So, who decided whether Syria should be punished? Who *should* decide???

[reformist2]

Isn't it obvious this should be something that goes through the UN first, before *anyone* talks about punishment?

[Little Star]

1. That's where I'm at. Who made us the deciders'? This is the kind of thing...

that needs to go through the UN first. We should have never threatened with drawing the line in the sand.

[TwilightGardener]

5. I don't think there's anything wrong with drawing a line of what you will or will not tolerate.

And I don't think there's anything wrong with acting when that line is crossed and you believe something truly unacceptable has happened. The devil is in what action to take--and how, and when.

[Little Star]

8. Well we'll just have to disagree on this because...

I feel the UN should first investigate and inform us & others before we draw any premature line without all the facts.

[TwilightGardener]

12. I'm not disagreeing about the UN--it would be great to have international agreement or at least

findings that are conclusive about the attack.

[Little Star]

16. ......

[JustAnotherGen]

2. I agree

But the UN is pretty much a worthless entity. They all go there and talk a good talk . . . but at the end of the day every single one of them is just another day older.

In an ideal world - as it was established - the UN would be worth something.

[reformist2]

3. The UN may be ineffective, but Obama still needs to explain why he's bypassing them.

I mean, he is still a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

[Wounded Bear]

4. The UN would be a lot more effective....

if we took more of a leadership role. And by leadership, I do not mean the kind of rude boss role the republicans think we should take.

There was a time when we could lead by example. Not so much any more.

[JustAnotherGen]

10. I don't know that we should

I feel like it would be interesting to see where Russia or China would lead the world. A little bit of a check mate. Since we are the 'big bad evil US' - let some other country take the fall for once.

[JustAnotherGen]

9. No - more important

He needs to explain why he is bypassing my Congressman and for now - One Senator. They are far more important than an International body - and my Congressman is a direct conduit to the people of NJ's 7th.

I'm sorry if it gives anyone the need for the vapors - but really - we the tax payers outrank every single person in the rest of world -when it comes to our country engaging in acts we agree or disagree with.

I do not like Leonard Lance (NJ 7th) - but on Sunday he put out there in one of his FB discussions - they (Housre Republicans) would like the President to come to them and get formal authorization.

Yeah yeah yeah - he gets 60 days. We all understand that - but we also ALL understand endless war with a huge price tag.

I agree with very little Lance has to say - but on this I agree. And if he and ALL of the House members are brave (as I challenged him) their approval will come with a war tax.

In all of the anti-Obama nonsense at DU lately - I'm going to go out on a limb and say: We can't afford this without a stiff penalty on every single American. If we aren't all going to fight -we all need to Pay As We Go.

I'm proud of President Obama and proud to say I voted for him twice - and I think history will write him (in spite of haters gonna hate crowd at DU) as the catalyst of change in this country - on par with the end of slavery as a result of the Civil War. I'm a bi-racial (black American) and he's the ONLY president in my life time that I can truly 'relate' to on a personal level. Not going to lie to myself or anyone else about that.

He has shown patience with just about every god damned inbred fool in his own country.

He needs to show patience here. . . caution. Careful consideration.

And remember - we can't afford it.

[reformist2]

14. Good points. I agree with you!

[raccoon]

6. Whoever is the Decider! :silly: nt

[reformist2]

15. I am the decider!

[geek tragedy]

7. That's why some consider international law to not be real law.

There is no authority to interpret and enforce it.

It's more a statement of principals and aspirations.

[JustAnotherGen]

11. +1

[Puzzledtraveller]

13. This guy!