I am not so sure dropping a pile of weapons in a country we suspect terrorism cells are fighting with the rebels is sound foreign policy.... Where are all the right wingers constantly screaming that Obama aids terrorists? I wonder that their opinion is on this one ...

Hey Mitt Dumbney, did you bother asking Turkey what they think of your stupid plan? :)

Article should have been labeled "OPINION" not News Analysis.

Is anyone at all shocked that this story is published the same day Romney says he would help the Rebels?

The Syrian conflict has been going on for what 18 months now while Iran, China, and Russia, have been backing the Assad regime and blocking all security council resolutions.

Are they really worried about helping the rebels because they don't know who they are or are they scared they might piss off Iran, China, and Russia?

Its funny how a no fly Zone over Libya was the "right thing to do" for "Humanitarian Reasons" even though we didn't know who the rebels are, but now all of a sudden were concerned because we don't know who the rebels are.

Isn't the fact that The Assad regime is backed by Iran, China and Russia Enough?

Why in the phuckk do we keep sticking our noses in situations that DO NOT deserve our nose stuck in it? Why must we arm Syrian rebels at all?? Is the UN calling for this action? Is the Syrian rebels? Is Saudi Arabia or Qatar asking for our involvement? NO.. But Oh yeah thats right, its oppression through strength or Peace through War as the GOP really call it.. The GOP think war is the only answer. Wars bankrupt nations Mittens & Pauly Shore.

@ willynel.. No GOPer will ever acknowledge what you said about Reagan.. Reagan was most likely senile while in office for the last 6 years of his term. He went into hiding almost immediately after he left office.. No wonder. HE started the suffocation of the middle class, now it'll be over if Willard gets the job.

Mittens and the GOP love to use the armed forces for their dirty deeds, yet most will never serve. 5 times Mittens got a pass from joining the troops in Vietnam.. But instead he went to preach in Paris and try to convert people instead.

Mittens Wormney & Pauley Shore = WW3 with Syria, Lebanon, Iran and then China and Russia plus North Korea.. We can't defeat the archaic enemy in Afghanistan, how could we defeat China or Russia? China would have upwards of 500 Million people willing to die for the nation, America, Amercia? Maybe 10 million. I served already, sorry I refuse to participate in holy wars. RAHOWA GOPers? Look it up. RAHOWA.. You'll be surprised Americans..

Prepare to serve Joseph Smith if Willard Wormney is Prez!

So it was OK for Obama to send weapons and help bomb Libya, but completely wrong for Romney to suggest similar action in Syria??? I may be against this action, but at least I'm not a hypocrite.

It doesn't matter to Romney and the republicans as they are both warmongers just like their hero bushwacker bush! All part of the military industrial complex trying to take over and run this country for profits and greed!

I think it's a BAD IDEA to supply heavy arms to the Libyan rebels, but isn't it funny how it's only now that NBC throws up all the red flags. Had it been the Obama Administration that was going to supply heavy arms then we would be treated to just more cheerleading about how necessary more U.S. intervention is there and what a difficult, thankless choice President Obama is confronted with in Syria.

In other words, the usual political double-standard.

TO: Adam44 who wrote:

"I think it's a BAD IDEA to supply heavy arms to the Libyan rebels, but isn't it funny how it's only now that NBC throws up all the red flags. Had it been the Obama Administration that was going to supply heavy arms then we would be treated to just more cheerleading..."

Oh come on! Republicans have been demanding for months that President Obama "arm the rebels" and President Obama refused.

Now Republicans are trying their silly story and twist it around to match their twisted logic!

Obama/Biden 2012

OMG Really People - You really have no clue do you????? What types of weapons does Mitt want to give who??? It is not like you can tell who is a rebel and who is a terrorist!!!! So you telling me that Mitt wants to ad terrorist??? and is into Nation building??? Why??? You republicans complain about the cost of spending, but don't mind jumping into any and every conflict around the world - do you really need to puff up your chest???

Also while the death of the Ambassador was very tragic - how about standing up for the other 30,000 Americans that are killed every year inside the USA due to Gun Violence, that's America's killing America's.

Let's put that into actual numbers for you - 11 years in Afghanistan = 2,000 Americans Killed, 911 = 2,977, Iraqi war =4,488 Libya = 4 (Total=9,469 Americans).

11 years of Gun Violence inside the USA = 330,000 Americans. Really where do you think our priorities should be focused?????

Mitt Romney is not the answer America needs right now - let those in Europe and the Middle East handle their own back yard. We should continue with humanitary aid and support of our current allies in the area (Israel and Turkey).

The Liberal double standards are showing themselves off again. No problem if Obama or the Liberals do it. Problem if anyone Republican does it. Again, Obama had no experience in 2008 when he ran, but McCain did. You chose Obama despite that fact that John McCain had extensive foreign experience because you thought Obama could do a better job on the economy. Well I think Romney is smarter and will a better job on both.

"Vote Straight Democrat, we dont need anymore wars Started by Republicans. Save a life , because that life you save maybe your Childs." - Another misinformed libtard comment brought to you by the Socialist Democratic Party. So let's just examine the last 103 years and WHO and WHAT party took us to war shall we?

It was Teddy Roosevelt (R) that said "Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick." And from that time forward, DEMOCRATS more than Republicans have wielded that stick. Woodrow Wilson (D) - World War I, Franklin Roosevelt (D) - World War II, Harry Truman (D) - Dropped the Atomic Bomb on Japan, The Cold War, and The Korean War, JFK (D) - Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missile Crisis, Lyndon Baines Johnson (D) - Viet Nam, Jimmy Carter (D) - Iranian Hostage Crisis, Bill Clinton (D) - Operation Desert Fox, Serbia, Kosovo, and Bosnia. But hey, only Republicans are war mongers right?

The truth is my liberal, tree hugging friends, is that NO MATTER WHAT we do or don't do, extremists, terrorists, and elements that DO NOT LIKE AMERICA will find a way to inflict harm and damage, kill, maim and terrorize Americans REGARDLESS of Whether or NOT we arm the Syrian Opposition. Or do you need to be reminded that a commercial jet liner too can be a weapon?

In so much as I enjoy the mindless bantar concerning the Mujahadeen, THEY turned against US because WE turned our back on them, once thier "usefulness" ended. When the Soviet Union hastily departed Afghanistan, ALL of our aid, support, and backing STOPPED, creating the power vacuum that was the precursor to the civil war that followed. It WAS as a result of OUR POLICY FAILURE that permitted tribes and radical warlords to ban together and create the Taliban. But keep fooling yourself liberals, everyone loves america. The sad thing is the rest of the world doesn't share YOUR view.

Willard needs to keep his @!$%#ing mouth shut! It is easy to shout from the cheap seats with no dog in the fight...

@ Adam44.. The Obama administration has asked Saudi Arabia and Qatar to NOT give large arms to the rebels.. Something that was agreed upon by all. Escalation is the only word the GOP know. Does Mittens really beLIEve that the Syrian Rebels hold the same values as me, you or any American? Do they want free porn? Do they want medical marijuana? Do they want to go to Sonic? Wendy's? Jimmy Johns? Do the Syrian rebels want to be Mormons? Jews? Catholicks? what not? Hmm doubt it. Let them decide what they want. Americans can't decide what WE want or how to get it, yet we think we can force OUR warped version of "Democracy" on the world. Do the Syrian Rebels need several houses worth millions each for a single family? Here's looking at you Willard. Do they want Caddies? or Caddy Shack? Does Syria run on Dunkin? Doubt it! Do they like the Red Sox or Yankees? Bears or Packers? 49ers or Dallass Cowgirls? Only time will tell before we have MNF in Syria with the Damascus Rebels vs the Bashir al- Assad Eagles.

