Do you think Democrat Tulsi Gabbard is right about our focus on Assad ultimately strengthening ISIS?

SSG Gerhard S. — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 15:13:39 -0500

Representative Tulsi Gabbard states we are engaging in a illegal war against Bashar Al Assad, and that it is also counter to the best interests of the US because ousting Assad will ultimately make ISIS a bigger, problem than it already is.
http://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/20/politics/tulsi-gabbard-syria-paris-keep-assad/index.html

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 23 at 2015 3:15 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 15:15:33 -0500

Yes she is correct SSG Gerhard S.. The administration's focus against Bashar Al Assad was completely wrong. Our focus should have been on toppling ISIS all along. Our diddling in this area of the world has caused many problems from Libya to Iraq and Syria in the past few years .

Response by SFC Stephen King made Nov 23 at 2015 3:17 PM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 15:17:50 -0500

She is correct and I hope her way of thinking catches on.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Nov 23 at 2015 3:26 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 15:26:40 -0500

I agree with her. You have to know your enemy in order to defeat them.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2015 5:38 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 17:38:43 -0500

Assad is a bad guy, but ISIS is worse. Both need to go. But concentrating on Assad first makes it more likely that ISIS fills the vacuum.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made Nov 23 at 2015 6:00 PM

COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 18:00:17 -0500

A few thoughts:
- Representative Gabbard rightly points to Iraq and Libya as examples of unsuccessful regime change but does not point to Japan or Germany as successful examples of regime change. Maybe the key point is not if regime change is good but how regime change can be successful conducted. I argue it can be successful if the proper amounts of time, money and resources are committed.
- I am not sure how the US can stand for freedom, democracy, and human rights but then stand by and do nothing when a regime denies all three to its citizens including conducting chemical warfare against its own citizens.
- Rep Gabbard says we are "engaging in an illegal war against Bashar Al Assad. Question: What law is being broken? US Law? International law?
- Rep Gabbard is presuming an outcome (ISIS will be bigger problem if Assad is ousted). This is a possible outcome IF the Western Allies attempt regime change "on the cheap" as we have other countries. This is not, however, the only possible outcome or even the highest probability outcome. There are a lot of assumptions in her hypothesis. Always good to delineate the assumptions for proper consideration which neither the Representative nor the article have properly done.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2015 6:02 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 18:02:53 -0500

This is a sad indicator that as of 2015, Congresswoman Gabbard is the sole remaining Democrat in Congress with any tactical or strategic comprehension whatsoever. An extremely troubling development that does not bode well for those moments when it is time for politicians to put Party differences aside and come together in the interests of National Security. Before both sides can get there, they must be led. Who's going to lead those who cannot grasp the magnitude of an issue or a moment in this arena?

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Nov 23 at 2015 8:09 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 20:09:29 -0500

She brought some solid points. Until we can honestly find someone there that supports our views and the long term sustainable of them, maybe we need to step back and watch the overall picture. The last two time she mentioned, she is correct in. With the current method of nation building we use and do, I wouldn't have the US build me an outhouse. It would be crappier than the crap that's supposed to go in it. We need to rethink our methods and are they relevant in the modern world, and how does it further our interests beyond the time we use to "rebuild" that nation?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2015 2:12 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 02:12:29 -0500

This is why. She is an MP officer. We both went to the Alabama Military Academy to get our commissions. I wasn't in her class but we are both alumi. She is still serving also. She is a MP Company Commander. I don't think there are many out there that are doing this. But she see things from our point of view.

Tulsi Gabbard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tulsi Gabbard (born April 12, 1981) is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who has been the United States Representative for Hawaii's second congressional district since 2013. She is also a vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee.[2] Elected in 2012, she is the first American Samoan[3] and the first Hindu member of the United States Congress,[4] and, along with Tammy Duckworth, one of its first female combat...

Response by SPC Harold Bustamante made Jul 17 at 2016 10:02 PM

SPC Harold Bustamante — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 22:02:26 -0400

Yup, I support her, she should be VP choice if Bernie winds, excuse the pun but F Clinton.. they don't give a f for us vets or in house military.. Tulsi is intelligent and standing with Bernie is the smartest move.. I know many of you actives can't speak up politricks, but i'm a vet and I can speak out. We need intelligent international decisions and not those trying to create wars especially with russia and china etc.. I know people want to play with hardware and train in real battle but i believe after manipulated wars since the 60's its time for intelligent military actions that bring balance to the world not destroy it..russians were our enemies during cold war and my time period ins service, now they are my best friends in the film industry and very integral people so i won't stand for this manipulation from corporate powers to create wars to shut up americans trying to take back power for the people and military should know this, we swore to constitution and bill of rights not to corporate charters.. time for sensible policies and I see her being a Presidential potential.. Female president with history of the military and knows what pitmans to be a real human..Not a sellout or a billionaire with dreams of illusion.. thats my opinion and some may call me a liberal..but I'm central and stand for our truth as what make sense not bullshit policies and yes citizens of this country deserve better.. education, health, security, food and shelter..shit look at us vets, we are good when we are socialist in uniforms but once we leave the service and die trying to survive in outside crapped out world..how many suicides a day, how much real care for our PTSD, how much community?? the rest of society needs a boost and vets need a support system and that means coop housing, etc.. time for FDR time period reforms.. Thats how the USA will stay strong and last another century.. end the street violence and get harmonized with reality.. Lets support the Kurds to end Daesh ( IS) reality, they deserve our awareness and watch for Turkeys manipulation...

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jul 17 at 2016 10:47 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Sun, 17 Jul 2016 22:47:38 -0400

Sigh, if we had politicians that had a clue the world would be safer and happier place. Until that happens I will be a prepper.
OTH she is Cute.