Many Marylanders Disapprove Of Getting Involved In Syrian Conflict
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- President Barack Obama will make his case about intervening in Syria to the American people Tuesday night.
Derek Valcourt explains many already have their minds made up.
Some say the president is right but the majority we spoke with just don't want the U.S. to get involved.
At Jimmy's in Fells Point, there's hot food on the menus and hot topics at the tables. Today, it's "Should the U.S. strike Syria?"
"I know emotionally I don't want to be involved. I think most people would feel that way," said Gary Boardely.
"I don't think it's anything to do with our national security. I feel that it would probably stir up more bad emotions towards us," said Karl Snyder.
"If they are using chemical weapons, we need to do something but I don't know why something needs to be military. Why can't it be economic or sanctions of some kind?" said Kathy Snyder.
"It's something that needs to be addressed but the United States has their plate full, and we can't stop everything that happens over there," said one diner.
At Edward Skinner's barber shop, a picture of the president hangs on the wall but Skinner says there's little the Commander-in-Chief can say to change his mind.
"Personally myself, can he really clarify to the point to say this is the right thing to do? My opinion, no," Skinner said.
"I personally think it's not the right thing to do, but I'm anxious to hear his opinion and see how he's trying to sway the American public," said one.
"It's terrible what's going on over there," said Towson student Rachel Babcock.
The debate rages, even on college campuses like Towson.
"As a world power, I think it's our responsibility to take care of the world," Babcock said.
"We've got a lot of problems here," said Jesse Ray. "Settling foreign disputes should be on the bottom of the list in my opinion."
WJZ heard from very few people in our unofficial survey Tuesday who actually support any sort of military strike in Syria. That mirrors the national polling suggesting the president faces an uphill battle trying to convince Americans of the need for action.
