patrick.net

It's a civil war in Syria, it isn't our war. If US gets involved, it won't be over the murders, it'll be over some tangible financial benefits.

You know how it goes, if pension funds don't earn their 6%+ we go to war.

No one has yet proven if nerve gas was used. And no one has proved by whom, if it indeed has been used.

The last time a similar story like this ran, the UN said it was the rebels who used the gas.

Blurtman says

Threat to who exactly?

To certain someone's credibility.

Maybe we should keep the US corporate profit enforcement division (US military) out of this and mind our own business?

Let the UN handle it; that's what it's for.

It may be time to rev up the false flag anthrax attacks in the USA again.

Call it Crazy says

Homeboy says

Exactly. The country's in terrible shape, and the guy running against Obama just outright insults 47% of the population. I mean, how fucking stupid do you have to be?

And Obama outright insults the other 47%.... so isn't it standoff then???

So the swing voters are only the 6% who are not "insulted?"

SoftShell says

the opposition is just as bad, if not worse than the government.

There were two strands to the opposition, at least in the early days. The secular opposition included professional military officers and they wanted to ally with the U.S. against the government which is backed by Russia; there were some calls to arm them, and the issue was considered, but it's probably much too late for that now. Instead, the country became a magnet for al Qaeda, and much of the opposition consists now of Islamist fanatics who would kill Americans too if they got the chance. It might minimize harm to arrange asylum somewhere for the secular opposition, and let the government deal with the religious fanatics. Attacking the government with drones and missiles, and arming the religious fanatics, would be more likely to increase risk than to reduce it.

Analyzer says

All of these overpaid, talk a lot, do nothing politicians are to blame

Politician's aren't the problem, We The People are the problem.

Nobody here understands anything about anything.

It's bullshit all the way down in this country.

curious2 says

then voting to make everyone pay all they could afford to those very same companies

PPACA limits insurance burdens to 2-10% of income for middle-class:

[Now, if they just raise taxes to give us the subsidy, it's not a real cost savings.]

Plus of course the House Dem bill had the public option, allowing consumers to buy insurance directly from the gov't, like we now do with student loans.

curious2 says

that they're much smarter than the majority, who oppose it,

"36 percent of Americans want Congress to expand or keep the health care law while 39 percent want Congress to repeal it "

More than half that 39% can't find their ass with a map.

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/poll-louisiana-gopers-unsure-if-katrina-response-was

The economy tanked in 2001 under Bush. The housing bubble obscured the bad fundamentals for a few years, but that just made things worse. There hasn't been a good economy since the Clinton administration.

Of course, Obama did follow the same doomed-to-fail economic policy of propping up housing prices and thus strangling the economy. So he's no saint either.

Dan8267 says

Obama did follow the same doomed-to-fail economic policy of propping up housing prices and thus strangling the economy.

How did he do that? Are you talking about the first-time buyer tax credit?

Agree with you about the shitty economy ever since 2001.

bgamall4 says

If the Russians believe that this is a false flag, watch out. America needs to quit being led around by it's dick, the CIA.

So that would make the NSA it's balls, the TSA its taint?

freak80 says

How did he do that?

Keeping interest rates low, debasing the currency, bailing out the too-big-to-fail banks while letting their competition (small banks) go under, failing to enforce all the anti-fraud laws the banks broke, and all out punishing responsible renters and savers, the very people who are necessary to finally fix the housing market and allow everyone to move and move on with their lives.

Roberto's not worried.

Dan8267 says

Keeping interest rates low, debasing the currency

Isn't that Ben Bernanke's domain? I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just wondering.

Dan8267 says

bailing out the too-big-to-fail banks while letting their competition (small banks) go under, failing to enforce all the anti-fraud laws the banks broke

Agree, that was insane. We're basically a plutocracy run by the CEOs in Big Finance.

If the U.S. had debt laws like Dubai, we'd see houses parked hap-haphazardly at the airport.

freak80 says

Isn't that Ben Bernanke's domain? I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just wondering.

Technically, but monetary policy ultimately stems from the White House and Congress.

Bellingham Bill says

More than half that 39%....

don't even live in Louisiana, let alone show up in your irrelevant poll of LA Republicans who are unsure about the federal response to Hurricane Katrina (when Barack Obama was a U.S. Senator, not President). Gallup also found majority opposition to Obamacare.

Bellingham Bill says

if they just raise taxes to give us the subsidy, it's not a real cost savings.

Exactly. It's only more revenue for the patronage networks, and more federal power that can be further monetized.

freak80 says

Isn't that Ben Bernanke's domain?