I think its time for America or Amercia to focus on OUR homeland for the first time in 236 years. We try to nation build all over, yet we can't even fix this one. You know OUR homeland.. Where we have tens of thousands of failing dams. We have roads that need works from coast to coast. We have failing schools, and our infrastructure is in shambles. We would rather bomb the phuckk out of Iraq and rebuild them, before touching Americas soil. We have some 18+ million people homeless, yet we are the "Greatest? Nation on Earth?" Someone explain that one.. We have a broken nation that needs help. More wars will only break us. What if China wants its trillions we owe them? Nuke em??

TO: JERSY GIRL 1 who wrote:

"The Liberal double standards are showing themselves off again. No problem if Obama or the Liberals do it. Problem if anyone Republican does it. Again, Obama had no experience in 2008 when he ran, but McCain did..."

Republicans just don't get it!

It's not President Obama who's changing his position, it Mitt Romney!

The ONLY way you can say that either Romney OR McCain was right about foreign policy is if you WANT to go to war. Otherwise, Republicans have come up wrong everytime for at least the past 12 years!!!

Too blind to see anything that's going on, which is no doubt why Romney feels free to change back and forth all the time.

Obama/Biden 2012

American Girl,

"Mitt Robme changes his position by the hour, so everything anybody says about Mitt Robme was true at least twice so far."

Yes, which is why it is going to be hard for Obama to debate Romney on foreign policy, too, which I think may be what the upcoming debate is supposed to be about, isn't it? Obama will show up for the debate expecting to debate Romney on his currently stated foreign policy, but by then Romney will have come up with an entirely new foreign policy and will keep saying, "That's not what I said" like he did in the last debate. Trying to debate someone who keeps changing his position is like trying to eat jello with plastic chopsticks; it just keeps slipping away no matter how hard you try to grasp it.

TO: Mickey-1983943 who wrote:

"American Girl: Yes, which is why it is going to be hard for Obama to debate Romney on foreign policy, too, which I think may be what the upcoming debate is supposed to be about, isn't it? Obama will show up for the debate expecting to debate Romney on his currently stated foreign policy, but by then Romney will have come up with an entirely new foreign policy and will keep saying, "That's not what I said" like he did in the last debate..."

Boy did you hit that right on the head!!!

Obama/Biden 2012

More Republican chickenhawks rushing to war. AWOL G.W. Bush, draft dodging Cheney, Rove and Limbaugh the last time. Romney, the draft dodging Morman that ran all over France in his magic underpants to escape the Vietnam War, this time. None of them willing to sacrifice their own children as they ask hundreds of thousands of American's to sacrifice their own kids for the cause.

What is wrong with the American people?! These clowns gleefully sacrifice your own children by engaging in foolish wars that only allow them to rob the U.S. treasury. When will we learn to tell them no? Hell no! There is nothing patriotic about allowing these evil shepherds to lead your children into the slaughterhouse.

Mitt, do I have a deal for you. I have two healthy sons that I will encourage to participate in a worthy war to defend this country with one simple condition. I must see firm evidence that your own healthy sons are there as well and fighting at their sides.

You never want to enter a Civil War. Every Country that has ever entered a civil war has regretted it. If we supply weapons, then there is no telling who's hands they will end up in. Not to mention in either case it will cost us money and there will be no real economic gain from entering this war. Stay out of the quagmire or pay the price.

Romney wants to pour gasoline on the fire in Syria. If he does, America gets burned.

Ike was right beware the military industrial complex. With the war in Afghanistan now winding down they need to secure continued arms sales and Nit Wit Mitt is their schill. One question for him, Aren't you going to miss your five sons when they have to dodge military service by hiding in France like you did???

TO: Wayne-780911 who wrote:

"So it was OK for Obama to send weapons and help bomb Libya, but completely wrong for Romney to suggest similar action in Syria??? I may be against this action, but at least I'm not a hypocrite."

It was Nato that helped Libya.

Obama/Biden 2012

@will the watcher

Making any comparisons for war mongering using WW1 and WW2 as an examples is about the funniest thing I've ever heard. I'll tell ya what, why don't you re-read your history and try again. Unless you support the imperial Japanese expansion in the far east and the Nazi death camps. But your right them war mongering Dems were just jumping into war. And don't even get me started about Pearl Harbor.

More taxpayer money and blood.

That's right 47% of us need to shut up since we are paid so little that they pitty us and we don't pay taxes.

Lets see if I've got this right. When Obama helped the rebels in Libya those on the right criticized him by saying he doesn't know who the rebels were. Now Romney wants to give weapons to the rebels with Al Qaeda ties and these same critics are all for it. How would the right wing nuts that criticize Fast and Furious alibi the program if/when American soldiers are killed by weapons given to these rebels?

Generally I agree with you, GBR. But why is it ok for us to do it in Libya but not in Syria? And this interaction with our NATO ally, Turkey, is really the concern because there will be no way out.

"Yep, looks like war already started.
Or is there a definition of war that disqualifies this?
So obama gets an amdassador killed, AFTER being warned that Al-quadia was going to do something, and this is news?

Seems as if the Arab spring is now in its fall and winter turban!"

Too start with try reading the story and if you don't know the difference between "ALL OUT WAR" and rebels fighting their own government I can't help you. But I suspect all your gum flapping was just a way to throw some anti Obama BS in the thread.

The real news is that Mitt (your savor) wants to arm these people and risk "ALL OUT WAR" Yet you twist it into an Obama got an ambassadors killed (which he didn't) and turn a blind eye to a Presidential candidate already talking about arming rebels and beating the War drum that would, in the end, cost many more than 4 life's if he is elected and does what he is saying. (It also cost LOTS of money and isn't he supposed to stop all that spending?)

PS I bet we've heard everyday for 10 plus years that "Al-quadia" is going to "do something" Did you beat up Bush for ignoring his warning and letting the Trade Center get attacked but I'm guessing you voted for him even after that, right?

Its a big world and if "Al-quadia" is going to "Do something" they will at some point succeed no matter who is in office.

"Generally I agree with you, GBR. But why is it ok for us to do it in Libya but not in Syria?"

Because every Obama hater used it against him but now that their man Mitt is saying it it's ok. What I see is a bunch of hypocrites

will the watcher, both the democratic and republican do this stuff over and over. both parties agree to send us to war. they do this whether we can afford it or not. so why do we keep voting both these parties in? dont people think its time we stop fighting over which party is better. they both are corrupt, wake up america. i feel that it is time for both the democratic and the republican party to go the way of the dinosaur. vote everyone in office that is an independent this election cycle, this goes for president, the senate, and congress.

we never seem to learn the lesson of arming the middle east or africa, it has never worked out well in the past. why should it work out well now?

Wayne-780911

So it was OK for Obama to send weapons and help bomb Libya, but completely wrong for Romney to suggest similar action in Syria??? I may be against this action, but at least I'm not a hypocrite.

------You aren't? Could've fooled me. The term hypocrite fits the right perfectly. They were hollaring loud and clear against Obama for Libya. Now they want to do the exact same thing in Syria he did in Libya.

I'll ask you the exact same question about the "rebels" in Syria that you all asked about the ones in Libya. Qho arer they? What do they stand for? Who do they stand with? You do not know the answers. So why arm them? Let these SOBs fight and kill each other in the ME. Bring ALL of our troops home. Then we can deal with whomever is left standing.

@"Wayne-780911

So it was OK for Obama to send weapons and help bomb Libya, but completely wrong for Romney to suggest similar action in Syria??? I may be against this action, but at least I'm not a hypocrite."

Do you know what NATO is and that we are a part of NATO and that it was NATO operation?

Not a hypocrite? Did you support or not support the NATO operation in Libya? If you were against it , which you sound like you were, then you are in fact a hypocrite.

So it was OK for Obama to send weapons and help bomb Libya, but completely wrong for Romney to suggest similar action in Syria??? I may be against this action, but at least I'm not a hypocrite.

No, it WAS NOT okay for Obama to send weapons to the Lybians nor was it okay bomb them. And NO, it's NOT okay to arm the Syrian terrorists...............ahem..........I mean "rebels"............excuse me..........cough.........sorry. BOTH parties, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS have to get it through their thick skulls that Americans are fed up with feeding our fine men and women and tax dollars into these fifth century pukeholes. But, as we can all see, donkeys will fly before THAT happens.

