The Corporate US's business, is Business, and all they are about is profits. IT is traditional that tribal and ethnic peoples are much harder to get to turn their wealth over to the usurper then those who are trained form birth that this is what free people do.
So all ethnicities are attacked, and infiltrated, and the US Census keeps track of these communities till 'they are integrated into the American Way of Life'. Scott > > The only thing the US (i.e. Israel) cares about IMHO is spilling Arab > blood. The more they can get Arabs to fight each other, the better. > That's why I don't believe anything they say without verifying it from > somebody like the Cubans or the Russians. Israel has used TEN times the > amount of chemical/radiological weapons the Arabs have, but, of course, > that's okay because they OWN the US Congress, the White House and the MSM. > Saddam Hussein was the only power in the Middle East that had the > potential to stand up to Israel, that's why they had to "take him out." > And Khadafy wanted to make the Libyan dinar independent of the World Bank > and the IMF, and take all of Africa with him out of the global monetary > system (run by the thieves on Wall Street, etc), so that's why he had to > go.+ > --- In [email protected], Cort Greene <cort.greene@...> wrote: >> >> You are correct and its says that in the article but at that time the >> US,UN >> and NATO were big friends with the regime and the US sold him and the >> Iranian weapons to use against each other. >> >> That was before the falling out among the thieves though. >> >> Cort >> >> >> >> >> On Tue, Apr 30, 2013 at 1:56 PM, bluesapphire48 >> <bluesapphire48@...>wrote: >> >> > ** >> > >> > >> > Saddam Hussein was indeed accused of using chemical weapons, during >> the >> > Iran-Iraq War, against the Kurds, and against his own people. >> > >> > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_and_weapons_of_mass_destruction >> > >> > --- In [email protected], Cort Greene <cort.greene@> wrote: >> > > >> > > >> > http://claysbeach.blogspot.com/2013/04/other-echos-of-iraq-in-nato-response-to.html >> > > Other Echos of Iraq in NATO response to WMD in Syria >> > > < >> > http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http://claysbeach.blogspot.com/2013/04/other-echos-of-iraq-in-nato-response-to.html >> > > >> > > <http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/> >> > > >> > > ââ¬Å"I will kill them all with chemical weapons. Who is going to >> say >> > anything? >> > > The international community? F*ck them!â⬠>> > > - Al Majid, Saddam Hussein's Kurdish genocide point man | 26 May >> 1987 >> > > >> > > Ever since US President Barack Obama issued his first >> > > warning< >> > http://claysbeach.blogspot.com/2012/08/updated-obama-lights-assad-slaughter-in_4655.html >> > > >> > >> > > to >> > > the Syrian government that the use of chemical weapons in the civil >> war >> > was >> > > a *"red-line"* that might provoke a US military response, and even >> more >> > so >> > >> > > after reported use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime against >> the >> > > opposition in December, March and April, there have been many >> > commentators >> > > that have heard echoes of US President George Bush's false charges >> that >> > > Saddam Hussein was harboring chemical weapons, the excuse what was >> used >> > to >> > > justify an imperialist war against Iraq, in the current discussion >> of >> > Syria >> > > and chemical weapons. >> > > >> > > This report from the NY >> > > Times< >> > http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/27/world/middleeast/white-house-in-no-rush-on-syria-action.html?pagewanted=all >> > > >> > >> > > reflects >> > > that perspective: >> > > >> > > The White House cited the Iraq war to justify its wariness of taking >> > action >> > > against another Arab country on the basis of incomplete or >> potentially >> > > inaccurate assessments of its weapons of mass destruction. The press >> > > secretary, Jay Carney, said the White House would *ââ¬Å"look at >> the past >> > for >> > >> > > guidance when it comes to the need to be very serious about >> gathering all >> > > the facts, establishing chain of custody, linking evidence of the >> use of >> > > chemical weapons to specific incidents and actions taken by the >> > regime.â⬠* >> > >> > > >> > > Why this is a false comparison >> > > There are two very fundamental errors made by almost everyone making >> this >> > > comparison. 1) Saddam Hussein was charged with possession of >> chemical >> > > weapons, whereas Bashar al-Assad is being charge with using them to >> kill >> > > Syrians in the present moment. 2) In the past two years Bashar >> al-Assad >> > has >> > > killed tens of thousands of Syrian civilians with many other weapons >> of >> > > mass destruction including cluster bombs, artillery bombardment, air >> > > strikes, helicopter gunships and ballistic missiles, there was no >> such >> > > human slaughter taking place when Bush and company were making their >> > > charges of simple possession. >> > > >> > > To make this simplistic comparison. i.e. false charges of WMD in >> Iraq >> > circa >> > > 2003 and questionable charges of WMD in Syria now, without >> considering >> > > these two factors, means comparing apples to oranges. It means >> talking >> > > utter nonsense while mass murder is taking place. >> > > >> > > The fact that the charge here is *use* and not possession, that it >> is >> > >> > > alleged that people have been murdered by the Assad regime with >> chemical >> > > weapons at a time when he is clearly on a mass murder spree, means >> that >> > to >> > > raise Bush's false charges against Hussein as a warning against >> doing >> > > anything to stop the ongoing slaughter in Syria is, in fact, to >> support >> > > that slaughter. >> > > >> > > Using this false comparison the international *"community"* has >> danced >> > >> > > around Assad's use of chemical weapons and even after four attacks >> > killing >> > > scores of people and a mountain of other evidence, Obama in now >> saying >> > that >> > > he wants to be absolutely, positively, sure that Assad has used >> chemical >> > > weapons before he declares that his red-line has been crossed. Since >> > there >> > > is no serious question as to whether Assad is committing mass murder >> with >> > > just about everything else, this preoccupation with chemical weapons >> > turns >> > > into something of a macabre fetish. Consider what we know already. >> > > >> > > Evidence of Assad's Chemical Weapons Use >> > > On Saturday, another of Assad's ex-generals has said he was ordered >> to >> > use >> > > chemical weapons against the Free Syrian Army. The general, who >> foiled >> > this >> > > ordered chemical attack and defected 15 March >> > > 2013< >> > http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/defected-syrian-general-claims-he-was-ordered-to-use-chemical-weapons-1.517952#.UX0wZDzegbQ.twitter >> > >, >> > > wasinterviewed by al >> > > Arabia< >> > http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/04/28/Syrian-army-ordered-to-use-chemical-weapons-says-defected-general-.html >> > > >> > > : >> > > >> > > A former army general from the chemical weapons branch, Zahir >> al-Sakit, >> > > said he was instructed to use chemical weapons during a regime >> battle >> > with >> > > the FSA in the southwestern area of Hauran. >> > > >> > > He is the second defecting general to claim that he had been ordered >> to >> > use >> > > chemical weapons. On Christmas day last year, Maj. Gen. Abdul Aziz >> Jassem >> > > al-Shallal, at the time the highest ranking member of Assad's army >> to >> > > defect, did so and he brought with him a gift for the revolution, >> > confirmation >> > > that the Syrian Army did use chemical weapons in Homs earlier in >> December >> > > 2012.