This snap shot from BBC was just prior to the Presidents speech. It reflects probably pretty close the U.S. House of Representatives stand regarding a military strike against Syria. as of 9/10/13.

Clearly, not looking good in supporting a military strike. 

    Pres. Obama's speech was supposed to persuade Americans and Congress to support such action. 

In my opinion, the Presidents best effort to tug at America's heart strings and tap into national intolerance for inhumane treatment and atrocities, especially towards children; however urgent and real, didn't seem to pack the punch he was hoping for. In his speech he listed reasons he felt justified in advancing a military strike against Syria, but offered no hard proof behind his accusations. He offered a series of actions with no defined plan. He called for action, yet took none.  It's a bit like asking someone to sign a blank check, only there is much more significant than money at stake, with American lives, security and the like at stake here. 

     The chatter on Twitter that I monitored during and after the speech took a range of positions on the subject. About 1/2 would agree with my assessment, while others were overall pleased with the presentation and wonderful delivery by the President, admittedly most everyone was thankful we spared an actual military action at this time, and would prefer a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the problem of Chemical warfare. There however a good percentage of tweets and posts describing the Presidents speech as hard to follow, confusing and as one of the oddest speeches in the history of the Obama years. Many said he contradicted himself. 

      But in any case, the vast majority seemed to be unmoved in their stance on not supporting a military strike or becoming involved right now in any kind of retaliation towards Syria. 

The tweeting thing is still new to me, and I found it a bit overwhelming to keep up with all the comments. Or to track down the ones I really liked and would have used in this blog. Then I remembered 'screenshots' amid the fervor.
    At the end of the day, I think few minds were changed by either the president's address and position on Syria, and fewer still were influenced by what they read on social media. It's more like a forum to vent, or express opinions, but seems the opinions expressed are those already embedded and not much open or inquiring minds trying to weigh the pro's and con's of the situation. But then who want's to get involved in war and conflict? There is a lot to think about and a lot at stake.

So here I am.. after another relaxing evening of homework.