Um, why didn't the WH tell us which chemical agent they believe was found to be used in Syria?

[bigtree]

_________________________

tweeted by, Spencer Ackerman ‏@attackerman 18m
Notable that the US intelligence dossier on Syria doesn't specify *which* chemical weapon Assad used.


Zeke Miller ‏@ZekeJMiller 4m
SAO says US doesn't have physiological samples from latest attack


BBC News US ‏@BBCNewsUS 4m
"White House intelligence report : #Syrian regime maintains stockpile of chem agents, incmustard, sarin, and VX". - BBC's @rajiniv:


The Caucus ‏@thecaucus 8m
Document: Full text of the U.S. assessment of Syrian use of chemical weapons http://nyti.ms/18bh0FC

[onehandle]

1. Yeah. I know. He should have just walked up to the podium and left his laptop...

...for the media to peruse.

My guess is that those 1429 Syrians were killed by migrating killer bees.

[cthulu2016]

2. Snark aside... is there some reason it should be a secret?

[onehandle]

5. It could be because they they don't want to reveal agents in Syria, in the know.

There are all kinds of reasons that I could pull out from movies or a West Wing script.

[bigtree]

9. or they just don't have the evidence

Zeke Miller ‏@ZekeJMiller 4m

SAO says US doesn't have physiological samples from latest attack

[KittyWampus]

11. Yet.

[bigtree]

13. better

. . . to just push on, then.

[KittyWampus]

15. While I was/am against bombing Syria it'd have been better to have done it already days ago

then to do it now at this late date.

Assad has ample time to cover any strategic targets with civilian hostages.

[bigtree]

18. I'd challenge you or the President

. . .to tell us who the good Syrians are, and, who our enemies are there.

[KittyWampus]

19. why are you challenging me? I said I am and was against bombing. Can't you read?

And it's not about finding white hats or black hats… it's about Assad using chemical weapons on a large number of civilians.

[bigtree]

20. Our smart bombs really don't discriminate between good and bad guys

. . .the 'large numbers of civilians' who will likely bear most of the brunt of our bombing campaign; both in the attack and in the aftermath.

I 'read' where you believe it would have been better to bomb them 'sooner.' That's what I'm challenging. How much concern will the U.S. have for the collateral casualties of our reprisals?

[Brewinblue]

3. Pssst . . .

it's a secret.

I'm Batman!

[Aerows]

4. Bad intelligence?

Oh wait, we've seen this before .

[bigtree]

7. here

Zeke Miller ‏@ZekeJMiller 2m

SAO says US doesn't have physiological samples from latest attack

[Aerows]

8. So NO intelligence.

Well that makes it better, we'll just use speculation.

[bigtree]

10. process of elimination

. . . literally.

[KittyWampus]

14. There is no question chemical weapons were used. The UN investigators haven't reported YET.

But to say there were none is insane.

[KittyWampus]

12. Yet. Or do you think a thousand dead civilians with no blood was just food poisoning?

[bigtree]

17. I believe in due process of law

. . . international law and our own constitution.

Lack of basic proof, like what agent was used, is just inadequate to commit our devastating military forces to attack a sovereign nation.

I can see the history now . . .we believe; they probably did this or that; couldn't have been anyone else . . .

It's all a process of elimination . . . literally.

[Lint Head]

6. The gassing, chemical weapons and napalm scenes are horrible and I believe Assad should be punished

however our President's administration decides, but.. If the scenes of innocent civilians, or collateral damage, were more available during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts would we not be just as outraged? Or is it the our methods of killing people are more acceptable?
Just asking. I realize it goes the the heart of the 'reason' our nation kills but killing is killing.

[MNBrewer]

16. Why does "our President's administration" get to decide how to punish Assad?

Did Assad harm Americans somehow?

Or should he be at The Hague?

We aren't the Judge, Jury and Executioner of The World? Or are we?