First I would be interested in which one of Obama's failures and/or follow up failures is the "center" of the root cause. AND why it's our fault rather than Russia supporting a really bad dictator who should go. If I'm embarrassed about anything its that we (yes we, doesn't mater if you voted for him - we elected him) gave the office of US President to someone who allowed the situation to deteriorate to the point where huge numbers of people felt it better to leave their traditional home than to stay and work to make things better.
Also, with respect to the often asked question 'why do we have to be the policeman of the world, why is the USA the cop'? Because long ago we applied for, asked for, lobbied for, and forced our way into the job. And once a cop always a cop. Until you publicly retire the public expects you to be there when called. Just because a cop decides he doesn't want to leave the donut shop (or golf course as the case may be) doesn't mean he's no longer a cop - it just means there is no one there to keep the rapes, decapitations, and social destruction from happening. We're the cop because decades ago we had leadership with the balls to say the world needs to be a better place to live - and no one can do a better job of making that happen than us. So we did.
Well said @kluke. We assumed the mantel from the British after WW2. We assumed it to hold back the darkness of the communists and their benighted religion. Now we must find a way to smother the fire of religious fanaticism and nurse the hoped for rise of modernity in the Islamic world. If it weren't for our attempts (as flawed as they may or may not have been) to follow our ideals the world would be a much darker place. Sometimes there are no real good or clear answers but you do the best you can. It's a thankless task but our very future depends on holding this line. We need leadership with balls and not the apologist sitting in the oval office.
As we have seen in San Bernardino, one drop out of how many is all it takes. If you'll go back and look, you'll see that my original comment was in not understanding how folks can find the time and energy to protest in favor of Syrians, but can't or don't spend that kind of time/energy helping out US Vets who live on the streets. It's that simple for me. I suppose we can all pick and choose what type of protest or cause we want to participate in....for me, I just don't get the effort when it involves asking people from other countries to come and live here on our dime when a) they can stay much closer to home, and b) we have Vets with mental and physical disabilities who live on the street and can't get help. Maybe you make yourself feel better by trying to define what you think you know but I assure you I have never sent a chain email, I don't have a Facebook page, instagram or snapchat account, and I don't tweet. I asked the question about why PEOPLE don't help veterans. I am far more ashamed of that than I could ever be about any fault the US may have in what has happened in the middle east. I don't buy into the "no borders", "one world" bullshit. The world is not the same, people are not the same. It sucks that they live in such a God forsaken place but sometimes, that's how life works out.
In fact it is incumbent that those living in a country take responsibility for that country's society. They are the only ones who can effect change. The beginnings of the Syrian revolt was just that. Serious people (mostly secular) working for change. Outside influences (including the US) can only help and support the best change. This is where President Obama failed so miserably in the early days of the Syrian civil war. There was a moderate element that had a chance to bring Syria into a more modern state. We did nothing and they have been subsumed by radicals. It wouldn't have taken "boots on the ground" but intelligent support. There is a chance there would be 250,000+ killed, 2,000,000+ displaced or the infestation of ISIS, desolation of Iraq, the meddling of Russia and the strengthening of Iran. As W owns much of the problems in Iraq, Obama owns as much or more of Syria and the collapse of Iraq.
Exactly right. He didn't give a rats ass when they were getting gassed, why the hell does he care so deeply now? Help them a year ago and we don't have this problem now
Your nuts, look around we have plenty, they just won't work because it's a better life on food stamps.