Ben Bernanke was re-appointed by President Obama. Also the endless "helping homeowners" (actually banks) programs began or continued in the current administration - HAMP, MHA - in addition to continuing the pre-existing programs (FHA, Federal Home Loan Banks, MID). (In the medical sector, these would be called "pre-existing conditions," with the same goal of extending them as lucratively as possible.)

Recently the President proposed winding down Fannie and Freddie and making sure there won't be more bailouts. I hope he succeeds in doing that, which would reduce the risk of another collapse. Most of these problems began before President Obama arrived, so the issue has been "extend and pretend," shoring up a collapse with deficit spending and low interest rates. I hope he will solve the underlying problems, but as with healthcare, it's a tough job: most of the system is run by the people who make $ off the problems and want them to continue, and the Republicans tempt them with proposals that are even worse for everyone else.

curious2 says

but as with healthcare, it's a tough job: most of the system is run by the people who make $ off the problems and want them to continue.

Chris Rock: "Ain't no money in a cure. They're still mad about all the money they lost on polio!"

Call it Crazy says

And Obama outright insults the other 47%.... so isn't it standoff then???

Um, no he didn't. What the fuck are you talking about? Also, 100 minus 47 is not 47.

Call it Crazy says

Maybe to you....

Oh, sorry. I didn't know you were gay.

humanity says

Talk to us when you understand what a liquidity trap is.

Bellingham Bill says

[Now, if they just raise taxes to give us the subsidy, it's not a real cost savings.]

Depends who's getting taxed. The law taxes big business as well as conspicuous consumption, but not the middle class or the poor.

bgamall4 says

If the Russians believe that this is a false flag, watch out.

Watch out for what? What will happen, Gary? They send in their "aircraft carrier"?

The tape was doctored, asshole.
Same as 911....

Homeboy says

I mean, how fucking stupid do you have to be?

We need more wars!
Increasing profits for the Military Industrial Complex is good for our economy.

APO: "Why do you hate success?"

bgamall4 says

It all depends upon if they believe that Syria is crucial to their national interest.

So, what happens if they really-really believe that Syria is crucial? Come on Gary, spill the beans already.

Proxy versus proxy. No cheating, now.

I think we should end this thread on a positive note...

http://www.youtube.com/embed/eYN1ugv9mHo

bgamall4 says

They will first stop the UN from asking for an inspection of the areas where the gas was allegedly used.

That's it? How scary.

bgamall4 says

Straw Man says

That's it? How scary

Silly, that is a start. If they can't see if gas was used, the US cannot justify an attack or entrance into the war.

And this is bad exactly why?

If the US enters anyway, watch out. Russia will arm Assad to the teeth.

Russia is already arming Assad to the teeth. But let's not kid ourselves: if US enters Syria it will be lights out for Assad in 3 weeks tops. Probably less.

What would the US do if suddenly an ARMED army of protesters emerged, fed up with this and that, the Fed, the crony capitalism, globalization, gonzos hairdo whatever? Uh, they would label them terrorists, deploy their paramilitary forces and use ANY means necessary to squash the resistance, drones, fucking new fangled NSA weapons, maybe also some good ole bullets just gaitling gunned into everything that moves "Dorner-hunt style". Only AF & family would survive. And on what grounds do they want to police the world? Hypocrites. Four more wars! ;)

Straw Man says

Russia is already arming Assad to the teeth. But let's not kid ourselves: if US enters Syria it will be lights out for Assad in 3 weeks tops. Probably less.

The problem is that most of these leaders provided stability in the region, and once taken out clusterfuck central happens and far more basic human rights go out of the window than were missing before. The alternatives in those regions have been almost always proven to be worse, plus you have to add the count of innocent people killed during the toppling. What would US citizens & gov. do if some country declared the US an unfit regime and put boots on the ground (given they had the power to do so)?

Dubai at least have $20K French cognac shoot in restaurant, waiters have to live there as well.

mell says

Straw Man says

Russia is already arming Assad to the teeth. But let's not kid ourselves: if US enters Syria it will be lights out for Assad in 3 weeks tops. Probably less.

The problem is that most of these leaders provided stability in the region, and once taken out clusterfuck central happens and far more basic human rights go out of the window than were missing before.

No argument there. My response was to Gary "False Flag" Anderson who keeps hinting at some horrible response from Russia in case US goes into Syria. There is nothing Russia can do beyond what it already does. Which is not much, really.

bgamall4 says

Straw Man says

And this is bad exactly why?

That is good,

Why the "watch out" comment then? If anything we should embrace Russia's opposition to our involvement in Syria as a convenient cover. And pray that Samantha Power doesn't get involved, because Russia is no match to that broad.

If the US is trying to save lives they could have done a lot more with less money in Somalia this last year or two. It's all about the oil.

those jobs were bullshit anyways

jump straight to 2nd segment
http://video.pbs.org/video/2327953844/