< >> > http://claysbeach.blogspot.com/2012/12/breaking-defecting-general-confirms-use_6391.html >> > > >> > >> > > >> > > We are not talking about some shadowy >> > > "Curveball"<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curveball_%28informant%29> >> > >> > > here. >> > > These are officers with a history in the SAA, people the press can >> > > interview and their testimony is backed up by a lot of other >> evidence. >> > > >> > > This type of testimony, which is generally neglected, is extremely >> > > important because unlike soil samples, videos of victims or even >> doctor's >> > > diagnoses, it establishes firmly who is using chemical weapons in >> Syria. >> > > >> > > Timeline of Syrian Chemical Attacks >> > > In early December 2012 the FSA started >> > > reporting<https://twitter.com/jtantley/statuses/277584183751221248> >> > >> > > the >> > > finding of disturbing amounts of chemical warfare suites and gas >> masks in >> > > the military depots they were seizing. >> > > >> > > Also the first week of December, US intelligence >> > > reported< >> > http://claysbeach.blogspot.com/2012/12/syria-obama-moves-assad-line-back-as_1581.html >> > > >> > >> > > that >> > > Assad had been moving his chemical weapons around and even loading >> sarin >> > > gas into bombs. The White House >> > > reissued< >> > http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/12/03/press-briefing-press-secretary-jay-carney-12032012 >> > > >> > > Obama's *"red-line"* warning but dropped the prohibition against the >> * >> > > "movement"* of *"a whole bunch of chemical weapons."* >> > > >> > > *22 December 2012* | The first use of chemical >> > > weapons< >> > http://claysbeach.blogspot.com/2012/12/breaking-chemical-weapons-use-reported_2829.html >> > > >> > >> > > by >> > > the Assad regime against its own people took place in Homs. Seven >> people >> > > were killed when a poisonous gas was sprayed in the rebel-held >> al-Bayyada >> > > neighborhood. This use was confirmed by video <http://t.co/m9JI6IbY> >> > > tapes<http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uLc4zoAmbRE >> > > >> > > , witness and doctor >> > > testimony< >> > http://blogs.aljazeera.com/topic/syria/poisonous-gas-sprayed-rebel-held-neighbourhood-homs-medics-there-say >> > > >> > > and >> > > the general who defected days later because he saw things were going >> > where >> > > he couldn't. Obama pretended not to see this first crossing of his >> > red-line >> > > even while, in secret, his own State department was saying there was >> a >> > > "compelling >> > > case"< >> > http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/01/16/1179355/-BREAKING-FP-says-Obama-ignored-chemical-weapons-attack-by-Assad-in-Syria# >> > > >> > >> > > that >> > > Assad's military forces had used a deadly form of poison gas. In >> public >> > the >> > > White House was >> > > saying< >> > http://claysbeach.blogspot.com/2013/01/us-assad-didn-use-chemical-weapons-in_2430.html >> > >it >> > >> > > had concluded that Assad had not used chemical weapons in Homs. >> > > >> > > *19 March 2013* | Two attacks appear to have taken place on this >> day; in >> > >> > > Khan al-Assal, a village west of Aleppo and in >> > > Ateibeh< >> > https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=628750323818774&l=ddbc8b560f>, >> > >> > > a village outside of Damascus. There has been a lot of >> > > video<http://youtu.be/MKZ4QOKqtZI> >> > > testimony <http://youtu.be/eEm20CyX2lg> and >> > > evidence<http://youtu.be/-ME3RLI-yOc> posted >> > > about the attack in >> > > Ateibeh< >> > http://www.ansa.it/ansamed/en/news/sections/generalnews/2013/03/19/Syria-gov-army-uses-chemical-weapons-Ateibeh-city_8427711.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter >> > >. >> > > For example a man in a clinic bed reported >> <http://youtu.be/sgL8BeIzsv4 >> > >: >> > > >> > > *ââ¬Å"Missiles came and they exploded, and they discharged >> something like >> > > water, but it was dark. It emitted a very foul smell.â⬠* >> > >> > > >> > > Ateibeh is an area that had already been heavily bombed by the >> regime in >> > > the past two years, an unknown number were >> > > killed< >> > http://www.longwarjournal.org/videos/2013/04/alleged_chemical_weapons_attac.php >> > > >> > >> > > by >> > > chemicals in this attack. >> > > >> > > The attack on Khan al-Assal, southwest of Aleppo was a chlorine >> smelling >> > > gas according to this >> > > report< >> > http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/19/us-syria-crisis-chemical-idUSBRE92I0A220130319 >> > >. >> > >> > > Naturally the Assad regime blamed the rebels. Time >> > > reported< >> > http://world.time.com/2013/04/01/syrias-civil-war-the-mystery-behind-a-deadly-chemical-attack/#ixzz2RmfollFR >> > > >> > >> > > : >> > > >> > > The attack killed 31 people, including 10 soldiers, and wounded >> scores >> > > more. In the immediate aftermath, the Syrian government and the >> > opposition >> > > traded accusations. The government claimed that >> *ââ¬Å"terrorists,â⬠* its >> > term >> > >> > > for the rebels that have been fighting the regime for two years, had >> > fired >> > > a *ââ¬Å"missile containing a chemical substanceâ⬠* at the >> village of Khan >> > >> > > al-Asal in retaliation for their support of the government. Kasem >> Saad >> > > Eddine, spokesperson for the opposition military council of Aleppo, >> > accused >> > > the government of attacking its own people in order to smear the >> > opposition. >> > > >> > > *13 April 2013* | Two woman and two children >> > > died< >> > http://acloserlookonsyria.shoutwiki.com/wiki/Alleged_Chemical_Attack,_April_13,_2013 >> > > >> > >> > > and >> > > 16 others affected after two gas bombs where dropped from an army >> > > helicopter< >> > http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/13/us-syria-crisis-gas-idUSBRE93C06820130413 >> > > >> > >> > > in >> > > Sheikn Maqsoud, Aleppo. While the death toll from this most recent >> use of >> > > chemicals was small, it