I don't want to invade Syria - I want to bribe the officials to behave.

[hollysmom]

it would be cheaper
fewer people would die (I believe we killed more than 10 times the people who Sadaam killed and we made life miserable for many many more)

a billion dollars can buy a lot of good behavior.

[Agnosticsherbet]

1. There is not plan to invade Syria...

An invasion would require about 4 to 6 months to get 400,000 to 800,000 military personnel into position to invade. It would require at least a month or more of an air war to destroy the Syrian Air Force and defeat their air defenses.

So far, the only thing discussed is shooting cruise missiles at Syrian military targets from destroyers and other ships in the Mediterranean.

Where does this idea that we can run a massive invasion in a few days come from?

[hollysmom]

2. I don't want to fight with them at all,

missles or not. buy them off.

[brooklynite]

5. Buy them off to do what?

Give up on chemical weapons and just use guns and bullets?

Just beat up protesters?

Syria has a minority (Shiite) Government that doesn't want to provide democracy to its citizens and is using violence to maintain power. What do you proposed to pay them to do?

[reformist2]

3. Not a bad idea, actually: If you can't beat the bribers, join 'em!

[Bake]

4. Bribes won't buy sh*t.

And certainly not good behavior.

That said, I don't want to bomb them either.

Bake

[Arctic Dave]

6. Sure it does.

How do you think we were able to keep the Iraqis from blowing up all of our stuff during the occupation.

First link that popped up there are several.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article19384.htm

[Bake]

7. Color me skeptical.

I think they'd take the money and continue to do whatever they're gonna do. The Egyptian military, e.g., is a good example.

Bake

[Arctic Dave]

8. I agree with you.

Look to Iraq again to see that it only last as long as the money keeps flowing.