That is the Republican Bully answer for Everything...lie, cheat, steal...AND carry a big stick.

If they keep breast thumping they will have the U.S. & the world in all out WAR.

The GOP/TEAS MUST be stopped.

California is being buried in their own liberal sludge at the pump, but not one story about it....Interesting.

"...who share our values."

Does he mean those folks that believe Joseph Smith saw God in the woods? Those values?

"Isn't the fact that The Assad regime is backed by Iran, China and Russia Enough?"

Yeah its enough to know it a bad idea. I mean who is going to loan us the money to buy those weapons that you want to give away? A pissed off China? lol

F@@k it lets just start WWIII and blow the whole f'ing planet up and end the whole thing. The Sun is going to die someday anyways so let just get it over with now.

"Collapsed by the community."

I can think of no better way to ensure an item gets read by everybody.

DUH.

We wont start WWlll, Iran will. If you read the Kornfedamus quatrains that i posted earlier in the week, you would have known this.

Kornfed, not on a World News thread ....

And sacto ...

Does he mean those folks that believe Joseph Smith saw God in the woods? Those values?

Probably. This country does NOT need yet another war! We will be paying for the last two for years! Our military budget is too big but when the Republicans get behind, they starting druming their drums and saying America needs to get back to being the biggest fish in the pond. Not the smartest, just the one with the biggest miltary and smoke and mirrors as to how it will be paid for.

Obama/Biden 2012

This is one case where I disagree with Romney, I think we should stay the hell out of that quagmire. Of course, the includes allowing Turkey to suck us into it through the NATO treaty. Turkey keeps trying to play the injured neutral party, but that is far from the truth. The Turkish government is allowing the "rebels" to base in Turkey and to launch their attacks on Syrian government forces from their bases on Turkish soil. Turkey is also providing aid to theses so-called rebels. This make them far from a neutral party. So long as the Turkish government allow the "rebels" to base themselves in Turkey they have no right to complain when mortar shells fired at the "rebels" while they are retreating back to their bases land on Turkish soil. The fact that the Turkish government is allowing the "rebels" to operate from Turkey means that they are not a neutral third party and makes their attempts to invoke Article 4 of the NATO treaty completely disingenuous. Turkey has opted to take sides in this conflict. This means that "rebel" bases on Turkish soil are legitimate targets for the Syrian military. If the Turkish government wants to claim they are neutral and invoke Article 4 they need to stop aiding the "rebels" and stop openly allowing them to base in Turkey and launch attacks against the Syrian army from Turkish soil. I know that Romney want to get into this and help the "rebels" but I think this would be a terrible move. Many of these so-called rebels are nothing more than Islamist fanatics who simply want control for themselves. They have no interest in establishing a free and open society in Syria, they simply want to take control so that they can implement their version of Islamic law and dictate how people should live and worship. As bad as Assad may be, at least he is largely secular, allowing the people of Syria to worship as they choose without interference from the government. This will not be the case if these so-called rebels gain control, since these "rebels" are mostly Islamist who want to turn Syria into an Islamic republic ruled by Sharia law.

Why Hasn't MSNBC talked about President Obama's campaign taking foreign donations.

Maybe they will wait till December to cover it and the adjusted unemployeement of 7.8% back to over 8%.

Whatever it takes to get Obama elected is the motto here.

Layton-3733410

Kornfed, not on a World News thread ....

What does this mean?

hotticket hit the nail on the head. wake up people, its time to vote all non democrats, all non republicans into office. we need to vote all independent this election for president, senate and congress. we do this then we will finally begin to see america first in our politics. it is now time for the republican party and the democrat party to go the way of the dinosaur!

JS in SD

This is one case where I disagree with Romney, I think we should stay the hell out of that quagmire.

I am with you JS...too bad we only have two choices. I will have to plug my nose and vote for Romney. O'bama is out of the question

nothing new here-1200374

This is another opportunity for the president to shine:

...Enter the war and end the recession as FDR did by getting the U. S. into WWII.

Your mixing a few things there. FDR did not enter the WW2 to end the recession and he waited until the US was blatantly attacked to enter the war. Not likely for Syria to attack Hawaii :P

Kornfed

I hear that about a third of the electorate plans to do the same. A very conservative plan. No need to buy nose plugs. They can use the same ones they've had in their ears for the last 30 years.

Kornfed, I was responding to your post about the price of gasoline in California. Should have been more specific. Sorry.

TO: Kornfed who wrote:

"California is being buried in their own liberal sludge at the pump, but not one story about it....Interesting."

There is a story about it, I saw it myself on the front page right here on NBCNEWS.

You want the news, here it its: I live in California, our gas prices are up. Ouch!

It has something to do with a refinery that caught fire.

The Governor has taken steps to bring the costs down.

We'll be ok in about a week.

There you have it.

Obama/Biden 2012

NO ONE WANTS ANOTHER WAR, I think we can all agree on that. We have a President, WHERE THE HELL IS HE? Where are his measures on peace through NEGOTIATIONS? Isn't this the man who made a speech before the UN and LEFT IMMEDIATELY without engaging with one foreign leader?

Why are you people not asking for more answers from OUR CURRENT PRESIDENT, why are so occupied with what the challenger is doing and not the man with the power?

HE'S FAILING THE COUNTRY, PLAIN AND SIMPLE AND YOU ALL ARE IGNORING THE TRUTH!

TO: Vince Campillo who wrote:

"NO ONE WANTS ANOTHER WAR, I think we can all agree on that..."

Well, the Republicans certainly don't "agree on that".

Are you going to PRETEND that you haven't heard Mitt Romney say he's going to arm the Rebels? Have you NOT read the very article you are posting under?

Bush started 2 unfunded wars, and McCain tried to replace Bush with another war cry to attack Iran. Now Robme says that the Defense Budget is fully loaded with billions of dollars and he want to put more money into it, which I don't understand why they don't use some of that money to pay for the 2 unfunded wars Republicans already brought!

Republicans manage to get into some kind of altercation somewhere in the world everytime they get in office.

So no, Republicans want war and they don't care how much it costs.

Democrats DON'T want war, and we do care how much it costs.

Big difference!

Obama/Biden 2012

Devil's son,

"Ike was right beware the military industrial complex."

Yes, and Ike was a Republican, too. So how come today's Republicans don't want to listen to him? Another Republican President they never listen to is Theodore Roosevelt who said, "Speak softly, but carry a big stick" and who was none to keen on big business and monopolies. Today's Republicans, on the other hand, like to bluster and puff their chests out to show how macho they are and are all about big business. Republicans who don't listen to their own kind are a sign of the times.

TO: Mickey-1983943 who wrote:

"Devil's son ["Ike was right beware the military industrial complex."] Yes, and Ike was a Republican, too. So how come today's Republicans don't want to listen to him?

They didn't want to listen to Ike then either, and Ike didn't make that speech until he was on his way out of the White House, and if you saw the speech you can tell that Ike was scared when he said it (his eyes were shifty), but he said it for the sake of the United States and the American People, as a way of saying "Hey, beware! I've run across these guys and they ain't playin'!"

Republicans these days ARE those guys because there's too many billions of dollars in War Games for them to be able to resist, which is why we need President Obama in office for another 4 years!

4 more for 44!

Obama/Biden 2012

I can see the headlines now..."Archduke Ferdinand..." oops, wrong war, let me start over again:

I am imagining the headlines:

The recent attack across the border into Turkey on a covert rebel base killed a number of nearby Turkish citizens. Turkish parliment held an emergency session and promtly declared war on the Assad regime. Iran responded with a warning and sent troops to the border in a show of allegiance. The Unites States Ambassador responded by forwarding an open letter to the Turkish government that it is ready to honor its NATO agreement.

