Syria reported to have use Chemical Warfare

[The Good Reverend Roger]

Protests are apparently going to be held in the UK on the 31st.

I'm wavering on whether to attend. I'm pretty sure this is still bullshit to grab votes and show them listening to the people by not taking action.... which is what the strategic goal seems to be.

That said, I've been reconsidering my stance on protests and going would probably be useful in that regard.

Anyone else in the UK/elsewhere hearing similar things?

The 31st as well, in Portland. I'll be in Oklahoma, though, and I'm pretty damned sure I'm not of the ballz to try my luck at demonstrating there.

Also, from the "so fucking true, it's funny" file:

http://pdxintelligencer.com/attempt-to-organize-anti-war-rally-via-facebook-turns-into-bitter-argument-over-tactics/

Posts calling for an end to the antagonism begin to drown out the antagonistic posts, resulting in increasingly antagonistic posts calling for an end to the posts calling for an end to the antagonism. Fortunately, many of those engaged in the more contentious arguments have already stated that they do no not plan on attending the event itself.

HAW HAW HAW HAW!

You're turning into me.



PROTIP:  Save your butthair clippings, you can eventually make a pillow.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Protests are apparently going to be held in the UK on the 31st.

I'm wavering on whether to attend. I'm pretty sure this is still bullshit to grab votes and show them listening to the people by not taking action.... which is what the strategic goal seems to be.

That said, I've been reconsidering my stance on protests and going would probably be useful in that regard.

Anyone else in the UK/elsewhere hearing similar things?

The 31st as well, in Portland. I'll be in Oklahoma, though, and I'm pretty damned sure I'm not of the ballz to try my luck at demonstrating there.

Also, from the "so fucking true, it's funny" file:

http://pdxintelligencer.com/attempt-to-organize-anti-war-rally-via-facebook-turns-into-bitter-argument-over-tactics/

Posts calling for an end to the antagonism begin to drown out the antagonistic posts, resulting in increasingly antagonistic posts calling for an end to the posts calling for an end to the antagonism. Fortunately, many of those engaged in the more contentious arguments have already stated that they do no not plan on attending the event itself.

HAW HAW HAW HAW!

You're turning into me.



PROTIP:  Save your butthair clippings, you can eventually make a pillow.

Oh shit 

[Cramulus]

Just read the whole thing

http://www.emptywheel.net/2013/08/27/cruise-killing-on-the-passive-voice/

Do you get the feeling there are some holes in the intelligence report? Such as, if this was ordered by someone in Assad's chain of command, why a Defense Ministry official would be making "panicked calls" about the strike?

"Mistakes were made."

[LMNO]

It amusues me that the Contrary party (GOP) is now making the same types of arguments against Obama bombing Syria that the liberals used against Bush in the Iraq run up.

Argh!  I'm agreeing with Republicans!

[Cramulus]

Argh!  I'm agreeing with Republicans!

the two man con

[Pope Lecherous]

Forgive me if someone has floated this idea before.  How likely do any of you think that Russia pulled the US into this situation and the US is promoting war in order to create negative public sentiment which would provide them a face-saving way out of conflict? It would only cost Obama popularity. Of course, it seems unlikely but it would be interesting.

[Cain]

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[tarod]

  for the excellent behind the scenes analysis Cain, Thank you.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/29/20241897-as-allied-support-on-syria-wavers-obama-administration-says-we-make-our-own-decisions?lite

The Obama administration, faced with a wavering ally in Britain and growing hesitation in Congress, insisted Thursday that any attack on Syria would be limited and flatly rejected comparisons to the Iraq war.

HAW HAW!

President Barack Obama has said he has not decided on a military strike against Syria, which would probably come with cruise missile strikes form the Mediterranean Sea. But Harf made clear that the administration would decide its course.

<snip>

Said White House spokesman Josh Earnest at a briefing Thursday, "When the president reaches a determination about the appropriate response ... and a legal justification is required to substantiate or to back up that decision, we'll produce one on our own."

JOB OPENING.

You aren't supposed to say that shit out loud.   

[P3nT4gR4m]

So the picture the news is painting right now is that the PM has done a u-turn on the Team America project and actually appears to be bowing to public opinion and backing up weapons inspectors. What the fuck is really happening?

[Salty]

So the picture the news is painting right now is that the PM has done a u-turn on the Team America project and actually appears to be bowing to public opinion and backing up weapons inspectors. What the fuck is really happening?

Government officials acting in the best interest of its people and abstaining from violence because it's the right thing to do.

[Cain]

-

[The Good Reverend Roger]

Cameron got pooped on by Parliament.

I believe the reforms done under Brown mean warmaking power no longer resides with the PM, so he can't do shit, legally.

However, I wouldn't rule out some covert action by MI6.  Different laws apply, IIRC, and intelligence services are not bound by the same rules as mere soldiers.  Although it's not 100% clear, and of course, this wont necessarily deter American action (though it does give the opposition a useful rhetorical tool).

It's about time Britain stopped acting like America's fucking valet.

[Cain]

-

[The Good Reverend Roger]

Not only that, which is a very good thing, this makes Cameron look weak.  Weak enough for a motion of no-confidence?  Probably not yet.  But I hear knives being sharpened on the back benches...

Not a no confidence, but I don't see him getting a lot done, either.