Sacramento Reaction Mixed On Intervening In Syrian Conflict
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Local lawmakers are divided over whether or not the U.S. should get involved militarily in Syria.
The debate has also spilled onto the streets of Sacramento.
"There's no reason to launch any kind of attack on Syria, if they have not attacked us," said Gary Meyer, president of Sacramento Area Peace Action.
But some in the local Syrian community are calling for the U.S to step in right away and put an end to the civilian suffering.
"Assad with his known history of terrorism and sponsoring terrorism is a threat to the United States."
Mohammed K.'s family lives in Damascus, just miles away from where the Obama administration says the Syrian government used chemical weapons on its own people.
He says that's why the U.S. must get involved.
"This is what's going to stop this carnage and this massacre."
The fate of military intervention now lies with members of Congress, including Republican Tom McClintock, who opposes taking action.
"There's no way to limit a war once it's started. Once you have attacked another government, you are at war with that government and its allies, regardless of what you want to do, call it, or what you want to later do."
Other members, like Rep. Ami Bera (D-Rancho Cordova) say the case isn't so clear.
"We're talking about going to war. Our job here is to consider all the facts and the evidence before we make any vote."
And as a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Bera will have a chance to question President Barack Obama's national security team about Syria at Wednesday's hearing on Capitol Hill.