Russia condemned Turkey for sponsoring terrorists and attempting to topple the Assad government and immediately sent troops to its borders..."

Etc...

Will we ever learn? Yes we are dealing with hard line dictators who have abysmal records when it comes to freedoms or humanitarian issues. Its kind of hard to support that kind of behavior. The problem is that in the middle east those dictators are the only thing keeping the area from exploding into total anarchy.

We got to see a good example in Iraq. We tossed out Saddam, and a majority of the people started cheering. Within a week though the country damn near fractured into a civil war between all the opposing factions as they grabbed for power. They were shooting each other as well as at our troops. Its somewhat stable now and their Govt does talk nice to us, but does anyone believe they actually like us now? Did we really gain all that much out of our war in Iraq?

we did'nt give heavy weapons to the rebels in lybia. and for us it's a much better option like we did in lybia. bomb the crap out of the regime and let the rebels win with the weapons they have. some day all those heavy weapons mitt is wanting to send over there will be sed against us.

I find it hilarious many on the left are ripping Romney for wanting to do the SAME thing that Obama did in Libya and in Egypt...And funny that Obama KNEW what groups he was giving arms to....And conner...Yes we did give heavy weapons to rebels in Libya.....

But hey lefties...keep spinning....

Let me get this straight, the Repubs opposed sending weapons to Libya but guess what? If McCain had won the election 4 years ago we'd have troops in there, no doubt some of them getting killed just like the Ambassador and three others were. If we elect Robme/Wetbehindtheears Ryan I have no doubt we'll have troops either back in Iraq because they are unhappy with the killings there. I would like to remind the Repubs it was Bush who signed onto the agreement to bring our troops out of Iraq, Obama maybe bought them out sooner. Robme/Ryan don't even have a decent plan to care for the wounded warriors from Iraq and Afghanistan other than let civilian drs. do more of the work. I guess you know who would pay for that care, the Veterans themselves.

I'm not necessarily all for Obama/Biden but I sure am afraid of the Republican alternative.

All you people citing this as MSNBC need to wake up. They no longer have anything to do with NBCnews. In my opinion this is the new propaganda arm of the GOP. Lead by Comcast and GE. Nobody has noticed the new slant on everything? If I'm wrong, someone please show me otherwise or fill me in on the facts.

@Azrael-2240384 - you missed entirely the point I was making. The NOTION that ONLY Republicans engage in sending our troops off to war, is about as assinine as saying the pope isn't catholic. In many instances, war is the only alternative when other means of resolving a dispute have failed, and those choices DON'T BEFALL 1 political party over the other. It is an option that effects ALL of us, regardless of political affiliation. So you misunderstood the point, and for that, I apologize.

@eric1964 - this is actually the first intelligent thing I have heard today. And I agree that the divisions of party politics is more of a threat to our national security, our national unity, than any war could ever bring. In Washington's farewell address he warned of political parties, in which he said, "political parties serve no other purpose than to divide what we fought, bled, and died for." And he was right. WE are so damned consumed by the little (R) or (D) moniker next to someone's name that we blow common sense straight into the wind. The only real solution would be one that would involve a dissolution of ALL political parties, enabling the populace to VOTE for the candidate who is best qualified. In this election year, I don't see ANY candidate that is qualified to hand out sht paper in the public restroom, much less be the elected leader of this country, though with our current Electoral College system, we have no choice but to try and support the lesser of 2 evils.

* In all actuality folks, the bottom line is, whether or not we choose to do anything we will be seen as picking a side. If we do not support the Syrian Rebels, THEY will see us as siding with Bashaar. If we arm the rebels, we will be seen as supporting insurrection in the name of democracy. It is an untennable proposition. The longer we are seen doing nothing, the more animosity is generated in Anti-American Sentiment. There are NO easy solutions. Radical Islamists and extremists will bend and twist whatever our position is to suit thier propaganda (much like the politics people in this country embrace so much).

The point is, whatever side we choose to be on, what ever position we take, there will be a reprecussion. And whatever side we choose, we have to be willing and steadfast enough to support that decision through to it's conclusion and beyond. THAT is a lesson we should have learned with supporting the Mujahadeen. That is a lesson we should be willing to accept and not repeat. But WE, as a matter of policy, are more contradictory, more fickle than a teenage girl trying to decide on a prom date.

In this, we will NEVER make "the right decision" regardless of what we do, don't do, contemplate, or argue about. All we have is our morals and right now, in the eyes of the world, our morals are something less than what should be desired.

The US Need to butt out and let the Fundamentalist Islamic Arab League of Nations take care of their Problem and "Do Their Fair Share".

The US needs to pressure the US Ally Turkey to tone it down, and go after their longtime enemy the Fundamentalist Islamic Kurdistanis PKK, HPG, KGK, etc. aka some of the Syrian Rebels at Southern Turkey.

By accomplishing President Clinton's US Law, H.R.4655 "Iraqis Liberation Act of 1998" Justification Section 2 Weapons of Mass Destruction, Section 3 US Policy Overthrow of President Hussein the counter balance to the Fundamentalist Islamic Shia Republic of Iran was removed. President Clinton's US Law, H.R. 4655 "Iraqis Liberation Act of 1998" became US Military Operation Iraqis Freedom.

This Overthrow of President Hussein and President Obama's March 2009 Iran Policy allowed the Fundamentalist Islamic Shia Republic of Iran to increase their Covert Activities at the Fundamentalist Islamic Autonomous Kurdistanis Region of Northern Iraq, Eastern Syria, Southern Turkey, Northwest Iran, by using their Fundamentalist Islamic Shia Republic of Iran Special Forces, Quds, to train, fund, arm, etc. hundreds of thousands of Islamic Jihadists at the Fundamentalist Islamic Autonomous Kurdistanis Region with the Primary Strategic Goal of Overthrowing the Established Governments of US Allies by using Asymmetric Warfare (Insurgency) to incite the people of Nations to Civil War.

willynel You nailed it, Roger. Once upon a time, there was a war in Afghanistan against the former Soviet Union. We gave arms to those "freedom fighters" to rid them of the Red Menace. They shared our values of a hatred of the former Soviet Union. One of those fighters had a name people might remember: Osama Bin Laden.

Yeah, Roger, nailed you and anyone that voted for you non factual post as a NON Participant and too lazy to do the actual research into Operation Cyclone, the USSR 40th Army Occupation, Fundamentalist Islamic Osama Bin Laden and the Fundamentalist Islamic Al Quada International Franchises.

During Operation Cyclone we (NOT YOU) extensively vetted the Pro US Afghans to prevent any USSR Counter Intelligence Agents, USSR Intelligence Assets, USSR Collaborators and Inflitrations. All the other Osamas, Obamas, Mohammods, Husseins, etc. were at Afghanistan/Pakistan; but, Osama Bin Laden was NOT.

Fundamentalist Islamic Osama Bin Laden was living with his Rich Relatives at Saudi Arabia, forming his Fundamentalist Islamic Al Quada International Franchise to fight against (Moderate Liberal) Sunnis US Ally Government of Saudi Arabia, and also planning the 1993 First World Trade Center Bombings during Operation Cyclone.

Mickey-1983943 - Yes, and Ike was a Republican, too. So how come today's Republicans don't want to listen to him?

Because President Eisenhower was a Hypocrite. As without President FDR creating the US Military Industrial Complex to get the US out of the Great Depression in 1939 with the Sales of "War Materials" to England, France, Russia, China, etc. before the US Entry into WWII 1941; GENERAL Eisenhower would have had to borrow wooden row boats and rifles to conduct the D-Day Normandy Invasion, and after Failing he would never have become popular and later became US President.

After getting involved in the United Nation's Korean Conflict, President Eisenhower's dismantling of the President FDR US Military Industrial Complex resulted in the US Citizens of the US Military belonging to Task Force Smith to get massacred, since they did not have enough Anti Tank Ammunition to stop the North Korean Tanks, it was almost a decade before the US Military Industrial Complex that could be restarted, especially asking many US Civilians to return after being Laid Off before. By the time that the US Military Industrial Complex was restarted the Korean Conflict was basically lost by the US and South Koreans since the North Koreans had gained so much ground, and became a stalemate.

nothing new here-1200374 - Enter the war and end the recession as FDR did by getting the U. S. into WWII.

