ARE YOU SYRIA-OUS? IS THE USA ON THE WRONG SIDE?

Original Content | September 14, 2013 | by Laz A. Mataz

[Lazamataz]

The entire narrative of the Obama administration is that President Bashar al-Assad, or at least his minions, used a nerve gas (Sarin) on the opposing rebel forces, and that this warranted a strike on Syria to disuade them or others from using weapons of mass destruction. Let us look at this claim, in light of the evidence of the last few weeks:

1. Russia publicly contradicted Washington's premise that Assad had released chemical weapons in Ghouta, but offered approve a strike on Syria -- its longest and most solid ally in the region -- if concrete evidence, gathered by the United States, could be shown to them. No attempts have been made by the US to convince the Russians that we are telling the truth, and in fact, we were forced to admit that our evidence was not comprehensive and definitive.
   
   Evidence that the rebels launched the attack, presumably to draw the might of the United States into their conflict, has mounted up.
   
   
2. At the website maintained by Walid Shoebat, a former Islamic activist with the Muslim Brotherhood, there are several videos in which Syrian rebels are shown to be handling what is likely to be chemical weapons. The items handled are clearly not standard explosive ordnance. Another video shows a Syrian rebel attack, in which one of the radio broadcasts of the attacker actually admits that the next round of artillery will be Sarin nerve gas.
   
   
3. Dale Gavlak and Yahya Ababneh, both veteran reporters of the Middle East and its politics, uncovered many Syrians who indicate that the Sarin was supplied by Saudi intelligence chief, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, and delivered to the rebels. Quoting from the article: "My son came to me two weeks ago asking what I thought the weapons were that he had been asked to carry," said Abu Abdel-Moneim, the father of a rebel fighting to unseat Assad, who lives in Ghouta. Abdel-Moneim said his son and 12 other rebels were killed inside of a tunnel used to store weapons provided by a Saudi militant, known as Abu Ayesha, who was leading a fighting battalion. The father described the weapons as having a "tube-like structure" while others were like a "huge gas bottle."
   
   
4. Pierre Piccinin, a stalwart supporter of the Free Syrian Army (one of the rebel factions), was one of three hostages released from capitivity after being held by rebels, and had this to say: "It wasn't the government of Bashar al-Assad that used sarin gas or any other gas in Ghouta....It pains me to say it because I've been a fierce supporter of the Free Syrian Army in its rightful fight for democracy since 2012....". Another hostage, Domenico Quirico, said he listened to a Skype conversation between three rebels, one of which who identified himself as a Free Syrian Army general. All three hostages state that insurgents had used gas in Ghouta with the purpose of triggering US involvement.
   
   
5. Lest we believe that this was not a willful series of lies on the part of the Obama administration, none other that Alan Grayson, a far-left Democrat congressman from Florida, says the Obama administration has manipulated intelligence to push its case for U.S. intervention in Syria. Grayson cites information that he cannot reveal, due to secrecy and security laws, but states: "the claim has been made that that information was completely mischaracterized." He further goes on to assert that the intelligence has been 'manipulated'.

The reality is that our government, in the form of the Obama administration, has apparently lied to the American people and to the world. We, as a country, are taking the wrong side. We have all heard it said by patriots before, "My country, right or wrong." I cannot subscribe to that principle. America was once a country that often had the moral high ground, but now, we do not. If our country is wrong and is operating from a platform of purposeful lies, we should and will say so, stridently and often.

It appears that Obama has backed down quite a lot from the saber-rattling of the last few weeks, and this is a positive development. His administration has signaled that Obama will be shifting from the Syrian crisis to domestic issues. While I applaud the shift away from the confrontation with Russia -- especially based on the evidence detailed above that we would be operating from a lie -- it does seem odd that an administration so suddenly strident about the international lawlessness of using chemical weapons would just as suddenly drop the issue. It is as if this really wasn't about chemical weapons at all. One must wonder what the true motivation was -- and that will be fodder for another editorial.

It is imperative that America act from a position of moral strength, as we have so many times in our history. We cannot and shall not allow this administration to plunge us into what could easily become a global thermonuclear war, for the pathetic and prevaricating reasons we have presented.

[Lazamataz]

I spent the time collating and collecting various things I've read over the last few weeks, and gathered them all here, to present my case.

