P.S. This site strips off links that are sent as substantiation. But if you google "John McCain confused about Muslims", you'll see what I was getting at there. He knows perhaps less about Muslims than he does about how many houses he owns. And if you google "al Quaeda flag Benghazi courthouse", you'll see what all that money and effort in Libya bought. Nice going, superpatriot.

Mark, MSN just wiped out my whole response to you right before I finished. I had polio when I was 18 months old, am in a lot of pain, but will write it again. I believe in communicating, and I believe in fairness. That was really unfair to erase all that it took me so long to write.

Mark, Flagwaver?? Superpatriot?? That's really funny. The right-wing-nuts that I rail against have always owned the market on flag-waving superpatriotism. You must not have read an earlier post where I responded to a genocide-loving guy who, for reasons known only to him, calls himself "Thomas Jefferson". He posted, "Hopefully Assad does use them (i.e. chemical weapons) ...less people in that crappy country to burn the American flag later." Being the marginally left-of-center Democrat that I am, I responded that, "Burning and torturing people, CHILDREN, is kinda (sarcasm) more important not to do than not burning a flag". That is not a flag-waving superpatriot. That is a humanist who sees the obvious genocide being perpetrated on innocent people by Assads tanks, heavy artllery, and by Assad's soldiers who are raping, torturing, and butchering helpless people, families, CHILDREN, and knows it has to be stopped. For the record, I was against Vietnam, but FOR the soldiers to not have to fight it- I lost friends and relatives. I supported the 1st Gulf War.Though I hadn't voted for President G.H.W. Bush, he was right to take back Kuwait from Saddam. I supported the Afghan War, after 9-11, but it is time to leave. BUT I was totally against Iraq from the get-go, for all the reasons most people against it were. I'm not a lock-step Democrat, and I sure as hell am not a lock-step Republican. And I dont always agree with Senator John McCain, but I respect his experience and his perspective on Syria. After being tortured himself, he speaks out against all torture, and that is being a humanist. Just because some local Al-Queda snuk their flag up on the Benghazi Courthouse doesn't make it a second revolution. They took it down, it was a publicity stunt. al Qaeda has NOT taken over in Libya. The Syrians being mass murdered are Sunnis, and I don't see them supporting al Queda over the rebels, who want a more modern, humane Syria, after 40 years of tyrannical rule from the Alowite Assad family dictators (sounds like a reality show). Anyway, Mark, I dig hearing other's opinions, and respect your right to yours. Goodnight, and hope we don't wake up to chemical attack headlines, for everyone's sake.

Dictatorships have existed since man took his first step. The top dog uses his power/army to do his will and build his treasure. His feudal subjects are fed threats, false religion and the belief that he is their only hope because other religions/dictators/terrorists. Over thousands of years of dictatorship, only the weapons have changed. From swords to nerve gas. It's only a matter of time before these dictators resort to tactical nuclear weapons to do the job of control. Who will stop them?

Saddam gassed the Kurds with chemical weapons bought from the US.

but just ignore that

This war propaganda is getting worse and worse. How dumb must be some reader in order to "buy" these stupid allegations? Has the whole media fallen to such a low level? I mean is worse then "stupid".

It is well known that there are interest groups within the US Government who pushed for the Arab Spring to widen out allover the Middle East. It is well known that the Israelis have realized things will change and their influence within the US Government will fade away. With that said, this is a collective push to weaken all Middle East, thus buying time to "regroup", "rethink" and create a "new strategy". As of now Israel is nothing but another failed state.

But coming back to those stupid allegations that there are chemical weapons. It's a shame that at Government level there are people who think the population is so dumb that they will buy into such a twisted story again. It was very embarrassing for Powell to present those drawings as "real" existing mobile WMD laboratories. The whole world laughed at that, and the whole world was afraid of what the US is going to do ... more exactly simply starting a war with a country that wasn't related to 9/11.

