Syria: Glenn Beck Follows the Money

Patricia Evans shares video links and two full-length articles. Her comments, links to the articles, and the first paragraph of each article appear below. If at some time in the future the articles are pulled down from WND and Zero Hedge, e-mail salolianigodagewi @ yahoo for the full text.

"What is Syria all about? It’s all about money and oil. Glenn Beck shows the ties between Syria, Russia, and oil in a 5 minute video here: http://youtu.be/6vNZr_-Jogs   and a 3 minute video, Syria and the Muslim Brotherhood here: http://youtu.be/RH122bnjCjw                                                                                                                           

Beck explained that there are two oil and natural gas pipelines that have been vying for access to Syria, one of which would go through Iran and Iraq, the other of which would go through Qatar and Saudi Arabia.  Syria's  Assad in 2009 refused to go along with the Qatar and Saudi Arabia plan, instead inking deals with Russia and Iran. Much to the dismay of Qatar and Saudi Arabia who have been training and arming rebels against Assad. Qatar has spent 3 billion dollars to support the rebels in Syria. Saudi Arabia is spending huge amounts of money to help the rebels and intends to install their own puppet government in Syria which will allow the Saudis to control the flow of energy through the region. 

Beck then noted that John Kerry said certain Arab countries have offered to pay for a U.S. strike on Syria.

“It’s all about money and oil.  They want a pipeline, and they are prepared to do anything to get the pipeline that benefits them as opposed to the other pipeline. It makes a heck of a lot of difference to Russia, it makes a heck of a lot of difference to Iran, and makes a whole lot of difference to all the people we’re cozy with.  ”“By the way, you lose either way,” he added.

WND: Saudi tail wagging U.S. into war?

Saudi Ambassador lobbying Congress, White House to take action

Aaron Klein  Aaron Klein is WND's senior staff reporter and Jerusalem bureau chief.
http://www.wnd.com/2013/09/saudi-tail-wagging-u-s-into-war/

Powerful U.S. ally Saudi Arabia has been a driving force behind the scenes, pushing for the U.S. to act militarily in Syria....

But no matter how you slice it, there is absolutely no reason for the United States to be getting involved in this conflict. And of course once we strike Syria, the war could escalate into a full-blown conflict very easily.

Is The US Going To War With Syria Over A Natural Gas Pipeline?

ZeroHedge:  http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-09-04/guest-post-us-going-war-syria-over-natural-gas-pipeline                                 

                                                                                                                                                              

As we asked and answered over 3 months ago, why has the little nation of Qatar spent 3 billion dollars to support the rebels in Syria? The answer revolves, as usually is the case in the Middle East, around a pipeline...
"

Robert Hurt on Syria, Week 2

From Congressman Robert Hurt's e-newsletter:

"

The current situation in Syria is on the forefront of Americans’ thoughts, and for good reason. We are all deeply saddened by the recent use of chemical weapons, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and families of those who have suffered under President Bashar al-Assad.

Last week, America watched President Obama's address to our nation regarding the recent chemical attack and the ongoing civil war in Syria. I, along with my colleagues, commend him for engaging Congress and the American people on this vitally important subject.

I have repeatedly stated, however, that before the United States should commit any of its precious American lives or military resources to an attack on the Syrian regime, the President must articulate a compelling American national security interest that requires military action. I have attended classified briefings, and I have concluded that, at this time, the President has not demonstrated that a compelling national security interest is at stake. Because of this, I will not be able to support the Authorization for Use of Military Force resolution should it come to a vote under current circumstances.

That said, the horrific actions that have taken place in Syria should be fully investigated and those responsible should be brought to justice. We should use every diplomatic and economic sanction to prevent the future use of such weapons. I am encouraged to hear that the President has requested to postpone action in Congress to explore diplomatic options.

Only time will tell how sincere the Syrian government is about surrendering their stockpile of WMDs, but rest assured, I will continue to closely monitor the developments with this proposal.

Robert visited with students from the Tandem Friends School in Charlottesville on the steps of the U.S. Capitol

Robert visited with constituents from Charlottesville who traveled to Washington on behalf of Dialysis Patient Citizens

If you need any additional information, please visit my website at hurt.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-4711, Charlottesville office: (434) 973-9631, Danville office: (434) 791-2596, or Farmville office: (434) 395-0120.

Sincerely,

  "

Robert Hurt's Statement on Syria

From Congressman Robert Hurt's e-newsletter:

"

On Tuesday, I watched President Obama's address to our nation regarding the recent chemical attack and the ongoing civil war in Syria. I commend him for engaging the United States Congress and the American people on this vitally important subject.

 

Like all Americans, I was horrified and saddened by the brutal chemical attack against innocent Syrian children and adults on August 21. These actions should be fully investigated and those responsible should be brought to justice. And we should use every diplomatic and economic sanction to prevent the future use of such weapons.

 

With that in mind, I have repeatedly stated that before the United States should commit any of its precious military resources -- our lives and our treasure -- to an attack on the Syrian regime, the President must articulate a compelling American national security interest that requires military action.

