Union chief Richard Trumka deplores Syrian slaughter

[Cryptoad]

Source: Politico

LOS ANGELES — AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka said Sunday that the slaughter of civilians in Syria is “deplorable” and hinted at possible union support for a more robust international response to the humanitarian crisis there.

On the opening day of the AFL-CIO’s quadrennial convention, Trumka said the labor giant had not yet taken a position on a potential military intervention in Syria. He said AFL-CIO executive council would debate the issue and “ultimately make a decision.”

But as Congress prepares to vote on a resolution authorizing the use of military force against Syrian President Bashar Assad, Trumka expressed horror at the dictator’s use of weapons of mass destruction against his own people.

“Here’s what I do know: I know that there are over 100,000 people killed in Syria, and I know that each and every one of them was a tragedy,” Trumka said at a briefing, emphasizing the importance of aiding Syrians who have been displaced from their homes. “I know the international community is not responding effectively enough to help those people.”




Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/afl-fio-syria-richard-trumka-96440.html?hp=r3

[Warpy]

1. The humanitarian crisis we can cope with is the refugees arriving at the border

often with just the clothing they're wearing and what little they could throw into a car (if they're rich enough to have them) during bombing that destroyed their homes.

They need shelter, water, food, and pretty soon they'll need warm clothing and blankets. We can do this. We should do this.

However, heaving more bombs at the problem is not going to do anyone any good except the pigs who make money building the bombs.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

2. A lot of unions supported Vietnam.

Trumka should focus on running his own ship since it seems to be coming apart.

Now the labor leader's screamin'
When they close the missile plants
United Fruit screams at the Cuban shore
Call it, Peace, or call it, Treason
Call it, Love, or call it, Reason
But I ain't marching anymore

[iandhr]

3. There is no dispute that the situation in Syria is deplorable.

[Rebellious Republican]

4. K&R, spot on!

?w=360&h=235&crop=1

[bowens43]

5. pound the war drums. wtf is wrong this country?

[Rebellious Republican]

6. Guess you missed this part of the article

"support for a more robust international response" assuming on my part he means UN intervention.

[freshwest]

7. Interesting take on Iranian financial support of Syria from Iranians:

Vox Pop: Iranians React To Events In Syria

"...Please tell Iranian leaders that it is not necessary to support Syria. Just pay the pension of National Steel Company retirees, who have not received anything for three months." -- Ali from Tehran

"Those [Iranians] who have invested their dollars in Syria are afraid of the popular movement of the Syrian people because they'll lose their investments." -- Farshad from Meshkin*

"Tell the Iranian people to pray for Bashar al-Assad's defeat because, God forbid, if he wins then Syria has to be rebuilt with Iranian money" -- Soltani from Amol

"Iran's leaders care about Syria more than their own people." -- Balooch from Khuzestan Province

http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-farda-reaction-syria/25088946.html

The concerns of working people worldwide appear to be the same as ours. Enough money for social needs, wages, pensions. There is common ground to be made with them and unions are part of the Middle Eastern landscape.

*Wondering why he uses the word 'dollars'...

[SamKnause]

8. Syria

With all the hate being directed at, and the global economic collapse being blamed on union wages, do you really want to drag unions into this mess ??????

Keep the unions and their members out of this Trumka !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[blkmusclmachine]

11. I always suspected Trumpka wasn't what he appeared to be.

Another wolf in bipartisan clothing.

[gopiscrap]

9. Shit

[blkmusclmachine]

12. +1.

[blkmusclmachine]

10. Trumpka, Union "leader."

Mr. Fierce Advocate.

[madrchsod]

13. oh no...another one under the bus!

[Crimson76]

14. I'll take completely irrelevant points of view for 200, Alex!!!!