Great NYT op-ed on Syria

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Oh God, the "most/all rebels are al-Qaeda" garbage was formerly just peddled by the Tea Party and their useful idiot fake Democrat Kucinich.

[Donerail]

Oh God, the "most/all rebels are al-Qaeda" garbage was formerly just peddled by the Tea Party and their useful idiot fake Democrat Kucinich.

They make up at least 20% of the rebel forces and their fighting capabilities are several times that - they are better-armed and better-trained than the standard rebel forces. They are also very respected by the bulk of the Syrian forces. So yes, BRTD, al-Qaeda is extremely influential among the rebels.

[Oakvale]

It's so surreal to see the "left" fearmongering about Al-Qaeda and "islamists".

[Lief 🗽]

It's so surreal to see the "left" fearmongering about Al-Qaeda and "islamists".

There have historically been plenty of racist elements in the "left" so it's not that surprising.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

It's so surreal to see the "left" fearmongering about Al-Qaeda and "islamists".

There have historically been plenty of racist elements in the "left" so it's not that surprising.

But I thought the right were the only people capable of being bigots?

[Lief 🗽]

It's so surreal to see the "left" fearmongering about Al-Qaeda and "islamists".

There have historically been plenty of racist elements in the "left" so it's not that surprising.

But I thought the right were the only people capable of being bigots?

Then you should read some history books probably?

[DC Al Fine]

It's so surreal to see the "left" fearmongering about Al-Qaeda and "islamists".

There have historically been plenty of racist elements in the "left" so it's not that surprising.

But I thought the right were the only people capable of being bigots?

Then you should read some history books probably?

Says the guy who thinks it's impossible to be racist against whites.

[All Along The Watchtower]

It's so surreal to see the "left" fearmongering about Al-Qaeda and "islamists".

There have historically been plenty of racist elements in the "left" so it's not that surprising.

But I thought the right were the only people capable of being bigots?

Then you should read some history books probably?

Says the guy who thinks it's impossible to be racist against whites.

There's a difference between some individuals who are bigoted against whites and the kind of systemic, institutionalized oppression that non-whites have faced and continue to face.

Racism isn't merely about individual prejudice.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

It's so surreal to see the "left" fearmongering about Al-Qaeda and "islamists".

Why would we support far-right, misogynistic, homophobic, mass-murdering religious fundamentalists?

[Silent Hunter]

It's so surreal to see the "left" fearmongering about Al-Qaeda and "islamists".

Why would we support far-right, misogynistic, homophobic, mass-murdering religious fundamentalists?

To be honest that descriptor isn't limited to al-Qaeda.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

It's so surreal to see the "left" fearmongering about Al-Qaeda and "islamists".

There have historically been plenty of racist elements in the "left" so it's not that surprising.

It's racist to not like Al Qaeda? Most non Wahhabi Muslims are not terrorists.

[barfbag]

It's so surreal to see the "left" fearmongering about Al-Qaeda and "islamists".

There have historically been plenty of racist elements in the "left" so it's not that surprising.

But I thought the right were the only people capable of being bigots?

Then you should read some history books probably?

Says the guy who thinks it's impossible to be racist against whites.

There's a difference between some individuals who are bigoted against whites and the kind of systemic, institutionalized oppression that non-whites have faced and continue to face.

Racism isn't merely about individual prejudice.

Unless you're mixed, then how could you know what it's like to be part of a race that isn't your background? Have you read so many text books that you know what it's like to be a member of each race?

[Lief 🗽]

It's so surreal to see the "left" fearmongering about Al-Qaeda and "islamists".

There have historically been plenty of racist elements in the "left" so it's not that surprising.

It's racist to not like Al Qaeda? Most non Wahhabi Muslims are not terrorists.

I'm not specifically accusing you of racism, but a lot of the anti-intervention language I've seen describing the rebels verge on a racist depiction of them as fundamentalist savages who can't be trusted to democratically govern themselves without a strong man leading the way.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

It's so surreal to see the "left" fearmongering about Al-Qaeda and "islamists".

