State Rep Ray Hull speaks out against strike on Syria

State Rep. Ray Hull, who lives in and represents the Mt. Pleasant area of Providence, has sent a letter to Rhode Island’s congressional delegation asking them not to support a military strike against Syria. He’s the first member of the General Assembly to speak out on the matter (to my knowledge).

Here’s his letter:

Like you, and all other compassionate and humane individuals, I find the situation in Syria to be both sad and despicable.  I simply do not understand how the leader of a nation – whether torn by internal strife or civil unrest – could wantonly murder his fellow countrymen, especially through the use of chemical agents.

That being said, I nonetheless must ask you to not support any U.S. military intervention in the nation of Syria if or when the issue comes before Congress when it recovenes next week.

I believe that what we are observing in Syria is a civil war. I believe that what we are seeing is a situation that does not, in any way, shape or form, have an immediate or direct impact on the United States or American citizens. I do not believe that, if we were to intervene, even in a limited way, the outcome would result in a situation that would be beneficial to the United States. I fear any potential repercussions resulting from our intervention, and I do not believe that any faction of the civil unrest in Syria that might come to power as a result of our assistance would be an American ally.

America has already spent too much money and shed too much blood attempting to bring peace and democracy and human rights to other countries in that part of the world that have not shown a willingness to end centuries of religious and tribal warfare. We must not go that route again.

Please stand strong against any attempt to seek U.S. military action in Syria.

Sincerely,

Raymond A. Hull

State Representative – District 6