Syria is going on a diet of Saltines and Tang:
The timing of such an attack, which would probably last no more than two days and involve sea-launched cruise missiles — or, possibly, long-range bombers — striking military targets not directly related to Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal, would be dependent on three factors: completion of an intelligence report assessing Syrian government culpability in last week’s alleged chemical attack; ongoing consultation with allies and Congress; and determination of a justification under international law.
It is nice to see that the branch of government with the war-making power, Congress, is going to be “consulted” — I’m sure they’ll all duck and cover so that any blowback from the use of cruise missiles or long-range bombers, which have a good chance of causing accidental civilian casualties, falls squarely on the Obama Administration.
There are two audiences for our actions here: Assad and the neocon warmongers. The former is in a fight to the death. How do you punish someone who is seeking a victory at any cost? Lobbing a few bombs in his general direction won’t do much unless he’s hit by one of them. The warmongers want a fucking war, and sending over a few cruise missiles is like giving a starving man a couple of peanuts. McCain and Graham are looking for the full meal deal, and this ain’t it.
Penny Lou Pingleton, You Are Absolutely, Positively, Permanently PunishedPost + Comments (112)