 

I believe, as a member of Congress charged with the constitutional responsibility to provide for the national defense, I must make every effort to support our President and his judgment as our Commander-in-Chief. However, my ultimate responsibility is to our Constitution and to the people I represent.

 

I have listened to the President's arguments; I have listened to the arguments of the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense in their classified briefing to Congress; and I have listened to the reasoning of the good people of Virginia's Fifth District.

 

Based upon all of the evidence presented to me and the arguments on both sides of the issue, I have concluded that, at this time, the President has not demonstrated that a compelling national security interest is at stake. Therefore, I will not be able to support the Authorization for Use of Military Force resolution should it come to a vote under these circumstances.

If you need any additional information, please visit my website at hurt.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-4711, Charlottesville office: (434) 973-9631, Danville office: (434) 791-2596, or Farmville office: (434) 395-0120.
"

Is Syria a Distraction?

Rush Limbaugh said it, I didn't...(click here to read Limbaugh's words)...but I've been thinking it. Thanks to the Tea Party known as Conservative Byte for this link.

Lloyd Marcus' 9/11 Post and Song

Timely and worth reading:

http://www.reverbnation.com/c/fr5/artist_700364?eid=A700364_18470585_53315195&fsc=0de8c729817

Many people who read the blog post may be able to hear the song...if you've not heard it before.

Morgan Griffith Requests Continuing Prayers

From Congressman Morgan Griffith's E-Newsletter:

"Syria – A Vote of Conscience
I have been hearing from people throughout the Ninth District of Virginia about President Obama’s request that Congress authorize military action in Syria.  This is a grave and serious issue, and I am grateful for every opinion I have received.  More than 1,200 people have contacted my offices to formally express their views on this matter.  Also, I have personally spoken with hundreds of people at meetings, in grocery store parking lots, at football games, and in church.  In fact, this issue has surpassed Second Amendment Rights as the top issue that my office has received contact on since January 1, 2013.

I am still gathering information and listening to the Administration’s case, and am wrestling with a number of important questions.  As Democrat Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (CA-46) said on Sunday, September 8, “the minute that one of those cruise missiles lands in there, we are in the Syrian war,” “for the President to say this is just, you know, a very quick thing and we're out of there [pause] that's how long wars start,” and “you can’t just lob in a few missiles and say that that’s the end.”  I tend to agree with her on this.

On the other hand, the President is right in that the use of chemical weapons should not be accepted by the international community.  At the time of this writing, a September 9 suggestion by Secretary of State John Kerry that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad “turn over every single bit of his chemical weapons to the international community in the next week” appears to have been tentatively welcomed by the Russian and Syrian foreign ministers as a possible way to avoid an American attack.  If Russia and Syria are serious and willing to prove that they mean it, hasn’t the Administration’s point been made?

On Saturday, September 7, my family and I were fortunate enough to attend the Virginia Tech home opener in Blacksburg.  As I watched the Corps of Cadets file into Lane Stadium, my thoughts went to the importance this decision will have on the lives of these and other young people.

At times like this, I am reminded of The Wizard of Oz’s Cowardly Lion.  To borrow from him, “What makes a King out of a slave?  Courage.  What makes the flag on the mast to wave?  Courage.”  As a nation, we must possess the courage to act when it is in our nation’s best interest, the courage to refrain from action when action is not in our nation’s best interest, and the wisdom to determine the difference.  At this time I’m not sure it is in the United States’ strategic interest to intervene militarily, though I remain willing to listen to the Administration’s case.  Respectfully, I seek prayers for discernment from you as the debate regarding any involvement in the Syrian civil war continues.
"

Syria: Rand Paul Weighs In

Here's another e-mail from Patricia Evans that included almost the full text of two articles, which this web site recommends reading as they were originally posted as long as that's possible, plus an appeal from the office of U.S. Senator Rand Paul:

"Evidence is mounting that the strategy by President Obama, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Secretary of State John F. Kerry and other lawmakers to cast members of the Free Syria Army as “moderates” among the rebel forces opposing the government of Bashir al-Assad was the brain-child of Elizabeth O’Bagy, a 26-year-old graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in Arab studies and political science at Georgetown University, who is working on a dissertation on woman’s militancy.   McCain even traveled with O’Bagy to Syria in May to meet with the rebels. “I just don’t agree that a majority are al-Qaida and the bad guys,” Kerry concluded.  An assessment  “at odds with estimates by U.S. and European intelligence sources and nongovernmental experts, who say Islamic extremists remain by far the fiercest and best-organized rebel elements.”

Woman informing Obama, Kerry, McCain’s opinions on Syria also an advocate for Syrian rebels

 http://dailycaller.com/2013/09/05/woman-informing-kerry-mccains-opinions-on-syria-also-an-advocate-for-syrian-rebels/#ixzz2eEbQFzo6

On Wednesday, Secretary of State John Kerry encouraged members of the House of Representatives to read a Wall Street Journal op-ed by 26-year-old Elizabeth O’Bagy — an analyst with the Institute for the Study of War — who asserted that concerns about extremists dominating among the Syrian rebels are unfounded.

