This and That...

[Warph]

WaPo Poll: 70% Oppose Arming Syrian Rebels, 59% Against Military Intervention

(Second poll of the day showing major opposition to getting involved militarily in Syria)

Via WaPo
http://www.washingtonpost.com/page/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2013/09/03/National-Politics/Polling/release_258.xml

[Warph]

Churches Now Forced To Get Permits To Conduct Baptisms

September 2, 2013
http://www.mrconservative.com/2013/09/23763-missouri-baptists-force-national-park-service-to-back-down-on-demand-that-churches-get-permits-to-baptize-in-public-waters/

George Washington's baptism

In a stand-off between Baptists seeking to exercise their religious rights and the National Park Service, the National Park Service just blinked, backing off of a requirement that churches get a permit (a two day process) before baptizing people in public waters.

(There's a lesson here for both Christians and conservatives.  The government has no qualms about pushing people around, but if you're willing to stand up for yourself and shine a light on what they're doing, you'd be surprised how often the bureaucratic bullies will run for the hills rather than try to defend their autocratic behavior to the public)

[Warph]

Lurch Kerry & Gen. Dempsey Endorse  The Pelosi Strategy On Syria

By Steve Schippert

It appears we are just going to have to approve President Obama's Syria war plan so we "can find out what's in it." After all, that's what Washington does now when something's just too darn hard to explain.


The Kerry & Dempsey Show in the Senate Tuesday practically begged for Nancy Pelosi to bust onto the scene and bail them out with another skit-like presser.

If you think it an exaggeration, consider this mind-numbing exchange between Senator Bob Corker (R – TN) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Martin Dempsey.

DEMPSEY: The answer to whether I support additional support for the moderate opposition is yes.

CORKER: And this authorization will support those activities in addition to responding to the weapons of mass destruction.

DEMPSEY: I don't know how the resolution will evolve, but I support –

CORKER: What you're seeking. What is it you're seeking?

DEMPSEY: I can't answer that, what we're seeking.

It's as if the General is saying "I support more support. But only for the moderates, of course. Not the 'other' bad guys." Yeah, but what exactly do you want? "I don't know."

Did the dog eat your homework? Isn't this where the responsible kindly show them the exit? No.

This is where we instead expect the too-familiar British accent in the junk infomercial to breathlessly exclaim, "But wait! There's more!"

And indeed on Tuesday there was. Secretary of State John Kerry was not about to be left out of the reindeer games. On the issue of ground troops, he attempted a Foggy Bottom Jedi Mind Trick.

However, Mr. Kerry raised eyebrows by requesting that the use of troops not be explicitly ruled out in the proposal in case "Syria implodes" or other catastrophic developments unfold. "I don't want to take off the table an option that might or might not be on the table," he said.

Huh?

He later tried to walk that dog back into its cage by saying he was simply "thinking out loud." If that's the amusement park that's in his mind when he's thinking out loud, stop the ride now. I want off and I want a refund.

But that's your Secretary of State making "the case" for war. A war that's simply a case of Red on Red; bad guys vs. bad guys with a few good guys (Dempsey's "moderates"?) haplessly in the middle between ferocious and vicious.

And we're going to do what, exactly, in Syria at this point that furthers US National Security?

General Dempsey already told you. "I can't answer that."

[Warph]

U.N. Secretary Says U.S. Can't Act Against Syria
Without Security Council Permission

September 3, 2013

When he was a candidate in 2008, Barack Obama made it clear that, as he told the German people, he was a "citizen of the world." During his first four years in the White House, as the Obama team boasted, this meant his management style consisted of "leading from behind." A significant part of "leading from behind," of course, was making American foreign policy subordinate to the United Nations.

Now, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon wants to hold Obama to that promise. He issued a general warning that any strikes against Syria to punish it for chemical weapons would be illegal without UN Security Council approval:


As I have repeatedly said, the Security Council has primary responsibility for international peace and security," Ban said at a news conference. "The use of force is lawful only when in exercise of self-defense in accordance with article 51 of the United Nations Charter and or when the Security Council approves such action.

He also warned that a military strike against Syria could unleash more turmoil and bloodshed in a crisis that has already killed more than 100,000 people.

