“We cannot resolve someone else’s civil war by force.”

“On that terrible night, the world saw the terrible nature of chemical weapons . . . a violation of the rules of war.”

In 1997, the U.S. Senate ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention . . . 189 participating governments . . . representing 98 percent of humanity . . . .

“We know the Assad regime was responsible . . . fired rockets into 11 neighborhoods . . . .  Senior figures in the Assad regime reviewed the results of the attacks . . . .”

“When dictators commit atrocities, they depend on the world to look the other way . . . and forget . . . .”

” . . . not only a violation of international law, also a threat to our security.”

“I will not put American boots on the ground in Syria.”

” . . . targeted strikes to deter the use of chemical weapons . . . .”

” . . . over the last two years . . . diplomacy, sanctions . . .  credible threat (to get) Putin to urge Assad to join the international community . . . give up chemical weapons . . . .’

“I have asked the members of Congress to postpone the vote on whether to (strike Syria).”

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That’s less how I heard it and more how I scribbled it (with really bad handwriting).

Nonetheless, Obama made clear that eleven neighborhoods suffered chemical weapons attacks, that senior figures in the Assad regime reviewed the results of those attacks, and that the Administration was considering a limited, targeted strike specifically to deter the regime’s use of chemical weapons in the future.

In response to Putin’s offer, Obama requested the postponement of a Congressional decision on the matter, garnering time for diplomacy and for the UN to present its findings Syria’s chemical weapons use.

Obama noted he had ordered the military to maintain its current posture and ability to respond.

One more partial quotation: ” . . . that’s what makes America exceptional — humility with resolve.”

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With live television and “live streaming” in “webcasting” the second row seat to history becomes the front row seat, and that advance in technology fairly invites one to report a little even knowing someone else already has the complete transcript, complete and completely accurate quotations, but, nonetheless, if you haven’t read it here first, you just about could.

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FULL TRANSCRIPT: President Obama’s Sept. 10 speech on Syria – The Washington Post 9/10/2013/2144ET

Full text of Obama’s speech on Syria | The Times of Israel 9/10/2013/2308ET

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