I say no to the strike against Syria. I have supported the President's stand on many other issues, but this is just plain unwise. Pres. Obama stated that he would not drag us into another conflict; he was going to get us out of a war that was a huge mistake by the Bush Administration . He talked of diplomacy and how war would be an absolute last ditch effort. There are other ways to deal with these maniacs in the middle east. Hit this guy in the pocketbook, and for goodness sake, don't send ANY type of weapon to any of them! Support the moderates with food and medicine!
Joanna Clark - 11 years ago
As a veteran of the Vietnam conflict, I am tired of all the lies and hypocrisy. The Gulf of Tonkin resolution was based on a lie. The invasion of Iraq was based on lies, both conflicts, and if the current administration is not lying, it is certainly being hypocritical. Did any of these bureaucrats protest when Saddam used gas against Iran? Did they protest when we gave Saddam the means to make the gas?
Gas is a horrible weapon, but so are machine guns, flame throwers, napalm, and cruise missiles. One suffocates you, another punches numerous holes in your body, while others burn the skin off your body or burn you to a crisp, and the latter can blow your body into a million pieces while taking out an entire city block. Of course, when someone shoots or blows another human being into a thousand pieces, no one protests, but gas them, and it is a war crime. That said, I believe poison gas should be a war crime.
Congress should not approve the President's request. The entire matter belongs in the United Nations. This is what the UN was created for.
If we bomb Syria without the UN sanctioning the act, it will be an act of war on our part and President Obama should be impeached, and every member of Congress who voted for authorizing the President to go ahead should be recalled.
As yourself this question . . . "How many innocent people will die when that 1,000 lbs of HE in the nose of the cruise missile explodes over its target?"
Marge Martin - 11 years ago
This is not our business. It is the business of the UN. That is why the UN was created. When the UN says
strike, then ALL THE COUNTRIES STRIKE. Every Representative in Washington should Pay Attention to their Constiuents! Listen to the people who put you in office!!!! PRESIDENT OBAMA AND EVERY CONGRESS PERSON...... NO TO SYRIA!
CarolO - 11 years ago
90,000 killed in Syria with guns and we do nothing but now all in a panic because 1,500 died from chemical weapons? John McCain never seems to grow as "war weary" as the rest of the population and there has never been a conflict he has not voted for.
Try al-Assad and his brother for war crimes but we are tried of being the babysitter of the nation. After the FARCE of Iraq, we already look like fools in the eyes of the the world.
You'd think Obama would be tired of every bit of his administration tied up in war. He needs to back off this crazy move.
WENDY FISHER - 11 years ago
What's more, it is a sad day indeed when we are too cowardly to do the right damn thing, which is just to say, this is a reprehensible act. Agreed, it doesn't mean we have to have a show of force. We ought to just take Assad's ass out, like we do to in the Middle East and elsewhere, all the time. I mean, since when did the drone killings stop, so how can we say this and that is an act of war? What bull. We should have just gone in and got him from the git-go. This is Obama's error, but no one's perfect.
Joan in Florida - 11 years ago
It doesn't matter what you call it. It is objectionable to me that Ed calls Obama "Bush Lite" That is really not called for. This is not the Bush years and it is not Iraq. This if a different problem and we may be able to help with little effort as we did in Libia. Our warships and missles were all we needed to turn the table for the Rebels there who caught and killed a horrible dictator. I also resent Ed thinking all his listeners agree with him. I have no opinion at this time as I will leave it up to Obama who I have the ultimate confidence in. So, please Ed, cool it!
Linda G. Hill - 11 years ago
If cruise missiles came raining down on you, I think you would consider it an act of war and think the people shooting them were barbarians! I like President Obama and I like John Kerry, but they are so wrong on this one. The pictures coming out of Syria are heartbreaking, but we have seen scenes like this before and did not go to war. I am done with war!
SYLVIA JEAN FOLKESTAD - 11 years ago
NO BOMBING PLEASE, LET THE OTHER ARABS IN THE REGION HELP WITH THE CIVIL WAR. WE SHOULD STAY OUT OF THIS.
Wilhemina - 11 years ago
Seriously-- hpw would a strike be different from a drone strike, which is done world=wide everywhere. Come on, be honest, be realistic folks!
Sue Deutsch - 11 years ago
I don't believe we should attack Syria. But I resent the introduction of anti-Israel propaganda into the discussion. Israel hasn't asked the United States to fight its wars. Israeli's are well aware that if the U.S. does decide to attack Syria, Assad will probably retaliate against Israel.