"I take note of the argument for action to prevent a future use of chemical weapons. At the same time, we must consider the impact of any punitive measure on efforts to prevent further bloodshed and facilitate the political resolution of the conflict," Ban said.


It seems almost petty to point out that both Russia and China, both of whom stalwartly support Bashar al-Assad's Baathist party government, are permanent members of the Security Council. So is Britain, whose parliament just voted down Prime Minister David Cameron's request for war authorization – the first such setback for a British Prime Minister in over two hundred years.

[Warph]

Obama Armed & Funded Syrian Rebel Savages
Behead 24 Bus Passengers, Including Mother & Baby

Read more at: http://freedomoutpost.com/2013/09/barack-obama-armed-funded-syrian-savages-behead-24-bus-passengers-including-mother-baby/#1AyB0dgkUqbouI7j.99

The religion of violence has struck again and these are the savages that Barack Obama, John Kerry, and now John Boehner (no real surprise there) are wanting us to support. Alalam is now reporting that the Obama backed and supported al-Qaeda Syrian rebels forced 24 civilians off a bus traveling from Tarus to Ras al-Ain in the northeast of Syria and beheaded them all, including a mother and her baby.

Alalam reports:

Al-Qaeda linked terrorists in Syria have beheaded all 24 Syrian passengers traveling from Tartus to Ras al-Ain in northeast of Syria, among them a mother and a 40-days old infant.

Gunmen from the terrorist Islamic State of Iraq and Levant stopped the bus on the road in Talkalakh and killed everyone before setting the bus on fire.

According to media reports, the attack was carried out because the passengers who were from three different villages in Ras al-Ain, supported anti-terrorist Kurdish groups which were formed recently to defend Kurdish population against anti-Syria terrorists.
Bodies of a mother and her 40-days infant were also seen among the dead, which were recognized by their relatives.
Saleh Muslim, a Syrian Kurdish leader said that the Kurd minority is facing an ethnic cleansing by these jihadists.

The al-Qaeda jihadists, including al-Nusra, are capturing Kurdish territories to enlarge an Islamic state.

These are the savages that we are being told we have to support because "Assad is a thug and a murderer." Well then I must ask, "What are these people?" Hmmm?

Interestingly enough John Kerry recently said that Obama is "deeply committed to getting to the negotiating table with the 'thug and murderer'" Assad. I suppose my question to Kerry is, what were you doing when you were at the table with Assad?

The picture John Kerry doesn't want you to see. Kerry and his wife getting cozy with Bashar al-Assad at the dinner table.

Oh that's right, you and your wife were getting all cozy and comfy with the "thug and murderer," weren't you? You were are hugs and kisses and eating the best cuisine.

The stakes are high for the Syrian people.  The stakes could be even higher for Americans should the warmongers in Washington have their way and send our troops into Syria.

[Warph]

BREAKING: Senate Panel Approves Resolution Authorizing Military Force In Syria

Off to the Senate for a full vote next week.

Lurch Kerry Says Obuma "Drew A Red Line" On Syria Eight Hours
After Obama Said "I Did Not Set A Red Line"

[Warph]

Is war with Syria really about chemical warfare?

Is it really about chemical warfare?  Really?

Then why has the little nation of Qatar spent 3 billion dollars to support the rebels in Syria?

Michael Snyder at the Economic Collapse Blog reports:

"Could it be because Qatar is the largest exporter of liquid natural gas in the world and Assad won't let them build a natural gas pipeline through Syria?  Of course.  Qatar wants to install a puppet regime in Syria that will allow them to build a pipeline which will enable them to sell lots and lots of natural gas to Europe."

And why is Saudi Arabia spending gobs to help the rebels and why has Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan been "jetting from covert command centers near the Syrian front lines to the Élysée Palace in Paris and the Kremlin in Moscow, seeking to undermine the Assad regime"?

Well, it turns out that Saudi Arabia intends to install their own puppet government in Syria which will allow the Saudis to control the flow of energy through the region.  On the other side, Russia very much prefers the Assad regime for a whole bunch of reasons.  One of those reasons is that Assad is helping to block the flow of natural gas out of the Persian Gulf into Europe, thus ensuring higher profits for Gazprom. 

