“What we saw in Syria last week should shock the conscience of the world. It defies any code of morality. Let me be clear. The indiscriminate slaughter of civilians, the killing of women and children and innocent bystanders by chemical weapons is a moral obscenity. By any standard, it is inexcusable. And despite the excuses and equivocations that some have manufactured, it is undeniable.” – Secretary of State John Kerry, August 28, 2013

What happened in Syria is a “moral obscenity”, but there’s MUCH more to the story and it’s not the first moral obscenity. History is a stern teacher.

Question 1: Have chemical weapons ever been used by the United States of America?

Answer: Yes. The United States used Agent Orange and Napalm, burning the flesh off innocent civilians as well as soldiers of the Viet Cong, and destroying habitats in Vietnam and in Laos.

Question 2: Is the tragic use of chemical weapons in Syria unique or an historical watershed?

Answer: No. Click HERE for the history of U.S. Administration’s supply of Iraq in the Iran-Iraq War when Saddam was still a U.S. ally, and the number of times the U.S. has chosen to look the other way when chemical weapons have been used.

Compassion is in order. So is truth. Ignoring the history is a form of official prevarication. Prevarication is a gentle word for half a lie. We deserve better and so does the world.

Questions 3: Can assurance be given that there will no further military consequences to a narrow strategic strike?

Answer: How can any such assurance be given when there are at least two parties involved and likely more? Syria will not lie back without rocket strikes at U.S. warships, and then….. the game is on. Seems like moral obscenity, prevarication, and high risk no matter where one looks. Let those with clean hands cast the first missile… or work non-violently to stop the cycle of violence.