The Great Depression was ended 1939 by President FDR's Sales of War Materials to England, France, Russia, China, etc. after all his previous attempts failed like using money the US did not have to create jobs as his New Deal To the American People, etc.; as President FDR knew that US Consumerism would not get the US Out of the Great Depression and that the Sales of War Materials would and did 1939 before US Entry into WWII 1941. It was these Sales of War Materials as an Act of War as to why Chancellor Hitler wanted to Declare War Against the US long before 1941; but, instead sent his German U-Boats (Submarines) to sink the US Munitions Ships going to and from the US to European Ports and England.

GO RIGHT AHEAD AND CALL President Obama and Secretary of Defense Leon Penetta LIARS, 2012, "A 10% Defense Budget Cut will result in a Million Civilians becoming Unemployed".

The US Military directly and indirectly employs almost a Hundred Million US Citizens, mostly as the US Military Industrial Complex. And since the US Military pays them a "Fair and Living Wage" the labor cost is $275 to make a $25 Hammer so that the US Taxpayers pay $300 for a Hammer for the US Military; same thing with the USAF Toilet Seat.

Then there are the Manufacturing Delays so that these US Civilians have jobs for longer with the result being the US Military gets Obsolete US Military Equipment.

What needs to be done is instead of the current President Obama as Commander In Chief Ordered Reduction In Forces of the US Military and being thrown on Unemployment, get rid of all these Overpaid Too Expensive US Civilians and replace them with the below minimum wages US Military Personnel like it was before.

David - It is extremely difficult to try and reason with entrenched political party retards that couldn't see the color of money if it was slapped in thier faces. It is all about party politics and nothing about common sense. The lack of education though should not come as a surprise. I think A Theory of Influence: The Strategic Value of Public Ignorance, By Isabelle Brocas and Juan D. Carillo, sums it up pretty nicely, and is a definite testament to what we see today.

Stay safe my friend.

In this, we will NEVER make "the right decision" regardless of what we do, don't do, contemplate, or argue about. All we have is our morals and right now, in the eyes of the world, our morals are something less than what should be desired.

I disagree. I think we are making the right decision now, Governor Romney's complaints about it notwithstanding. This opinion piece makes a good case for not giving the Syrian rebels heavy arms; unlike Libya, Syria is not an isolated country. Gaddafi had few friends. Syria has Russia and China on their side. It's far more difficult to take them on.

The Choice is very clear come November

A Vote for Robme/Lyin Ryan is a Vote for War, Death and destruction of our Children

A Vote for Obama/Biden is a Vote for Sanity and Safety of our Children

It is not hard....... VOTE STRAIGHT DEMOCRAT THROW THE GOP/AMERICAN TALIBAN OUT OF OFFICE

I wonder what intelligence information Romney gets clearance on being a candidate? He might be getting none and just be spouting GW style tough guy rhetoric which would be really be irresponsible.

Still no answers on why Romney's Idealogy is any differant than Bush's. Must not be any? Romney and company will make Bush look liberal I'm afraid.

Kornfed,

Sluge has nothing to do with anything that is going on in California right now!

Sludge!

I say drop weapons like pamphlets and let them kill each other. The world is over-populated anyway. If they want to kill each other, let them have at it.

John,

They won't kill each other they will use them against us and our soldiers like they have show already in Afghanistan!

Hello folks, here we go again, recruiting, training and arming the "rebels" who will use it all against our soldiers in the future ala the Mujahadeen, Al Qaeda, LIFG in Libya, MEK in Iraq, and Baluchi terrorists in Pakistan. When will we ever learn?

@TrustVerify

My indoctrination? LOL I just clicked the up arrow on your post and agree with you. At least on this post.

Will the Watcher

let's just examine the last 103 years and WHO and WHAT party took us to war shall we?

It was Teddy Roosevelt (R) that said "Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick.".....

Woodrow Wilson (D) - World War I,

Franklin Roosevelt (D) - World War II,

Harry Truman (D) - Dropped the Atomic Bomb on Japan, The Cold War, and The Korean War,

JFK (D) - Bay of Pigs, Cuban Missile Crisis,

Lyndon Baines Johnson (D) - Viet Nam,

Jimmy Carter (D) - Iranian Hostage Crisis,

Bill Clinton (D) - Operation Desert Fox, Serbia, Kosovo, and Bosnia.

But hey, only Republicans are war mongers right?

Great post Will the Watcher

Warmongering Democrats go all the way back to their beginnings with Andrew Jacksons Indian Massacres, and Martin Van Burens cavelry attacks on American citizens when he sent troops to slaughter the members the Mormon church.

In 1839, Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movementvisited Van Buren to plead for the U.S. to help roughly 20,000 Mormon settlers of Independence, Missouri, who were forced from the state during the 1838 Mormon War there.

The Governor of Missouri, Lilburn Boggs, had issued an executive order on October 27, 1838, known as the "Extermination Order". It authorized troops to use force against Mormons to "exterminate or drive [them] from the state."^[18][19]

In 1839, after moving to Illinois, Smith and his party appealed to members of Congress and to President Van Buren to intercede for the Mormons.

According to Smith's grandnephew, Van Buren said to Smith, "Your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you; if I take up for you I shall lose the vote of Missouri."

Wikipedia

Byron - I guess what you are missing is our current stance, perhaps correct, perhaps not, is seen by those wanting aid as abandoning them. You are right in your assessment concerning Libya. They were isolated, and if you and everyone else recalls, there was genuine anger in the populace over the sacking of our embassy and the death of our ambassador. So much so, mobs stormed the radical bastions and even the new government is trying to disarm the militias. Our action there, however seemingly insignificant, was in fact seen as a endorsement for those yearning freedom.

Syria, again you have a pretty good grasp on the intricacies of the dilemma. The Soviets see NATO Expansion as a threat. They see the proposed missile shield for former Soviet Bloc countries as a threat. They see our stead fast support of Turkey as a threat. China sees our support of Taiwan, and the disputed territories in the pacific as a threat. They see our upgrading of South Korean Missile technology and Defenses as a threat. They see our strengthening of Japan as a threat. So yes, as I said in my post, it is a most untennable situation. ANY choice we make will be viewed by some involved faction as either a threat or an endorsement. If you watch news reports or even read some of the news papers, there are Syrians asking "Where is America?"

I don't have a good answer, or can I even fathom a solution that would be even remotely as not having some sort of consequence either way. I do know that those fighting Assad see us as leaving them to die. And IF they are successful in overthrowing that regime, OUR credibility with the new republic is sht. Here in lies the problem. Nothing we do is going to be seen as enough, or as some provocation. As much as I dislike OUR current administration, I empathsize for the corner they find themselves backed into.

Having served in our Armed Forces for 21 years, and spending over 7 years in deployments in the Middle East, I do know what the mixed feelings are toward this country. And I certainly do know and can understand the mistrust of the US because of our Failed Foreign Policies. Some of that mistrust may never lessen and may even grow more as the generations pass along the personal feelings, anger, and frustration with OUR POLICIES as how it pertained to them. Much like we see with the "victimization" we have in our society. It becomes a generational hatred.

Believing the cold war is over, is truly an over estimation, in my humble opinion. There are certainly possibilities that those old, hard feelings WILL resurface, and we could easily find ourselves in the same long drawn out US and THEM mentality. So these are indeed some difficult days ahead.

• More weapons in Syria could trigger 'all-out war'

• 
  
• Isn't that what Obama wants ?