Now the United States is getting directly involved in the conflict.  If the U.S. is successful in getting rid of the Assad regime, it will be good for either the Saudis or Qatar (and possibly for both), and it will be really bad for Russia.  This is a strategic geopolitical conflict about natural resources, religion and money, and it really has nothing to do with chemical weapons at all.

Nothing to do with chemical weapons.  Ok, no prob.  Anyone for a game of poker?

[Warph]

FOX News' James Rosen reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin flatly called Obama Secretary of State John Kerry a liar for telling Congress on Tuesday that al Qaeda enjoys less sway over the Syrian rebel forces than it used to (see video below).

(No Sh!t, Valdimir?... I would have never known that)

PUTIN:  "We communicate with U.S. officials and assume that they are decent people. Kerry lies openly and he knows that he lies. This is sad."

[Warph]

Joe Biden Calls for Impeachment if President Takes the
'Nation to War Without Congressional Approval'

Starring Obuma's favorite lap dog, Joe "Plugs" Biden

JOE BIDEN:  Ladies and Gentlemen, I drafted an outline of what I think the Constitutional limits have on the war clause. I went to five leading scholars, constitutional scholars, and they drafted a treatise for me that's being distributed to every senator. And I want to make it clear, and I made it clear to the president, that if he takes this nation to war...without congressional approval, I will make it my business to impeach him. And that's a fact!

GOTCHA!!!  Both the above video, and Biden's quote are 100% accurate, with the exception of replacing the word "Iran" with ".....," which would be replaced with "Syria," if Biden had a conscience. 

The year was 2007, and Buffoon "Plugs" Biden was playing hardball with then Republican President George Bush over the invented belief that Bush would use the military to attack Iran without congressional approval, which is required by the U.S. Constitution.  Biden was right!

Well, that was then, and this is now 2013, and the U.S. Constitution doesn't mean the same thing that it formerly did prior to the christening of dear leader.  The War Powers Act has been redefined, and Plugs's been completely silent on the issue, as far as I can tell.  Marxist globalist Obuma seeks his approval from the corrupt, America-hating UN, while giving Congress, the Constitution, and the American people the middle finger.

[Warph]

Senate Panel Backs Use of Force Against Syria
Measure Says Goal Should Be to 'Change the Momentum on the Battlefield'; Pentagon Plans More Firepower

Report: Pentagon Considering Use of Air Force Bombers In Syria Attack Plan

(Considering Syria's advanced anti-aircraft capabilities [thanks Russia!] I'd guess the B-2 stealth bomber is the most likely choice in the initial campaign)

WASHINGTON (WSJ) —
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324577304579054973488682120.html?mod=WSJ_hps_LEFTTopStories

A key Senate panel on Wednesday backed President Barack Obama's request to strike Syria, while the Pentagon prepared to employ greater firepower to reach a shifting array of military targets.

The revised options under development, which reflect Pentagon concerns that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has dispersed his military equipment, include the use of Air Force bombers to supplement the four Navy destroyers armed with missiles that are deployed in the eastern Mediterranean. Initially, Pentagon planners said they didn't intend to use aircraft in the proposed strikes.

The Pentagon shift came amid an accelerating tempo toward U.S. military action in response to the Assad regime's alleged use of chemical weapons on a large scale Aug. 21, an attack U.S. officials say killed more than 1,400 people, including hundreds of children.

The Navy destroyers in the Mediterranean carry about 40 Tomahawks each. Air Force bombers could carry dozens more munitions, potentially allowing the U.S. to carry out follow-on strikes if the first wave doesn't destroy the targets.

Among options available are B-52 bombers, which can carry cruise missiles; low-flying B1s that are based in Qatar and carry long-range, air-to-surface missiles; and B-2 stealth bombers, which are based in Missouri and carry heavy guided bombs.

Like Mr. Assad, the Pentagon is trying to take advantage of the extra time before a U.S. strike. A senior U.S. official said that Mr. Assad's movement of equipment has helped the Pentagon identify additional targets at previously unknown locations.

"Could the delay remove a target? Yes. But it is also creating targets. We are finding things we didn't know existed," said the senior official, who declined to specify the types of targets.