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Sowell: Serious About Syria?
Creators Syndicate ^ | September 3, 2013 | Thomas Sowell

Posted on 09/03/2013 10:55:54 AM PDT by jazusamo

Why are we even talking about taking military action in Syria? What is that military action supposed to accomplish? And what is the probability that it will in fact accomplish whatever that unknown goal might be?

What is painfully clear from President Obama's actions, inactions and delays is that he is more or less playing it by ear, as to what specifically he is going to do, and when. He is telling us more about what he is not going to do — that he will not put "boots on the ground," for example — than about what he will do.

All this is happening a year after issuing an ultimatum to the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria against the use of chemical or biological weapons. When the President of the United States issues an ultimatum to another sovereign nation, he should know in advance what he is going to do if that ultimatum is rejected.

But that is not the way Barack Obama operates. Like so many people who are masters of lofty words, he does not pay nearly as much attention to mundane realities. Campaigning is his strong suit. Governing is not.

With the mainstream media ready to ooh and aah over his rhetoric, and pass over in silence his policy disasters as President, Obama is home free as far as domestic politics is concerned. But, on the world stage, neither America's enemies nor America's allies are hypnotized by his words or his image.

Nations that have to decide whether to ally themselves with us or with our enemies understand that they are making life and death decisions. It is not about rhetoric, image or symbolism. It is about whether nations can count on the realism, wisdom and dependability of the American government.

(Excerpt) Read more at creators.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government
KEYWORDS: assad; militarystrike; obama; phonypresident; sowell; syria; thomassowell
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To: jazusamo
Shouldn't liberals have learned from the last war we got in. When they were the ones asking:

How good is our intelligence?
What is the goal?
What is our exist strategy?
Are we going to act unilaterally?

At least the war mongering Republicans had a plan. All we know is Obama wants to do something, but have no idea what it is; except Rush and the Republicans are stopping him from doing whatever it is. Sheeesh!

21 posted on 09/03/2013 1:18:32 PM PDT by Idaho_Cowboy (Ride for the Brand. Joshua 24:15)
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To: stanne

Can’t argue with that. Amoeba Obama is indeed a despot. Bob


22 posted on 09/03/2013 1:52:59 PM PDT by alstewartfan ("I don't want to think. Just leave me here to drink, wrapped up in the warmth of New York City." Al)
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To: onyx
The question is whether he can sucker the Republicans into giving him political cover by pre-approving his unknown actions and unknown goals.

I suspect Obama can sucker Republicans....

23 posted on 09/03/2013 3:07:02 PM PDT by GOPJ (Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts - Churchill)
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To: GOPJ

He’s good at herding RINOS.


24 posted on 09/03/2013 4:02:50 PM PDT by onyx (Please Support Free Republic - Donate Monthly! If you want on Sarah Palin's Ping List, Let Me know!)
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To: GOPJ

he could probably succor them too (in obvious other ways).


25 posted on 09/04/2013 5:22:44 AM PDT by jurroppi1
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To: jazusamo
"Why are we even talking about taking military action in Syria? What is that military action supposed to accomplish? And what is the probability that it will in fact accomplish whatever that unknown goal might be?"

Thomas Sowell always asks the right questions. It is ludicrous that the GOP-led House gives this any whiff of credibility.

26 posted on 09/04/2013 6:08:09 AM PDT by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: MacNaughton
We have been warned. Let those who have eyes see and those who have ears hear.

You're right. It's kind of the way Hitler warned the world of his intentions in "Mein Kampf". These egotists can't resist doing that it seems, and their rantings are usually so crazy nobody really thinks that they actually mean what they've written. In the 1930s, only Winston Churchill saw the reality. I don't see any modern day Churchill's sounding the alarm today.

27 posted on 09/04/2013 1:45:51 PM PDT by YankeeReb
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To: Servant of the Cross

28 posted on 09/04/2013 10:42:14 PM PDT by 4Liberty (Some on our "Roads & Bridges" head to the beach. Others head to their offices, farms, libraries....)
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To: Servant of the Cross

29 posted on 09/04/2013 10:47:19 PM PDT by 4Liberty (Some on our "Roads & Bridges" head to the beach. Others head to their offices, farms, libraries....)
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