There have historically been plenty of racist elements in the "left" so it's not that surprising.

It's racist to not like Al Qaeda? Most non Wahhabi Muslims are not terrorists.

I'm not specifically accusing you of racism, but a lot of the anti-intervention language I've seen describing the rebels verge on a racist depiction of them as fundamentalist savages who can't be trusted to democratically govern themselves without a strong man leading the way.

Because a large chunk of the rebels are fundamentalists who would instate a brutal totalitarian theocracy?

And I haven't seen anyone use the word "savages".

[Lief 🗽]

There's a large contingent of Al-Qaeda aligned fighters in Syria, fighting against both the rebels and the Assad government. The rebels are mostly moderate, though (like most Americans) most of them are probably religious.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Almost all casualties of the civil war were inflicted by a "conventional" weaponry, so eliminating the chemical warfare would make a very little difference. A few days ago a certain poster admitted the air strike wouldn't be about "solving the situation", pretty much conceding that would make no difference. So what's the objective? Drop a few bombs for show, proclaim the "mission accomplished" and forget about Syria again, while there was no real effect? Yeah, what a true concern about the Syrian people  

Unlike some posters I do not reject an idea of the international involvement to solve the crisis and, yes, that would include military options but please... talk about something more than a poor show or an action just for the action's sake, with no real plan.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

In other words, how is being “pro-peace”pro-war in this case much different in effect from being “pro-Assad” pro Al Qaeda and resigning oneself to the continued slaughter of civilians?

Fixed

Both posters displays the very same simplistic thinking, or rather lack of thereof.

[Lief 🗽]

Almost all casualties of the civil war were inflicted by a "conventional" weaponry, so eliminating the chemical warfare would make a very little difference. A few days ago a certain poster admitted the air strike wouldn't be about "solving the situation", pretty much conceding that would make no difference. So what's the objective? Drop a few bombs for show, proclaim the "mission accomplished" and forget about Syria again, while there was no real effect? Yeah, what a true concern about the Syrian people  

Unlike some posters I do not reject an idea of the international involvement to solve the crisis and, yes, that would include military options but please... talk about something more than a poor show or an action just for the action's sake, with no real plan.

Using chemical weapons is against international law and we cannot let those norms be flagrantly disregarded without any consequences. This is not that complicated of a concept, Kal.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Almost all casualties of the civil war were inflicted by a "conventional" weaponry, so eliminating the chemical warfare would make a very little difference. A few days ago a certain poster admitted the air strike wouldn't be about "solving the situation", pretty much conceding that would make no difference. So what's the objective? Drop a few bombs for show, proclaim the "mission accomplished" and forget about Syria again, while there was no real effect? Yeah, what a true concern about the Syrian people  

Unlike some posters I do not reject an idea of the international involvement to solve the crisis and, yes, that would include military options but please... talk about something more than a poor show or an action just for the action's sake, with no real plan.

Using chemical weapons is against international law and we cannot let those norms be flagrantly disregarded without any consequences. This is not that complicated of a concept, Kal.

Of course not, but aren't there more important issues than giving Assad a slap in a wrist and then forgetting about the whole thing?

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Almost all casualties of the civil war were inflicted by a "conventional" weaponry, so eliminating the chemical warfare would make a very little difference. A few days ago a certain poster admitted the air strike wouldn't be about "solving the situation", pretty much conceding that would make no difference. So what's the objective? Drop a few bombs for show, proclaim the "mission accomplished" and forget about Syria again, while there was no real effect? Yeah, what a true concern about the Syrian people  

Unlike some posters I do not reject an idea of the international involvement to solve the crisis and, yes, that would include military options but please... talk about something more than a poor show or an action just for the action's sake, with no real plan.

Using chemical weapons is against international law and we cannot let those norms be flagrantly disregarded without any consequences. This is not that complicated of a concept, Kal.

Should we bomb Israel? Or, given its actions since the end of World War II, ourselves?