US has no interests in Syria, nor it had in Iraq. Not sure how much oil the Americans got from Iraq. The money that has been spent in that war, and even more the numbers of dead American soldiers and those veterans who are still alive but handicapped for life, a war that didn't bring anything for the American population, is just another example for a Washington totally out of their minds. There are way too many jobs in the Military and powerful men which will never accept peace over war, since peace will cut their spending and their jobs. They sit warmly and tight in their chairs and on their fat asses and let young soldiers die for weird purposes.

Do you guys travel abroad, let's say Europe and listen to what those people have to say? How they perceive Americans? And the bad part is that Americans are not criminals, it's only a small percentage of the population - mainly sitting in the Government - which runs the dirty show.

I'm so disgusted.

As i scan the landscape of this debate all i see is hundreds of people flogging dead horses.

@otto-372694 Mustard Gas a Weapon of Mass Destruction that JUSTIFIES military action against Syria simply because of the fact that the Assad Government is in possession of this chemical agent.....GREAT IDEA OTTO, Then we can attack RUSSIA, FRANCE, ITALY, ENGLAND, CANADA, ISRAEL, EGYPT, IRAN, INDIA, PAKISTAN, TURKEY, AUSTRALIA, and a number of other sovereign countries including The UNITED STATES of AMERICA for simply possessing Chemical Weapons. EVERY COUNTRY LISTED HAS Chemical Weapons in its arsenal. You folks that are so anxious to see Syria attacked are really going to get one hell of a show because Russia has it LARGEST NAVAL BASE in the World, which was just totally remodeled and refitted and this has just been completed. The Russian Government has also stated that it will intervene with ANY Military attack on its strategic partner, Syria. They, the Russian Government (Putin) has made the same statement regarding Iran. The Chinese have also announced its intent to act militarily to any attack on Iran.

"Dale-796572

Its funny how Russia stays out of this mess and all the others. And you know why? Its because they are the suppliers. Untrusting scum they are!"

Dale, do you read anything other than Mad Magazine? (just kidding) But seriously, you are seriously misinformed in your thinking that "Russia stays out of this mess and all others", as you see just recently, there was this little place know as Chechnya where the Chechen people live and also did lots of dying as a result of Russian military attacks on their "military" as well as huge numbers of civilians, which was not, as the US likes to refer to as "collateral damage", these were Russian troops specifically targeting civilians in an effort to break the will of the people, similar to actions they had taken in Afghanistan (under old management, but the same damn owners). Point is, Russia will NOT stand by and allow the NATO Forces to enter Syria and thus compromise their (Russia's) security, period. It would be something like the US allowing Russia to over run Germany, considering the stake the US Military has in Germany and the security issues relating to the US as a result, it is simply NOT something the US would allow without WAR, and as such Russia is NOT going to give up the huge stake they have in Syria without a fight. The crazy thing is, that unlike you and many other people in this country, the people in Washington and at various NATO Bases around the world and their respective countries and their political leaders know damn well that Russia will not just walk away from an investment in their security for the next few decades that they have made, their resolve, if tested, I fear will result in a Third World War. And don't forget China.

These "articles" presented to us by the "media" is nothing but a "SET-UP", first they let us know that "Syrian Troops are moving stockpiles of Chemical Weapons" (thus informing the civilian population that the Assad Regime has WMD) They then go on to tell us that "The Pentagon Stated that if the Assad Regime were to use Chemical Weapons on Civilians they will have CROSSED A BIG RED LINE" , They, the Obama admin, has just informed us that in no uncertain terms, will not allow that sovereign government to use those Mustard Gas based Chemical weapons on its own people and that it is our duty to then invade Syria and establish yet another base of operation in the Middle east while also establishing another WAR that will require Finance by the various Banking institutions that has actually sponsored what equates to the Modern Crusades, only this Crusade is not on behalf of God, this one is on behalf of the SUPER WEALTHY that want to RULE in a ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT, and people it is getting closer to this end everyday. I hesitate to say this but these same people do not fear Nuclear War, I believe they welcome it, because that would also solve another "huge problem", Over-Population, and don't forget these Super Rich SOB's have the money to ride out a conflict of Global Proportion, all they need do is sneak off to some Private Island they had prepared years ago, and if the conflict seems as if it my encroach of the area in which they are waiting out the storm all they need do is move to another property they own in another Hemisphere....sounds crazy to me too...but these are people who went mad with power long ago....and don't be fooled by the twits that will try to convince you that "neither side would dare use nukes cuz they love their children too" quoting a song Sting wrote in the nineties. Do Not be So Foolish As To Think These People in Positions of Power Wouldn't Dare Use NUKES, What do you Think..Hiroshima and Nagasaki were Accidents? Someone in the US Government Tripped over an ATOMIC BOMB BLEW TWO CITIES AND THEIR INHABITANTS TO KINGDOM COME? Couldn't happen again, We Have Nike Slip Proof Soles On Our Nike Wing Tips Shoes!!!