[If unable to read the full story at the Daily Caller link, e-mail salolianigodagewi @ yahoo.com.]

WND EXCLUSIVE: Obama relying on student's spin on Syria?

McCain, Kerry also informed by 26-year-old at Georgetown

Jerome R. Corsi    http://www.wnd.com/2013/09/obama-relying-on-students-spin-on-syria/

NEW YORK – Evidence is mounting that the strategy by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Secretary of State John F. Kerry to cast members of the Free Syria Army as “moderates” among the rebel forces opposing the government of Bashir al-Assad was the brain-child of Elizabeth O’Bagy, a 26-year-old graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in Arab studies and political science at Georgetown University, who is working on a dissertation on woman’s militancy.

[If unable to read this article at WND, e-mail Saloli. The WND article contains photos, videos, many links, and a poll.]

Please join us now and send your faxes to Republican leaders in Congress and demand that they do not give Barack Obama the authority to strike Syria:

Send faxes now: https://fs8.formsite.com/GrassTopsUSA/form563/secure_index.html

More from Senator Rand Paul:

Please sign this petition today to add your voice to mine and say "NO" to U.S. military action in Syria.

Our national interests are not at stake in Syria, and using our men and women in uniform to salvage the credibility of this administration would be a shocking misuse.

Next week, the full Senate will deliberate and vote on an authorization for military action. I will lead the opposition to try to stop this mistake from ever happening. And it would be a grave mistake, one whose consequences we cannot even be sure of right now.

I am asking you to let your voice be heard this week and next.

You see, one of the major reason the constitution requires CONGRESS to send us to war is because the voice of the people can be heard clearly here.

Let them hear your voice, and let them hear a resounding "NO" to war in Syria, as they weigh this important decision.

There are many reasons my colleagues could have for voting no, among them:

*** Our military would be joining the same side of this civil war as Al Qaeda. We cannot be sure who among the Syrian rebels are potential allies, and we know many of them are Islamic militants.

*** The hundreds of thousands of Christians in Syria would be in even more danger if the extremist rebels were to take over Syria.

*** There is no real military goal, and no clear sense of what victory is. Without that, our military should never be asked to risk their lives.

There certainly are more strong reasons to stay out of this civil war in Syria. And I will make sure my colleagues here them all this week and next, as I take to the Senate floor and to the airwaves to lead this fight.

But I am counting on you to back me up.

Congress MUST hear from every American who doesn't want to see anyone's sons or daughters be the first to die for a mistake.

Congress MUST hear from every American who knows we can't be the world's policeman.

And Congress MUST hear from every American who would be sickened to know we were contemplating joining a war on the same side as Al Qaeda. American involvement in the Syrian conflict would only strengthen al-Qaeda terrorists.
So let them hear you.

In Liberty,
Senator Rand Paul

--
"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people. They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty."  - Thomas Jefferson "

Syria: Senate Committee Votes

Here's the link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/officials-press-lawmakers-to-approve-syria-strike-obama-invokes-congresss-credibility/2013/09/04/4c93a858-155c-11e3-804b-d3a1a3a18f2c_story.html?hpid=z1?wpisrc=al_comboPN_p

Syria: Conspiracy Theories Begin

Repeat: this web site has no foreign policy. We do, however, have a policy on conspiracy theories. Our policy is, unless we have inside information that supports a conspiracy theory, we don't take it seriously. Theories often deserve investigation, and sometimes turn out to be true; theories are not facts.

However, because congressional staff do read blogs for indications of what "We The People" want our Congress to do, and because it is our Congress's job to investigate conspiracy theories of this magnitude, we'll share a few conspiracy theory links. These came from Patricia Evans:

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2013/09/03/bodansky_what_if_bashar_didn_t_do_it

http://www.globalresearch.ca/did-the-white-house-help-plan-the-syrian-chemical-attack/5347542

There are masses of material opposing U.S. intervention in Syria in today's e-mail. Many of them came from well-known Republican sources; since Morgan Griffith is a Republican I'm guessing his staff saw them before I did. How much need we labor the point? Nobody likes a war.

I'll say this to other private citizens. I am not in a position to do the first reports on this story, and I would have to be very well paid to research the reports after they're all in. If you're not prepared to investigate all the facts, if you're an ordinary private citizen whose beliefs about war are really based on your preference that your country not be involved in one--if, in short, you're like me--I recommend not getting heavily involved in this kind of issue.

I, personally, can visualize how the conspiracy theory could have worked. And why. And who stands to gain. And so on, and so forth. And so very likely can you, U.S. readers. And, based on my own previous experience with stories like this one, I advise: Brakes. Don't attach yourself to any theory of how things might have happened. Wait for the facts about how they did happen.

If you really want to know all the facts, then get the appropriate clearances, make the appropriate connections, get a few backup sets of bulletproof gear, hire a few more guards than you think you'll need, and go out and dig up the facts. Otherwise, don't confuse knowing all the facts about a conspiracy that could precipitate a war with reading an intriguingly plausible spy story on the Internet. And, if prone to confuse those two different things, try to avoid reading anything about Syria on the Internet.