General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Magical thinking [View all]Blanks
(4,835 posts)If you are going to get someone to stop doing something, or else...
You have to make them believe the 'or else' component.
Churchill was not prime minister of England for very long when the Germans took over France. He threatened to attack French ships unless they turned themselves over to the allies and one group chose not to cooperate. The British navy blew the hell out of some French ships (and killed over 1200 french sailors) and as a result: that naval action changed the mind of FDR - as to the British resolve. FDR seriously expected England to fall prior to that.
You have to demonstrate that you mean business, or people will walk all over you.
I agree with the OP, and I've signed every anti-war petition that came to me. I can see the wisdom of the president and his people staying the course - even though I didn't agree with it. Whether the president had it planned this way all along, I don't know - and I don't care. He apparently had a lot of people here at DU believing that he was gonna bomb Syria, and again, if they really believe that you are gonna do it - they behave accordingly. Additionally, let us remember this when folks call him a dove.
I hoped (and continue to hope) that we do not take military action in Syria, but I no longer believe that this president, that (as a candidate) bragged about his peace loving credentials: is afraid to commit troops if he thinks its necessary - regardless of what we think he should, or shouldn't do.
I'm not sure how I feel about that.