^^^ Isn't that just saying that US personnel haven't been there or taken samples? Mattis also says in that article that he's not rebutting claims that a chemical attack happened.

Been watching reports of this on and off today. It doesn't sound like anyone has a great handle on exactly what transpired. I might remind everyone (which you likely already know), nothing in this part of the world is ever simple. This is a big part of the reason we need to pack up and leave this BS to the natives. If they want to gas each other, have at it. But lets beat feet before American soldiers end up in the middle of one of these attacks and all hell breaks loose as a result.

https://hotair.com/headlines/a...ike-syrian-air-base/

Syrian state TV initially said the United States was suspected of carrying out a missile attack on the T-4 airfield near Homs, after harsh words by Trump over the reported chemical attack on Saturday in the town of Douma which killed dozens of people.

The United States denied attacking the Syrian base, and France also said its forces had not carried it out.

The Russian military, whose forces are supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, said two Israeli F-15 war planes had carried out the strikes on the Syrian T-4 air base, the Interfax news agency reported.

Apparently, the whole world thinks it was Assad using gas, but a few people here know better.

https://www.washingtonpost.com...pisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1

A missile strike on an air base in central Syria was carried out by Israeli warplanes early Monday and caused multiple casualties, according to the Syrian and Russian governments, amid fears of a wider confrontation between world powers.

Israeli officials did not immediately comment on the reports. The raid on the T-4 airfield in Homs province — believed also to be a base for Iranian and Iranian-allied militias — comes as tensions rise over possible U.S. military action in Syria in response to an alleged chemical strike near Damascus late Saturday.

Syria’s ally, Russia, on Monday called the Israeli raid a “dangerous development” and said reports of a chemical attack near Damascus were also a “provocation,” Reuters reported

U.S. officials said Sunday that they were weighing options to strike Syrian government targets after at least 40 people were killed in the opposition-held town of Douma, roughly 10 miles from the Syrian capital. President Trump also said Sunday that there would be a “big price to pay” for the attack.

Many of the victims suffocated, and the wounded showed signs of respiratory distress and foaming at the mouth, doctors and rescue workers in the area said.

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
^^^ Isn't that just saying that US personnel haven't been there or taken samples? Mattis also says in that article that he's not rebutting claims that a chemical attack happened.

I see this regularly in my little corner of the DoD wold.

Secretary Mattis says "We have no evidence showing a gas attack occurred."

Media immediately turn this around to conclude "Secretary Mattis says there is evidence there was no gas attack."

People just don't see the YYYYUUUUGGGGGEEEE difference the two statements.

I have hammered that point time and time again, and many otherwise smart DoD staff can't seem to stop concluding that "No evidence" means "Evidence of no..."

What Secretary Mattis should say is "We do not yet have sufficient information about on-site conditions; therefore, we cannot draw a conclusion one way or another."

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
Apparently, the whole world thinks it was Assad using gas, but a few people here know better.

The whole world thinks global warming is happening too...

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
^^^ Isn't that just saying that US personnel haven't been there or taken samples? Mattis also says in that article that he's not rebutting claims that a chemical attack happened.

I see this regularly in my little corner of the DoD wold.

Secretary Mattis says "We have no evidence showing a gas attack occurred."

Media immediately turn this around to conclude "Secretary Mattis says there is evidence there was no gas attack."

People just don't see the YYYYUUUUGGGGGEEEE difference the two statements.

I have hammered that point time and time again, and many otherwise smart DoD staff can't seem to stop concluding that "No evidence" means "Evidence of no..."

What Secretary Mattis should say is "We do not yet have sufficient information about on-site conditions; therefore, we cannot draw a conclusion one way or another."

Doesn't matter what he says, the media will twist words to generate ad revenue and keep the dimwitted hooked on misinformation. Nothing will change the wholesale regurgitation of media lies by their audience. Most people are too lazy now to seek multiple sources of information and come to their own conclusions. They would rather have someone tell them what to think!

Yay! We're saved! The UN is on it!

Oh, and McCain, just shut your yap!

quote:

Do you really think the rebels would gas their own people just for publicity value?