represented a major escalations of the *"In >> your >> > > face factor"* because no one but the government is flying >> helicopters in >> > >> > > Syria. It also represents the introduction of a new delivery system. >> This >> > > also produced a lot of video evidence including >> > > this< >> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-O5I9B8GqiQ> >> > > , this <http://youtu.be/MHwmjCRDZAw> and >> > > this<http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=da1_1365882172> >> > > . >> > > >> > > Now there is also a bit of physical evident if Times of London >> > > reports<http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/defence/article3720079.ece >> > > >> > >> > > that >> > > soil samples smuggled out of Syriatested >> > > positive< >> > http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Sources-Confirmation-of-chemical-weapons-use-in-Syria-309681 >> > > >> > >> > > for >> > > sarin are true. The tests were done by UK government scientists at >> Porton >> > > Down after they were retrieve through a MI6 convert >> > > mission< >> > http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/mi6-tests-soil-smuggled-from-syria-for-nerve-gas/story-fnb64oi6-1226603770335 >> > > >> > > . >> > > >> > > *Update 29 April 2013* | Reports of a new possible chemical attack >> are >> > >> > > coming in no sooner than this blog is published. Activists have >> reported >> > > what appears to be a chemical attack in Saraqib, an opposition town >> in >> > > Idlib province. Some of the victims are being treated in Turkey. The >> > > cannisters dropped appear to be the same type dropped in Sheikh >> Maghsoud, >> > > Aleppo. EAWorldView< >> > http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2013/4/29/syria-today-the-insurgent-attacks-on-regime-airfields.html#1708 >> > > >> > >> > > has >> > > excellent running coverage on this. >> > > Side effects of chemical weapons reported in Saraqeb, >> > > #*Idlib*<https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Idlib&src=hash>RT >> > > @*SyrianSmurf* <https://twitter.com/SyrianSmurf>: çèÃâ >> çÃâÃÂñçÃ⦠>> > ùèÊöñè óñçÃâè >> > > èçÃâÃÆ'ÃÅ Ãâ¦Ã§ÃËÃÅ ... pic.twitter.com/HHIzVDCB1w >> <http://t.co/HHIzVDCB1w >> > > >> > > Assad Regime's response to the Charges >> > > There are probably more facts in dispute in this conflict than there >> are >> > > combatants. So when looking at the various stories or accounts that >> come >> > > daily with every incident, it is important to consider the source >> and to >> > > understand that the Assad regime is not an honest source, the Assad >> > regime >> > > is a gangster regime. >> > > >> > > When it comes to owning up to what could most charitably be called * >> > > "short-comings"*, the Assad regime deals with its many internal *"My >> Lai >> > > massacres"* with smiling denial. It is the gangster response. It is >> *"I >> > > don't know nothing. I ain't done nothing. I was home with the flu."* >> It >> > is >> > >> > > Al Capone, sitting in the barber's chair telling all the reporters >> how he >> > > abhors violence. >> > > >> > > So it should surprise no one that Assad's information minister Omran >> Ahed >> > > al-Zouabi was quick to respond to these new charges of chemical >> weapons >> > > use. On 26 April 2013 he told >> > > RT<http://rt.com/news/syria-chemical-iraq-scenario-483/> >> > > : >> > > >> > > *ââ¬Å"First of all, I want to confirm that statements by the US >> Secretary >> > of >> > >> > > State and British government are inconsistent with reality and a >> > barefaced >> > > lie, I want to stress one more time that Syria would never use it - >> not >> > > only because of its adherence to the international law and rules of >> > leading >> > > war, but because of humanitarian and moral issues.â⬠* >> > >> > > >> > > So if you believe that the Assad regime has acted in a humanitarian >> and >> > > moral manner to this point, you are a fool, but at least your mind >> will >> > be >> > > at ease as to the looming possibilities of a *"Halabja"* in Syria's >> > future. >> > >> > > >> > > Those inclined to give this denial any credit should consider >> also:Syria >> > > denies using Scuds against >> > > rebels< >> > http://news.yahoo.com/syria-denies-using-scuds-against-rebels-142039961.html >> > >13 >> > > Dec 2012rebuttal< >> > http://brown-moses.blogspot.com/2013/03/photographic-evidence-of-scud-missile.html >> > >Syria >> > > denies using cluster >> > > bombs<http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/15/world/meast/syria-civil-war>15 >> > > Oct 2012rebuttal< >> > http://brown-moses.blogspot.com/2013/04/more-evidence-of-larger-cluster-bombs.html >> > >Syria >> > > denies Taramseh village >> > > 'massacre'< >> > http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-07-15/syria-denies-taramseh-village-massacre/4131986 >> > >15 >> > > Jul 2013rebuttal >> <http://claysbeach.blogspot.com/search?q=Taramseh>Syria >> > >> > > denies UN claims of government forces >> > > massacre< >> > http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-denies-un-claims-of-government-forces-massacre-7945196.html >> > >15 >> > > Jul 2012rebuttal< >> > http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/07/13/1109488/-Tremseh-Massacre-in-Syria-What-we-know# >> > >Syria >> > >> > > denies it was behind attack that killed >> > > 90< >> > http://news.yahoo.com/syria-denies-behind-attack-killed-90-101246540.html >> > >27 >> > > May 2012rebuttal< >> > http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jun/01/houla-massacre-reconstructing-25-may >> > >Syrian >> > >> > > government denies reports of army shelling city of >> > > Homs< >> > http://worldunitednews.blogspot.com/2012/02/syrian-government-denies-reports-of.html >> > >4 >> > > Feb 2012rebuttal >> <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Homs_offensive>Syria >> > >> > > Denies Navy Shelling on al-Ramel al-Janoubi >> > > Neighborhood<http://sana.sy/eng/337/2011/08/15/364011.htm>15 >> > > Aug 2011rebuttal< >> > http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/refdaily?pass=463ef21123&id=4e4a17638 >> > >Syria >> > >> > > Denies News on Discovery of Mass Grave in >> > > Daraa<http://sana.sy/eng/21/2011/05/17/347236.htm#>17 >> > > May 2011rebuttal< >> > http://www.thenational.ae/news/world/middle-east/mass-grave-found-in-daraa-syrian-town-at-heart-of-protests-against-assad >> > > >> > > Al Jazeera English did the Assad regime a real kindness when it >> truncated >> > > the regime's response with the angry*"a bold-face lie"* phrase >> because as >> > > soon as you include the *"we would never do nothing like that"* >> part, the >> > >> > > gangster smile starts to show through. >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > What Standards should be Applied to the Evidence? >> > > The evident required for action in Syria should be a lot less than >> was >> > > required in Iraq because people are being murdered right now. By >> looking >> > > for a lawyer's *"beyond a reasonable doubt"* level of proof, Obama >> is >> > >> > > giving Assad the benefit of the doubt and setting conditions so >> strict >> > that >> > > they aren't likely to be met before many more people are murdered. >> It is >> > > the wrong standard of proof. The standard of proof, the level of >> > certainty >> > > we should demand with regards to Assad's use of chemical weapons >> must >> > > necessarily be much lower than that applied to Hussein's possession >> of >> > > chemical weapons. >> > > >> > > An analogy may help clarify why. If the police suspect that someone >> has >> > an >> > > illegal weapon, it is entirely right and proper to demand that they >> first >> > > present their case to a judge and get a search warrant before they >> are >> > > allowed to act on their suspicions. On the other hand, if there is >> an >> > > active shooter taking people down, it would be absurd, even >> criminal, to >> > > demand that the police visit a judge and get his approval before >> they >> > > intervene to save lives. >> > > >> > > The popular Iraq/Syria WMD Analogy is the Wrong One >> > > The popular comparison being made between NATO charges against Iraq >> in >> > the >> > > run up to war and Syria now is a completely false one but if we go >> back a >> > > little further in history we can make an apple to apple comparison >> > between >> > > Iraq then and Syria now. >> > > >> > > We should be comparing the Western response to Assad's use of >> chemical >> > > weapons against his own people now to the Western response when >> Saddam >> > > Hussein used chemical weapons against his own people in 1983-1989. >> In >> > that >> > > case Hussein killed tens of thousands with chemical weapons while >> the >> > West >> > > looked on and did nothing. >> > > >> > > So far, that is the analogy that rings true today. >> > > >> > > The UN & US response to Iraq's use of chemical weapons >> > > Iraq, under the fascist Baath Party dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, >> used >> > > chemical weapons on a number of occasions in the 1980's both in its >> long >> > > war against Iran and as part of a program of genocide against the >> Iraqi >> > > Kurdish minority. >> > > >> > > Between 1983 and >> > > 1988< >> > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraqi_chemical_weapons_program#Use_in_the_Iran-Iraq_War.2C_1983-1988 >> > > >> > >> > > Iraq >> > > made at least 14 chemical attacks that took tens of thousands of >> Iranian >> > > and Kurdish lives. Mustard gas was used in almost every attack and >> it was >> > > sometimes supplemented with Tabun or a nerve agent. >> > > >> > > One of the biggest attacks came on 15 March 1988, near the end of >> the >> > > Iran-Iraq War, against the Kurdish town of Halabja. First sarin was >> used >> > > and then mustard. 5,000 were slaughtered. We know that it was part >> of >> > aprogram >> > > of genocide <http://mondediplo.com/1998/03/04iraqkn> because of >> Iraqi >> > >> > > records that were liberated during the 1991 Kurdish uprising: >> > > >> > > On 3 June 1987 the Iraqi proconsul signed a personal directive, >> numbered >> > > 28/3650, declaring a zone that contained over a thousand Kurdish >> villages >> > > to be a prohibited area, from which all human and animal life was to >> be >> > > eradicated. *ââ¬Å"It is totally prohibited for any foodstuffs or >> persons or >> > > machinery to reach the villages that have been banned for security >> > reasons,â⬠>> > > * the directive stated. >> > >> > > >> > > This gas attack was just one small part of Hussein's genocide >> against the >> > > Kurds which took 400,000 lives in 15 years. Kendal Nezan remembered >> what >> > > happened in Halabja in Le Monde >> > > diplomatique<http://mondediplo.com/1998/03/04iraqkn>, >> > > 1998: >> > > >> > > *US DOMINATION PUT TO THE TEST*When our *"friend"* Saddam was >> gassing the >> > > Kurds >> > > *Ten years ago, the systematic gassing of the Kurdish population of >> > >> > > northern Iraq had far less impact on America. Only six months after >> the >> > > slaughter at Halabja, the White House lent Saddam Hussein another >> billion >> > > dollars. And in 1991, at the end of the Gulf war, US troops stood >> idly by >> > > while Saddamââ¬â¢s presidential guard ruthlessly suppressed the >> popular >> > > uprising by the Kurds for which the American president had himself >> > called.* >> > >> > > >> > > The town of Halabja, with 60,000 inhabitants, lies on the southern >> fringe >> > > of Iraqi Kurdistan, a few miles from the border with Iran. On 15 >> March >> > 1988 >> > > it fell to the Peshmerga resistance fighters of Jalal >> Talabaniââ¬â¢s >> > Patriotic >> > >> > > Union of Kurdistan, supported by Iranian revolutionary guards. >> > > >> > > The next morning Iraqi bombers appeared out of a clear blue sky. The >> > people >> > > of Halabja were used to the successive attacks and counter-attacks >> of the >> > > Iraq-Iran war that had ravaged the region since September 1980. They >> > > thought they were in for the usual reprisal raid. Those who had time >> > > huddled in makeshift shelters. The rest were taken by surprise. Wave >> > after >> > > wave of Iraqi Migs and Mirages dropped chemical bombs on the >> unsuspecting >> > > inhabitants. The town was engulfed in a sickly stench like rotten >> apples. >> > > The bombing stopped at nightfall and it began to rain hard. Iraqi >> troops >> > > had already destroyed the local power station, so the survivors >> began to >> > > search the mud with torches for the dead bodies of their loved ones. >> > > >> > > The scene that greeted them in the morning defied description. The >> > streets >> > > were strewn with corpses. People had been killed instantaneously by >> > > chemicals in the midst of the ordinary acts of everyday life. Babies >> > still >> > > sucked their mothersââ¬â¢ breasts. Children held their >> parentsââ¬â¢ hands, >> > frozen >> > >> > > to the spot like a still from a motion picture. In the space of a >> few >> > hours >> > > 5,000 people had died. The 3,200 who no longer had families were >> buried >> > in >> > > a mass grave. More... <http://mondediplo.com/1998/03/04iraqkn> >> > >> > > >> > > Nezan then goes on to tell us how the Iraqi dictator was: >> > > >> > > *Protected by the West* >> > >> > > >> > > At that time the regime was not worried about international >> reaction. In >> > > the recording of the meeting of 26 May 1987, Proconsul Al Majid >> > declares: *ââ¬Å"I >> > >> > > will kill them all with chemical weapons. Who is going to say >> anything? >> > The >> > > international community? Fuck them!