Normally I’m against using this space to copy and paste press releases, but the American-Israeli Political Action Committee chose this hour – around the time Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson was finishing his question time with Secretary of State John Kerry – to announce a robust endorsement of an airstrike on Syria.
“The civilized world cannot tolerate the use of these barbaric weapons, particularly against an innocent civilian population including hundreds of children,” declares AIPAC. “Simply put, barbarism on a mass scale must not be given a free pass. This is a critical moment when America must also send a forceful message of resolve to Iran and Hezbollah – both of whom have provided direct and extensive military support to Assad.”
Today’s strange hiccup with the New York Times’s lead – the pretty obvious line about AIPAC’s role, which was removed – is downgraded to “pointless.” AIPAC, which tends to weigh in on these matters only when it wants to bring down Thor’s hammer and win, is now on board. (Remember, opponents of the Hagel nomination were frustrated that AIPAC wouldn’t cash in chits and denounce him.)
The whole thing:
AIPAC urges Congress to grant the President the authority he has requested to protect America’s national security interests and dissuade the Syrian regime’s further use of unconventional weapons. The civilized world cannot tolerate the use of these barbaric weapons, particularly against an innocent civilian population including hundreds of children.
Simply put, barbarism on a mass scale must not be given a free pass.
This is a critical moment when America must also send a forceful message of resolve to Iran and Hezbollah – both of whom have provided direct and extensive military support to Assad. The Syrian regime and its Iranian ally have repeatedly demonstrated that they will not respect civilized norms. That is why America must act, and why we must prevent further proliferation of unconventional weapons in this region.
America’s allies and adversaries are closely watching the outcome of this momentous vote. This critical decision comes at a time when Iran is racing toward obtaining nuclear capability. Failure to approve this resolution would weaken our country’s credibility to prevent the use and proliferation of unconventional weapons and thereby greatly endanger our country’s security and interests and those of our regional allies. AIPAC maintains that it is imperative to adopt the resolution to authorize the use of force, and take a firm stand that the world’s most dangerous regimes cannot obtain and use the most dangerous weapons.
