| |
|
Thom's blog
Diplomacy works
On Monday, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov said, “We are calling on Syrian leadership to not only agree on placing chemical weapons storage sites under international control, but also it's subsequent destruction and fully joining the treaty on prohibition of chemical weapons.” Shortly afterward, a Syrian official told reporters that his nation welcomed the proposal. In a series of television interviews that same evening, President Obama called the Russian proposal a “possible breakthrough” and a “positive development.”
The plan for a Syrian surrender of chemical weapons was a response to an off-the-cuff comment by Secretary of State John Kerry, who was asked what Syria could do to avoid a military strike by the United States. Secretary Kerry responded, saying, Assad “could turn over every single bit of his chemical weapons to the international community in the next week, but he isn't about to do it and it can't be done obviously.” Almost immediately, Russian officials urged Syria to accept the proposal, and Syria accepted. Within 24 hours, China and Iran backed the plan as well, and pulled us back from brink of a potential world war.
This is what happens when our leaders use diplomatic efforts, rather than military strikes, to resolve a conflict. In a single day, we went from facing a world war, to Russian officials working on an “effective, concrete” plan for Syria to hand over chemical weapons. And, once those weapons are surrendered, there is little risk that chemicals will wind up in the hands of terrorists. Some media reports claim that President Obama worked out this proposal with Vladimir Putin during the G20 summit in Russia, and other reports say that Secretary Kerry's off-hand comment initiated the proposal.
Regardless of who gets credit, the lesson is clear. Dropping bombs is not the only way to resolve a conflict.
-Thom
(What do you think? Tell us here.) |
|
Tonight on The Big Picture on RT TV at 7pm and 9pm... Did Putin & Obama outsmart the Republican Party? (check your local listings for stations or stream at RT, and catch past shows on Youtube)
Have a question or comment for Thom? Grab your phone, hit record and send your video to YourTakeMyTake@gmail.com and we may air it on "The Big Picture."
Read Thom's latest Liberally Yours column for The Daily Caller....stop by the DC online to leave your comments & support your local liberal!
Need to Know: Did Putin & Obama outsmart the Republican Party?- Michael Ratner, Center for Constitutional Rights 
The Best of the Rest...
Meat...do you want feces chunks with that?- Tony Corbo, Food & Water Watch
Daily Take: A Cautionary Tale on Privatizing Tax Collection
|
|
|
|
Monday's Daily Stack 
Hour One: Left vs. Left on Syria- Ron Baiman, Chicago Political Economy Group (CPEG)
Quote: "The best policy is to declare victory and get out" - George Aiken.
Hour Two: Why the Big Bang theory contradicts the Bible- David Rives, David Rives Ministries
Article: " Gen. Wesley Clark Weighs Presidential Bid: "I Think About It Everyday", March 2, 2007. " This is a memo that describes how we’re going to take out seven countries in five years, starting with Iraq, and then Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and, finishing off, Iran ".
Hour Three: Dear Mr. President...
Article: " Constitution of the United States" Article 1, section 8." ... To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years; ..."
Tweet: "@thomhartmann If Assad was willing 2give the UN his Chem Weapons-could we get Obama 2 Guarantee NO Military Strike? It's called DIPLOMACY!" by Dan.
|
|
|
Tuesday on The Thom Hartmann Program, 3-6pm ET
Hour One: Did Putin & Obama outsmart the Republican Party?
Hour Two: Rep. Pocan on Syria- Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI, 2nd District)
Hour Three: Conservative make-over for teacher's pensions?- Marcus Winters, Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
And, the best of the rest of the news and your calls right here on...
The Thom Hartmann Program...your media support group for "we the people"...
|
|
|
Wednesday on The Thom Hartmann Program, 3-6pm ET
We'll have the latest news on Syria...plus, I'll have a conversation with Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR, 4th District) as the debate on The Hill continues...
Plus, the best of the rest of the news along with your calls right here on...
The Thom Hartmann Program, Occupying The Media 3 hours a day 5 days a week" for "we the people"
And remember...Democracy is NOT a spectator sport...it begins with you...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thom's Poll
Will the war hawks continue to call for a strike in Syria?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Watch & Listen to Thom
Dear Mr. President...
Crazy Alert! Batman saves a kitten from a burning house!
The Good - The Bad - And the Very Very Pseudepisematicly Ugly
Know a Narcissist!
Why the Teamsters are partnering w/ Brazil
IMPORTANT! Net Neutrality is Going on Trial
Politically Corrected - The Daily Mail on Climate Change
It's All About The Oil, Stupid....
Syria - Is the administration's evidence really that conclusive?
Or watch the Full "Big Picture" Show...
Full Show 9/9/13: It's All About the Oil, Stupid.
Thom talks with The Guardian's Nafeez Ahmed and RT's Sam Sacks on the latest with our potential war with Syria, with Free Press' Matt Wood on net neutrality and with Teamster's Tim Beaty on their union's agreement with a Brazilian union leader. In tonight's "Daily Take" Thom discusses the domestic issues Obama should be focusing on instead of waging another war in the Middle East.
Thom Hartmann on the News: September 9, 2013
Caller: We've all Been Connected Since the Big Bang
Why the Big Bang Theory Contradicts the Bible
Caller: I used to Live in Syria and I'm Concerned
Syria - Continuing the Same old War
A Letter from Thom to President Obama
Left vs. Left on Syria
|
|
Show Info
Call Thom on the show at 1-866-987-THOM (8466) (0870 974 9686 from the UK, +1 503 796 2324 from outside the US or UK).
Sign up for Thom's podcasts.
Come on over to the free chat room, where Thom hangs out during the show.
Join in the discussions on Thom's free message board.
Blog or upload videos or audios at Thom's community.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
 Would you like to help give a child with a very troubled background this feeling of peace? Thom and Louise Hartmann founded the New England Salem Children's Village (NESCV) in New Hampshire in 1979. With states delaying payment for the children they entrust to the village, they need help with cash flow. Can you help? Now on Facebook. |
Thom and Louise Hartmann founded the New England Salem Children's Village (NESCV) in New Hampshire in 1979. With states delaying payment for the children they entrust to the village, they need help with cash flow. Can you help? Now on Facebook. |
|
|
Hello All