Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Sowell: Syria and Obama
Creators Syndicate ^ | September 10, 2013 | Thomas Sowell

Posted on 09/09/2013 1:33:08 PM PDT by jazusamo

I cannot see why even a single American, a single Israeli or a single Syrian civilian should be killed as a result of a token U.S. military action, undertaken simply to spare Barack Obama the embarrassment of doing nothing, after his ill-advised public ultimatum to the Syrian government to not use chemical weapons was ignored.

Some people say that some military response is necessary, not to spare Obama a personal humiliation, but to spare the American presidency from losing all credibility — and therefore losing the ability to deter future threats to the United States without bloodshed.

There is no question that the credibility of the presidency — regardless of who holds that office — is a major asset of this country. Another way of saying the same thing is that Barack Obama has recklessly risked the credibility of future presidents, and the future safety of this country, by his glib words and weak actions.

Some people who disagree with Obama's issuance of a public ultimatum to the Assad regime in the first place, and who also disagree with his recent threat of military action against Syria, nevertheless say that we must back up that threat now, simply to forestall future dangers from a loss of American credibility in the eyes of other countries, including both our enemies and our allies.

But will a transparently token military action preserve American credibility? And dare we risk an unintended escalation, such as began both World Wars in the 20th century?

Since so little real history is taught in even our prestigious colleges and universities, it may be worth noting how World War II — the most catastrophic war in human history — began.

(Excerpt) Read more at creators.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; Israel; Russia; United Kingdom; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: foreignrelations; israel; obama; phonypresident; russia; sowell; syria; thomassowell; unitedkingdom; waronterror
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-27 last
To: TheOldLady

I hear you, my FRiend and that’s not out of the realm of possibility.


21 posted on 09/09/2013 4:46:05 PM PDT by jazusamo ([Obama] A Truly Great Phony -- Thomas Sowell http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3058949/posts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: jazusamo

It’s sad, but I agree. He just might pull that off, since everybody in the government who is supposed to be on “our” side is apparently too cowardly to stand up to him, or rather to the people who tell the mannikin what to do.


22 posted on 09/09/2013 4:54:32 PM PDT by TheOldLady
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Mister Da

“The only thing that would improve my opinion of Obama is his resignation.”

He won’t do it as long as he and the wookie can live extravagantly off the tax payers.


23 posted on 09/09/2013 4:57:05 PM PDT by 1035rep
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Uncle Miltie
Al Qaeda in Syria isn’t our ally.

Don’t become their air force!

Looks like Obama and Kerry are operating by the old Muslim proverb: The enemy of my enemy is my ally.

24 posted on 09/09/2013 5:40:27 PM PDT by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: jazusamo

BTTT.


25 posted on 09/09/2013 8:35:15 PM PDT by PA Engineer (Liberate America from the Occupation Media. No Blood For Ego!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jazusamo

“There is no question that the credibility of the presidency — regardless of who holds that office — is a major asset of this country.”

I have to respectfully disagree with Dr Sowell. The repudiation of Obama by congress and the american people would not weaken the presidency beyond Obama, any more than a weak Carter weakened Reagan. Iran saw the light rather quickly once Reagan was inaugurated, as did the USSR.


26 posted on 09/09/2013 10:44:12 PM PDT by aquila48
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

>> but to spare the American presidency from losing all credibility

That happened long ago. And to kill for credibility is simply sick and idiotic.


27 posted on 09/10/2013 1:38:38 AM PDT by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-27 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson