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Syria?
Aug 28, 2013 11:17:19 GMT -6
Post by New Mama on Aug 28, 2013 11:17:19 GMT -6
So what do you think? Will Obama strike out at Syria? Will he get Congressional approval first? A UN resolution? Just go rouge and do it? Pussy out of previous 'red line in the sand' and stand down?
Should we strike out against Syria? Should we let them get away with unleashing chemicals on their own people...children?
I have mixed feelings on this complex problem. I'd like to hear from you all about this.
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Syria?
Aug 28, 2013 12:45:58 GMT -6
Post by Merlot Joe on Aug 28, 2013 12:45:58 GMT -6
We need to stay the hell away from there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Syria?
Aug 28, 2013 13:04:09 GMT -6
Post by Chicago Jake on Aug 28, 2013 13:04:09 GMT -6
I don't give a crap if the Syrian government is killing Syrian people. And I don't see any reason to waste American lives or American dollars on stopping it. We have enough problems (*cough* OBAMA *cough*) here at home to worry about.
As for what our Nobel Peace Prize winning president will do? Who can possibly predict that?
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Syria?
Aug 28, 2013 14:15:56 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by Tex on Aug 28, 2013 14:15:56 GMT -6
We don't have a dog in that fight. If the Syrians can all agree on one thing, it's that they don't like us. GW's biggest mistake was going to war in Iraq. This would be Obama 's biggest mistake.
Produce our own energy and let the Chinese and French worry about Suez, the Straits of Hormuz, and the Trans Med Pipeline.
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Syria?
Aug 28, 2013 14:45:47 GMT -6
Post by New Mama on Aug 28, 2013 14:45:47 GMT -6
We don't have a dog in that fight. If the Syrians can all agree on one thing, it's that they don't like us. GW's biggest mistake was going to war in Iraq. This would be Obama 's biggest mistake. Produce our own energy and let the Chinese and French worry about Suez, the Straits of Hormuz, and the Trans Med Pipeline. I have to agree with this thought except under the current and very probable future administration we will never be self-reliant on energy which is why we have a dog in this fight. I don't think Obama should do this cowboy style, if we do it at all. Obama should get Congress and the UN to back any measure he takes whatever that is. He backed himself in a corner with all his ‘red line’ threats. If he does nothing the US will suffer by reputation, if that really matters any more. Doing nothing could also empower Assad to commit even larger WMD acts not only against his own people but towards Israel. If not Syria then certainly Iran might risk an Israeli attack after watching the west allow Syria get away with using chemical weapons. Iran would not have to wait to develop an effective nuclear weapon they can just buy gas tanks from Syria’s supplier. Israeli's are standing in line buying gas masks as we contemplate the future.
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Syria?
Aug 28, 2013 18:21:37 GMT -6
Post by Merlot Joe on Aug 28, 2013 18:21:37 GMT -6
We have had enough young military personel die for nothing over the past 13 years. When we need oil let's just take it with the full force of the United States of American Military Forces, if we don't somebody else will. I am tired of the USA being the world police department. That is all that we have since the end of WWII. We have very few allies left in this world, the British, Australians and Canadians. No one else would lend us a hand if we really needed.
If the Syrians are killing each other go for it. I agree with Jake, I DON"T GIVE A CRAP.
Edited to add: I also don't give a crap if someone blows fucking Israel off the face of the earth. It would be one last worry and one last place we have send money.
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Syria?
Aug 28, 2013 21:07:31 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by Tex on Aug 28, 2013 21:07:31 GMT -6
Anita, I know it is hard to believe, but if one looks at trends in oil production in Texas vs states where much of the land is federal, it is instructive. Here you can get permits to drill on most tracts within a few weeks (versus decades on Federal lands. In the last two years, Texas oil production has doubled - increasing by over a million barrels a day. This increase is about what we import from Saudi Arabia. The trend shows no sign of slowing down. The Saudi foreign minister has said US fracking technology is a threat to the kingdom. Texas is now exporting natural gas to Mexico.
The new reserves cost the taxpayer nothing. On the contrary, it pays big taxes. No programs, no government "investments", just get the hell out of our way and let us do our thing and in a few years I believe we will be in a position to let someone else worry about the Middle East.
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Syria?
Aug 29, 2013 0:20:03 GMT -6
Post by Chicago Jake on Aug 29, 2013 0:20:03 GMT -6
I hope that Syria attacks Israel. That would be the end of Syria.
As for Obama, I'm loving watching the clips on Fox News of Joe Biden, back during the GWB administration, yammering about how the president is not empowered to attack anyone without Congressional approval. What a fucking hypocrite!
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Syria?
Aug 29, 2013 7:07:45 GMT -6
Post by Irish Stu on Aug 29, 2013 7:07:45 GMT -6
We have had enough young military personel die for nothing over the past 13 years. When we need oil let's just take it with the full force of the United States of American Military Forces, if we don't somebody else will. I am tired of the USA being the world police department. That is all that we have since the end of WWII. We have very few allies left in this world, the British, Australians and Canadians. No one else would lend us a hand if we really needed Not this time Joe, I don't think we will be with you. Prime Minister David Cameron is back-peddling as fast as he can from joining the US against Syria, firstly because he wants to allow parliament to vote on the 'principle' of military action, then give it a second vote once the US has proposed a plan, and this doesn't fit in with Obama's timetable. But without hard evidence, of which there is none and will be none as this is not the weapon's inspectors role, that the Syrian government was behind the chemical weapons attacks then he is unlikely to get enough support from his own Government anyway, let alone MPs from the other parties. It must also be considered that there are Al-Qaeda factions amongst the Syrian rebels. Do we really want to be supporting Al-Qaeda? Totally agree with you Joe. It would solve a lot of problems.
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Syria?
Aug 29, 2013 8:21:24 GMT -6
Post by New Mama on Aug 29, 2013 8:21:24 GMT -6
Anita, I know it is hard to believe, but if one looks at trends in oil production in Texas vs states where much of the land is federal, it is instructive. Here you can get permits to drill on most tracts within a few weeks (versus decades on Federal lands. In the last two years, Texas oil production has doubled - increasing by over a million barrels a day. This increase is about what we import from Saudi Arabia. The trend shows no sign of slowing down. The Saudi foreign minister has said US fracking technology is a threat to the kingdom. Texas is now exporting natural gas to Mexico. The new reserves cost the taxpayer nothing. On the contrary, it pays big taxes. No programs, no government "investments", just get the hell out of our way and let us do our thing and in a few years I believe we will be in a position to let someone else worry about the Middle East. I knew we have made progress but this is very encouraging. I would love it if we did in fact become oil independent. Has anyone projected that time based on recent increases in production? If it is going to happen soon...(within 5-10 years?) …that could have a very positive impact on how we respond in the Middle East. I'm crushed that some don't care about Israel. They have been our ONLY and long term ally in the Middle East. Not to mention the intellectual contributions the Israeli’s have made to the world. If Obama goes it alone the US will suffer and his legacy will be even worse than it stands now. It would be a very stupid move.
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Syria?
Aug 29, 2013 9:40:35 GMT -6
Post by New Mama on Aug 29, 2013 9:40:35 GMT -6
The UN voted *NO* yesterday on action against Syria. Obama is in a bad place.
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Syria?
Aug 29, 2013 11:38:56 GMT -6
Post by Tex on Aug 29, 2013 11:38:56 GMT -6
Anita, I know it is hard to believe, but if one looks at trends in oil production in Texas vs states where much of the land is federal, it is instructive. Here you can get permits to drill on most tracts within a few weeks (versus decades on Federal lands. In the last two years, Texas oil production has doubled - increasing by over a million barrels a day. This increase is about what we import from Saudi Arabia. The trend shows no sign of slowing down. The Saudi foreign minister has said US fracking technology is a threat to the kingdom. Texas is now exporting natural gas to Mexico. The new reserves cost the taxpayer nothing. On the contrary, it pays big taxes. No programs, no government "investments", just get the hell out of our way and let us do our thing and in a few years I believe we will be in a position to let someone else worry about the Middle East. I knew we have made progress but this is very encouraging. I would love it if we did in fact become oil independent. Has anyone projected that time based on recent increases in production? [font color="e6196b"]If it is going to happen soon...(within 5-10 years[/font] ?) …that could have a very positive impact on how we respond in the Middle East. I'm crushed that some don't care about Israel. They have been our ONLY and long term ally in the Middle East. Not to mention the intellectual contributions the Israeli’s have made to the world. If Obama goes it alone the US will suffer and his legacy will be even worse than it stands now. It would be a very stupid move. The technology is proven and the geology is known. It will happen when we want to make it happen, IOW. The reason Texas production has surged and some other states with similar geology have not is for varied reasons. Much of the land elsewhere is federal and state land and takes forever (or never) to permit. Many of the states that have productive shale under private land have been made nervous about fracking. There have been hundred of thousands of wells fracked in Texas before anyone outside the industry ever heard the word used. We are comfortable with it. The California legislature recently soundly defeated an anti-fracking law. The Monterrey Shale in California has tremendous oil reserves (enough that the state's cut would wipe out their debt). The US will again become the greatest energy producer on the planet. Fracking is only one reason. The other big impetus is that much of the world made deals with US and European companies to develop their energy resources, then threw them out on the street when the fields were developed. Many of them (Mexico, for example) now want the US operators to come develop their shale. The technology is complicated, and they can like us or not, but the know-how is in Houston. Fuck me once, shame on you, etc. The state of Texas, if a country, would be 13th in the world for production. I expect in the next two years that Texas will surpass its 1972 production record. I never thought I would live to see this.
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Syria?
Aug 29, 2013 12:10:28 GMT -6
Post by Merlot Joe on Aug 29, 2013 12:10:28 GMT -6
We have had enough young military personel die for nothing over the past 13 years. When we need oil let's just take it with the full force of the United States of American Military Forces, if we don't somebody else will. I am tired of the USA being the world police department. That is all that we have since the end of WWII. We have very few allies left in this world, the British, Australians and Canadians. No one else would lend us a hand if we really needed Not this time Joe, I don't think we will be with you. Prime Minister David Cameron is back-peddling as fast as he can from joining the US against Syria, firstly because he wants to allow parliament to vote on the 'principle' of military action, then give it a second vote once the US has proposed a plan, and this doesn't fit in with Obama's timetable. But without hard evidence, of which there is none and will be none as this is not the weapon's inspectors role, that the Syrian government was behind the chemical weapons attacks then he is unlikely to get enough support from his own Government anyway, let alone MPs from the other parties. It must also be considered that there are Al-Qaeda factions amongst the Syrian rebels. Do we really want to be supporting Al-Qaeda? Totally agree with you Joe. It would solve a lot of problems. Simon, I wouldn't blame them if they did tell us to blow off. Mr. Cameron is smart on his handling of this issue. I wish our Mr. President would do the same.
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Syria?
Aug 29, 2013 13:44:04 GMT -6
Post by New Mama on Aug 29, 2013 13:44:04 GMT -6
The UK Parliament has voted *NO* to a Syrian strike, but will revisit the vote if more evidence that Assad is guilty is produced. Frankly a good idea.
I hope that Obama goes to Congress for support. I think he will get the same kind of vote unless he already has some 'proof' that the chemicals were inflicted by the Assad regime. He keeps saying that there is compelling evidence but I have not heard what form of evidence that is.
I fear Obama will strike anyway to save face for his stupid 'red line' vow.