We are closer Today to Nuclear War than we have been since the 1960's ... Don't believe me, do some reading...Then, PLEASE, Call Your Congressman!!!

Like I didn't say enough the first time!

I really think MANY people are not aware that NUMEROUS instances reported by the media as Massacres committed by the Government Troops, have later "Updated" these stories to include "Eyewitness accounts attributing these Mass Murders to Rebel Forces", the reason so many are unaware of this is because the Large Media Organizations DO NOT Run these Stories regarding REBEL ATROCITIES WITH ANY LEVEL CLOSE TO THE ATTENTION GIVEN TO STORIES ABOUT THE ASSAD REGIME'S Alleged crimes against the civilian population. Do not think I am in any way a "Supporter" of the ASSAD Government, I AM NOT IN ANY WAY. I am however a SUPPORTER OF THE TRUTH. The misinformation that has been spread is not an accident, it is being done for a specific purpose, and that purpose is to garner public support for yet another Illegal War. Many many people are un-aware of the danger we, the civilian population, were in of a conflict breaking out that would have included Nuclear Weapons over the US/NATO War that was waged on Libya. Just because Katie Couric didn't tell you about it, doesn't mean it didn't happen. Russia was an ally of the Libyan Government and they have an interest that far outweighs the investment in security they have in Syria and they are now being "backed into a corner" and this is a VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION for all concerned.

Daniel, It's interesting that you don't (read can't) come up with any specific "media" outlet or network that ran a story with (italics yours), "Eyewitness accounts attributing these Mass Murders to Rebel Forces". Is it by any chance a news source out of Damascus, since it parrots Assad's propaganda repeated daily by the state sponsored media in Syria? You say (capitals yours), "NUMEROUS", yet you fail to cite one. Speaking of Katie Couric, you sound like Sarah Palin's response to Couric's question, 'What newspapers or periodicals do you read?', when she couldn't cite one. The whole world is watching ASSAD'S TANKS, ASSAD'S HEAVY ARTILLERY, AND ASSAD'S GROUND SOLDIERS, SHELLING, SHOOTING, AND BUTCHERING SYRIANS. The LARGE AMOUNT OF VIDEO available to anyone without any "Believe the propaganda, not your own eyes" brainwashing, clearly shows ASSAD'S FORCES slaughtering as many people as he can, people who live in the cities and towns who dare to oppose his family's repressive 40 year dictatorship. THE REBELS ARE, LIKE THE PEOPLE BEING SLAUGHTERED, SUNNIS WHO ARE DEFENDING THEIR FELLOW SUNNIS. THEY DON'T HAVE THE TANKS, HEAVY ARTILLERY OR ANY REASON TO SLAUGHTER THEIR OWN PEOPLE! You act like you expect people, who've been watching the truth unfold in front of THEIR OWN EYES FOR OVER A YEAR NOW, to suddenly grow blinders and follow your agenda of denial, denial the size of one of Assad's tanks. And if you call the obvious Assad military's atrocities "alledged", it's not because you're stupid or uninformed. You Assad apologists NEED for Assad to be innocent to fit your crackpot agenda. AND, you see it coming and you once more won't be able to stand seeing or admitting that, like helping oust Gadhafi, and keeping his promise to bring down Osama Bin Laden, Obama will ONCE MORE BE ON THE SIDE OF JUSTICE. That doesn't sit well with the Obama-haters agenda, which is nothing more than obsession over the fact that our elected President happens to be black.That is at the root of the PURPOSELY MINDLESS, AND PURPOSELY ILLOGICAL CRACKPOT AGENDA. YOU dont even believe half the crap you try to prop up!