â⬠* His language may be >> coarse, but >> > the >> > >> > > cynicism of the butcher of Kurdistan, later promoted governor of >> Kuwait >> > and >> > > subsequently minister of defence, was fully justified. >> > > >> > > Iraq was then seen as a secular bulwark against the Islamic regime >> in >> > > Teheran. It had the support of East and West and of the whole Arab >> world >> > > except Syria. All the Western countries were supplying it with arms >> and >> > > funds. France was particularly zealous in this respect. Not content >> with >> > > selling Mirages and helicopters to Iraq, it even lent the regime >> Super >> > > Etendard aircraft in the middle of its war with Iran. Germany >> supplied >> > > Baghdad with a large part of the technology required for the >> production >> > of >> > > chemical weapons. >> > > >> > > Just as is happening now, there was a lot of controversy, the UN was >> > > dispatched to the scene, but nothing was really done: >> > > >> > > Despite the enormous public outrage at the gas attack on Halabja, >> France, >> > > which is a depositary of the Geneva Convention of 1925, confined >> itself >> > to >> > > an enigmatic communiqué condemning the use of chemical weapons >> anywhere >> > in >> > >> > > the world. The UN dispatched Colonel Dominguez, a Spanish military >> > expert, >> > > to the scene. In a report published on 26 April 1988, he confined >> himself >> > > to recording that chemical weapons had been used once again both in >> Iran >> > > and in Iraq and that the number of civilian victims was increasing. >> On >> > the >> > > same day the UN Secretary-General stated that, with respect to both >> the >> > > weapons themselves and those who were using them, it was difficult >> to >> > > determine the nationalities involved. >> > > >> > > Clearly, Iraqââ¬â¢s powerful allies did not want Baghdad >> condemned. In >> > August >> > >> > > 1988 the United Nations Sub-Committee on Human Rights voted by 11 >> votes >> > to >> > > 8 not to condemn Iraq for human rights violations. Only the >> Scandinavian >> > > countries, Australia and Canada, together with bodies like the >> European >> > > Parliament and the Socialist International, saved their honour by >> clearly >> > > condemning Iraq. >> > > >> > > In point of fact, the United States was involved in a partnership >> with >> > > Saddam Hussein with regards to the manufacture and use of chemical >> > weapons >> > > in this period. As reported >> > > here<http://www.casi.org.uk/info/usdocs/usiraq80s90s.html> >> > >> > > : >> > > >> > > According to the Washington Post, the CIA began in 1984 secretly to >> give >> > > Iraq intelligence that Iraq uses to *"calibrate"* its mustard gas >> attacks >> > >> > > on Iranian troops. In August, the CIA establishes a direct >> > > Washington-Baghdad intelligence link, and for 18 months, starting in >> > early >> > > 1985, the CIA provided Iraq with *"data from sensitive U.S. >> satellite >> > > reconnaissance photography...to assist Iraqi bombing raids."* The >> > Postââ¬â¢s >> > > source said that this data was essential to Iraqââ¬â¢s war >> effort. >> > >> > > >> > > The United States re-established full diplomatic ties with Iraq on >> 26 >> > > November, just over a year after Iraqââ¬â¢s first well-publicized >> CW use >> > and >> > >> > > only 8 months after the UN and U.S. reported that Iraq used CWs on >> > Iranian >> > > troops. >> > > >> > > In 1985 the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to put Iraq >> back >> > on >> > > the State terrorism sponsorship list. After the billââ¬â¢s >> passage, Shultz >> > > wrote to the billââ¬â¢s sponsor, Rep. Howard Berman, cited the >> U.S.ââ¬â¢ >> > *"diplomatic >> > > dialogue on this and other sensitive issues,"* claimed that*"Iraq >> has >> > > effectively distanced itself from international terrorism,"* and >> stated >> > > that if the U.S. found that Iraq supports groups practicing >> terrorism >> > *"we >> > > would promptly return Iraq to the list."*Rep. Berman dropped the >> bill and >> > > explicitly cited Shultzââ¬â¢s assurances. >> > >> > > >> > > Four years later, the US response to the Halabja massacre was no >> better: >> > > >> > > In May, two months after the Halabja assault, Peter Burleigh, >> Assistant >> > > Secretary of State in charge of northern Gulf affairs, encouraged >> > US-Iraqi >> > > corporate cooperation at a symposium hosted by the U.S.-Iraq >> Business >> > > Forum. The U.S.-Iraq Business Forum had strong (albeit unofficial) >> ties >> > to >> > > the Iraqi government. >> > > >> > > The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee sent a team to Turkey to >> > speak >> > > to Iraqi Kurdish refugees and assess reports that Iraq *"was using >> > chemical >> > > weapons on its Kurdish population."*This report reaffirmed that >> between >> > > 1984 and 1988 *"Iraq repeatedly and effectively used poison gas on >> > Iran,"* the >> > > UN missionsââ¬â¢ findings, and the chemical attack on Halabja >> that left an >> > > estimated 4,000 people dead. >> > > >> > > Following the Halabja attack and Iraqââ¬â¢s August CW offensive >> against >> > Iraqi >> > > Kurds, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed on 8 September the >> *"Prevention >> > > of Genocide Act of 1988"* the day after it is introduced. The act >> cuts >> > off >> > >> > > from Iraq U.S. loans, military and non-military assistance, credits, >> > credit >> > > guarantees, items subject to export controls, and U.S. imports of >> Iraqi >> > oil. >> > > >> > > Immediately after the billââ¬â¢s passage the Reagan >> Administration >> > announced >> > >> > > its opposition to the bill, and SD spokesman Charles Redman called >> the >> > bill >> > > *"premature"*. The Administration works with House opponents to a >> House >> > >> > > companion bill, and after numerous legislation compromises and >> > > end-of-session haggling, the Senate bill died *"on the last day of >> the >> > > legislative session"*. >> > >> > > >> > > According to a 15 September news report, Reagan Administration >> officials >> > > stated that the U.S. intercepted Iraqi military communications >> marking >> > > Iraqââ¬â¢s CW attacks on Kurds. >> > >> > > >> > > U.S. intelligence reported in 1991 that the U.S. helicopters sold to >> Iraq >> > > in 1983 were used in 1988 to spray Kurds with chemicals. >> > > >> > > >> > > The United Nation's failure to do anything about Saddam Hussein's >> > chemical >> > > weapons use is informative for the current crisis: >> > > >> > > Although the UN's expert mission concluded in March 1986 that Iraq >> used >> > > chemical weapons on Iranian troops, SCR 582 (1986) symmetrically >> noted >> > *"that >> > >> > > both the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq are parties to the >> Protocol >> > for >> > > the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous and >> Other >> > > Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare signed at Geneva on >> 7 >> > June >> > > 1925"* and *"deplores...in particular the use of chemical weapons >> > contrary >> > > to obligations under the 1925 Protocol".