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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

FFShinra Since: Jan, 2001
#181476: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:34:06 PM

Assad was the instigator. He's been the instigator for the better part of this decade. Letting him fester has only made things worse.

Bat178 Since: May, 2011
#181477: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:34:25 PM

[up][up][up] There was no conscription for Iraq, so I wouldn't worry, unless we happen to get in a fight with North Korea at the same time...

edited 6th Apr '17 6:34:39 PM by Bat178

Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#181478: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:34:36 PM

Journeyman: The thing about the tape is that if it gets released it confirms the dossier is true.

edited 6th Apr '17 6:35:01 PM by Kostya

Journeyman Overlording the Underworld from On a throne in a vault overlooking the Wasteland Since: Nov, 2010
Overlording the Underworld
#181479: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:34:51 PM

I don't think we're the instigators in this one. Any dictator who terrorizes his or her own people in the modern age of the internet has declared themselves an enemy of the human race. They should be treated as an outlaw in the old style. Fair game for whoever puts the first bullet into them. Or whoever handcuffs them and drags them to a show trial before execution, anyway.

ETA: [up] It confirms PART of the dossier was true. Show the whole thing, not bits and pieces. The best lies start from the truth and without the rest of it, we have no way of truly knowing that a pee tape isn't the only truth to be found in it.

edited 6th Apr '17 6:36:30 PM by Journeyman

DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#181480: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:35:53 PM

Um, no. They need to release evidence of Trump working for them. That pee tape is gross and stupid, if it exists, but compared to the other shit he's done in office, it's nothing.

The Pee Tape's existence would prove, or at least hint very heavily, that the Russian Dossier by the British Agent was 100% true: That the Russian Government was blackmailing Trump during his campaign and forcing him to be pro-Russian. It'd also prove that several of Trump's Allies were in direct cahoots with the Russian Government, which is already slowly becoming a reality, but that doesn't prove Trump has any direct ties, the Pee Tape would. Even if the Trumpeteers don't care, not even the staunchest Trumpeteer in Congress could support him anymore: They would essentially have to disown the President and even try to impeach him.

Also, proving the entire GOP is directly tied to Russia is not only impossible right now, as no evidence suggest the entire Party is behind them and we'd need proof of something like that to get the ball rolling, it's also improbable that every single member of the GOP is tied to Russia. Hell, proving the entire Trump Administration is tied to Russia is improbable, at least directly (you can argue that anyone working for Trump basically makes them tied to Russia).

[down] Because this asset is no longer being an asset to them, but a hindrance to them? I mean, if you befriend a rich guy, but he constantly harasses you and breaks your stuff, is he still a friend? No, not really...

edited 6th Apr '17 6:40:17 PM by DingoWalley1

DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#181481: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:36:53 PM

Why would the Russians throw away their greatest intelligence asset in the West? In a peeve over Syria? Give me a break.

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
MadSkillz Destroyer of Worlds Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: I only want you gone
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#181483: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:39:36 PM

The US would hardly be an instigator, this war has been going on for years, the fact that the US now finally feels that Assad has crossed a line... Some of us feel he crossed it years ago and should have been dealt with then.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
IFwanderer use political terms to describe, not insult from Earth Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
use political terms to describe, not insult
#181484: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:41:09 PM

[up][up]That picture only shows a lot of [removed].

1 2 We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be. -KV
DeMarquis (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#181485: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:42:03 PM

Much as I hate to say this, I finally approve of something Trump has done.

I'm done trying to sound smart. "Clear" is the new smart.
BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
#181486: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:42:30 PM

Is it irrational that I'm scared about missiles getting sent into Syria?

Do not obey in advance.
Bat178 Since: May, 2011
#181487: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:42:58 PM

[up][up][up][up][up][up] Between that and nuclear war, they'd most likely rather throw away the disposable idiots who got in way over their heads.

edited 6th Apr '17 6:43:36 PM by Bat178

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#181488: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:45:15 PM

Was anyone in Congress informed?

MadSkillz Destroyer of Worlds Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: I only want you gone
Destroyer of Worlds
#181489: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:46:53 PM

@Parable Rubio implied it was going to happen right 30 minutes before it happened

FFShinra Since: Jan, 2001
#181490: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:46:59 PM

Does it matter? Congress is too busy not doing its job as it is.

And I'm with Marquis on Trump....scary as that sentiment might be (about Trump, not you, Marquis).

Now to see if there is follow through.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#181491: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:48:46 PM

I wonder how far this will go? I know that ground forces are a no go, but how much will the US seek to degrade Assad's capability? Enough to stalemate the conflict? Allow the rebels to meaningfully counter attack? Just blow some shit up, wave the flag, and go home?

Hopefully this doesn't take the focus off of Iraq/Mosul. Or create a power vacuum that the lads in ISIS can fill...

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#181492: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:49:47 PM

According to Buzz Feed:

Indeed, the Pentagon had no sense that it would be conducting strikes when Trump first suggested US intervention in Syria. Planning began Wednesday but full-steam preparations did not happen until Thursday when the Pentagon and the White House spent the day exchanging ideas and counter ideas over secure lines.

IFwanderer use political terms to describe, not insult from Earth Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
use political terms to describe, not insult
#181493: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:50:24 PM

[up][up][up]About that, this twitter thread is interesting, if a bit wild mass guesswild mass guess.

edited 6th Apr '17 6:50:51 PM by IFwanderer

1 2 We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be. -KV
FluffyMcChicken My Hair Provides Affordable Healthcare from where the floating lights gleam Since: Jun, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
My Hair Provides Affordable Healthcare
#181494: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:50:53 PM

I'm just terrified of the prospect that Trump, unlike LBJ or Nixon, isn't going to review planned targets to check if there are any Soviet/Russian personnel confirmed to be on the ground when the strikes occur. Strict RO Es sure as hell frustrated the airmen who had to bomb North Vietnam, but they at least served a necessary purpose in preventing an international flare-up due to Russian troops being the wrong place at the wrong time.

Kostya (Unlucky Thirteen)
#181495: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:51:01 PM

I really hope this doesn't boost Trump's approval rating. He's desperate for a win and might do something dumb.

edited 6th Apr '17 6:51:10 PM by Kostya

FFShinra Since: Jan, 2001
#181496: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:52:42 PM

All depends on the follow through. If this makes things worse, there will be boomerang effects for him. If he does it right, maybe this is his baptism by fire, at least as far as foreign affairs are concerned. I can dream anyway.

Also, do remember that for every step forward he takes, he takes at least one or two back the very next week.

Bat178 Since: May, 2011
#181497: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:53:12 PM

[up][up][up] Like I said, if he does accidentally kill Russian troops, Putin will most likely throw the book at him and he'll be out of office within the hour.

edited 6th Apr '17 6:54:04 PM by Bat178

Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#181498: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:53:45 PM

I doubt the Russians will mind that much, in the end they don't want Assad going rabid, it's easier for them if the US plays bad cop to their good cop with him.

In the end this is liable to be nothing but a show of force, Assad won't be removed, nothing serious will change on the ground, Assad will simply switch back to slaughtering civilians with conventional weapons, the world will then turn away, content with a job well done.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#181499: Apr 6th 2017 at 6:55:06 PM

Trump might lose 5-10% of his Core, although he might regain it with Neocons who were afraid Trump was going to be too Isolationist. Considering America's apatite for War is at an all time low, and how Trump campaigned as a person who wouldn't do this stuff, he might get a small boost, but it won't last, especially if it starts to escalate, or the Russians retaliate, either militarily or politically.

Bat178 Since: May, 2011

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