HASSO HERING

A perspective from Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley

Rep. Schrader on Syria: Sort of right

Written September 12th, 2013 by
Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore.

Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore.

Our congressman in the 5th District, Democrat Kurt Schrader, had been quiet on what if anything the United States should do about Syria. On Sept. 12, though, he sent voters an email message that is right in one way and naive in another.

He says he remains “opposed to authorizing the unilateral use of U.S. forces — limited or not — without strong international support and clear, attainable objectives.” In short, he’s against the missile strike President Obama asked Congress to authorize — and then asked Congress to delay voting on. Schrader agrees with most people who say in polls that getting involved would be a mistake.

But then he goes on: “It is time for the United States to encourage the world community to address this breach of international protocol [the use of poison gas] and drive an international response…” This is wishful thinking. There is no “world community” and there will be no “international response,” no matter how much the congressman might want to encourage it. If any country is going to be punished for something its rulers did, it is up to individual powers to lead the way if they have the means. The trouble now — and the reason we should stay out this time — is that to end the Syrian civil war to the West’s advantage, the United States lacks not just the will but the means. (hh)


Posted in: Commentary
Tags: , ,



Comments are closed.

 

 
HH Today: A perspective from Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley
Albany Albany City Council Albany council Albany downtown Albany Fire Department Albany housing Albany parks Albany Planning Commission Albany police Albany Post Office Albany Public Works Albany riverfront Albany schools Albany Station Albany streets Albany traffic Albany urban renewal apartments ARA Benton County bicycling bike lanes Bowman Park Bryant Park Calapooia River CARA climate change COVID-19 Cox Creek Cox Creek path Crocker Lane cumberland church cycling Dave Clark Path DEQ downtown Albany Edgewater Village Highway 20 homeless housing Interstate 5 land use Linn County Millersburg Monteith Riverpark North Albany ODOT Oregon coast Oregon legislature Pacific Power Portland & Western Queen Avenue Republic Services Riverside Drive Santiam Canal Scott Lepman Talking Water Gardens The Banks Tom Cordier Union Pacific urban renewal Water Avenue Waterfront Project Waverly Lake Willamette River


Copyright 2022. All Rights Reserved. Hasso Hering.
Website Serviced by Santiam Communications
Hasso Hering