* Resolution 588 (1986) did >> not >> > > mention chemical weapons. In 20 July 1987, SCR 598 again deplored >> *"in >> > >> > > particular the use chemical weapons contrary to obligations of the >> 1925 >> > > Protocol",* but does not elaborate. >> > > >> > > During the following years, the UNSC continued to be *"dismayed"* by >> > > chemical weapons' continued use and the*"more intensive scale"*. >> They >> > > passed more resolutions that *"condemns vigorously the continued use >> of >> > > chemical weapons"* and *"expects both sides to refrain from the >> future >> > use >> > > of chemical weapons".* By August of 1988 the UNSC was *"deeply >> > dismayed"* by >> > > the *"continued use of chemical weapons"* and that *"such use >> against >> > > Iranians has become more intense and frequent"*. Because of Western >> > vetoes, >> > >> > > the UNSC could never clearly say it was Hussein that was behind the >> > > chemical weapons use. >> > > >> > > The Security Council could only condemn Iraq by name for using >> chemical >> > > weapons through non-binding Presidential statements, over which >> permanent >> > > members of the Security Council do not have an individual veto. On >> 21 >> > March >> > > 1986, the Security Council President, making a*"declaration"* and >> > *"speaking >> > > on behalf of the Security Council,"* stated that the Council members >> > > are *"profoundly >> > >> > > concerned by the unanimous conclusion of the specialists that >> chemical >> > > weapons on many occasions have been used by Iraqi forces against >> Iranian >> > > troops...[and] the members of the Council strongly condemn this >> continued >> > > use of chemical weapons in clear violation of the Geneva Protocol of >> 1925 >> > > which prohibits the use in war of chemical weapons"*. The US voted >> > against >> > >> > > the issuance of this statement, and the UK, Australia, France and >> Denmark >> > > abstained. However, the concurring votes of the other ten members of >> the >> > > Security Council ensured that this statement constituted the first >> > > criticism of Iraq by the Security Council. >> > > >> > > At the time, the US and a number of other great powers were >> supporting >> > > Saddam Hussein so there was nothing done about his WMD until be >> became a >> > > problem much later. He didn't have any WMD by then but that didn't >> > matter; >> > > he had an ugly reputation for using them. >> > > >> > > Even if the current UN investigative mission can make it to Syria >> and >> > make >> > > an investigation, which looks very iffy at this point, it is highly >> > > unlikely that the United Nations will actually do anything. >> > > >> > > The difference will be that this time, with Syria, Russia will play >> the >> > bad >> > > guy with the veto. >> > > >> > > Why would Assad use Chemical Weapons? >> > > From The Independent< >> > http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-and-sarin-gas-us-claims-have-a-very-familiar-ring-8591214.html >> > >, >> > >> > > Robert Fisk has this report on Sunday: >> > > >> > > Syria and sarin gas: US claims have a very familiar ring*Reports of >> the >> > >> > > Assad regime's use of chemical weapons are part of a retold drama >> riddled >> > > with plot-holes >> > > * >> > > Is there any way of escaping the theatre of chemical weapons?...In >> any >> > > normal society the red lights would now be flashing, especially in >> the >> > > world's newsrooms. But no. We scribes remind the world that Obama >> said >> > the >> > > use of chemical weapons in Syria would be a "game changer" ââ¬" at >> least >> > > Americans admit it is a game ââ¬" and our reports confirm what no >> one has >> > >> > > actually confirmed. Chemical arms used. In two Canadian TV studios, >> I am >> > > approached by producers brandishing the same headline. I tell them >> that >> > on >> > > air I shall trash the "evidence" ââ¬" and suddenly the story is >> deleted >> > from >> > > both programmes. Not because they don't want to use it ââ¬" they >> will >> > later ââ¬" >> > > but because they don't want anyone suggesting it might be a load of >> old >> > > cobblers. >> > > >> > > CNN has no such inhibitions. Their reporter in Amman is asked what >> is >> > known >> > > about the use of chemical weapons by Syria and replies: "Not as much >> as >> > the >> > > world would want to know ââ¬Â¦ the psyche of the Assad regime >> ââ¬Â¦." But has >> > >> > > anyone tried? Or simply asked an obvious question, posed to me by a >> > Syrian >> > > intelligence man in Damascus last week: if Syria can cause >> infinitely >> > worse >> > > damage with its MiG bombers (which it does) why would it want to use >> > > chemicals?More...< >> > http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/syria-and-sarin-gas-us-claims-have-a-very-familiar-ring-8591214.html >> > > >> > >> > > >> > > >> > > The Syrian intelligence man's question deserves an answer and that >> answer >> > > goes to the heart of Bashar al-Assad's repression strategy and the >> role >> > > chemical weapons are starting to play in it. Bashar learned well >> from his >> > > father, both in strengths and mistakes. >> > > >> > > He learn to rule with an iron fist, but he also learn to finesse it >> a >> > > little better. Halef paid a heavy political price when he >> exterminated >> > > ~18,000 *"terrorist"* in Homs in a few weeks but Bashar knows better >> how >> > to >> > >> > > boil live frogs in an open pot. He has already killed 3 of 4 times >> as >> > many >> > > by turning up the heat slowly. >> > > >> > > He started with snipers targeting peaceful protesters and when that >> > didn't >> > > clear the streets, he brought in the tanks. >> > > >> > > His weak spot, militarily speaking, has been the ordinary foot >> soldier. >> > > Normally the infantry is the backbone of any army but Bashar's >> tended to >> > be >> > > a little too defection prone whenever they were thrown into battle. >> Thus >> > we >> > > have seen many times in this civil war, the rookie mistake of >> sending in >> > > armor without supporting infantry. In the narrow streets of Homs and >> > Hama, >> > > his tanks proved vulnerable even to rebels armed only with Molotov >> > > cocktails. >> > > >> > > He has always had certain *"elite"* forces organized along sectarian >> > lines >> > >> > > that he could count on even to kill children with knives, no true >> > gangster >> > > would leave home without them, but fortunately for us all, such >> thugs >> > are a >> > > tiny minority. >> > > >> > > So standoff tools have been his weapons of choice. The goals have >> been >> > > generalized destruction and murder with the aim of punishing any >> > > communities that would dare to rise against his rule and making life >> > > intolerable in any areas that his regime has been forced out of. >> > > >> > > But the strategy has always been to ramp up the slaughter in a slow >> 'n >> > > steady way that would gain greater world acceptance than his father >> > > enjoyed. So far he has succeeded