Obama backs off

[dan_s]

I agree with this action. IMO the President should only use military force without the approval of Congress if there is immediate danger to Americans. Obviously, this is not the case. Any military action against Syria (a puppet of Iran) could lead to an attack on Israel and then all hell breaks loose. Look for oil prices to pull back a few dollars next week, but flop around in the $105/bbl range. - Dan
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President Barack Obama reassured an uneasy nation on Saturday that any attack on Syria will be limited in scope and will only come after a debate of the people's representatives in both houses of Congress.

Speaking in the Rose Garden, the president said he had already made the decision that military action was warranted following a chemical attack earlier this month that was believed to have been ordered by Syrian President Bashar Assad.

"In a world of many dangers this menace must be confronted," Obama said, adding that the attack on civilians "risks making a mockery of the global prohibition on chemical weapons" and "could lead to escalated use of chemical weapons."

He said he contacted congressional leaders on Saturday and that they plan to hold a debate and a vote as soon as Congress comes back in September. [They are scheduled to return September 9, but may be called back earlier.]