I wouldn't dismiss it so easily, you have to wonder how they have cameras ready (phones probably) at the exact time and in the exact position to film the event and the women/children involved. It appears planned at initial glance, Perhaps it is not however I have to admit it was my first thought when the film came on tee vee....

quote:

cameras ready (phones probably)

And they also happened to be in and around town, since they were defending it against Syrian forces.

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:

quote:

cameras ready (phones probably)

And they also happened to be in and around town, since they were defending it against Syrian forces.

Obviously, location wasn't the intended question but operation, getting yourself in position and having the phone active an filming in a high pressure situation vs actually helping.

Not insinuating they set off the gas in order to film it, post it and have it on news worldwide to help the plight of their cause at all.

Just that it's amazing they have cell and data services in the middle of a war zone... I can't get coverage in parts near my home...

quote:

Just that it's amazing they have cell and data services in the middle of a war zone... I can't get coverage in parts near my home...

Mostly guessing the only reason they might have cell service is because of their proximity to Damascus. I believe most of the rest of the country has very little coverage.

Back when Raqqah was in ISIS possession, the people documenting what was going on would have to travel to Damascus, Homs, or Aleppo, just to send out videos and reports.

Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0niyl-vDBk

I agree with Tucker.

quote:

Originally posted by Sig2340:
The symptoms reported by the medicos is more consistent with chlorine gas.

The medical reports I saw are of people having a strong smell of chlorine. None of the nerve agents have that as a odor. The rest of the symptomology is also consistent with chlorine gas exposure.

If I here differently, I'll let the hive know.

Confirmed as chlorine gas in Tucker's piece above.

My other sources agree.

As for Tucker's commentary:

If Congress wants war, let them declare it, then use their feet to fill the boots on the ground at the front line.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/...mical-strike-claims/

Syria invites global watchdog to probe chemical strike claims

Syria’s government has invited the global chemical watchdog to visit the rebel-held town where an alleged toxic gas attack killed dozens at the weekend, state media said Tuesday.

Syria has denied accusations it unleashed a gas attack on the town of Douma, the last opposition town in the battered enclave of Eastern Ghouta near Damascus.

Citing a foreign ministry source, state news agency SANA said Syria was ready to cooperate with a fact-finding team.

in eastern Ghouta, near Damascus, Syria, April. 8, 2018 (Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets via AP)

Syria’s government has invited the global chemical watchdog to visit the rebel-held town where an alleged toxic gas attack killed dozens at the weekend, state media said Tuesday.

Syria has denied accusations it unleashed a gas attack on the town of Douma, the last opposition town in the battered enclave of Eastern Ghouta near Damascus.

Citing a foreign ministry source, state news agency SANA said Syria was ready to cooperate with a fact-finding team.

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“The ministry sent a formal invitation to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to send a team from its fact-finding mission to visit Douma and investigate claims linked to the alleged use of chemical weapons there,” it said.

The letter said Syria was ready to “provide all necessary assistance to the mission.”

Regime ally Moscow said it would propose a UN resolution on a “transparent and honest” investigation with the OPCW’s involvement.

The OPCW’s fact-finding mission for Syria was established in 2014 to confirm chemical weapons use, but it does not have the mandate to establish who is responsible.

Syria’s letter came hours ahead of a United Nations Security Council meeting on rival proposals by Russia and the United States on chemical weapons use.

Russia said Syrian government troops could ensure the safety of OPCW experts if they were to travel to the scene, he added, criticizing previous investigations for having been conducted from a distance.

The OPCW already says it is investigating but that so far only a “preliminary analysis” had taken place.

At the same time Russia’s special envoy to Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev reportedly visited Tehran in secret for discussions with the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani.

The Lebanese-based Al-Mayadeen news site, affiliated with the Hezbollah terror group, reported that the two held lengthy talks on the latest developments in Syria. These included the deadly airstrike on the Tiyas air base — also known as the T-4 air base — in central Syria attributed to the Israeli military, and US President Donald Trump’s threats following the attack on Douma.

Pardon me? We're going to "kill 50 Russians" to do...what?? You want to take another run at that, Carnac?

Trump has nothing to,worry about, as the odds of OPCW sending their people into Douma, escorted by Russians and/or Syrians or not, are zero.

It's not what the OPCW mandate covers and its not what they are trained or equipped to do.