Syria prepares to unleash sarin gas on its people

[cybercoma]

Syria is loading bombs with sarin glass and is awaiting orders from their president to drop these on their protesting citizens.

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/05/15706380-syria-loads-chemical-weapons-into-bombs-military-awaits-assads-order?lite

If there ever was a time that military intervention was necessary in international affairs, this is it.

[Bonam]

Really? You don't think all the intel about chemical weapons is just a US conspiracy to frame Syria, mislead the American public, and justify an unprovoked imperialist invasion?

[cybercoma]

Really? You don't think all the intel about chemical weapons is just a US conspiracy to frame Syria, mislead the American public, and justify an unprovoked imperialist invasion?

Could be.

Edit: This is one of those cases where I'm not willing to gamble on that side of the equation though.

Edited December 6, 2012 by cybercoma

[sharkman]

Does anyone know how Syria got these weapons? Do they have a chemical or biological weapons program?

[TimG]

Edit: This is one of those cases where I'm not willing to gamble on that side of the equation though.

Well given how unwilling people were to forgive Bush for his faulty intelligence I think it is safe to assume that nothing will be done until we see dead bodies from a chemical weapon attack. Edited December 6, 2012 by TimG

[Bonam]

Well given how unwilling people were to forgive Bush for his faulty intelligence I think it is safe to assume that nothing will be done until we see dead bodies from a chemical weapon attack.

And perhaps not even then. No one really cares about Syria. A massacre in Syria may well go the way of many atrocities in Africa that have cost millions of lives: completely ignored.

In a few years, the only thing we'll likely be hearing in the media about Syria is that Israel is supposed to give land to it.

Edited December 6, 2012 by Bonam

[Sleipnir]

Does anyone know how Syria got these weapons? Do they have a chemical or biological weapons program?

I'm pretty sure Syria has those weapons for some time now, only now are they consider using it.

[DogOnPorch]

Does anyone know how Syria got these weapons? Do they have a chemical or biological weapons program?

Since the 1980s with Soviet assistance, Sharkman. It includes a biological weapons program that was experimenting with variola and other nasty stuff.

[DogOnPorch]

Here's Dr Ken Alibek (aka Kanatjan Alibekov), former head of the Soviet's bio/chemical weapons program during the late 80s, early 90s before he defected. He states that the Soviet Union trained scientists in CBW from numerous Middle East (et al) countries including Syria, Iraq, Libya and Iran.

http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/2000_hr/00-05-23alibek.htm

His NOVA and Frontline interviews on what the Russians were doing...scary.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/bioterror/biow_alibek.html

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/plague/interviews/alibekov.html

[cybercoma]

We cannot allow states to use chemical and biological weapons, period. If they do, they must be dealt with as harshly as possible.

[bush_cheney2004]

And just what are "we" going to do about it when/if it happens ?

[Guest]

Given all the talk about red lines it had better be something.

[bush_cheney2004]

Given all the talk about red lines it had better be something.

I think Hallmark even has sympathy cards for Sarin gas attacks. Where do "we" send them ?

[Guest]

I don't think the US can back down on doing something without looking like complete clowns. Sympathy cards notwithstanding.

[Merlin]

We cannot allow states to use chemical and biological weapons, period. If they do, they must be dealt with as harshly as possible.

Will you support the rebels even if they want to install a radical Islamic government that wants to rule with Sharia Law and views the west as the enemy? Edited December 6, 2012 by Merlin

[bush_cheney2004]

I don't think the US can back down on doing something without looking like complete clowns. Sympathy cards notwithstanding.

The US can strongly condemn Syria for using chemical weapons...just like Canada.

[DogOnPorch]

The US can strongly condemn Syria for using chemical weapons...just like Canada.

Yup....another day in the Middle East passes. I think Passchendaele holds the current record. But, I have faith in the Syrians to beat that.

[Guest]

The US can strongly condemn Syria for using chemical weapons...just like Canada.

If strongly condemning is Obama's and Hillary's red line, then, yes: Clowns.

[DogOnPorch]

If strongly condemning is Obama's and Hillary's red line, then, yes: Clowns.

What's the US to do? Supply the atropine?

[bush_cheney2004]

If strongly condemning is Obama's and Hillary's red line, then, yes: Clowns.

If you have a better idea, do it. Talk is cheap. Maybe send Maher Arar over there to earn part of that $10 million, eh?

[DogOnPorch]

Now there's a thought.

[Guest]

What's the US to do? Supply the atropine?

I have no idea. And I am not saying they should do anything.

I am saying they are going to look like clowns.

[Guest]

If you have a better idea, do it. Talk is cheap. Maybe send Maher Arar over there to earn part of that $10 million, eh?

See reply to DoP above.

[bush_cheney2004]

....I am saying they are going to look like clowns.

So what? Even clowns don't want to die for Syrians.

[DogOnPorch]

Yup...those MFs in that area blew-up a pile of Marines once because they could. No need for boots on the ground if at all possible would be my guess...even w/ Obama.