I am sure that many people are unaware that Israeli medical personnel have been treating Syrian refugees who come to the border between Israel and Syria, looking for medical help.
It would be nice to see a discussion of the issue of the pros and cons of an attack on Syria without demonizing Israel!
John - 11 years ago
The very idea of the US attacking and killing Syrians because Syrians attacked and killed Syrians is lunacy.
Linda Wooden - 11 years ago
I think we are fighting Israel's war again.
John - 11 years ago
Of course it's an Act of War. And if we attack Syria without UN approval, it's also a War Crime. It's called War of Aggression.
GrandmaPyle - 11 years ago
Drop FOOD not bombs.
Vic Smith again - 11 years ago
We should use the negative attitudes worldwide to help rid ALL of Chem weapons. Also is a good time to bring all parties together to work for a resolution of the conflict through peaceful means.
Yes, this is an act of war. Yes, Assad should go, but we do not know for sure whether the Syrian govt was the only ones to use chemical weapons. This is a case of bad guys against even worse guys. I feel for the Syrian people but the US cannot be the world's policeman. I am not opposed to humanitarian help. The governments of Jordan and Turkey and Lebanon are hurting their own people because how can they support, protect, feed, clothe all of these refugees while taking care of their own citizens.
Ed, get those horrible Obamacare commercials off of your program.
Tony Contreras - 11 years ago
There is no such thing as a limited War.
Callie - 11 years ago
If another countries military hit our country, it would be an act of war. Why wouldn't it be the same if we hit their country?
Vic Smith - 11 years ago
Putin states that they will take the part of Assad. How does this not become a large war? If a policeman comes into an abusive home, does the cop bust the person in the chops, or bring him to court? (Hague)! Do we expect to violate international law by striking a sovereign nation without appropriate internationally agreed-upon laws? No thank you. War breeds its own outcomes, not the Administration or Congress.
Jeanne - 11 years ago
It's never a simple thing. It always escalates. There is no end to it. Don't we have enough wounded warriors?
Lori Hitchcock - 11 years ago
WOW! I love the conviction from Ed and agree 100%.
bill monroe - 11 years ago
absolutely its an act of war. why doesn't russia or china do something about this situation they are at least in the same hemisphere, they have more to worry about then we do, there neighbors?
Henry V Scott - 11 years ago
All I know that I was taught for every action there is a reaction, dose anybody know for sure how Syria will react?
Dave Blodgett - 11 years ago
Where are the other nations in the world on this? We are not the world's policeman. Where are the Arab nations on this? This is their backyard, not ours. Where are the discussions with Russia and China on this? I have supported Obama in the past, but now on this issue i am straight away in the opposite direction. He has totally lost my confidence.
Christine McDonough - 11 years ago
The world should not respond to chemical warfare by indiscriminately bombing a country killing more citizens. The reason that we have perpetual war is because there is a profit in it. There should be no war industry and certainly no war industry that turns a profit.
Erin E - 11 years ago
Of course it is an act of war! If someone shot missiles onto American soil, we wouldn't consider it as anything less. Why is it different if we do it to Syria?
Steven - 11 years ago
Bombing a country is an act of war in which innocent people will be killed...How is that helping the Syrian people.....
Brend Stewart - 11 years ago
We need to let the middle eastern countries affected by what is occurring in Syria to solve their problems collectively. Why can't the surrounding country leaders get together collectively and solve this problem. We can't seem to solve our own problems. Why can't we take care of home first as if we don't have people here suffering that need our attention. This whole thing is crazy and our leaders don't have basic common sense. The folks in the middle east hate us no matter what we do to try to help. Our leaders no longer make us a priority while they squander our tax dollars repeatedly. Our leaders are incompetent and they all need to go.
M Simpson - 11 years ago
Like a caller to Thom Hartmann said today, wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, 'Why aren't we dropping FOOD for the people, instead of BOMBS ON THE PEOPLE? What has happened to PRESIDENT OBAMA? This is a helluva way to counter-act the Repugs!
How many INNOCENT people are going to be killed by OUR bombs? SHAMEFUL!