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Syria?
Aug 29, 2013 14:33:40 GMT -6
Post by Merlot Joe on Aug 29, 2013 14:33:40 GMT -6
I fear Obama will strike anyway to save face for his stupid 'red line' vow. He needs to pick that up put it in his pocket and walk away. You got eat one every once in a while.
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Syria?
Aug 29, 2013 16:26:54 GMT -6
Post by Irish Stu on Aug 29, 2013 16:26:54 GMT -6
The UK Parliament has voted *NO* to a Syrian strike, but will revisit the vote if more evidence that Assad is guilty is produced. Frankly a good idea That's not quite correct Anita, there was an additional vote this evening about whether the UK should be a part of any military action if it is proved that Assad used the chemical weapons, and that motion was defeated too. I would think now the only way we could get involved would be if there was a UN resolution, but it won't happen. Cameron lost the support of his own party this evening, and lost control of his government's foreign policy too. He won't risk another vote no matter what the UN decides, and he dare not now act without the support of parliament which, before this vote, he could have done. His hands are now well and truly tied and you guys are on your own. I must admit though, I wonder if Cameron is actually very relieved tonight that he doesn't have to commit us to yet another middle east conflict, whilst still being able to look Obama in the eye and tell our closest ally he did his best...
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Syria?
Aug 30, 2013 20:57:42 GMT -6
Post by Robin Hood on Aug 30, 2013 20:57:42 GMT -6
Absolutely not... as long as these towel heads are killing each other, just leave them alone, this is a good thing! If Obummer makes the stupid mistake of getting us involved in this war, it will be UGLY for many many years. If we get involved this will make Vietnam look like a well run war. Americans have lost their stomach for the things that it actually takes to win a war, we send our troops into harms way with a ton of engagement rules that make no sense... there should be ONE RULE when it comes to fighting war... KILL THE ENEMY by any means necessary. We started seeing the pussification of war during Vietnam, we wanted to fight a friendly war... winning hearts and minds all that progressive bullshit. If we go in and kick their ass, trust me hearts and minds will be won, if not... KILL THEM!! It is how war is won, we go in with the mindset of kicking their ass all the way back to the stone age.
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Syria?
Aug 30, 2013 21:07:38 GMT -6
Post by Robin Hood on Aug 30, 2013 21:07:38 GMT -6
The technology is proven and the geology is known. It will happen when we want to make it happen, IOW. The reason Texas production has surged and some other states with similar geology have not is for varied reasons. Much of the land elsewhere is federal and state land and takes forever (or never) to permit. Many of the states that have productive shale under private land have been made nervous about fracking. There have been hundred of thousands of wells fracked in Texas before anyone outside the industry ever heard the word used. We are comfortable with it. The California legislature recently soundly defeated an anti-fracking law. The Monterrey Shale in California has tremendous oil reserves (enough that the state's cut would wipe out their debt). The US will again become the greatest energy producer on the planet. Fracking is only one reason. The other big impetus is that much of the world made deals with US and European companies to develop their energy resources, then threw them out on the street when the fields were developed. Many of them (Mexico, for example) now want the US operators to come develop their shale. The technology is complicated, and they can like us or not, but the know-how is in Houston. Fuck me once, shame on you, etc. The state of Texas, if a country, would be 13th in the world for production. I expect in the next two years that Texas will surpass its 1972 production record. I never thought I would live to see this. Tex, they are just now starting to ramp up to START drilling again on the Permian Basin around Lubbock... I have read this could produce as much oil as Prudoe Bay in the near future. The ramp up is already causing severe housing shortages in the area.
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Syria?
