCiv]

The dilemma: how can we punish Assad for his violations of international law, when his opponents are also in violation—in this case, killing prisoners?

The Times called this a "foreign policy puzzle." But there’s a solution to this puzzle. Some have suggested the solution is: don’t bomb Assad. Those people are spineless and unprincipled. The obvious solution is simple: bomb both sides.

The principles enunciated by President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry are clear and uplifting: it’s our job to punish evildoers. It’s our job to send a message, so that others will not follow the example of evildoing. Those who oppose sending a message will be responsible for whatever evil follows.

Kerry made it clear that those who refuse to support American intervention against Assad will be responsible the next time the Syrian regime "gasses its citizens" -- and they will also be responsible "when North Korea or Iran attempts to use nuclear weapons." But of course the same argument applies to the other side: those against bombing the opposition with also be personally responsible if Iran attacks Israel with nuclear weapons...

As the president has said, “Assad must go.” Now we need to add, “And the opposition must go.” Who then should govern Syria? Again, the answer is simple: the United States of America.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

There will be no bombing—Obama will turn chicken and call it a moral victory. he will let Congress do its thing and when they vote no—he will back off. Its a distraction game and its working. Threaten a little war and everyone forgets 9-11 and the guys who were killed. Watch as more war threats come out in the next few months—maybe an attack even on US soil to get popular and blame the Republicans for 2014 election and set the stage for his 3rd Term election (after that thing in the constution is overturned by his Supream Court). Obama forever! Yes, a sham election will be held and some GOP goofball will be put up to lose like Hamilton Burger was to Perry Mason. Obama will always win by 52% from now until the day he dies. Maybe his fifth term of office or so. Believe it—Obama now and forever!

[rdcbn]

It's fun to talk about attacking both sides but unfortunately it's bad policy because it could unite the warring factions against the United States.

The equation of Al Qaeda terrorists + Syrian State Sponsored WMDs+ Overt Act Of War Against Both Al Qaeda insurgents and Syrian Government = Bad situation for the United States

[FLCowboy,]

Interesting thought, except what targets do the rebels have? I see them shooting out of an apartment building window, or from the bed of a pickup truck.

Perhaps the best offense would target all the leaders with drones. Leave no leader standing, rebel or otherwise.

[21st Century Crusader]

Nuke ‘em and let GOD sort ‘em out!

[VerySadAmerican]

It’s funny how these people are trying to pull obama’s ass out of the fire.

[usconservative]

That's a very good point. Apart from treason, it is also in general illegal to provide material support to a terrorist group.

Thanks. I just know it's TREASON at worst, a violation of our Constitution. Your entire post specifically 18 USC 2339B and Prohibited Activities it covers which I'm in no way smart enough to know about, or have had the faculties to have gone and looked up needs to be SCREAMED from the mountaintops.

I would LOVE for Rush Limbaugh to pick up on your and my posts on this thread and ask the question on air: Why aren't Republican's drafting up Articles of Impeachment over this?

It's bad enough this sack of shit Obama is about to drag us into yet another war that we don't belong in, the fact that he's enabling al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda sponsored, trained terrorists damn' well is TREASON and an affront to all Liberty Loving American's.

Just my .02, and again -- thanks for your great post.

[elkfersupper]

I have long thought that the best thing the U.S. could do in the Middle East is to just back off and let those people slaughter themselves as they have been doing for thousands of years.

That would save us the trouble of having to do it ourselves later.

[peeps36]

Joe The Weiner should look in the mirror if he wants to see who is responsible for the next chemical or nuclear attack. He was one of the idiots who supported the lightweight community crotch sniffer. Nothing makes the world more dangerous then a weakling in the white house.

[blueunicorn6]

Let’s bomb Detroit, too! And Piscataway just for having that name.

[Popman]

It’s funny how these people are trying to pull obama’s ass out of the fire.

I know...regardless of how much blood and death it causes

[familyop]

That’s a good idea.

[SunkenCiv]

As long as no one is allowed to run out of ammo, it will happen.

[M-cubed]

M-Cubed 3rd RULE: When muzzies are fighting muzzies....Cheer for both sides!

RULE 4: If u feel u must get involved....Arm both sides equally....let attrition reduce the numbers of both sides...

RULE 5: when both sides are reduced sufficiently......Call a truce and gather all remaining participants in a neutral spot....

RULE 6: (the MOST IMPORTANT RULE and the reason for the other 5 rules).....CARPET BOMB SAID SPOT!

[Pilsner]

If you can't decide which side to bomb, perhaps you ought not get involved.

The pilot of a US Cobra helicopter at Dau Tieng Vietnam, 1969. The stickers on his helmet read: "Bomb Saigon Now" - "Bomb Hanoi Now" - "Bomb Disneyland Now" - "Bomb Everything".

[GOPJ]

But there’s a solution to this puzzle. Some have suggested the solution is: don’t bomb Assad. Those people are spineless and unprincipled. The obvious solution is simple: bomb both sides.

LOL - it almost works...

[berdie]

The shifting sands in that part of the world are pretty interesting. I read an article not long ago about the middle east alliances. Can’t find it right now to post. There are no true alliances. It sounded like a 1000 year episode of Survivor.

[ApplegateRanch]

While I agree in principle, the Law of Parsimonious Action calls for sitting by and doing nothing, so long as they are doing an adequate job of bombing each other.