admirably. Now ~200 Syrian's a day >> are >> > > being slaughtered and the world doesn't give a fuck. >> > > >> > > At first he relied mainly on long range artillery and tank fire. He >> > > introduced his air force very slowly, much like he is doing now with >> > > chemical weapons. >> > > >> > > First there were a few reports of him using helicopters and Migs. >> They >> > were >> > > denied but the reports continued as did the sporadic use of >> aircraft. As >> > > the media lost interest, the air strikes became more regular and >> wide >> > > spread. As regular air strikes against his own cities gained >> worldwide >> > > acceptance, he started upping the ordinances dropped from his >> planes, as >> > > cluster bombs, incendiaries, and barrel bombs were introduced. >> > > >> > > As the opposition has gotten better at shooting down his aircraft, >> they >> > > have just worn out, or his air bases have fallen, he has relied on >> bigger >> > > and bigger ballistic missiles. Now the world has signaled its quiet >> > > acceptance for a government that fires Scuds at its own cities. >> > > >> > > In spite of all this, he is still losing. >> > > >> > > <https://twitter.com/Alexblx/status/328253909246296064> >> > >> > > Chemical weapons are simply the next logical step in this >> escalation. >> > Obama >> > > saw that too in August and tried to draw a *"red-line"* in the >> Syrian >> > sand >> > >> > > but Obama forgot about the danger of trying to bullshit a >> bullshitter. >> > > >> > > Assad is testing him on this, and it was Obama himself that told him >> how >> > > with his *"whole bunch of"* underpass in the *"red-line."* However >> much >> > >> > > sarin or other chemicals Assad has spread around in the four >> incidents >> > > reported since December nobody can yet argue that he has used *"a >> whole >> > > bunch of chemical weapons,"* not when massacres on the scale of >> Halabja >> > are >> > >> > > considered. >> > > >> > > He is introducing chemical weapons slowly, so the world can get used >> to >> > > them again. He may have only used four shells to create four >> deniable >> > > incidents. He may be diluting the poison to give contradictory >> results. >> > > What exactly is a whole bunch? Who can say really? >> > > >> > > So to get back to the Intel guys rhetorical question, he is pushed >> to use >> > > chemical weapons in spite of the destruction cause by his Migs >> because >> > his >> > > Migs are wearing out, or getting shot down, or as reported in one >> case, >> > > bombing Assad positions before bailing out over opposition held >> > territory. >> > > >> > > He will use chemical weapons because they are the perfect weapon for >> his >> > > type of warfare. He can easily kill large numbers of people and make >> > whole >> > > cities uninhabitable and they can be delivered by rockets and >> artillery >> > so >> > > few killers are needed and even they don't have to look at their >> > handiwork. >> > > >> > > He just needs to introduce them slowly so the world learns to accept >> it. >> > In >> > > the long run he may make what Saddam Hussein did to the Kurds look >> like a >> > > walk in the park. >> > > >> > > Don't Look for Anything to be Done Anytime Soon >> > > In spite of the latest flurry of diplomacy around Assad's limited >> use of >> > > chemical weapons, after we have tolerated as many as a hundred >> thousand >> > > dead, two million driven from the country and more than six million >> > driven >> > > from their homes, don't look for those that could put a stop to it, >> to do >> > > anything anytime soon. The NY Times >> > > reported< >> > http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/27/world/middleeast/white-house-in-no-rush-on-syria-action.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130427&_r=1&; >> > >on >> > > Saturday: >> > > >> > > President Obama said Friday that he would respond >> *ââ¬Å"prudentlyâ⬠* and * >> > > ââ¬Å"deliberatelyâ⬠* to evidence that Syria had used chemical >> weapons, >> > tamping >> > >> > > down any expectations that he would take swift action after an >> American >> > > intelligence assessment that the Syrian government had used the >> chemical >> > > agent sarin on a small scale in the nationââ¬â¢s civil war. >> > > >> > > *ââ¬Å"Knowing that potentially chemical weapons have been used >> inside of >> > Syria >> > > doesnââ¬â¢t tell us when they were used, how they were used,â⬠>> * Mr. Obama >> > told >> > > reporters in the Oval Office. *ââ¬Å"We have to act prudently. We >> have to >> > make >> > > these assessments deliberately.â⬠* >> > > >> > > British PM David >> > > Cameron< >> > http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/27/world/middleeast/white-house-in-no-rush-on-syria-action.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130427&_r=1&; >> > > >> > > is >> > > also counseling against doing anything rash, like rushing in to save >> > lives: >> > > >> > > [Cameron] repeated that Britain had no appetite to intervene >> militarily. >> > > >> > > *ââ¬Å"I donââ¬â¢t want to see that, and I donââ¬â¢t think >> that is likely to >> > happen,â⬠* he >> > > said. *ââ¬Å"But I think we can step up the pressure on the regime, >> work >> > with >> > >> > > our partners, work with the opposition in order to bring about the >> right >> > > outcome. But we need to go on gathering this evidence and also to >> send a >> > > very clear warning to the Syrian regime about these appalling >> actions.â⬠>> > * >> > > >> > > The French also sound >> > > like< >> > http://www.monsey.com/french-fm-uncertain-if-chemical-weapons-used-in-syria/ >> > > >> > >> > > they >> > > aren't willing to do anything but talk: >> > > >> > > French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said in an interview to the >> > *ââ¬Å"Europe >> > > 1ââ¬Â³* radio station that it is uncertain whether or not chemical >> weapons >> > were >> > > used in Syria. >> > > >> > > Fabius noted that even if there was use of chemical weapons, it >> doesnââ¬â¢t >> > >> > > change a thing regarding the Western response policy and that the US >> and >> > > Russia are examining all options with France. >> > > >> > > And from the Washington >> > > Post< >> > http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/obama-wants-strong-evidence-of-chemical-weapons-use-in-syria-before-taking-next-step/2013/04/26/ae0551be-ae7c-11e2-8bf6-e70cb6ae066e_story.html >> > > >> > > : >> > > >> > > *ââ¬Å"This is going to be a long-term proposition. This is not >> going to be >> > > something that is solved easily overnight,â⬠* Obama said. >> > >> > > >> > > The definitive proof the White House is seeking is likely to be >> weeks or >> > > months in the offing, if it comes at all. A U.N. weapons team has >> been >> > > blocked from on-the-ground testing, and it is not clear what other >> > > scientific or intelligence information the White House would find >> > > persuasive. >> > > >> > > RT <http://rt.com/news/syria-chemical-iraq-scenario-483/> gives us a >> > sense >> > >> > > of the resistance any UN team is likely to receive from Damascus: >> > > >> > > *Chemical inspection stalled: UN team canââ¬â¢t be trusted >> > ââ¬Ëpoliticallyââ¬â¢ without >> > > Russian experts ââ¬" Syrian information minister* >> > > >> > > Without hard evidence, American accusations of chemical weapons use >> in >> > > Syria fall short of UN proof standards, says a UN chemical >> inspector. And >> > > in the way proposed, a probe would only result in an Iraqi scenario, >> the >> > > Syrian information minister told RT. >> > > >> > > Russia has been Assad's biggest supplier of Scuds, cluster bombs and >> all >> > > the other ordinances with which he is killing his own people. for >> that >> > > reason many believe the proposed Russian experts can't be trusted * >> > > "politically."