I don't give a shit about Rand Paul, or Obama's political standing, or House GOP motivations.

[ProSense]

124. I initially stated

that the problem with Syria is that it's likely a civil war. The people who need to start talking are the leaders on both sides, and the world community can likely help to facilitate that. Still, Assad has to be willing to talk.

Even if the U.S. does strike, all that does is send a message to Assad. Then what? Military intervention in a civil war is absurd.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023548839#post9

Still, I am not opposed to holding Assad accountable. The facts need to be debated. Why would anyone object to the debate or be quick to dismiss the facts?

I mean, as a case for limited strike was being made, there were people claiming that this was for a ground war and would involve mass casualties. That is not responsible.

There was a debate about Libya. Some who supported that intervention, now oppose this one, and vice versa.

I am still skeptical about the aftermath of a strike. Still, I wouldn't be disappointed if Assad loses his ability to launch more chemical attacks.

The point is that some people are guided by the facts.

Senators Boxer and Durbin voted against the IWR, but voted for the Syria resolution:

Who voted for the Syria resolution?

By Ed O'Keefe

Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted Wednesday to approve a resolution authorizing U.S. military action against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

<...>

Final tally: 10 to 7, with one senator voting present.

Who voted yes?: Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) (by proxy — was absent due to the Jewish holiday), Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Christopher Coons (D-Del.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.). Ranking member Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) and Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.).

Who voted no?: Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Christopher Murphy (D-Conn.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.)

Who voted present?: Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.).

- more -

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/09/04/who-voted-for-the-syria-resolution/

Citing Need For More Information, Markey Votes ‘Present’ On Syria Resolution To Authorize Force

Newly-elected Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) raised a lot of eyebrows Wednesday afternoon when he voted "present" on a resolution to authorize military strikes in Syria, a position advocated by his predecessor Secretary of State John Kerry, who testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee the very same day.

“A `no’ vote would have indicated I had sufficient information on which to base the decision. Which I did not," Markey explained after the vote, as quoted by the Boston Globe.

“I want to make sure I make an informed, correct vote,” he added. “The people of Massachusetts expect their senators to have analyzed all the facts, and I want to make sure I have all the facts before I cast that vote.”

The committee ultimately passed a revised authorization for military action in Syria, including new language effectively making regime change the goal of the intervention, by a margin of 10 - 7, with Markey voting present.

- more -

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/markey-voted-present-on-syria-resolution-due-to