Tina Davis - 11 years ago
Thank you for your show today. You are SO right.
gary delaney - 11 years ago
More proof that the Politicians don't listen to us, but rather only to
DonnaJoy - 11 years ago
Ed I am disappointed with your recent comments. You claim to be a progressive but you personally are using fear tactics to try to push you thoughts on to others. We need to operate from a rational logical level otherwise we are exactly just like the conservatives. A true progressive leaves room for people with different opinions but you are acting like your way is the only way and refuse to leave no room for dissension.
Christopher L. Glover - 11 years ago
I oppose the president's resolution to attack Syria. It is time the Arab nations
address the issues of their members. The United States need to take care of its
own problems. Thinking of civil wars, there is the equivalent of a civil war in the
president's hometown of Chicago and other US cities.
I say no to the strike against Syria. I have supported the President's stand on many other issues, but this is just plain unwise. Pres. Obama stated that he would not drag us into another conflict; he was going to get us out of a war that was a huge mistake by the Bush Administration . He talked of diplomacy and how war would be an absolute last ditch effort. There are other ways to deal with these maniacs in the middle east. Hit this guy in the pocketbook, and for goodness sake, don't send ANY type of weapon to any of them! Support the moderates with food and medicine!
As a veteran of the Vietnam conflict, I am tired of all the lies and hypocrisy. The Gulf of Tonkin resolution was based on a lie. The invasion of Iraq was based on lies, both conflicts, and if the current administration is not lying, it is certainly being hypocritical. Did any of these bureaucrats protest when Saddam used gas against Iran? Did they protest when we gave Saddam the means to make the gas?
Gas is a horrible weapon, but so are machine guns, flame throwers, napalm, and cruise missiles. One suffocates you, another punches numerous holes in your body, while others burn the skin off your body or burn you to a crisp, and the latter can blow your body into a million pieces while taking out an entire city block. Of course, when someone shoots or blows another human being into a thousand pieces, no one protests, but gas them, and it is a war crime. That said, I believe poison gas should be a war crime.
Congress should not approve the President's request. The entire matter belongs in the United Nations. This is what the UN was created for.
If we bomb Syria without the UN sanctioning the act, it will be an act of war on our part and President Obama should be impeached, and every member of Congress who voted for authorizing the President to go ahead should be recalled.
As yourself this question . . . "How many innocent people will die when that 1,000 lbs of HE in the nose of the cruise missile explodes over its target?"
This is not our business. It is the business of the UN. That is why the UN was created. When the UN says
strike, then ALL THE COUNTRIES STRIKE. Every Representative in Washington should Pay Attention to their Constiuents! Listen to the people who put you in office!!!! PRESIDENT OBAMA AND EVERY CONGRESS PERSON...... NO TO SYRIA!
90,000 killed in Syria with guns and we do nothing but now all in a panic because 1,500 died from chemical weapons? John McCain never seems to grow as "war weary" as the rest of the population and there has never been a conflict he has not voted for.
Try al-Assad and his brother for war crimes but we are tried of being the babysitter of the nation. After the FARCE of Iraq, we already look like fools in the eyes of the the world.
You'd think Obama would be tired of every bit of his administration tied up in war. He needs to back off this crazy move.
What's more, it is a sad day indeed when we are too cowardly to do the right damn thing, which is just to say, this is a reprehensible act. Agreed, it doesn't mean we have to have a show of force. We ought to just take Assad's ass out, like we do to in the Middle East and elsewhere, all the time. I mean, since when did the drone killings stop, so how can we say this and that is an act of war? What bull. We should have just gone in and got him from the git-go. This is Obama's error, but no one's perfect.
It doesn't matter what you call it. It is objectionable to me that Ed calls Obama "Bush Lite" That is really not called for. This is not the Bush years and it is not Iraq. This if a different problem and we may be able to help with little effort as we did in Libia. Our warships and missles were all we needed to turn the table for the Rebels there who caught and killed a horrible dictator. I also resent Ed thinking all his listeners agree with him. I have no opinion at this time as I will leave it up to Obama who I have the ultimate confidence in. So, please Ed, cool it!
If cruise missiles came raining down on you, I think you would consider it an act of war and think the people shooting them were barbarians! I like President Obama and I like John Kerry, but they are so wrong on this one. The pictures coming out of Syria are heartbreaking, but we have seen scenes like this before and did not go to war. I am done with war!
NO BOMBING PLEASE, LET THE OTHER ARABS IN THE REGION HELP WITH THE CIVIL WAR. WE SHOULD STAY OUT OF THIS.