Libya and Syria are two completely different situations. Libya had an organized opposition for a long time. Major military figures defected to the rebel camp and before we got involved, we made sure that the rebel organization presented a viable alternative to the Ghadaffi government. Although there was knowledge that some Al Qaeda did exist, there didn't appear to be any real alignment and the rebels were if anything using Al Qaeda for weapons support primarily. The whole key though was a reasonable organized structure and chain of command within the rebel forces.

Syria on the other hand is far less organized. The whole thing started with Assad going after a very strong Al Qaeda and affiliated terrorist group presence. The problem became different when Assad pursued these guys with zero regard for any of Syria's citizens. Bombing cities and killing innocents got a civilian uprising going. But that uprising is not at all organized. Some Syrian military has defected but no real major authorities. We were OK with Assad and even giving him help against Al Qaeda, but then he went too far. Assad create the mess he has right now and unfortunately drove many of his people to align with the terrorist organizations against him. There is no viable alternative government organization within the rebels, at least not yet. The problem is that if we give serious weapons to the rebels, we might as well be giving them to Al Qaeda. If Assad was ousted tomorrow, the only organized group to step in would be Al Qaeda and its affiliated terrorist groups. Small arms will extend the fighting but won't be enough to oust Assad. A better long term solution isn't the rebels "winning" but instead an organized military coup ousting Assad and then de-escalating the fighting. New leadership could then call a truce and seek peace with the rebels in exchange for rejection o f Al Qaeda and other foreign terrorists. I believe most of the rebels would gladly quit fighting as long as they didn't feel the need to defend themselves. The real question would be how easily the civilian rebels reject the Al Qaeda forces. But this would put a viable organized group in control, who could probably govern from within the military structure. Right now it would not be such a good thing to defeat the Syrian military, so giving the rebelling forces the weapons to do that almost assures terrorist based control. At this point, Assad has to go, but ousting the entire Syrian government would be a mistake.

1 New Day...That's the way to spin it! Good job!!

American Girl

You're doing it again, you didn't address my main comment about the President, you're talking about Romney and the Republicans. Romney at this point is NOT OUR PRESIDENT, Obama is in charge and the events happening in the world are his responsibility.

Why are you not addressing his handling of foreign affairs? Take your partisan ship and place it aside for a moment, and concern yourself with the country's best interest, not the parties. Where is the Diplomacy he always talks about, shouldn't it be front and center? SHOULDN'T HE BE WORKING FOR PEACE AS YOU ADVOCATE? Aren't you going to hold him accountable?

You support a party that wants to cut Defense and yet you ignore the dangers facing us in the Mideast; misguided priorities, and you wonder why he's in trouble. It's not because of Romney's policies, it's his own.

Rob68,

You might call it spin, but it is more appropriately analysis based on factual information that we do know. And I'm sure there is far more info we don't know. The thing is that foreign policy is complicated and decisions like this shouldn't be made just by looking at things with only surface generalities.

I have a lot of problems with Romney, but he seems like he has to be so quick and reactionary so he can get people's attention. But reacting and making up policy without knowing much about the topic just isn't very wise. The reality is that Romney has tried to react to virtually everything in the news and spin it into some kind of Obama failure. I would hope this guy really doesn't make decisions this way, but who knows, he isn't showing us much in the way of analysis.

My sense is that he's a guy who hasn't done any of his own analysis for a very long time if ever at all. Here's a guy who just hires people to do things for him. All he does is deliver someone else work and doesn't really know if it is good work or not. Romney is constantly touting things that don't stand up to analysis. He tends to say things in constant contradiction to something he said just days before. I really think this is because he really doesn't understand what he's saying. If he indeed did do his own thoughtful analysis, he wouldn't constantly be contradicting himself and then having his campaign have to walk it back the next day. I don't really expect most people to do much analysis but instead take reactionary positions based on a few 30 second sound bites, but I would expect a Presidential candidate to operate at a higher standard.

Whether or not Romney is capable of more than he shows, I don't really know, but it should be pretty obvious that he always tries to say what he thinks people want to hear, even if just days before he said something completely opposite. There's a couple possible reasons for this. One is that he's a serial liar who will say or do whatever is necessary to get what he wants. The other is that he has no ownership in what he says and therefore doesn't even realize when he contradicts himself.

JERSY GIRL 1

Again, Obama had no experience in 2008 when he ran, but McCain did. You chose Obama despite that fact that John McCain had extensive foreign experience because you thought Obama could do a better job on the economy.

The difference is that in 2008, John McCain wanted to "Bomb, bomb bomb...bomb, bomb Iran". Not the kind of foreign policy we can believe in.

Listen, Obama is right on this. The weapons would sooner or later be used to kill Americans. It has happened every time we have done this. They are only our "friends" as long as their war goes on, then they will turn against us. Romney doesn't know anything about foreign policy and shouldn't pretend to.

Are you seriously backing Assad? Let him slaughter them? These "rebels" started a peaceful protest demanding democratic reforms and were met with bullets. When they went to bury the dead, they were again fired upon by Assad's troops.

USwillWin,

"No way in hell are we gonna help these rebel Al-Gayda thugs out in Syria...."

Then by all means be sure not to vote for Romney because that is exactly what he plans to do according to his own words.

Read up on the conflict.. The rebels are fighting a government who began sniping the doctors and school children.

This is what cons said about Egypt. They tout democracy for everyone, EXCEPT when it looks like it might get a tad messy or inconvenient for them, or if the results don't look exactly as they would like. Suddenly they're all for dictatorships, no matter how murderous.

Alaska

Do you not remember Obamacare... We can read it after it is passed... REMEMBER????

Those non reading Dems...LOL

"Clears Throat" He Retard (richard) I looked up the Obamacare law everyone's been talking about, guess what dickfir, there isn't a law called Obamacare. Its called the Affordable Care Act, modeled after Wormneycare in Massachusetts. Same room different color cheap movie.

The GOP are trolls, war mongering bafoons. Willard will step right into the hornets nest if elected. We will be surrounded if we phuck with Iran and Syria.. But go ahead.. I refuse to fight the GOPs RAHOWA.. Look it up GOPers.. This is what America is headed for.. RAHOWA via our military and the likes of the GOP..

420 Frees the Mind...time to adjust your meds...again, or you could try just taking a deep breath from time to time. Being that tense isn't good for you. Consider therapy...really, you'll feel better.

The reason that the Free Syrian Rebels exist is because Assad started murdering innocent Syrians in the street when all they were doing was merely protesting their right to be heard by elected representation.

We need to support the Free Syrian Rebels in ousting Assad that way they can stabilize Syria under representative election process instead of dictators ruling with a machine gun on those who dispute his power.

"I refuse to fight the GOPs RAHOWA.. Look it up GOPers.. This is what America is headed for.. RAHOWA via our military and the likes of the GOP.."

I looked it up:

Rahowa was a Canadian White supremacist band that played goth metal with some elements of neo-classical metal.

So you think the GOP will turn us into a "Canadian White supremacist band that played goth metal"

OK I don't like the GOP but I'm pretty sure this isn't their plan. :-)

It started off as peaceful protests and there was indeed genuine repression from the side of the government (even if this was often exaggerated by Al Jazeera/the western media) however that hardly justifies terrorist bombings that indiscriminately kill innocent people, it doesn't justify the massacres by rebels of Christians and other religious minorities and it certainly doesn't justify foreign powers doing all they can to turn Syria into a warzone. Most people in Syria are fed up with the (mostly foreign) Jihadi rebels and their campaign of terror and just want the violence to stop. If the opposition had stuck to a peaceful movement for reform they would have maintained their popular support and probably made some real progress by now but instead they had to mess things up by starting a devastating civil war with the support of the Saudis and inviting in Islamic fanatics from countries like Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Let's send McCain and Romney - hand-in-hand. That'll solve it, no?

Yeah, this is a fabolous idea arming a Sunni insurgency in Syria while there's a Sunni insurgency ongoing in Iraq right now. Is there any doubt that the people blowing themselves up in Syria on a daily basis would've been blowing themselves up in Baghdad if this were 5 years ago?

