Speaking out at Representative Emanuel Cleaver’s (D) town hall on military intervention in Syria – Kansas City – September 5, 2013.

On Thursday evening in Kansas City Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D) held an open town hall on military intervention in Syria. After brief introductory remarks Congressman Cleaver opened up the microphone to anyone who wanted to speak on the subject. People did so, one after another, for almost two hours.

….Thank you Congressman. Um, and I also want to thank all of my fellow citizens. Apathy and ignorance are the true enemies of Democracy. And people showing up and voicing their opinion means that our system still has some semblance of its, uh, original intent. [voices]

Um, I’m gonna disagree with a number of people that have spoken this evening. I want to pull back for just a second. I’m against this action. And I want to look at it from clinical, very cold hearted stand point.

I am unapologetic about the fact that I don’t believe in military action unless it is definitely in our best interests. I don’t see that here. I see reports [inaudible] that the U.N. that the rebels are the ones that are using the Sarin gas.

Is Assad a bad guy? I’m certain he’s a bad guy. I don’t see how us getting involved in is is gonna make him a better guy. Especially when the President himself has said that, hey, we’re not gonna depose the regime, the military action’s not gonna take a very long time, we’re gonna fire a shot across the bow.

We’re gonna be ineffective. If we’re gonna, if we’re gonna take military action we should go in with a specific plan to change the current situation. Us proving how big and bad we are doesn’t change the current situation.

That’s my opinion. Thank you for your time. [Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D): “Thank you.”] [applause]

Previously:

Suppose they gave a town hall before rushing off to war and everybody came (September 5, 2013)

Norman Rockwell ain’t got nothin’ on the real Kansas City (September 5, 2013)

Norman Rockwell ain’t got nothin’ on the real Kansas City – part 2 (September 6, 2013)

A short interview with Rep. Cleaver after last night’s town hall (September 6, 2013)

Norman Rockwell ain’t got nothin’ on the real Kansas City – part 3 (September 7, 2013)

Norman Rockwell ain’t got nothin’ on the real Kansas City – part 4 (September 7, 2013)

Norman Rockwell ain’t got nothin’ on the real Kansas City – part 5 (September 7, 2013)

Norman Rockwell ain’t got nothin’ on the real Kansas City – part 6 (September 7, 2013)