have the right to express your opinions just as I do. (His post is obviously problematic, while yours demands a response from those - like me- who hope that this can be resolved politically. That is a long shot, but necessary if you genuinely see war only as a last resort. You do realize that your arguments could also have been said about Iraq - though obviously Assad's atrocities are more recent than Saddam's were.)
Unlike you, I do not see not getting involved in the civil war equivalent to supporting the dictator. I resent your ascribing motives to me and others on DU. I also think supporting the position of our President and the Secretary of State is NOT supporting Assad -- and most certainly not supporting him because he is against the USA. I also do not think supporting the position I have says that Assad has done no wrong.
I think the Obama/Kerry effort to work with Russia to solve this politically - which can only work if all Syrians are willing to compromise, which is a long shot - is the ONLY good faith effort. I agreed that Assad is a terrible person, who has been likely the one most responsible for huge number of people killed. However, the US entering what is a civil war or supplying weapons to rebel groups when some of the rebels are KNOWN, self proclaimed members of Al Qaeda seems a recipe for making things worse. While there are people who are pacifists, who are against all wars, there are many who are not pacifists, who are still leery of this war.
I agree that the Syrian people should pick their own leaders, but I see that more likely occurring through a political solution that includes an election in the near future. The US entering into the war with the intent of removing Assad and everyone associated with him and putting in power the opposition forces we prefer is NOT letting the Syrian people pick their own leaders.
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