In the same way that Sadaam Hussein, as bad as he was, was not as bad as what we left in his place.
Let's be honest - those people need a strongman as leader.
Their religious fanaticism is not compatible with a free and democratic society and political system.
In Iraq, France, Germany, Belgium, Sweden etc. we can plainly see how irresponsible, uncivil and vicious they are when they do not have strong leadership to define and enforce behavioral boundaries.
I don't weep for the muslims in the middle east living under harsh dictatorships, theirs is a people that seem to crave as much. Religious leaders are oppressive, secular leaders are oppressibe, there are no "good" leaders amongst middle easter muslim peoples.
But gassing civilians is a bridge too far for me. I think Trump threaded the needle well here, frankly. People here are acting like Trump invaded or something and the seas are going to run red with American blood. He sent no troops, no promises of extra presence, none of that. He responded swiftly and harshly and now it's over. Issue is past now and Assad will likely not be doing this again. Back to the way it was before Assad tickled the tiger.