Rand Paul Questions Whether Chemical Attacks Launched by Rebels, Not Syrian Army

[jct74]

Rand Paul Suspects Chemical Attacks ‘Launched by Rebels, Not Syrian Army’

by Matt Wilstein | 2:28 pm, August 28th, 2013

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) cautioned against U.S. military action in Syria Wednesday morning during an appearance on Chris Stigall’s Philadephia-based radio show. He said “questions” remain on which side of the Syrian conflict used chemical weapons, saying, “there is a great incentive for this to actually have been launched by rebels, not the Syrian army.”

Paul fought back against suggestions from the White House that the Obama Administration could launch strikes against Syria without congressional approval. “The Constitution mandates that Congress declare war, not the president.” He predicted that President Obama would say “dropping a few cruise missiles isn’t war,” but said it the U.S. getting “more involved” would be almost inevitable.

“We’re not playing a game here,” Paul said, arguing that intervention in Syria could prompt a war with our “ally” Russia with whom we “went through 70 years avoiding war.” He said “people need to think these things through” before moving forward with any action.

The senator then questioned the assessment that the Syrian regime has used chemical weapons against its own civilians. “There are some questions,” Paul said. “It sounds more and more like chemical weapons were used, but there are some questions–and it should be investigated–who used them?”

Quoting Pat Buchanan, Paul asked, “Cui bono? To whose benefit is this? All of this redounds back to this is to the benefit of the rebels because now it’s bringing other people in on their side. So there is a great incentive for this to actually have been launched by rebels, not the Syrian army.”

Listen to audio below, via WPHT:

http://www.mediaite.com/online/rand...l-attacks-launched-by-rebels-not-syrian-army/

 

[jkr]

almost time for WAR TRIBUNALS!
WE CAN USE HEMP ROPE!

 

[WD-NY]

I was waiting for Team Rand to make their move on Syria - knew he'd come out with the right position but obviously had no idea whether or not his statement would 'strike a chord' (re: generate headlines). There are quite a few Senators putting out statements about Syria, so by no means was Rand's call for open debate guaranteed to break through (re: grab some headlines).

The HuffPost headline (below) is borderline priceless. Think of all the people who - without even having to read the article - will now associate Rand with being against a war with Syria.

Suffice to say, Rand's communications team ftw.

 

[GunnyFreedom]

That's a pretty bold statement for a US Senator.

 

[Aratus]

true... but then again,
he is a US senator...

 

[NorfolkPCSolutions]

You have earned a gold star, Rand, from your friends here at your papa's forums. Keep it up. Fight for us. We're doing what we do, you keep on doing what you do.

 

[GunnyFreedom]

It won't be enough until he stands in front of the goram tanks with grocery bags and prevents them from going!!!1!11!11111!

 

[RonPaulFanInGA]

Rand Paul is a neocon unless he personally straps himself to a U.S. cruise missile to prevent it from launching into Syria.

 

[GunnyFreedom]

Rand Paul is a neocon unless he personally straps himself to a U.S. cruise missile to prevent it from launching into Syria.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to RonPaulFanInGA again.

PSSSSHHHHHT! It's a conspiracy!

 

[dskalkowski]

It's obviously not enough. Rand is a traitor to this forum unless he files articles of impeachment

 

[cajuncocoa]

Hyperbole aside, it would be great if he would just go express these views on Hannity's or Levin's show.

 

[KingRobbStark]

That would make sense too. I mean why would the army launch chemical attacks a day before the UN inspectors arrive? That makes no sense at all.