Its going to be bad whether Romney or Obama are going to be elected. What people fail to realize are a couple things

1) Obama or Romney are going eventually intervene in the Syrian/Turkish border fight that is going on which will eventually turn into world war.

2) Both candidates are going to increase taxes/ spend money to help support Obama or Romney healthcare, make new jobs, invest in the military (if your a romney fan) and support new types of energy programs (if your an obama fan) for our future.

3) The price of Gas will go up due to war overseas and the price of food crops continue to go up due to the heat waves and the dying bees that spread the pollen. The crop problems are due to global warming which is out of Obummer and Rob-me's power.

Wake up world! We all watched with anticipation when the 'arab spring' began in Egypt. Now look carefully, this once great nation has now succumbed to the muslim scourge and is wallowing in the hate filled, illiterate culture of islam. Is this what you want for Syria? The rebels there are now totally infilitrated with the same al qaida terrorists as we saw in Egypt. Let these illiterate, hate filled muslim bastards kill each other over thier perverted religous culture, stay the hell away from these tribal cultures. Not a dime, not a single weapon, nothing!!!

Nemesis - I think you're close to correct, but Obama won't move on Syria until asked to by Nato. That is a whole lot different in a global context than us bullying our way around (which, ahem, I hate to say but is what happened under Bush with Iraq).

Second, I have close friends in Germany. We have compared tax liabilities time and again. Their income, when adjusted for currency, is about 40% higher than mine. Their overall tax liability is significantly less annually by about $2000. We have included everything from sales taxes, government taxes, health taxes, etc. etc. etc. The truth is we are slaughtered in nickel and dime taxes, which are growing. Their SOCIAL healthcare is far superior to ours in many ways. In fact, I am considering having a surgery done there in the near future that isn't even offered here that they've been doing for well over a decade. Our healthcare is subpar and we pay through the nose for it, far more than what they do! We need to demand a better system and I have no idea why so many Americans are in love with the crappy premiums, coverage and care they have now. There are models which exist that are far better than ours, we don't need to reinvent the wheel, we can improve on it.

Thirdly, if I had to choose to spend money on military or new energy, it should really be a no brainer. Breaking foreign dependence and having clean, sustainable energy will both help our economy and our environment. People who declare otherwise need to go take a few (or many) science and economic classes. Spending on military does nada for us other than create career soldiers.

Nemesis-2101965

Its going to be bad whether Romney or Obama are going to be elected. What people fail to realize are a couple things

1) Obama or Romney are going eventually intervene in the Syrian/Turkish border fight that is going on which will eventually turn into world war.

The US intervening is unnecessary. Turkey is perfectly capable of defeating Syria on it's own, even without NATO intervention. My concern is that Romney has GW Bush's neo-conservative advisers (you remember them...think Iraq). Could a President Romney control the neo-conservative machine? Would he even try?

2) Both candidates are going to increase taxes/ spend money to help support Obama or Romney healthcare, make new jobs, invest in the military (if your a romney fan) and support new types of energy programs (if your an obama fan) for our future.

Only if either of them could persuade the lame duck Congress to take action it's been unwilling to take to date. First they have to compromise on a plan that would preempting Sequestration. Then they would have to approve the debt ceiling. I simply don't see this Tea Party controlled House willing to do those things. Without preempting Sequestration all bets are off with both defense and the economy.

3) The price of Gas will go up due to war overseas and the price of food crops continue to go up due to the heat waves and the dying bees that spread the pollen. The crop problems are due to global warming which is out of Obummer and Rob-me's power.

Likely the most accurate thing you've said.

...

By his own admission, he will have more flexibility after the election.

.

Obama / Biden in 2012.

...

We are doing something.... shhhh, it's covert....

Not to mention arming the rebels puts us in a tight spot with Russia. Many more innocents will die if we end up in a conflict with them. Romney is obviously blind to the way things really work, though with all the things he's said over the past few months that should be fairly obvious to any but the brainwashed right wingnuts. How you can follow a man who can't remember his own stance on any given issue is absurd.

Crystal:

If you are all that sure of the purity of these "freedom fighters", get off your computer, gather up your "go to war" gear, take the next flight out to Turkey, and go become a volunteer warrior. Maybe your choice, Mitt Romey and his VP choice and 40 or 50 warrior members of the GOP house and senate will join you. And given the fierce nature of you who clamor for war, I'm sure you all can be home by Christmas.

Get out your checkbook then, Crystal. Sounds like you want to bankroll another war. Of course, in a different threat you'll be shrieking about over-spending. You teabaggers, I swear...

Ray in Jax,

"We are doing something.... shhhh, it's covert...."

That's really no joke, Ray. It is not a characteristic of the CIA to advertise its operations. God only knows what they may be up to in Syria, or maybe even He doesn't know.

Ray:

"By his own admission, he will have more flexibility after the election." Isn't that what owebama whispered to the soviets?

Ummm Crystal, it all worked well when Bush decided to take a lie and run with it to Iraq and Afghanistan, hmmm? Where is NATO concerning this, and why do YOU believe America needs to be involved in ANOTHER WAR, just because the GOP say so?

TO: cal20 who wrote:

"...By his own admission, he [President Obama] will have more flexibility after the election." Isn't that what Obama whispered to the soviets?"

I think so, and I hope you heard what the Soviets said about President Obama:

"President Obama is an honest man."

As for Mitt Romney the Soviets said: "He's wrong."

Republicans don't seem to understand that the Soviets have veto power in the U.N., and so does the United States.

Obama/Biden 2012

Crystal

Remember when Bush started a war based on GOP Lies? Think now dear.

That's right it was Iraq! The evil empire cost us Thousands of AMERICAN lives.

You Repbs/ teabaggs are SOoooo full of Hate and lies you don't want Peace in the world, you want to be LORD & Master. That is why the world hates us. Butt out. No More Americans Killed to satisfy the blood thirst of the right! Its not too late dear to come back from the dark side.

Ahh... Bush and his UN- just war: mmm lets review

Obama fights wars like he debates... unprepared and don't care.

President Obama: Dithered...(that's wasting time for the layman) on:

3 months Sending troops to Afghanistan Military ask for 50 thousand... Obama authorized 30

2 months to get involved in Libya.. Then (finally) joining NATO, FORGOT to go to congress for authorization... they had to (last minute) hammer together a bill so we won't be BREAKING INTERNATIONAL LAW....

real quick on Egypt.. Too bad he backed a Muslim Brotherhood replacement who just declared treaty with Israel null and void.

1 month after an American ambassador is killed .... the White house can't get their story strait...

Romney... "This IS what I WILL do....".... I think that is called leadership.

Romney/Ryan 2012

flame

Its called Pandering... Mitt is a liar, cheat and you could not recognize a liar if he (Mitt) slapped you. How

much more do you need to hear from this lying Empty Suit? Get over it. Mitt is toast...OR the US is.

Bruce...you're too senseless to help. No one, not Obama, not Romney, not even you want war throughout the region (Okay, maybe you...you did after all bring it up). C'mon...don't be that senseless chatter monkey that pounds out party politics like you don't have a brain of your own. Even I'm not that stupid to think either party wants a war in the region...there's no gain, only distraction. C'mon...be smarter than that.

I agree with you, Bruce.

I'm part of why your post has six times as many likes on it.

Dude war in the region profits the countless contractors we have here in the States. Why do you think they continue to pump out weapons? You think they wouldn't logically lobby for wars to put them to use? It's not senseless to see a party push for it. Just look at the results of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, private contracting companies, hell defense contractors by the handful... Its shameful wake up and see it.

Yeah, they won't even think of turning the guns we gave them on us.... People are so quick to want to repeat history's mistakes...

Roybokhade...Give us a break...If Turkey wanted to be in Syria, which they don't, they'd be there by now. The Turkish military would roll over the Syrians in a matter of days. The Turks don't want Syria, don't need Syria, ain't going to invade Syria.

