Syrian President Bashar Assad allegedly used chemical weapons against his own people, leaving a sickening sight of carnage, some 1400 innocent men, women and children dead, others twitching in neurological agony. We do not know if President Obama will feel compelled – politically, morally, or in an effort to save face — to lob several hundred $1.5 million cruise missiles at Syrian strategic targets even without Congressional approval.

We do know that approval for a Syria strike is diminishing quite fast, among Congressional members and among the people in general. In light of the arrogance, incompetence and pure deception leading to the Iraqi War, not to mention its deadly carnage even yet, other world allies offer little military support, only moral judgment against Syrian leader, Assad.

The plain truth is that wasting hundreds of millions of dollars on a military strike, especially in light of its limited effectiveness, its risks, and the obvious unmet domestic needs in America, is a grossly bad idea. Strategic alternatives make much more sense and don’t seem to be considered by an Obama administration bent on “Old Testament” punishment.

Where is that cool, measured mentality of Barack Obama? Has it been lost in his domestic impotency, caused by Republican political strategies and go-along voters? Is he starting to develop an Old-Testament retribution model like that of Charleston Heston smiting the Pharoah (substitute bad-mustached Assad for Yul Brenner) for killing and torturing Israelites (Syrians)?

Chill out, Barack. There are at least six non-military strategies that could hold wrongdoers accountable, deter war crimes and build peace, according to YES Magazine’s Sarah Van Gelder:

1.   Bring the guilty to justice with the backing of the U.N. Security Council. The can be brought to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for justice. I have to say that sounds strident – who will go into Syria and get them?
2.   Call for a United Nations embargo on arms, military supplies, and logistical support for both Damascus and opposition forces. Complex diplomacy would have to be engineered and coordinated.
3.   The U.N. Security Council should hold an international peace conference with all concerned parties.
4.   Offer aid and support to the nonviolent movements within Syria. There is one according to Stephen Zunes, chair of Middle Eastern studies at the University of San Francisco.
5.   Provide the humanitarian aid desperately needed by millions of displaced people. The UN is already doing this but with great difficulty and interference by hostiles.
6.   Force the hand of Russia and China in the Security Council. Both have only threatened a veto. Appeal to reason and make them actually veto sensible solutions.

Looking at the risks of innocent casualties, or bringing Iran, Hezbollah or others into a war, and the real possibility of additional chemical attacks on innocents, the six suggestions need to be considered by President Obama. We don’t need knee-jerk military action that is full of risks.

We need the cool, logical, calculated approach that Obama has shown trying to deal with a spiteful, demagogic, and stubborn GOP on domestic issues. However, he needs to put someone else with better bargaining skills in charge of the specifics, maybe like Secretary of State, John Kerry – better yet, Hillary.

I remember too many instances of Obama dealing with inflexible Republicans regarding domestic issues. Progressives and moderates are afraid Obama will give away the farm. Ample evidence proves that he makes a very poor poker player or domestic negotiator.

On the eve of President Obama’s address to the nation regarding Syria, some non-military options might be possible.