As a point of interest, Russia appears to have been cajoled and threatened by at one point, by Saudi Arabia, to facilitate their cooperation in the overthrow of Assad:

The [Russian and Saudi] talks divulged in leaked documents were allegedly about an oil deal that would stabilize Russia's markets, if Saudi Arabia curtailed the amount of oil it put on the global market. In exchange for their global price fixing -- the Telegraph's Ambrose Evans-Pritchard writes that Russia "relies on an oil price near $100 to fund the budget" --- Russia would back off its support for Assad. But there was a threat allegedly hidden in there right along with the fruit. From The Telegraph: [Soudi intel chief] Prince Bandar [bin Sultan] pledged to safeguard Russia’s naval base in Syria if the Assad regime is toppled, but he also hinted at Chechen terrorist attacks on Russia’s Winter Olympics in Sochi if there is no accord. "I can give you a guarantee to protect the Winter Olympics next year. The Chechen groups that threaten the security of the games are controlled by us," he allegedly said.

[Lazamataz]

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I've spent a good deal of time time collating and collecting various things I've read over the last few weeks, and gathered them all here, to present my case,...and to make it easier for all of you to find, as reference material. Please check all the links, especially Shoebat's videos....

[onona]

Here's the real deal.

Every minute any American is talking about, thinking about, what have you about Syria, we are feeding into the deflection about what is going on here at home.

70% of the US citizenry could give a flying monkey's scat about Syria.

Yet is continues to be shoved down our throats like castor oil.

Why ? Why, Why, and more Why ?

Wake up America ! The government proctologist has BOTH hands on your shoulders.

[humblegunner]

Well done!

I’ll pass on the Shoebat though.

[Lazamataz]

I disagree with some of what you write. Seventy-percent of the populace could care less about Syria, when it is quite clear we were about to engage in a direct shooting-war with Russia over it? Don't forget, Russia is the only nation on Earth that could utterly destroy us... albiet at the cost of their own nation.

While I agree that Syria is a distraction, it also points out -- very clearly, as I hope to have demonstrated -- that this Administration is more than willing to use outright lies to advance its agenda. That is useful information to put in the minds of Low Information Voters, so that they are more likely to join us in resisting the domestic agenda Obama is pushing.

[Lazamataz]

I agree with your distaste for Shoebat, but he does have actual videos. Occasionally, even the distasteful will possess something of value.

[Lazamataz]

This image is intended as a thumbnail for Facebook postings, and is of rebels allegedly firing chemical weapons.

[MeshugeMikey]

Dear Fellow Undocumented Journalist

Huzzah

we cant control what the zombies do but WE can take meaningful action!

Thank you

[Little Bill]

Laz, one of the things that puzzles me is the run up in oil prices with no apparent threat to supply.

There is more of the polar bear killer pumped into the system in what is a down market with no effect on price other than rumor and innuendo.

[Lazamataz]

That’s actually typical for oil prices. Anytime there’s a threat to supply, the price jumps.

[Lazamataz]

Undocumented Journalist. Heh. I like it. :)

[mountn man]

Wake up America ! The government proctologist has BOTH hands on your shoulders.

Wait a second, if the proctologists hands are on my shoulders, whats that poking me in the ...???

OH NO!!!

[BenLurkin]

There is no “right side” in Syria. America should sit this one out.

[MeshugeMikey]

Thank you! We are The Present ad We Must BE the future or we WILL BE The PAST.

No Memberships..No Membership Fees...No Examinations... No Educational Requirements ..UBLESS ONE CHOOSES TO INSIST ON SAME..FOR ONESELF....NO OATHS OF FEALTY to the TRYRANTS....

if you like it you is one!!

This Message Not Approved by the NSA

[MeshugeMikey]

the right side....... is the SIDE -..Lines....

[Lazamataz]

Well, yes. There is no right side. But of the two wrong sides, we have chosen the wrongingfullist.

That's an actual word, by the way. I just made it up.

[Lazamataz]

If you write any quality editorials, make sure to post them to Freeper Editorial. It’s a section dedicated to helping us be viewed as a source of journalism and editorializing.

[bmwcyle]

The Chechen groups that threaten the security of the games are controlled by us," he allegedly said.

And that is where Tamerlan Anzorovich Tsarnaev, "the Boston Bomber", trained with these people. Did you ever wonder why the FBI did not pick him up or watch him closer?

[MeshugeMikey]

Thank You

Perhaps the editorial Cartoon Route would be the best avenue for my skill set!

Thanks Again.

This Message Not Approved by Bela Pelosi nor the NSA

[Vesparado]

Tempted to just say “Yes, we are on the wrong side”, but I’m afraid this is one of those wars (like Iraq vs Iran in the 80’s) where its too bad both sides can’t lose.

The lesser evil, IMHO, is Assad.