Now, having said that...Turkey isn't going to take a lot of crap from Syria either. Turkey may retaliate against Syria (Artillery, Air Strikes, etc.), but they'll stay out and let the rebels pound on them until the Syrians are seriously weakened...then...maybe...

roybokhade,

We are only obligated to defend Turkey from attack. If Turkey choses to invade Syria we will likely go into Syria too but only so that Turkey doesn't decide to take advantage of the situation and expand their territory.

Oh right, I forgot...we won Vietnam. Thanks for the heads up on strategy.

Yeah, that's exactly why we won in Vietnam. We had the most weapons. Oh wait, we didn't win that. Duh! It was that logic that took us into Iraq and look were that got us. DUH!

It's a new century and Russia's economy isn't faltering. They are doing quite well as a major supplier of natural gas and oil. Also they would welcome the opportunity to restore their image as a world superpower. You must be thinking of the Russia of the 1990's

If they went to war with NATO, they would lose a lot of the people who purchase their gas and oil. An embargo would crush their economy considering the majority of the major world economies are members of NATO. China and the many poor Eastern European companies purchasing their resources could not keep their economy afloat alone.

Mitt has said what he would do.......Thank God he won't get the chance. The Repubs have killed enough of our children with their Fake BS and Lies.

Mom 1010...You're stupid, really! Look back over the history of the country and you'll find that the "Repubs" don't have a lock on getting the US into war. I understand emotion and emotional responses but try and think about the crap you spout...and if you still feel like sounding stupid...then let her rip.

But when you say something stupid, be prepared to be called on it.

The American state of mind is no number is acceptable losses, and Mom's comment on deaths is completely legitimate considering the last 12 years of warfare... This doesn't even account the millions injured in more ways then one.

The repubs locked us in the worst war of all in terms of the death toll on American's, our own Civil War. Don't get me wrong sure it rid the common mentality that Slavery would hold power but it didn't solve the problem, nor was it a main goal. Its a big reminder and definitely not a lie lol.

The civil war was never about anything other then the forceful violation of peoples rights to their own property. That's the biggest gaffe of the war that no-one is taught. It wasn'ta bout right or wrong morals but the root of the nations creation.

Trent 3873964...you're a revisionist moron...you really believe the American Civil War was only about the forceful violation of peoples right to their own property? Put the Crack pipe down and back away, you've had enough!

How am I revisionist? I stated the costs of war per party since you like to keep tabs on it. Lol you know when a man has lost an argument? He results to insults and bashing.

Do your research buddy, Lincoln had nothing to say about slavery till victory was clear in sight... The south took up arms and seceded from the union because of the very rights the constitution had guaranteed them were taken away. It wasn't about morals. Most people couldn't give two @!$%#es about slavery, to them it was about property. Property in all forms was violated, and scorched earth tactics and the pure violation of said rights was amplified in the wars end. Slavery itself wasn't even revoked entirely in the wars end so it was a wasted effort.

I agree. All this panicking and partisanship is useless. This situation calls for a nuanced position and a carefully thought out position. if those who really know aren't sure of the next move, don't do anything. I'd rather err on the side of not spending and killing than what we've been doing since Vietnam. Some of our involvements may have paid off, but on the whole history doesn't seem to show great advantage in intervening.

Leroy...when was the last time we had someone "qualified" to be Commander-in-Chief of the US military. Been awhile hasn't it?

Leroy how much experience does our existing Commander in Chief have. Just as much as Romney. Zippo nodda nilch. The sad thing about this great country of ours is we have to vote for someone who is going to do the least amount of damage and not who can help the most. They both are worthless and need to be replaced.

Help me out here...what rank in the military was Barry before he became president? At least Gov Romney unselfishly gave his time to help others

Oh, I assure you it was purely selfish reasons that Romney opted out of a war that he was all in for.

Geez...the question put forward was about being "qualified" to be Commander in Chief, not who gives unselfishly or not. I'm pretty comfortable admitting I'm not qualified to pass comment on who is and who isn't unselfish, and I'm only a little more comfortable passing judgement on who is and who isn't qualified to be Commander in Chief, but I sure as hell have an opinion, and I am not going to stand for someone telling me I have to know what the hell I'm talking about, cause that just ain't going to happen. I promise I will continue not to know much about anything, but to try my hardest to spout some non-sensible crap about everything. I don't have to know anything, I'm an American, So Help Me God!

The 28% were relatives, federal employees and lobbyists.

Yank

Thanks for the info....couldnt understand why the approval rating was that high

please. you're another brainwashed liberal pretending to be something else on the internet.

This election goes deeper than JOBS. Romney advisers are Chaney and The Bush admin. You may not like Obama but he is the fit for the 21st century not Romney. Please people put your thinkers cap on......

Jeff....Please do not sit out the election. It is a SAD commentary on our country when you read the percentages of people that vote. It is a right that no one should take for granted.

Chris.....sad that you think you know what someone is from reading a post...if that is true, you seem to be an idiot pretending (and not very well) to be someone with a brain!

O&Joe 2012

Libya is more of a concern than Syria. The country is in a state of chaos, yet Obama declares it a foreign policy victory. That is up until our Ambassador was assassinated. You can bank it that would never have been allowed with the Qaddafi regime.

certainly Romney isn't counting on the brainwashed liberal vote. more of highlighting the Obama administration's failures. How many Syrian civilians have died in this conflict already?

Brainwashed must be Chris's vocabulary word today.

Brain washed is wrong on two counts...it assumes they have a brain, and that it could be washed!

Please lets take stock,

Mr Obama's promises 4 years ago when trying to take office?

“I promise that I support traditional marriage-1 man-1 woman.
“I promise 100% transparency in my administration.”.
“I promise NO NEW TAXES on a family making less than $250K a year.”.
“I will allow 5 days of public comment before I sign any bills.”.
“I will remove earmarks from PORK projects before I sign any bill.”.
“I will end Income Tax for seniors making less than $50K a year.”.
"I will bring ALL of our troops home within ONE year."
“I’ll put the Health Care negotiations on C-SPAN so everyone can see who is at the table!”.
“I’ll have no lobbyists in my administration."
"I'll close Guantanamo."
"I'll resign if I don't cut the deficit in half by the end of four years."
"I'll unite the people of this great country."

Not a single promise kept. By the way Bush signed the agreement to end the War in Iraq, not Obama.

Not a single promise kept. By the way Bush signed the agreement to end the War in Iraq, not Obama.

"Mission Accomplished" G.W. Bush

We need another one of those? Really?

Chris

"how many syrians have died in this conflic so far?"

Not as many as died in Iraq. Remember...Bush's shock and awe?

We can not afford any more American lives And Money !

Joe- Oh yes, GWB ended the war in Iraq in May of 2003 afte he hoisted the "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" banner on the deck of an aircraft carrier!!!

Love it.

I just don't understand why American leaders have any problems that they cannot solve in twenty minutes. If they'd just jump on these internet postings, they'd find a host of brilliant people who know the absolute details of every problem, in every field, and every issue in every country AND they have all the answers which are invariably simple, quick and WRONG. Why do so many people think that every problem has an answer which has no downside, no effect beyond the immediate problem? Does one need to go to stupid school to find the world so simple?

Clearly knowing the answer to all the worlds problems isn't confined to Internet posters. Romney's already decided he would arm the Syrian rebels with heavy weapons capable of taking out aircraft without the knowledge of who these rebels are or how they feel about us. He discredits Obama's decision not to arm these rebels with such weapons even though intelligence indicates many of these fighters belong to terrorist groups such as Al'Queda and Hezbollah. Romney has no more access to ascertain the threat than most posting here. If he can arm chair quarter back with no facts to back it up why not the rest of us? GW took out Saddam which changed the balance of power by creating side by side Shiite majority powers despite his father knowing that was a bad idea. That will come back to bite us. Just because you're president doesn't mean you're smarter than anyone else. Look at he who could be president.

best post of the day

let's not forget all the internet experts have the right to vote for anyone willing to give them the treasury also