* >> > > >> > > Foreign Policy summed >> > > up< >> > http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/04/26/syria_chemical_weapons_strategy_obama >> > > >> > > the >> > > situation this way: >> > > >> > > His careful, incremental introduction of chemical weapons into the >> Syrian >> > > conflict has turned President Barack Obama's clear red line into an >> > > impressionist watercolor, undermining the credible threat of U.S. >> > military >> > > intervention. Despite Obama's statement on Friday that "we've >> crossed a >> > > line," Assad knows that the United States does not want to be >> dragged >> > into >> > > a Middle Eastern civil war and is attempting to call Obama's bluff. >> > > >> > > The Syrian regime's subtle approach deliberately offers the Obama >> > > administration the option to remain quiet about chemical attacks and >> > > thereby avoid the obligation to make good on its threats. But even >> more >> > > worrying, Assad's limited use of chemical weapons is intended to >> > > desensitize the United States and the international community in >> order to >> > > facilitate a more comprehensive deployment in the future -- without >> > > triggering intervention. >> > > >> > > At this point, there is no support for military intervention in >> Syria >> > > either from the US government or the people. It is much the same in >> the >> > UK >> > > and the EU. >> > > >> > > Back in August, when Barack Obama told Bashar al-Assad that the use >> of >> > > chemical weapons would be a *"red-line"* while he was already using >> Migs >> > >> > > and cluster bombs and everything else, he gave Bashar a green >> > > light< >> > http://claysbeach.blogspot.com/2012/08/updated-obama-lights-assad-slaughter-in_4655.html >> > > >> > >> > > to >> > > continue his slaughter as he has. >> > > >> > > Now Assad is calling Obama's bluff, he is testing the *"red-line"*, >> but >> > the >> > > self-proclaimed *"cops of the world"* are corrupt and work with the >> > >> > > gangsters, so unless people around the world unite in demanding >> action, >> > > Assad is likely to get away with killing a lot more Syrians with >> poison >> > gas >> > > and chemical weapons will have taken a giant step back towards >> acceptance >> > > as a tool of internal mass suppression. >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > Why did they think we would come to their aid? >> > > This was the question raised on one of the Sunday morning talk shows >> when >> > > Clarissa Ward pointed out that the Syrian people are starting to >> become >> > > very bitter about the refusal of the world, particularly the United >> > States, >> > > to come to their aid and do anything to stop their children from >> being >> > > slaughtered. >> > > >> > > I think it is a fair question, so let me propose a few possible >> answers: >> > > >> > > 1) Because it is the right thing to do. >> > > >> > > 2) Because as long as most people can remember, we have been >> shouting >> > *"never >> > > again"* to the hilltops. >> > >> > > >> > > 3) Because Superman would never let so many people get slaughtered >> and >> > not >> > > try to stop it, and we have spent billions peddling our culture and >> > > polishing our image around the world. >> > > >> > > 4) Because the United States has justified every war it has ever >> fought >> > in >> > > the name of saving lives. >> > > >> > > Syria may become the other side of the proof that it was naked >> > > self-interest and greed that have dictated when the United States >> went to >> > > war in Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Korea, even WWII. >> > > >> > > If simple humanitarian interests aren't enough to demand that the >> Assad >> > > regime be stopped from any further use of chemical weapons, there is >> > this: >> > > >> > > The worldwide ban on the uses of chemical >> > > weapons<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geneva_Protocol> was >> > >> > > one of the great progressive victories to come out of the first >> Great >> > War, >> > > and even though they have been superseded by nuclear weapons, which >> have >> > > yet to be placed under any such ban, the importance of continuing to >> > > enforce this prohibition against the use of chemical weapons cannot >> be >> > > underestimated. Especially when Assad is demonstrating that they can >> be >> > > used in the suppression of mass resistance to the state in a way >> that >> > > nuclear weapons never can. >> > > >> > > That represents a strong reason why the governments of the world >> might >> > like >> > > to re-introduce them as tools and it is exactly why the people of >> the >> > world >> > > must demand that the ban against the use of chemical weapons be >> strictly >> > > enforced, especially in the case of Syria now. >> > > >> > > If this is not done, the Assad lesson to oppressive states >> everywhere >> > will >> > > be: *"If your people get to bugging you too much, you can just spray >> > them."* >> > >> > > >> > > Click here for a list of my other blogs on >> > > Syria<http://claysbeach.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-syria-diaries_1014.html> >> > > >> > > >> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> > > >> > >> > >> > >> >> >> >> -- >> *A means can be justified only by its end. But the end in its turn needs >> to >> be justified. >> >> (Also quoted as "The end may justify the means as long as there is >> something that justifies the end.") >> >> Leon Trotsky >> >> Their Morals and Ours (1938)* >> >> >> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >> > > > ------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Digest: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help: <mailto:[email protected]?subject=laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post: <mailto:[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive1: <http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive2: <http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yahoo! 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