General Discussion

bhikkhu

(10,789 posts)

8. Based upon his belief that "the credibility of government claims" has "collapsed"

Tue Sep 3, 2013, 10:55 AM

Sep 2013

If one believes so, then the conclusion follows logically.

On the other hand, I haven't seen a collapse of the claims that Assad has used chemical weapons against civilians, I've seen over the weekend their affirmation by several sources, and a relatively detailed assembly of evidence. "Its no longer in question" is the general consensus internationally.

The problem that one faces then is what would be the results of watching a dictatorial regime use chemical weapons to clear out areas of unrest, and doing nothing. If Assad succeeds (and he has been winning the war lately) that demonstrates both the effectiveness of sarin as a uniquely useful and permanent "crowd control" measure, and it demonstrates that the international laws against its use are no longer in force.

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Noah Chomsky: US attack on Syria without UN approval would be a war crime [View all] David Krout Sep 2013 OP

As I have been saying since the war drums started banging. morningfog Sep 2013 #1

Would he support it if it came with U.N. Approval? nt el_bryanto Sep 2013 #2

No. He would then find some other reason... SidDithers Sep 2013 #4

but that isn't necessary, is it...? mike_c Sep 2013 #7

Americans also don't know it's a crime to even THREATEN another country with a war. Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2013 #20

The exception being discussed is if the UN Sec Council authorizes it. Then it's not a war crime. stevenleser Sep 2013 #36

that is what the UN Charter says.... mike_c Sep 2013 #37

More to the point, Syria will be entirely within her rights to HardTimes99 Sep 2013 #54

And he would most likely be right. n/t Fantastic Anarchist Sep 2013 #17

Nah, Chomsky said if Libya asked for help, we should. joshcryer Sep 2013 #47

"some other reason." LWolf Sep 2013 #56

Indeed. CanSocDem Sep 2013 #60

Whether or not you support a war is a different question than it's legality. morningfog Sep 2013 #57

Thank you, Noam Chomsky. woo me with science Sep 2013 #3

Chomsky believes every U.S. President is a "war criminal" ProSense Sep 2013 #5

The more interesting statement is that even Chomsky potentially sees the need for something BeyondGeography Sep 2013 #6

That actually leapt off the screen. Is Chomsky going Cha Sep 2013 #43

Based upon his belief that "the credibility of government claims" has "collapsed" bhikkhu Sep 2013 #8

'"Its no longer in question" is the general consensus internationally.' ocpagu Sep 2013 #48

I suppose it looks like whatever one reads says it looks like bhikkhu Sep 2013 #52

I am a big fan of Chomsky, BUT he seems to be blinded by his statment DontTreadOnMe Sep 2013 #9

"What is "United Nations support"... like that is some final moral high ground." Precisely Sep 2013 #10

Do you understand the "veto" in the UN? DontTreadOnMe Sep 2013 #13

At this point Precisely Sep 2013 #15

The Russians vetoed already on sanctions for Syria last year... DontTreadOnMe Sep 2013 #16

Last year. Sanctions. What Obama's doing goes against recent history. Precisely Sep 2013 #21

You keep changing the topic.. so responding to you has become meaningless. DontTreadOnMe Sep 2013 #29

Did not Precisely Sep 2013 #33

Noah???? Will he be launching an Arc???? - nt HardTimes99 Sep 2013 #11

Was assad using chemical weapons a war crime? The Straight Story Sep 2013 #12

Why should we care about what Obama thinks about punishing war crimes elsewhere MNBrewer Sep 2013 #14

^^^This^^^ Fantastic Anarchist Sep 2013 #19

oops. SammyWinstonJack Sep 2013 #42

He didn't use chemical weapons the al qaeda rebels did blazeKing Sep 2013 #25

Totally agree lark Sep 2013 #28

^This JRLeft Sep 2013 #30

If the rebels were the ones who used chemical weapons would it be a war crime? nt David Krout Sep 2013 #34

Are you seriously advocating that the US become a rogue nation? last1standing Sep 2013 #51

"why should Obama care what the UN thinks"... awoke_in_2003 Sep 2013 #53

Sigh...the point is (in case you missed it) The Straight Story Sep 2013 #55

I remember bush saying the same stuff. Cowboy diplomacy. morningfog Sep 2013 #58

He must be a libertarian Puzzledtraveller Sep 2013 #18

And what Syria did is STILL a war crime.. iamthebandfanman Sep 2013 #22

"The UN needs to be scraped and a new organization established." oldhippie Sep 2013 #39

He's already committed multiple war crimes with drone strikes. JRLeft Sep 2013 #23

We need to seek UN approval for this. reformist2 Sep 2013 #24

Not happening...China and Russia have made that clear Supersedeas Sep 2013 #26

Did we have a vote? Did we even try? reformist2 Sep 2013 #35

Knowing the outcome ahead of time, why would they? Supersedeas Sep 2013 #41

Not on this issue, but there were many UN votes that didn't pass: joshcryer Sep 2013 #49

Then we don't do it. Period. morningfog Sep 2013 #59

Hell, what one more? There are no repercussions for BIG crimes anyway. Rich must get richer. nt valerief Sep 2013 #27

So many interests in this military strike, defense contractors, fossil fuel industry, AIPAC, and JRLeft Sep 2013 #31

Why is it so hard for people to realize that there is nothing that makes the US supreme? Spitfire of ATJ Sep 2013 #32

kick woo me with science Sep 2013 #38

Luckily polls indicate some 60% are against a pre-emptive war of aggression, something indepat Sep 2013 #40

Message auto-removed Name removed Sep 2013 #44

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Warren DeMontague Sep 2013 #46

The really scary thing is.... SidDithers Sep 2013 #50

Well he's been right all along upi402 Sep 2013 #45

kick woo me with science Sep 2013 #61