Aug 31, 2013 15:56:50 GMT -6
Post by Tex on Aug 31, 2013 15:56:50 GMT -6
The technology is proven and the geology is known. It will happen when we want to make it happen, IOW. The reason Texas production has surged and some other states with similar geology have not is for varied reasons. Much of the land elsewhere is federal and state land and takes forever (or never) to permit. Many of the states that have productive shale under private land have been made nervous about fracking. There have been hundred of thousands of wells fracked in Texas before anyone outside the industry ever heard the word used. We are comfortable with it. The California legislature recently soundly defeated an anti-fracking law. The Monterrey Shale in California has tremendous oil reserves (enough that the state's cut would wipe out their debt). The US will again become the greatest energy producer on the planet. Fracking is only one reason. The other big impetus is that much of the world made deals with US and European companies to develop their energy resources, then threw them out on the street when the fields were developed. Many of them (Mexico, for example) now want the US operators to come develop their shale. The technology is complicated, and they can like us or not, but the know-how is in Houston. Fuck me once, shame on you, etc. The state of Texas, if a country, would be 13th in the world for production. I expect in the next two years that Texas will surpass its 1972 production record. I never thought I would live to see this. Tex, they are just now starting to ramp up to START drilling again on the Permian Basin around Lubbock... I have read this could produce as much oil as Prudoe Bay in the near future. The ramp up is already causing severe housing shortages in the area. The Cline Shale in the Midland area has been hot for a while. RH, things are starting to get busy up close to you in a play in the Granite Wash Shale, which is in the Texas panhandle and part of Oklahoma. The rig count for that play was up 9 last week to 64 active drilling rigs. BTW, US oil production for the last reporting week (ending 8/23/13) was up another 91,000 bbls/day over the prior week - lots of new oil production coming on line.
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Syria?
Sept 1, 2013 12:09:13 GMT -6
Post by Irish Stu on Sept 1, 2013 12:09:13 GMT -6
Absolutely not... as long as these towel heads are killing each other, just leave them alone, this is a good thing! You're right, it's time to let the 'towel heads' get on with killing and gassing each other and leave Syria alone and put an end to over seventy years of western interference in its affairs. An end to supporting and arming Israel, blocking peace talks with Israel, UK/US agreements to support and fund elements to destabilise the Syrian government, CIA sponsored coups, arming its neighbours to provoke it into a military response as an excuse to justify western military intervention, supplying arms to Israel when Syria and Egypt tried to take back land it had stolen, bribing it not to oppose the illegal invasion of Iraq, supplying them with the TCPs with which to develop the chemical weapons in the first place, funding the Syrian opposition... Yes, perhaps it is time to let them get on with running their own affairs, but perhaps when you see footage on the news of dead and dying men, women and children who are victims of chemical weapons you could try to think of them as people, not 'towel heads'.
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Syria?
Sept 1, 2013 16:31:46 GMT -6
Post by Tex on Sept 1, 2013 16:31:46 GMT -6
I am against taking military action against Syria for the reasons Simon stated and a few more to boot:
1) It is presumptive to assume that Syria doesn't have a few tricks up its sleeve. Do we expect them to sit there and take a spanking. What if they sink one of our ships, or worse? Attacking another country and assuming that they won't try to defend themselves is naive at best.
2) Syria is allied with Russia and Iran, both of whom have personnel in Syria. What if you end up killing 100 Russians? Do we want to start WWIII in order to make good on Obama's poor choice of words?
3) Even if Syria cannot lay a glove on our military, Syrians will be killed, and we would build up seething resentment which invariably manifests itself down the road.
4) Attack another country only as a very last resort when we have been attacked. If you do attack, do it with overwhelming force.
5) Syria may not like us, but they have taken no overt action against us or our close allies. Live and let live.
JMHO.
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Syria?
Sept 1, 2013 22:19:12 GMT -6
Post by Merlot Joe on Sept 1, 2013 22:19:12 GMT -6
I think Obama knows better than to go into Syria. I also think he is at the point of showing who has the bigger dick.
This is going to come back and bite him in the ass big time.
I agree with both Simon and Tex. They are no good reason why to go there but there are many why not to go there.
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