Aha – That’s Why They Were So Desperate to Get Us Into Syria

[BlueMTexpat]

96. Thinking back, although the phrase "red line"

in reference to Syria was apparently first used by Prez Obama in 2012, it did not become such a feverishly hysterical catchword until AFTER the election of President Rouhani in June 2013 and even before the tragic incident that nearly stampeded the US into war earlier this month.

I remember hearing the phrase repeated ad nauseam from July on - even before the sarin gas incident - which is one reason (among the many) why I was absolutely opposed to US military intervention in Syria. In retrospect, it seemed to me that the usual suspects (PNAC members, McCain, Netanyahu, etc.) were using "red line" in crying "wolf" (about both Syria and Iran) to whet bloodthirsty appetites and set the stage for a horrific event that would provoke the same unquestioning reactions as 9-11 did, e.g., knee-jerk military intervention(s) that would - in this case - ultimately lead to conflict with Iran. And potentially others ....

Although I was not happy with the hyperbolic rhetoric used by Prez O & SoS Kerry in late August/early September, I thank heavens that both are level-headed enough that despite occasional hyperbole, neither really believes in "knee-jerk" reactions, especially to sensitive foreign policy matters, and both were willing to listen to and heed those "outside the Beltway," including world leaders from other countries.

For those who are interested, here's an interesting article about the history of the phrase "red line," written by Ben Zimmer, a lexicographer. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323993804578612210634238812.html

Mr. Zimmer also explores other "well-worn foreign policy phrases" in this article: http://www.visualthesaurus.com/cm/wordroutes/of-pinpricks-and-slam-dunks-the-rhetoric-of-the-syrian-conflict/

Enjoy.