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WillyT
WillyT's Journal
WillyT's Journal
September 4, 2013
BY IGOR VOLSKY, JUDD LEGUM AND REBECCA LEBER - ThinkProgress
SEPTEMBER 2, 2013 AT 7:07 PM
Updated: September 4, 5:00 PM
<snip>
As members of Congress consider President Obama’s request to authorize military force in Syria, following evidence that President Bashar Assad’s use of chemical weapons killed over 1,400 people, a ThinkProgress analysis of the public statements of 289 Representatives found that 169 lawmakers have either decisively ruled out supporting the measure or say they are unlikely to back it.
Just 46 of the 289 members of the House of Representatives said they will definitely or likely vote in favor or the resolution. Seventy-four are undecided.
Republicans were far more likely to oppose military action in Syria, while Democrats were more likely to support it. The numbers are a contrast to 2002, when Democrats in the House provided “the bulk of the opposition” to President George W. Bush’s Iraq war resolution — though a majority of Democrats (61 percent) still backed war. Only six House Republicans voted against the Iraq war in 2002.
<And...>
Each member’s individual position, along with sourcing, can be found in this spreadsheet:
<snip>
More: http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/09/02/2561371/congress-support-military-action-syria-thinkprogress-whip-count/
Will Congress Support Military Action In Syria? A ThinkProgress Whip Count [UPDATED]
Will Congress Support Military Action In Syria? A ThinkProgress Whip Count [UPDATED]BY IGOR VOLSKY, JUDD LEGUM AND REBECCA LEBER - ThinkProgress
SEPTEMBER 2, 2013 AT 7:07 PM
Updated: September 4, 5:00 PM
<snip>
As members of Congress consider President Obama’s request to authorize military force in Syria, following evidence that President Bashar Assad’s use of chemical weapons killed over 1,400 people, a ThinkProgress analysis of the public statements of 289 Representatives found that 169 lawmakers have either decisively ruled out supporting the measure or say they are unlikely to back it.
Just 46 of the 289 members of the House of Representatives said they will definitely or likely vote in favor or the resolution. Seventy-four are undecided.
Republicans were far more likely to oppose military action in Syria, while Democrats were more likely to support it. The numbers are a contrast to 2002, when Democrats in the House provided “the bulk of the opposition” to President George W. Bush’s Iraq war resolution — though a majority of Democrats (61 percent) still backed war. Only six House Republicans voted against the Iraq war in 2002.
<And...>
Each member’s individual position, along with sourcing, can be found in this spreadsheet:
<snip>
More: http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2013/09/02/2561371/congress-support-military-action-syria-thinkprogress-whip-count/
September 4, 2013
By Alastair Jamieson, Staff writer, NBC News
9/4/13
<snip>
Syria will not change its position “even if there is World War III,” its deputy foreign minister reportedly said Wednesday – even as activists claimed that another prominent member of the Assad regime had defected.
Faisal Muqdad insisted Syria’s government would counter any military action aimed at punishing the regime for the suspected use of chemical weapons, according to an interview with AFP cited by regional news outlet Al-Arabiya.
“The Syrian government will not change position even if there is World War III. No Syrian can sacrifice the independence of his country,” he reportedly told AFP. “Syria has taken every measure to retaliate against...an aggression,” he added.
His comments came as Reuters reported that former Syrian defense minister General Ali Habib, a prominent member of President Bashar Assad's Alawite sect, had defected and was now in neighboring Turkey.
However, Syrian state television denied the report and said Habib was still at his home in the country...
<snip>
More: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/09/04/20326519-report-syria-wont-change-position-even-if-there-is-world-war-iii
Report: Syria Won't Change Position 'Even If There Is World War III' - MSNBC
Report: Syria won't change position 'even if there is World War III'By Alastair Jamieson, Staff writer, NBC News
9/4/13
<snip>
Syria will not change its position “even if there is World War III,” its deputy foreign minister reportedly said Wednesday – even as activists claimed that another prominent member of the Assad regime had defected.
Faisal Muqdad insisted Syria’s government would counter any military action aimed at punishing the regime for the suspected use of chemical weapons, according to an interview with AFP cited by regional news outlet Al-Arabiya.
“The Syrian government will not change position even if there is World War III. No Syrian can sacrifice the independence of his country,” he reportedly told AFP. “Syria has taken every measure to retaliate against...an aggression,” he added.
