Obama is not threatening to attack Syria in order to distract from the NSA issue

[Cali_Democrat]

I've seen this assertion numerous times over the past few days.

Wag the Dog it is not.

The reason why Syria is the topic of discussion at the moment is because there was a chemical attack there which claimed the lives of over a thousand people. Syria possesses the 3rd largest stockpile of chemical weapons in the world and they have the potential to make a lot of noise with it. That's why Israelis are snapping up gas masks right now.

The fact remains that most Americans didn't even consider the NSA "scandal" to be a top issue:

Economy, jobs, employment top issues

PRINCETON, N.J., Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Twenty-five percent of Americans list the economy as the most important issue facing the country today, a Gallup poll released Friday indicated.

<...>

At 25 percent, non-whites were much more likely to say unemployment was the most important issue than whites, at 16 percent, the Princeton, N.J., polling agency said of its annual Work and Education survey.

Overall, 53 percent of Americans surveyed listed economic issues as the most important problems facing the country. Fifty-seven percent of all Americans surveyed listed non-economic issues, such as healthcare, ethical/moral issues in Washington, immigration and education.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2013/08/16/Economy-jobs-employment-top-issues/UPI-81871376677327/?spt=hs&or=tn

The so-called NSA "scandal" is nothing more than a bubble issue and most Americans aren't focused on it. The notion that the President would launch an attack to distract from an issue most Americans aren't focused on doesn't make very much sense.

[Dawgs]

1. Clueless. n/t

[TBF]

2. Agree. There is something else going on here -

and it involves capitalism (securing our financial "interests" in the area). It always does.

[cali]

3. funny, I haven't seen it once, let alone countless times

but no, the NSA and privacy issues aren't close to being a "bubble issue". Sorry, but that won't be going away anytime soon.

The President is about to make another big fucking blunder.

His legacy isn't looking so great.

[Cali_Democrat]

4. I've seen it in many posts

Here's an OP

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023550322

Also, you are certainly entitled to your opinion regarding his legacy.

However, I disagree with your assessment.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. NSA issues are very important to Oregonians, note the work of our Senators.

Wyden has been dealing with this for years and his constituents support him fully, he works for us. You in CA elect folks like Difi over and over because war and prisons are a huge part of the CA economy and way of life. The bubble is yours, you are living in it.

[Cali_Democrat]

6. The poll on top issues isn't specific to one state

It's the country as a whole and Americans do not consider the NSA issue to be a top issue.

[jeff47]

9. Really?

The Senate can be brought to a virtual standstill by any individual senator.

Wyden says he wants answers. He says he wants to stop these programs. And he's done....just about the minimum he can do to accomplish that.

If it really was the affront he claims in his press releases, he'd be putting holds on everything. Just like the Republicans have been doing for the last 3 years. If he believes this is such an enormous problem, how come it isn't worth doing more than talking?

[Downwinder]

7. How high was Syria in the poll?

[Cali_Democrat]

8. This poll was conducted just prior to recent developments in Syria

However, even if a poll was taken now, my guess is that Syria would not be a top issue.