Forget the Syria debate, we need a debate on why we’re always debating whether to bomb someone. Because we’re starting to look not so much like the world’s policeman, but more like George Zimmerman. Itching to use force and then pretending it’s because we had no choice.” —Bill Maher
Fortunately it appears a deal has been made to avoid getting involved in another war where we do not belong. Perhaps next time, instead of waiting until it is asked at a press conference, US leaders will be the ones to look for an alternative to war.
“more like George Zimmerman”
You mean, er, innocent!
There is a distinct difference between innocent and not guilty. George Zimmerman was declared not guilty. In no way is he innocent.
Now, as for that war thing, President Obama wants to punish the evil dictator in Syria for using weapons of mass destruction (poison gas, which he actually has and has used) and make it more difficult for him (and others) to use them again in the future. I do not believe it was (or is) his intent to start another war. He’s gotten us out of two.
David, as Len points out innocence and not being found guilty are not necessarily the same. In this case, the problem was largely a bad law. Even if Zimmerman cannot be convicted due to the law, he is still a poor model and Bill Maher has a point extending this to foreign policy.
Len, shooting missiles at a different country is an act of war so yes, Obama did intend to start another war if things hadn’t changed providing a diplomatic solution. I do agree that what he intended was far more limited than the two wars which he inherited.
This is certainly not a black or white situation. His intentions were good (acting against poison gas) but the disagreement is over whether the United States should be using military force against another country and be the world’s policeman. In the absence of either a direct threat to the United States or international call for military action by a body such as the United Nations, I do not believe the United States should be initiating military action.