Congress speaks with a loud, muddled voice on Syria (LA Times)
An analysis / background piece from Saturday's LA Times. ~ pinto
Congress speaks with a loud, muddled voice on Syria
By Paul Richter, Los Angeles Times
May 11, 2013
WASHINGTON — Sen. Dianne Feinstein made headlines recently by demanding a forceful U.S. response to Syria's use of chemical weapons against its population.
Less noticed was that the California Democrat wasn't urging deeper military involvement or other dramatic steps, but only a new push for action by the United Nations Security Council, which has already rejected Western-backed resolutions on Syria three times.
In this cautious approach, Feinstein, who is chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is not alone. Several senior lawmakers have been clamoring for stronger U.S. leadership, yet not taking the political risk of calling for any fundamental change in the current course.
Distressed by the suffering in Syria, but wary of another Mideast war, some lawmakers are speaking loudly and carrying a small stick.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-syria-congress-20130512,0,6676623.story