His comments came as Reuters reported that former Syrian defense minister General Ali Habib, a prominent member of President Bashar Assad's Alawite sect, had defected and was now in neighboring Turkey.
However, Syrian state television denied the report and said Habib was still at his home in the country...
<snip>
More: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/09/04/20326519-report-syria-wont-change-position-even-if-there-is-world-war-iii
September 4, 2013
Russian president says it is too early to say what Russia will do but does not exclude supporting a UN resolution
Dan Roberts and Spencer Ackerman in Washington, Haroon Siddique and Angelique Chrisafis in Paris - theguardian.com
Wednesday 4 September 2013 06.55 EDT
<snip>
Vladimir Putin has warned the US against launching military action in Syria, stating that Russia has "plans" on how it would react if such a scenario unfolded.
The Russian president's comments came as Barack Obama for the first time portrayed his plans for US military action as part of a broader strategy to topple Bashar al-Assad, as the White House's campaign to win over sceptics in Congress gained momentum.
In an interview with Associated Press and Russia's state Channel 1 television, Putin said it was too early to talk about what Russia would do if the US attacked Syria but added: "We have our ideas about what we will do and how we will do it in case the situation develops toward the use of force or otherwise. We have our plans."
At the same time he said Russia did not exclude supporting a UN resolution on punitive military strikes if it were proved that Damascus used poison gas on its own people. But he described the idea that Syrian government forces would use chemical weapons at a time when he said they were in the ascendancy and knowing the potential repercussions as absurd. Given his comments, and the fact that Russia has protected Syria from punitive action at the UN security council before, his suggestion that Russia might support a resolution on strikes is unlikely to be given much credence in the US.
<snip>
More: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/04/putin-warns-military-action-syria
'We Have Our Plans': Vladimir Putin Warns US Against Syria Military Action - GuardianUK
'We have our plans': Vladimir Putin warns US against Syria military actionRussian president says it is too early to say what Russia will do but does not exclude supporting a UN resolution
Dan Roberts and Spencer Ackerman in Washington, Haroon Siddique and Angelique Chrisafis in Paris - theguardian.com
Wednesday 4 September 2013 06.55 EDT
<snip>
Vladimir Putin has warned the US against launching military action in Syria, stating that Russia has "plans" on how it would react if such a scenario unfolded.
The Russian president's comments came as Barack Obama for the first time portrayed his plans for US military action as part of a broader strategy to topple Bashar al-Assad, as the White House's campaign to win over sceptics in Congress gained momentum.
In an interview with Associated Press and Russia's state Channel 1 television, Putin said it was too early to talk about what Russia would do if the US attacked Syria but added: "We have our ideas about what we will do and how we will do it in case the situation develops toward the use of force or otherwise. We have our plans."
At the same time he said Russia did not exclude supporting a UN resolution on punitive military strikes if it were proved that Damascus used poison gas on its own people. But he described the idea that Syrian government forces would use chemical weapons at a time when he said they were in the ascendancy and knowing the potential repercussions as absurd. Given his comments, and the fact that Russia has protected Syria from punitive action at the UN security council before, his suggestion that Russia might support a resolution on strikes is unlikely to be given much credence in the US.
<snip>
More: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/04/putin-warns-military-action-syria
September 4, 2013
Congressional Job Approval: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/congressional_job_approval-903.html
U.S. Military Action in Response to Chemical Weapons Use in Syria: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/us_military_strikes_in_syria-4087.html
A Couple Of Polls To Keep An Eye On In The Coming Days... Weeks... Months...
President Obama Job Approval: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/president_obama_job_approval-1044.htmlCongressional Job Approval: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/congressional_job_approval-903.html
U.S. Military Action in Response to Chemical Weapons Use in Syria: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/us_military_strikes_in_syria-4087.html
September 4, 2013
Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23918882
In Case You Missed This Little Nugget From The Fukushima Story The Other Day...
The Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) had originally said the radiation emitted by the leaking water was around 100 millisieverts an hour.
However, the company said the equipment used to make that recording could only read measurements of up to 100 millisieverts.
The new recording, using a more sensitive device, showed a level of 1,800 millisieverts an hour.
However, the company said the equipment used to make that recording could only read measurements of up to 100 millisieverts.
The new recording, using a more sensitive device, showed a level of 1,800 millisieverts an hour.
Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23918882
September 4, 2013
Ariel Edwards-Levy - HuffPo
Posted: 09/03/2013 4:09 pm EDT | Updated: 09/03/2013 5:06 pm EDT
<snip>
Americans remain widely opposed to U.S. military airstrikes in Syria, two new polls show, with voters skeptical of President Barack Obama's case for intervention.
In a Pew Research poll released Tuesday, just 29 percent of Americans favored airstrikes “in response to reports that the Syrian government used chemical weapons,” with a near-majority 48 percent opposed.
Wide majorities predicted negative consequences of a U.S. military intervention. Sixty-one percent said airstrikes were likely to lead to a long-term U.S. military commitment in Syria, and 74 percent said airstrikes would likely create a backlash against the U.S. and its allies in the region. Just 33 percent thought airstrikes would be an effective deterrent against the use of chemical weapons.
Not everyone polled was convinced that such weapons were used in Syria. While 53 percent said there was clear evidence that the Syrian government used chemical weapons against civilians, 23 percent said there was not, and another 24 percent were unsure.
Only 32 percent said Obama had explained clearly why the U.S. should launch strikes. Back in March 2003, as the Iraq War started, 49 percent said that President George W. Bush had compellingly made his case for what was then at stake.
In a Washington Post/ABC poll, also released Tuesday...
<snip>
More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/03/syria-airstrike-polls_n_3861639.html
The American People Really Don't Want To Bomb Syria (POLLS) - HuffPo
The American People Really Don't Want To Bomb Syria (POLLS)Ariel Edwards-Levy - HuffPo
Posted: 09/03/2013 4:09 pm EDT | Updated: 09/03/2013 5:06 pm EDT
<snip>
Americans remain widely opposed to U.S. military airstrikes in Syria, two new polls show, with voters skeptical of President Barack Obama's case for intervention.
In a Pew Research poll released Tuesday, just 29 percent of Americans favored airstrikes “in response to reports that the Syrian government used chemical weapons,” with a near-majority 48 percent opposed.
Wide majorities predicted negative consequences of a U.S. military intervention. Sixty-one percent said airstrikes were likely to lead to a long-term U.S. military commitment in Syria, and 74 percent said airstrikes would likely create a backlash against the U.S. and its allies in the region. Just 33 percent thought airstrikes would be an effective deterrent against the use of chemical weapons.
Not everyone polled was convinced that such weapons were used in Syria. While 53 percent said there was clear evidence that the Syrian government used chemical weapons against civilians, 23 percent said there was not, and another 24 percent were unsure.
Only 32 percent said Obama had explained clearly why the U.S. should launch strikes. Back in March 2003, as the Iraq War started, 49 percent said that President George W. Bush had compellingly made his case for what was then at stake.
In a Washington Post/ABC poll, also released Tuesday...
<snip>
More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/03/syria-airstrike-polls_n_3861639.html
September 4, 2013
More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_law
i.e. John Kerry
Ok... All Of A Sudden (Re: Syria) NOBODY Brings Up Godwin's Law ??? ... Well...
The law is sometimes invoked, as a rule, to mark the end of a discussion when a Nazi analogy is made, with the writer who made the analogy being considered to have lost the argument.
More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_law
i.e. John Kerry
September 4, 2013
At least give it the Intro... it truly relates to today.
If You Truly Think... That Our Government Has Been Forthcomig On Syria... I Dare Ya...
To Watch This !!! Particularily at the :58 sec mark...At least give it the Intro... it truly relates to today.
September 4, 2013
Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073802/quotes
Trailer:
Back To Our Future... Once Again... Please Press... Play (2.25 min long)...
From: Three Days Of The Condor
Higgins: It's simple economics. Today it's oil, right? In ten or fifteen years, food. Plutonium. Maybe even sooner. Now, what do you think the people are gonna want us to do then?
Joe Turner: Ask them?
Higgins: Not now - then! Ask 'em when they're running out. Ask 'em when there's no heat in their homes and they're cold. Ask 'em when their engines stop. Ask 'em when people who have never known hunger start going hungry. You wanna know something? They won't want us to ask 'em. They'll just want us to get it for 'em!
Joe Turner: Ask them?
Higgins: Not now - then! Ask 'em when they're running out. Ask 'em when there's no heat in their homes and they're cold. Ask 'em when their engines stop. Ask 'em when people who have never known hunger start going hungry. You wanna know something? They won't want us to ask 'em. They'll just want us to get it for 'em!
Link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073802/quotes
Trailer:
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