DAMN THE TORPEDOES: FULL STEAM AHEAD

SPECIAL POST

Before taking off for the Labor Day Weekend, I decided to comment on how things stand in this country regarding the Middle East as of Friday afternoon at 3:30 PM PDT. 

We all know that we have a narcissistic President who believes he is the Omnipotent One.  So, in his mind, when he said that when or if Assad crossed his “red line” and used chemical weapons against rebels in Syria there would be hell to pay, he falsely envisioned that his threat would leave Assad shaking in his boots and that chemical weapons would in fact not be used.  Unfortunately, Assad and his pal Putin had already written Obama off as being a weenie. 

Inevitably, chemical weapons were used.  In the days since that discovery, things have evolved to a timid France offering support, Germany and Britain giving the cold shoulder, and Congress demanding that Obama call them back into session to decide whether or not to act.  Obama has been in hiding.  He put Secretary of State Kerry out in front and Kerry has been speaking with leaders of Congress who seem unwilling to give their nod until a measure is presented and voted on.  Yesterday, former President Jimmy Carter enjoined that any military action against Syria without Congressional approval would be unconstitutional and impeachable. 

Although American sentiment seems to be against any action in Syria, the Obama team is pressing ahead.  Our warships are in the Mediterranean.  On the other hand, Egyptian rebels have threatened to close the Suez Canal if we act, Syria and Iran have threatened to bomb Israel if we act, and Russian warships are now making their way to the scene.  Both Egypt and Libya are perilously close to sinking into anarchy. 

The Middle East is more of a tinderbox than I can recall in my lifetime.  And Obama wants to enter the scene with a lit matchstick?  The odds are high that he will act over the weekend and without Congressional approval.  I originally said that Congress should give that approval, if asked, but the moment for that has passed.  To me, the question now is, “If Obama orders military action without Congressional approval, will the Pentagon comply or will they cite his lack of such approval in refusing to act? 

Hopefully, I’ll be back with a post on Tuesday and no action against Syria will have taken place, but I won’t bet on it.