Syria has been on my mind a lot the past few days. And it’s been on lots of folk’s minds.
My good friend, Chris Alexander, just posted on Facebook a very well stated explanation of why we should not rush into lobbing bombs into Syria. With his permission, I’d like to share that with you here:
Syria is on my mind…
I’m writing this because I do not want us to start bombing in Syria. The use of chemical weapons is morally reprehensible, and the users should be punished. However, there are methods available to punish the War Criminals responsible for the use of these banned weapons.
The International Criminal Court should immediately start war crime tribunals and proceedings against those responsible for the use of chemical weapons in Syria. The United States can take evidence that Assad’s regime used chemical weapons to the UN Security Council and seek a resolution against Syria. These acts would make it far more difficult for Russia, Iran and China to continue defending the regime and open the door for international action to broker a ceasefire.
We weaken these systems of International Law that are already in place when we choose unilateral military action just because we are currently strong enough to do so. We need to strengthen these sources of International Law so that they will be in place should we ever need to have recourse to them ourselves.
The use of chemical weapons is unacceptable, it is truly abhorrent — but in response we need to go to the U.N. and the International Criminal Court to hold Syria’s leaders accountable for war crimes. A unilateral military attack by the United States is NOT the answer.
We need to stop acting as the “Policeman to the world”. I believe that we cannot act unilaterally on issues like this that do not DIRECTLY effect our National Security anymore. Unilateral action increases the number of our enemies, endangers those who bravely risk their lives in service to our Country, puts too great a strain on our Defense Budget and sends the message that we do not care for the rule of International law.
Our best option is to hold war criminals accountable through international law, expand humanitarian aid for refugees, and maintain constant diplomatic pressure for a negotiated end to the conflict.
I will not support a candidate who continues to put my Country at risk with Unilateral Actions of War when there are other methods of action available.
I urge you to notify your Senators and members of Congress.
Let your voices be heard.
Christopher Alexander
Please, take a minute to call, e-mail, or mail your state and federal elected officials. Tell them more warfare is not the answer and suggest they read and consider Chris’s wise words.