P.S. You say,"It would be something like the U.S. allowing Russia to overun Germany, considering the stake the U.S. Military has in Germany and the security issues relating to the U.S. as a result,it is simply Not something the U .S. would allow without WAR, and as such, Russia is Not going to give up the huge stake they have in Syria without a fight." The U.S has military bases in Germany. Russia has no military bases in Syria, Libya, or anywhere else. They sell Syria a lot of stuff, but are not going to go to war to help Assad, anymore than they did in Libya. And, please cite your source for claiming that Russia "has also stated that it will intervene with ANY Military attack on its strategic partner, Syria". State the date, when and where, and which representative of the Russian government said this. What you state as fact would be front page news were it legit. You might think they may think that, or would do that, and you might wish they had stated that, but they HAVE NEVER STATED THAT. Russia is broke, and they cannot reach our civilian population with nuclear weapons. Next, of course, you're going to say that their missiles are still in Cuba. And on, and on and on.

P.S.S. The Russian "base" in Syria you referred to is a tiny, rundown FUEL STOP at the small port of Tartus, that Russia has had since '73, an OUTPOST consisting of a pier, some fuel tanks, and some barracks. It is Russia's ONLY fuel stop in the Mediterranean, and their ONLY so-called "base" outside their country. A small garrison with a few uniformed men have manned the outpost all these years. CITE YOUR SOURCE FOR SAYING THEY HAVE REBUILT OR ENLARGED THIS PLACE. Your posts are full of disinformation that you WISH were true to prop up your slippery slope argument. If you believe crackpot rumors and wishlists, you end up a crackpot. From Webster's Dictionary: crackpot- a crackbrained person. crackbrained- so senseless and unreasonable as to seem insane; crazy.

Biased sites only reinforce what a person wants to believe.The truth is yours to find.

Besides actual chemical weapons found by U.N. polish troops, there exists evidence of mass slaughters in which chemical weapons were used in Iraq an their own people; the Kurds killing thousands at a time, as well as evidence of their use during the Iran-Iraq war.

There is also evidence that Saddam had them sent to Syria. Evidence of chemical, biological, and nuclear R&D in the form of interchangeable equipment, e-mails, paperwork, and witnesses. The UN inspectors were denied access to sites that were suspect, then denied to inspect trucks leaving the sites and shipped into Syria.

Assad was neutral with Saddam and Iran, and receiving them was a win-win for Assad, Saddam, and for Iran. They all hate the west, and worked together to make us look bad.
Saddams legacy of over a million deaths, genocide, and expansionism through a sort of "scorched Earth" policy ought to be reason enough anyway, whether people believed there were WMD's or not to end his tyranny. He was particularly evil in that he enjoyed killing opponents by his own hand when possible.

I urge you to do more research into this, and not just dismiss me as an idiot, because I have done research. That is what I have found.

Being lied to by the media sucks.

I was, and I am pissed.

You can't believe anything that the US or Britain, or France, are saying about Syria. Have you ever heard of the Project For a New American Century. Well, that's the program, to take over Libya, Syria, Iran, etc., etc. The agressors are the US, Britain, France, et al. Those are the real problems. Not Mr. Assad. Those countries and the Sunni factions, and the Saudi American Terrorist cell known as Al-Qaeda. Assad is the real hero in all this, not the criminals in Washington, London and Paris. Wake up people, this has all been exposed since the CIA-Mossad snipers started firing at Syrian civilians over a year ago. Saddam Hussein had his WMD's as well, remember?