"What you seem to be advocating, Jim, is that we should indulge in some good old-fashioned "gunboat diplomacy"
No Mike - I am advocating that the UN fulfil its 'Duty of Protection' towards a people who are in a process of being massacred.
Of course I wouldn't want anybody to invade anywhere (though both Britain and the US haven't been backward in doing so where their own interests are concerned - want a list?
I am asking that no more is done than was done in Libya - when your ward seemed to have no qualms as to which way a liberated people would vote one Gadaffi was overthrown.
Are you seriously suggesting that it is right to just stand by and watch while this slaughter is going on? I can give you a few hsitorical precedents where has been demanded if you want.
Maybe we should demand a news blackout so Assad can get on with what he's doing in private and the rest of us can all sleep easier in our beds.
My condemnation of what Russia and China are doing has been a blanket one - damn them all - remember?
This includes those who have done nothing but treat the whole affair as a spectator sport and done nothing - Britain, Ireland, the US.
AND I HAVE AT NO TIME SUGGESTED THAT A MURDEROUS DICTATOR SHOULD BE GIVEN EQUIPMENT TO ENABLE HIM TO CONTINUE MURDERING AND TORTURING HIS PEOPLE
"Even liberal democracies have to deal with riots.
Non-lethal crowd control techniques are preferrable to live rounds.
If only Syria would restrict its security forces to using tear gas and water.
It would not be such a crime to supply such things, compared to what Russia and China supplies." UNQUOTE
Jim Carroll