Seriously-- hpw would a strike be different from a drone strike, which is done world=wide everywhere. Come on, be honest, be realistic folks!
I don't believe we should attack Syria. But I resent the introduction of anti-Israel propaganda into the discussion. Israel hasn't asked the United States to fight its wars. Israeli's are well aware that if the U.S. does decide to attack Syria, Assad will probably retaliate against Israel.
I am sure that many people are unaware that Israeli medical personnel have been treating Syrian refugees who come to the border between Israel and Syria, looking for medical help.
It would be nice to see a discussion of the issue of the pros and cons of an attack on Syria without demonizing Israel!
The very idea of the US attacking and killing Syrians because Syrians attacked and killed Syrians is lunacy.
I think we are fighting Israel's war again.
Of course it's an Act of War. And if we attack Syria without UN approval, it's also a War Crime. It's called War of Aggression.
Drop FOOD not bombs.
We should use the negative attitudes worldwide to help rid ALL of Chem weapons. Also is a good time to bring all parties together to work for a resolution of the conflict through peaceful means.
Yes, this is an act of war. Yes, Assad should go, but we do not know for sure whether the Syrian govt was the only ones to use chemical weapons. This is a case of bad guys against even worse guys. I feel for the Syrian people but the US cannot be the world's policeman. I am not opposed to humanitarian help. The governments of Jordan and Turkey and Lebanon are hurting their own people because how can they support, protect, feed, clothe all of these refugees while taking care of their own citizens.
Ed, get those horrible Obamacare commercials off of your program.
There is no such thing as a limited War.
If another countries military hit our country, it would be an act of war. Why wouldn't it be the same if we hit their country?
Putin states that they will take the part of Assad. How does this not become a large war? If a policeman comes into an abusive home, does the cop bust the person in the chops, or bring him to court? (Hague)! Do we expect to violate international law by striking a sovereign nation without appropriate internationally agreed-upon laws? No thank you. War breeds its own outcomes, not the Administration or Congress.
It's never a simple thing. It always escalates. There is no end to it. Don't we have enough wounded warriors?
WOW! I love the conviction from Ed and agree 100%.
absolutely its an act of war. why doesn't russia or china do something about this situation they are at least in the same hemisphere, they have more to worry about then we do, there neighbors?
All I know that I was taught for every action there is a reaction, dose anybody know for sure how Syria will react?
Where are the other nations in the world on this? We are not the world's policeman. Where are the Arab nations on this? This is their backyard, not ours. Where are the discussions with Russia and China on this? I have supported Obama in the past, but now on this issue i am straight away in the opposite direction. He has totally lost my confidence.
The world should not respond to chemical warfare by indiscriminately bombing a country killing more citizens. The reason that we have perpetual war is because there is a profit in it. There should be no war industry and certainly no war industry that turns a profit.
Of course it is an act of war! If someone shot missiles onto American soil, we wouldn't consider it as anything less. Why is it different if we do it to Syria?
Bombing a country is an act of war in which innocent people will be killed...How is that helping the Syrian people.....
We need to let the middle eastern countries affected by what is occurring in Syria to solve their problems collectively. Why can't the surrounding country leaders get together collectively and solve this problem. We can't seem to solve our own problems. Why can't we take care of home first as if we don't have people here suffering that need our attention. This whole thing is crazy and our leaders don't have basic common sense. The folks in the middle east hate us no matter what we do to try to help. Our leaders no longer make us a priority while they squander our tax dollars repeatedly. Our leaders are incompetent and they all need to go.
Like a caller to Thom Hartmann said today, wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, 'Why aren't we dropping FOOD for the people, instead of BOMBS ON THE PEOPLE? What has happened to PRESIDENT OBAMA? This is a helluva way to counter-act the Repugs!
How many INNOCENT people are going to be killed by OUR bombs? SHAMEFUL!
Thank you for your show today. You are SO right.
More proof that the Politicians don't listen to us, but rather only to
Ed I am disappointed with your recent comments. You claim to be a progressive but you personally are using fear tactics to try to push you thoughts on to others. We need to operate from a rational logical level otherwise we are exactly just like the conservatives. A true progressive leaves room for people with different opinions but you are acting like your way is the only way and refuse to leave no room for dissension.
I oppose the president's resolution to attack Syria. It is time the Arab nations
address the issues of their members. The United States need to take care of its
own problems. Thinking of civil wars, there is the equivalent of a civil war in the
president's hometown of Chicago and other US cities.